Friday, May 29, 2015

Trees of Mexico Sea grape Medicinal Usesfor Glucose Lowering, Ulcers, Asthma

By Liliana Usvat    
Blog 327-365


Names: Sea grape (English), Uva de Mar (Spanish), Sak tabka'an (Maya), Coccoloba uvifera,  Polygonaceae 
Family. Native to America coasts.  Coastal Sea-grape shrubs have stout branches, seldom a distinct trunk.  Inland it can grow up to 4 meters high lovely tree; enjoys full sun with sandy or limestone soil, resists draught well. Sea-grape's fragrant white flowers spikes give bees and ants a feast.  Fruits clusters are filled  fleshy wild grapes, great food for birds, bats, and mammals.

Duration: Perennial, Evergreen















Edible parts of Sea Grape:

Fruit - raw. A sweet but rather insipid flavour. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter.
 
Uses

Coccoloba uvifera is most often used in landscaping, as well as a dune stabilizer and coastal windbreak. Tall sea grape plants are used to make a light barrier between coastlines to protect sea turtles
The reddish fruits of the sea grape may be eaten raw, cooked into jellies and jams, or fermented into sea grape wine. 
Sea grape wine may also be fermented into sea grape vinegar, which is also useful in cooking.
The sap of the sea grape is used  for dyeing and tanning of leather.
It is sometimes used as a subject for bonsai.

 History
 
The first botanical names of the plant were assigned in 1696 by Hans Sloane, who called it Prunus maritima racemosa, "maritime grape-cluster Prunus", and Leonard Plukenet, who named it Uvifera littorea, "grape-bearer of the shore", both of which names reflect the European concept of "sea-grape", expressed in a number of languages by the explorers of the times. The natives viewed it as a large mulberry.

Reforestation and Beach Stabilization

It is moderately tolerant of shade, but will grow towards the sun. It’s very tolerant of salt so it is often planted to stabilize beaches.
 
Plants can be used for ground cover, spaced about 60cm apart each way.

Propagation of Sea Grape:

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse. It can also be sown in spring in a greenhouse in a sandy compost. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in the spring or early summer after the last expected frosts and give some protection in their first winter. Division in spring or autumn. Layering. 

Medicinal Uses
 
- Astringent, antidiarrheal, antidysentery.
- Studies suggest antibacterial, antifungal, photoprotective and glucose lowering properties. 

juice and decoction of wood, bark and roots are used to treat dysentery, hemorrhages, venereal disease.
- Applied externally for rashes and skin afflictions.
- Decoction of leaves used to treat asthma, hoarseness and to wash wounds.
- Astringent roots and bark used in traditional medicine of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
- In the Dominican Republic, decoction of leaves used for menopausal symptoms, diarrhea, tumors, anemia, skin irritations, asthma. 

-The plant also has antiviral effects, particularly against influenza. The stems are a pungent, bitter, warm herb that dilates the bronchial vessels whilst stimulating the heart and central nervous system. The stems are also antitussive, diuretic, diaphoretic, febrifuge, hypertensive, nervine, tonic and vasoconstrictor. 
 - In the Yucatan, alcohol added to tea made from bark of sea grape is taken for ulcers.
- In French Guiana, astringent juice from whole plant, known as "Jamaica kino", used to treat diarrhea and dysentery. Decoction of stem used for intestinal disorders.

- Study of fruit of Coccoloba uvifera for in vitro antioxidant capacity showed free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties which may be due to the presence of phytochemicals in the fruit such as anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids.
- Glucose Lowering: Case studies have shown glucose lowering effect with daily ingestion of tea brewed from Coccoloba uvifera leaves. There is concern for lowering the blood sugar too much, especially with concurrent use of pharmaceutical hypoglycemics

Preparation of Leaf Extract: 
 
  Preparation of leaf extract is done by immersing coccoloba uvifera leaves in water, heating the water to boiling for about 4 hours. This brewing time must be just enough to dissolve the compound from the leaves. The active compounds are resistant to the low gastric pH and high temperatures.

