Olla de Mono
Lecythis ampla
Native Region
Nicaragua to Ecuador
Max Height
40-50 meters (130-165 feet)
Family
Lecythidaceae
Conservation
EN
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-500m
Regions
- Limón
- Heredia
- Alajuela
Season
Flowering
Jan-Mar
Fruiting
Jun-Sep
Olla de Mono (Monkey Pot Tree)
The Olla de Mono (Lecythis ampla), known as the Monkey Pot Tree, is one of Costa Rica's most fascinating and endangered rainforest trees. Named for its unique pot-shaped fruits that can trap curious monkeys, this magnificent relative of the Brazil nut was once common in Atlantic lowland forests. Today, overexploitation for its valuable timber has pushed it to Endangered status in Costa Rica.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Lecythis ampla
- Family
- Lecythidaceae (Brazil Nut Family)
- Max Height
- 40-50 m (130-165 ft)
- Conservation
- Endangered (Costa Rica)
- Notable Feature
- Pot-shaped fruits
- Habitat
- Atlantic lowland rainforest
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
40
Observations
186
Observers
The Remarkable "Monkey Pot"
Nature's Perfect Trap
The Olla de Mono gets its name from one of nature's most ingenious fruit designs. The woody, pot-shaped fruits have a removable lid that falls off when ripe, exposing nutritious seeds inside. Legend has it that monkeys reach into the pot to grab seeds, make a fist around them, and then cannot withdraw their hand—becoming "trapped" by their own greed.
While the monkey trap story is likely exaggerated, the fruit's design is genuinely remarkable:
- Pot diameter: 10-15 cm wide
- Wall thickness: 1-2 cm of woody tissue
- Lid (operculum): Detaches cleanly when ripe
- Seeds: 15-25 per fruit, arranged neatly inside
- Purpose: Seeds released gradually as animals access them
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist's community science database. Browse all observations →↗
Taxonomy & Classification
The Lecythidaceae family includes about 340 species of tropical trees, most famous of which is the Brazil Nut (Bertholletia excelsa). All members share distinctive, often woody fruits and showy flowers. The family name comes from the Greek word for "oil jar," referring to the pot-shaped fruits.
Common Names
| Language | Common Name(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Olla de Mono | Monkey pot (most common) |
| Spanish | Coco, Jícaro, Salero | Regional variations |
| English | Monkey Pot Tree | Direct translation |
| English | Paradise Nut | Trade name for seeds |
| Local | Sapucaia | South American relative |
Physical Description
Overall Form
The Olla de Mono is a towering rainforest giant, often reaching or exceeding 40 meters. Its massive trunk and spreading crown make it one of the most impressive trees in the Atlantic lowland forests.
Distinctive Features
Trunk & Crown
- Trunk: Straight, cylindrical, sometimes buttressed
- Bark: Gray-brown, rough, fissured
- Crown: Large, spreading, emergent
- Branches: Horizontal to slightly ascending
Leaves & Flowers
- Leaves: Simple, alternate, 15-30 cm long
- Leaf shape: Elliptical with pointed tip
- Flowers: Large, showy, white to purple
- Flower structure: Hooded with coiled stamens
- Pollination: Large bees (especially Eulaema)
The Remarkable Fruit
Fruit Structure:
- Outer shell (pericarp): Extremely hard, woody, up to 2 cm thick
- Lid (operculum): Circular cap that detaches when mature
- Opening: Perfect circle, 5-8 cm diameter
- Seeds (funicle): 15-25, each 2-4 cm, attached by fleshy stalk
- Seed covering: Edible aril (fleshy layer)
The fruits can persist for years after falling, often used as containers or decorations.
Edible Seeds
Paradise Nuts
The seeds of Olla de Mono are edible and nutritious, similar to Brazil nuts but with an important caution:
Nutritional Value
- Protein: High protein content
- Fat: Rich in healthy oils
- Minerals: Good source of selenium
- Taste: Mild, creamy, like Brazil nut
- Preparation: Usually eaten raw or roasted
Important Warning
Excessive consumption of Lecythis seeds can cause temporary hair loss.
The seeds contain high levels of selenium, which in excess causes a condition called selenosis. Symptoms include:
- Hair loss
- Nail brittleness
- Gastrointestinal upset
Traditional knowledge limits consumption to small amounts. This is why the seeds never became a major commercial product like Brazil nuts.
