Ron Ron
Astronium graveolens
Native Region
Mexico to Brazil
Max Height
25-35 meters (80-115 feet)
Family
Anacardiaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-800m
Regions
- Limón
- Alajuela
- Heredia
- Puntarenas
- Guanacaste
- San José
Season
Flowering
Mar-May
Fruiting
Jun-Aug
Ron Ron (Goncalo Alves)
Ron Ron (Astronium graveolens), known internationally as Goncalo Alves or Tigerwood, is one of Central America's most beautiful and durable hardwoods. Its striking figured grain with irregular dark streaks resembles zebrawood or rosewood, while its exceptional hardness and rot-resistance make it prized for demanding applications. Unlike many valuable timber trees, it remains relatively abundant where protected.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Astronium graveolens
- Family
- Anacardiaceae (Cashew)
- Max Height
- 25-35 m (80-115 ft)
- Trunk Diameter
- Up to 1 m
- Conservation
- Least Concern
- Wood Hardness
- Very Hard (1910 Janka)
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
950
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist's community science database. Browse all observations →↗
Taxonomy & Classification
Ron Ron belongs to the Anacardiaceae (cashew family), making it a relative of the Espavel (wild cashew), mango, and even poison ivy. Like many family members, its sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. The genus name Astronium refers to the star-shaped arrangement of the fruit sepals.
Common Names
| Language | Common Name(s) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish (Costa Rica) | Ron Ron, Ronrón | Onomatopoeic (local name) |
| Spanish (General) | Gateado, Jobillo | Spotted, regional variants |
| English | Goncalo Alves, Tigerwood | Trade names |
| Portuguese | Gonçalo-alves, Aroeira | Brazilian names |
| Trade | Zebrawood (incorrectly) | Sometimes confused |
Physical Description
Overall Form
The Ron Ron is a large deciduous tree with a straight trunk and a broad, rounded crown. It is characteristic of seasonally dry forests and is known for shedding its leaves during the dry season, then producing spectacular new growth.
Distinctive Features
Trunk & Bark
- Bark: Gray to brownish, moderately fissured
- Wood: Reddish-brown with dark irregular streaks
- Form: Straight trunk, usually clear for 10-15 m
- Heartwood: Extremely dense and durable
- Sap: Mildly irritating (family characteristic)
Leaves
- Type: Imparipinnate compound (odd number leaflets)
- Leaflets: 7-15, opposite with terminal leaflet
- Leaflet Shape: Ovate to elliptic
- Size: Leaves 15-30 cm total length
- Margin: Crenate to serrate (scalloped to toothed)
- Timing: Deciduous in dry season
Flowers
- Color: Yellowish-green
- Size: Small (3-4 mm)
- Arrangement: Terminal and axillary panicles
- Season: March to May (dry season end)
- Gender: Dioecious (separate male/female trees)
- Fragrance: Mild, attracts insects
Fruits & Seeds
- Type: Small drupe
- Size: 5-8 mm
- Color: Dark purple-black when ripe
- Calyx: Persistent, star-shaped (diagnostic)
- Season: May to July
- Dispersal: Birds, gravity
Ron Ron is famous for its highly figured wood—irregular dark streaks on a reddish-brown background that can resemble tiger stripes or zebrawood. This figuring is highly variable between trees and even within the same log, making each piece unique. The most dramatically figured specimens command premium prices in the specialty wood market.
Distribution & Habitat
Native Range
Geographic Distribution
Distribution in Costa Rica
Ron Ron is primarily a dry forest species in Costa Rica, most abundant in Guanacaste Province and the Pacific lowlands. It also occurs in transitional moist forests and has been increasingly planted in reforestation projects.
| Province | Prevalence | Notable Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste | Common | Dry forests, Santa Rosa NP, Rincón de la Vieja |
| Puntarenas | Common | Pacific lowlands, Carara area |
| San José | Uncommon | Western Central Valley edges |
| Alajuela | Uncommon | Dry forest transitions |
| Limón | Rare | Only in driest areas |
| Heredia | Rare | Planted specimens |
Preferred Habitat
- Elevation: Sea level to 900 m
- Climate: Dry to moist tropical zones
- Rainfall: 1,000-2,500 mm with distinct dry season
- Temperature: 24-32°C
- Soil: Well-drained, tolerates poor soils
- Light: Full sun
- Key Habitat: Tropical dry forest and transitions
Ecological Significance
Dry Forest Ecology
Ron Ron is one of the defining trees of Costa Rica's tropical dry forest, a critically endangered ecosystem that once covered much of the Pacific lowlands. Its drought tolerance, ability to regenerate, and value for wildlife make it a keystone species in dry forest conservation and restoration.
