Plant Story

This large tree reaches heights of up to 40 meters and a trunk of 2 meters in diameter. This unique tree has a bark that flakes off in round sheets and is well-known for its buttress roots that extend out from around the tree base. It has the ability to grow in flooded areas. Both the fruits and the seeds are large in size and the wood is widely used in cabinetry and construction. It is found from Belize to Brazil. In Costa Rica it grows well in humid forests along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, but is commonly found in the wetlands along the Altanic coast.