Panamá
Sterculia apetala
Native Region
Central and South America
Max Height
35-45 meters
Family
Malvaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-700m
Regions
- Guanacaste
- Puntarenas
- Alajuela
- San José
Season
Flowering
Jan-Mar
Fruiting
Mar-May
Panamá
The Panamá tree (Sterculia apetala) is one of the most impressive giants of Central American tropical dry forests. With massive buttressed trunks and spreading crowns reaching 45 meters, these magnificent trees are landmarks in Guanacaste's landscape and critical habitat for scarlet macaws.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Sterculia apetala
- Family
- Malvaceae (Mallow)
- Max Height
- 35-45 m
- Flowering
- January-March
- Conservation
- Least Concern
- Habitat
- Tropical dry forest
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
1200
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist's citizen science database. View all observations →↗
Taxonomy & Classification
Geographic Distribution
Geographic Distribution
Where to Find Panamá Trees in Costa Rica
Primary Distribution:
- Guanacaste Province — Abundant in dry forests
- Nicoya Peninsula — Throughout lowlands
- Northern Pacific — Common large tree
- Central Pacific — Some populations
Elevation: Sea level to ~700 m
Habitat & Ecology
Forest Role
Panamá's ecological importance:
- Emergent tree — Towers above canopy
- Landmark species — Visible for kilometers
- Long-lived — Can exceed 200 years
- Keystone species — Critical habitat
- Dry forest indicator — Characteristic
Wildlife Value
Exceptional habitat:
- Scarlet macaws — Primary nest tree
- Parrots — Cavity nesters
- Bats — Roost in hollows
- Monkeys — Foraging habitat
- Seeds eaten by many species
Panamá trees are among the most important nesting sites for scarlet macaws in Costa Rica. The large hollow branches and trunk cavities provide safe nest sites, making conservation of these trees critical for macaw survival.
Botanical Description
The Panamá tree is unmistakable — a forest giant with enormous buttresses extending several meters from the trunk base. The smooth, pale bark and massive crown make mature trees visible landmarks.
Wood Properties
Appearance
Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 350-450 kg/m³ | Very lightweight |
| Grain | Straight to interlocked | Variable |
| Texture | Coarse | Large pores |
| Durability | Very low | Highly perishable |
| Workability | Easy | Soft, easy to cut |
Despite its impressive size, Panamá wood is rarely used commercially due to its softness and poor durability. Its value lies in ecosystem services rather than timber production.
Uses
Primary value:
- Macaw nesting — Critical nest trees
- Wildlife habitat — Cavity species
- Landscape tree — Parks, haciendas
- Living fence posts — Traditional use
- Shade for cattle — Large coverage
Conservation Status
Conservation Status: Stable but Declining
Population status:
- IUCN: Least Concern globally
- Local decline due to deforestation
- Large trees increasingly rare
- Important for macaw conservation
- Protected in some reserves
While not globally threatened, large mature Panamá trees are becoming rare due to agricultural expansion. Their importance for scarlet macaw nesting makes preservation of remaining giants critical.
Growing Panamá Trees
Methods:
- Seeds — Germinate readily when fresh
- Soak seeds 24-48 hours before planting
- Germination in 2-4 weeks
- Fast initial growth
- Requires full sun
Similar Species
Where to See Panamá Trees
Best Locations in Costa Rica
Protected Areas:
- Palo Verde National Park — Many large specimens
- Santa Rosa National Park — Dry forest habitat
- Guanacaste National Park — Throughout
- Hacienda Solimar — Private reserve
Identification Tips:
- Look for massive buttresses
- Pale gray smooth bark
- Large maple-like leaves
- Leafless in dry season (Jan-Apr)
- Boat-shaped spiny fruit pods
External Resources
Community observations, photos, and distribution data
Global observations
Official taxonomy and botanical information
Kew Gardens
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Janzen, D.H. (1983). Costa Rican Natural History. University of Chicago Press
Vaughan, C. et al. (2003). Scarlet Macaw nesting habitat in Costa Rica. Conservation Biology
Sterculia apetala stands as one of the most impressive trees of Costa Rica's dry forests — a living monument that may have witnessed centuries of history. These giants are irreplaceable habitat for scarlet macaws and countless other species. Every mature Panamá tree represents not just a tree, but a functioning ecosystem providing food, shelter, and nesting sites for the remarkable wildlife of Guanacaste.
🌳 ¡Pura Vida!