Wildlife Interactions
Fruit Consumers
- Birds: Many species consume drupes
- Bats: Secondary dispersers
- Mammals: Ground-feeding species
- Monkeys: Occasional consumers
Pollinators
- Bees: Primary pollinators
- Flies: Attracted to flowers
- Small insects: Various visitors
Tree Associations
- Epiphytes: Branches host orchids, bromeliads
- Lichens: Common on bark
- Cavity nesters: Old trees provide nest sites
- Insects: Support diverse arthropod communities
Ecosystem Role
- Canopy structure: Important in dry forest
- Leaf litter: Contributes to soil nutrients
- Shade provision: Microhabitat creation
- Forest succession: Mid to late successional
Ecosystem Services
Cultural & Economic Importance
Premium Hardwood
World-Class Wood
Ron Ron wood is among the finest hardwoods in the Americas. Its exceptional properties include: - Hardness: 1910 Janka (harder than most hardwoods) - Durability: Extremely rot and insect resistant - Figure: Dramatic dark streaking on red-brown background - Workability: Takes excellent polish despite hardness - Stability: Minimal movement after proper drying This combination makes it prized for flooring, furniture, turned objects, and exterior applications where durability is critical.
Uses Table
| Use Category | Application | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Flooring | High-traffic areas | Exceptional hardness and beauty |
| Furniture | Premium pieces | Striking figured grain |
| Cabinetry | Fine woodwork | Takes excellent finish |
| Tool Handles | Heavy-duty tools | Shock resistance |
| Outdoor | Decking, boats | Natural rot resistance |
| Turning | Bowls, objects | Beautiful when polished |
| Construction | Heavy timber | Traditional building |
| Medicine | Bark tea | Traditional fever remedy |
Traditional Knowledge
Conservation Status
Current Assessment
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern
- Population Trend
- Stable to decreasing locally
- Main Threats
- Dry forest conversion
- Protection
- In national parks, plantations expanding
Conservation Context
While Ron Ron itself is not currently threatened, its primary habitat— tropical dry forest—is one of the most endangered ecosystems in Central America. Only about 1% of Costa Rica's original dry forest remains intact. Ron Ron conservation is therefore tied to broader dry forest protection efforts: - Santa Rosa National Park: Major protected population - Guanacaste Conservation Area: Ongoing restoration - Private reserves: Important refugia - Reforestation: Increasingly planted
Cultivation & Propagation
Growing Ron Ron
Propagation Methods
From Seeds (Standard Method)
- Collect ripe fruits (May-July)
- Remove fleshy covering
- Seeds viable for several months if stored dry
- Sow in well-drained medium
- Germination in 2-4 weeks
- Transplant at 20-30 cm height
- Full sun required from early stage
Growth Characteristics
- Moderate growth rate (0.5-1 m/year)
- Drought tolerant once established
- Deep taproot develops early
Growing Conditions
- Sun: Full sun essential
- Soil: Well-drained, tolerates poor soils
- Water: Drought tolerant once established
- Spacing: 8-12 m for timber
- Growth Rate: Moderate (0.5-1 m/year)
- First Harvest: 30-50 years for quality timber
Best Planting Sites
- Dry forest restoration projects
- Silvopastoral systems
- Well-drained hillsides
- Seasonally dry areas
- NOT suitable for wet or waterlogged sites
Identification Guide
How to Identify Ron Ron
Definitive Characteristics:
- Imparipinnate leaves with 7-15 leaflets
- Serrate to crenate leaflet margins
- Star-shaped persistent calyx on fruits
- Gray-brown moderately fissured bark
- Deciduous in dry season
- Dry forest habitat preference
Where to See Ron Ron in Costa Rica
| Location | Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa National Park | Self-guided trails | Abundant in dry forest |
| Rincón de la Vieja NP | Various trails | Dry forest sections |
| Palo Verde National Park | Guided access | Along dry forest edges |
| Carara National Park | Main trails | Transitional forest |
| Guanacaste roadsides | Public roads | Common along dry forest roads |
| Private reserves | By arrangement | Hacienda areas |
External Resources
Community observations and photos
Detailed wood properties information
Taxonomic information
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Holdridge, L.R. & Poveda, L.J. (1975). Árboles de Costa Rica Vol. 1
Janzen, D.H. (1988). Tropical Dry Forests: The Most Endangered Major Tropical Ecosystem. Biodiversity
Zamora, N., et al. (2000). Árboles de Costa Rica Vol. II
Visit Costa Rica's dry forests (Guanacaste) during the late dry season (March-May) to witness the dramatic transformation when Ron Ron and other dry forest trees burst into new leaf growth after months of dormancy. Santa Rosa National Park is the best accessible location, with well-maintained trails through some of the last remaining tropical dry forest in Central America. The contrast between the bare dry season appearance and the lush wet season canopy makes multiple visits rewarding.