Habitat & Distribution
Geographic Range
The Olla de Mono ranges from Nicaragua south through Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador, always in lowland wet forests.
| Region in Costa Rica | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Braulio Carrillo NP | Present | Protected population |
| Caribbean lowlands | Declining | Historical habitat |
| Tortuguero region | Present | Fragmented |
| La Selva area | Present | Research specimens |
Preferred Habitat
- Forest type: Primary lowland wet forest
- Canopy position: Emergent to upper canopy
- Elevation: Sea level to 500 m
- Rainfall: 3,000-5,000 mm/year
- Soil: Rich, well-drained alluvial soils
Conservation Status
Assessment
The Olla de Mono is classified as Endangered according to Costa Rican conservation assessments (IUCN 1988). While global status may differ, the species has declined dramatically within Costa Rica due to:
- Logging for valuable timber
- Loss of primary lowland forest
- Slow growth and reproduction
- Limited remaining habitat
Threats
| Threat | Severity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Timber extraction | Critical | High-value wood drives selective logging |
| Deforestation | High | Atlantic lowlands heavily converted to agriculture |
| Slow regeneration | Moderate | Large tree, slow to mature |
| Fragmentation | Moderate | Isolated populations |
Conservation Actions
Protected in these areas:
- Braulio Carrillo National Park
- Tortuguero National Park
- La Selva Biological Station
- Various private reserves
Timber Value
Why This Tree Was Logged
Wood Properties
- Density: Very heavy, durable
- Grain: Interlocked, decorative
- Color: Reddish-brown heartwood
- Durability: Extremely resistant to rot and insects
- Workability: Difficult due to hardness
Traditional Uses
- Heavy construction: Bridges, wharves, pilings
- Shipbuilding: Keels, frames, planking
- Flooring: High-traffic areas
- Railway ties: Extreme durability
- Exterior use: Outdoor structures
Ironically, the Olla de Mono's exceptional wood quality led to its downfall. As one of the most durable timbers in Central American forests, it was selectively targeted for demanding applications—bridges, shipbuilding, railway ties—where only the best wood would suffice. This demand, combined with the tree's slow growth, created unsustainable pressure.
Ecological Relationships
Wildlife Interactions
| Animal | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agoutis | Seed disperser | Cache and sometimes forget seeds |
| Squirrels | Seed consumer | Gnaw through fruit walls |
| Bats | Seed disperser | Eat arils, drop seeds |
| Monkeys | Seed consumer | Target for the 'trap' legend |
| Large bees (Eulaema) | Pollinator | Essential for reproduction |
The Olla de Mono depends on large-bodied bees, particularly orchid bees of the genus Eulaema, for pollination. The flower's complex structure with its hooded stamens requires strong, specialized pollinators. If these bee populations decline, the tree cannot reproduce—another layer of vulnerability.
Cultural Uses
The Perfect Container
Long before plastics, the woody fruits of the Olla de Mono served as natural containers:
- Drinking cups: Traditional calabash-style use
- Salt holders (saleros): Hence one of its common names
- Seed storage: Natural seed banks
- Decorations: Carved and painted
- Birdhouses: Modern creative use
Even where the living trees are rare, monkey pot fruits persist for years on the forest floor. These durable "pots" are sometimes collected and sold in craft markets—a testament to their remarkable construction.
Identification Guide
Definitive Characteristics:
- Massive size: 40-50 m tall emergent
- Pot-shaped fruits with removable lid
- Large simple leaves: 15-30 cm
- Showy hooded flowers: White to purple
- Straight trunk: Often buttressed
Where to See in Costa Rica
| Location | Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Braulio Carrillo National Park | Trails | Best accessible population |
| La Selva Biological Station | Research access | Labeled specimens |
| Tortuguero region | Boat access | Scattered individuals |
External Resources
Community observations
Family research database
Lecythidaceae research center
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Mori, S.A. & Prance, G.T. (1990). Lecythidaceae - Part II. Flora Neotropica
IUCN (1988). Lecythis ampla assessment. Conservation Monitoring Centre
Cordero, J. & Boshier, D.H. (2003). Árboles de Centroamérica. OFI/CATIE
The Olla de Mono embodies the wonder and tragedy of tropical rainforests. Its remarkable pot-shaped fruits, nutritious seeds, and magnificent stature make it one of nature's most fascinating creations. Yet these same qualities—the curiosity-inspiring fruits, the demand for its timber—have contributed to its decline. Saving the Monkey Pot Tree means saving the forests that harbor it—complex, irreplaceable ecosystems that we are only beginning to understand.
