Lecythidaceae - Botanical Family

Gustavia augusta, also known as Heaven Lotus, is a stunning, small tropical tree from Brazil that looks like it stepped right out of a tropical paradise. Its spectacular, fragrant flowers resemble lotus blooms and are as beautiful as they are unique. These large, striking flowers have white and pink petals, and their sweet fragrance is so captivating that the central crown almost looks good enough to eat!

The tree features a straight, often unbranched trunk with a single cluster of large leaves at the top, giving it a palm-like appearance. As it matures, it may sprout a few large branches, each with its own leafy crown. The leaves are huge - no other tree around has leaves quite as large, except perhaps a palm. They're long, narrow at the base, and broad at the top, making them a real showstopper.

The tree also bears rounded, pear-shaped fruit directly on the trunk (a fascinating trait called cauliflory). The fruit contains delicious yellowish-orange pulp that can be boiled and is said to resemble meat in taste. The tree's wood is used in construction, and its leaves, when boiled into a decoction, are believed to cure intoxication.

This rare and exciting tree is a true gem for collectors and can even be grown in containers, making it an exceptional addition to any tropical garden!

Native to Colombia, Gustavia gracillima (Heaven Lotus) is a showy small tree that can reach up to 10-20 feet tall. It is a very tropical looking tree with thin green leaves and dark pink flowers that are a showstopper in any garden. As a slow-growing tree, this plant does best in USDA Zones 9-11 but can survive in colder regions when planted in a pot.

When planted in the ground, this tree thrives best in full sun to semi-shade and needs regular watering. The Heaven Lotus will be most successful when watered weekly and its soil is kept moist but never soggy. For colder regions, planting this tree in a container will offer protection from the cold and allow for the soil to be kept moist more easily. When grown in a pot, place the container in an area with partial shade and make sure to keep the soil damp.

Overall, the Gustavia gracillima is a stunning addition to the garden. With its show-stopping dark pink flowers, airy canopy and distinctive thin green leaves, this tropical tree will add style and drama to any garden. The Heaven Lotus requires minimal maintenance and is a favorite for gardeners of all experience levels.

Gustavia monocaulis is a small tree, growing between 10-20 feet at maturity. This beautiful specimen is native to the Central American countries of Panama and Colombia. It has a deep taproot and a dense, round planting canopy. The leaves are small, green and slightly serrated.

Gustavia is a sun-loving plant that prefers full sun to partially shaded areas. It will also do well in semi-shade, requiring a moderate level of water and moderate humidity. With the right care, Gustavia will reward you with stunning pink and white to off-white flowers throughout the year.

Gustavia is a versatile and undemanding tree, making it a great addition to gardens in USDA zones 9-11. When planting Gustavia, remember to allow plenty of space around it for the roots to develop. Plant it in a loamy, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic, making sure to keep the soil evenly moist.

Gustavia is fairly easy to care for once it is established. Pruning should take place right after flowering has finished in spring, recommended that you use cleaning shears and small pruning tools. Feed your Gustavia with a bloom-booster fertilizer once a year and pay special attention to water levels during dry spells.

If you're living in a colder region, you can still enjoy the beauty of Gustavia in a pot. The key to successful container cultivation is to plant the tree in a large pot and make sure the soil is kept moist. If temperatures dip too low, you may want to move the container to a warmer spot, or place it under the eaves of your house to keep it away from the cold.

Gustavia monocaulis is a stunning tropical tree that won't disappoint. With its beautiful year-round flowers and easy plant care, this lovely tree is sure to be the centerpiece of any garden.

Gustavia superba or Heaven lotus is a beautiful and rare tree native to Panama. This small tree typically grows nearly 10-20 feet tall and does best when exposed to full sun. It is drought-tolerant but does best when watered regularly. During the warmer months, it blooms with stunning, pink flowers that appear in small clusters. Growers who live in the USDA Zone 9-11 can cultivate this tree in their homes.

To successfully grow Gustavia superba, provide a lot of room, preferably in a container or a wide area in the garden. It prefers to live in sunny spots with good soil drainage. When growing in containers, use a potting mix that has adequate nutrition and moisture-retention capacity. Water regularly and thoroughly but don't over-water. In cooler regions, it's best to position containers near a wall or building to protect them from cold temperatures. During the winter, when the tree is dormant, reduce watering. Fertilize during the growing season, using a balanced fertilizer. Trim the tree to promote growth and remove dead leaves and twigs. Protect the tree from pests and diseases. With proper care, your Gustavia superba can bring beauty and structure to your landscape.

The fruit of the tree is shaped like a pot and small enough for a monkey to use.

Slow growing tree bearing large fruits up to a foot in diameter, yields the delicious sapucaia nuts. Its bark separates into thin sheets, like paper, used by the natives for cigarette wrappers. Very rare and hard to get plant.

Napoleona is an interesting group of trees and shrubs found

in the understorey of tropical rainforests. Esteemed for the exquisite, vividly colored, saucer shaped flowers that grow from leaf axils, or directly from trunk and stem. They are mostly grown as greenhouse specimens by collectors, but can be used as landscaping ornamentals where conditions are suited. Growing conditions are stated to be similar to the related Barringtonia spp.

The fruits sugary pulp is used as desserts, the roots for medicinal purposes and the twigs as traditional chewsticks. The reniform, reddish seeds of this species constitute a false kola, which has a taste closely resembling that of true kola.

The flowers are fragrant and smell like Butterscotch!

See Article about this tree:

Napoleana - Napoleon's Hat: endangered species from outgone era of the Napoleon War.

Napoleona is an interesting group of trees and shrubs found in the understorey of tropical rainforests. Esteemed for the exquisite, vividly colored, saucer shaped flowers that grow from leaf axils, or directly from trunk and stem. They are mostly grown as greenhouse specimens by collectors, but can be used as landscaping ornamentals where conditions are suited.

Planchonia careya is a small tree, 4-10 metres high, which is briefly deciduous in the dry season.

Flowers are large, white and fleshy with numerous pink and white stamens 5-6 cm long. The individual flowers are superbly ornamental, but the flowering tree is seldom spectacular, as only a few flowers are usually produced at a time.

Another reason why flowering trees are not readily appreciated is because the Cocky Apple flowers at night. The flowers can be seen opening up at dusk.