Cavanillesia platanifolia (Canoe Tree)

Botanical name: Cavanillesia platanifolia

Common names: Canoe Tree, Cuipo

Family: Malvaceae    (Formerly:Bombacaceae)

Subfamily: Bombacoideae

Origin: Panama

One of the giant trees of the area, with a bizarre trunk and conspicuous crown. Large individuals have straight trunks, without buttresses, but swollen at the base. The bark is very smooth, except for rings that wrap around the trunk every few meters. The trunk is unbranched for most of its length. The crown has a flat base and a round top. Leaves are large, almost round on adults, but on juveniles are palmate and almost square.

Blooms February-March with small red flowers developing large 5-winged seeds.