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Description
Caesalpinia Platyloba, also known as the Guanacaste tree, is a deciduous tree native to Mexico and Central America. It belongs to the legume family and can grow up to 30 meters in height. This tree has a wide, spreading canopy with a round crown, and it blooms with yellow flowers in the dry season. The tree produces seed pods that are flat, reddish-brown, and about 15 centimeters long.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Leguminosae |
| Genus | Caesalpinia |
Appearance
The Guanacaste tree has a distinctive shape with a wide, spreading canopy and a round crown. Its leaves are compound, resembling fern leaves, and can grow up to 60 centimeters long. The tree blooms with yellow flowers in the dry season, followed by reddish-brown seed pods that can be up to 15 centimeters long. The bark of the tree is smooth and gray, becoming rough and deeply furrowed with age.
Care Guide
The Guanacaste tree prefers well-drained soil and full sun exposure. It is drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional deep watering during the dry season. Fertilize the tree once a year with a balanced fertilizer. This tree is hardy in USDA zones 9b-11.
Common Pests & Diseases
The Guanacaste tree is susceptible to leaf spot diseases caused by fungi, which can be prevented by keeping the foliage dry and treating with fungicides. The tree is also susceptible to spider mites, which can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Habitat
The Guanacaste tree is native to Mexico and Central America, where it grows in dry forests and savannas. It is commonly found in lowland areas and can grow in a variety of soils, including sandy and rocky soils.
Question and Answer
Q: Is the Guanacaste tree drought-tolerant?
A: Yes, the Guanacaste tree is drought-tolerant and prefers well-drained soil.
Q: What is the hardiness zone for the Guanacaste tree?
A: The Guanacaste tree is hardy in USDA zones 9b-11.
Q: What are the seed pods of the Guanacaste tree like?
A: The seed pods of the Guanacaste tree are flat, reddish-brown, and about 15 centimeters long.
Q: What kind of soil does the Guanacaste tree prefer?
A: The Guanacaste tree prefers well-drained soil and can grow in a variety of soils, including sandy and rocky soils.
Related Plants
- Caesalpinia pulcherrima
- Caesalpinia mexicana
- Caesalpinia gilliesii
- Caesalpinia coriaria
References
- “Caesalpinia platyloba.” Floridata. Accessed 10 May 2021. <https://floridata.com/plant/123/>.
- “Caesalpinia platyloba.” Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed 10 May 2021. <https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=282022>.
- “Guanacaste.” Tree Atlas of Panama. Accessed 10 May 2021. <http://www.treeatlasofpanama.org/eng/species/Caesalpinia_platyloba>.