Links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccoloba_uvifera 
http://www.stuartxchange.com/SeaGrape
http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/e/ephedra-distachya=sea-grape.php

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Mexican Trees Veitchia Palm

By Liliana Usvat    
 Blog 326-365


Have you planted a tree last Year? If not here is a good one if you live in a hot climate.

Common names: The Christmas Palm is also known as Manila Palm, Kerpis Palm, Adonidia Palm, Dwarf Royal Palm, and Veitchia Palm.















Veitchia Palm, Adonidia merrillii, Arecaceae family. Resembles a dwarf version of the royal palm with a thinner gray white smooth stem marked by frond growths. Veitchia Palm grows up to 5 meters tall.  Its inflorescence attract many bees mostly in October when it flowers, by December its oblong bright red nuts (photo) hang from the stem. Pinnate frond leafs build a short compact green crown-shaft. Native to the Philippines, this beautiful ornamental palm was brought Hacienda Chichen's Botanical Gardens by Mrs. Carmen G.Rul de Barbachano in the early 1950s; for the hotel's palm collection.

Also known as the Manila palm, will rise to a height of 15-20 feet.
The slender trunk bulges slightly at the base and tapers toward the crownshaft. The portion below the yellow-green, 3 foot crownshaft is ringed by the scars from the fallen fronds. 

Seeds germinate in 2 or 3 months. Sometimes less but don't count on it.
Plant the seeds in a peat based potting mix. You can plant them with the husk or pop it open and just plant the seed inside.
Once the seedlings are up, they grow quickly.

















Flowers/Fruits: During summer months the Christmas Palm produces light green flower buds that turn into creamy blossom. Unisexual flowers are held by 2ft long branched stalks that emerge from the area where the crownshaft attaches to the trunk. In December flowers are followed by green oval fruits that turn bright red as they ripe. Berrie-like fruits are 1 inch long and 1/5 inch wide. They hang in clusters looking like Christmas ornament, therefore palm’s common name is Christmas Palm.
 
Light Required: Full sun to partial shade. It likes full sun but can also grow in broken shade.
Water Required: Moderate. The Christmas Palm is moderately salt tolerant prefers moist well drained soil. To avoid root rot don’t let it sit in water. It can tolerate drought for a short time when mature enough.


Adonidia merrillii is widely planted in cultivation and grows well in tropical locations.. Its fruits are sometimes said to be used as a substitute for the betel nut, in preparing buyo (fruit of Areca catechu, leaves of Piper betle, and lime) for chewing.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Mexican Trees - Golden Shower Trees Medicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat      
 Blog 325-365













Golden Shower Trees (English) Lluvia de Oro (Spanish), Cassia fistula, Fabaceae family; native to southern Asia. A deciduous tree with pinnae leaflets (foliage), brought in the late 19th Century to Yucatan as an ornamental flowering tree; it is most striking during May when it is in full bloom. 

Cassia fistula is native to South Asia. It has been found widely in India, Pakistan, Myanmar, SriLanka, etc. This tree is the national tree of Thailand and its flower is its national flower. It is also the state flower of Kerala in India.

Flowers bloom in delicate golden yellow drop clusters. Golden Shower seed pods are long dark brown sausage-like with woody exterior and stick molasses covering wafer shaped seeds,  abundant while blooming. 

 Like the Royal Flamboyan, Golden Shower tree is a favorite in Mayan villages and Yucatan's urban avenues or parks, for its amazingly exotic looking and has truly whimsical beautiful  flowering bloom clusters gently dropping ever so graceful down its branches. 

 Golden Shower should not be confused with another member of the Fabaceae family the Golden Rain Tree or Lapacho amarillo (Spanish), Tabebuia chrysotricha, native to China, whose flower clusters grow upwards. 


Lluvia de Oro, also known as the Golden Shower tree, Amaltas and Cassia Fistula, is a small to medium-size tree which can reach 30-40 feet tall. Its shiny green leaves drop in April, and by late spring the entire tree turns into a show stopping burst of lemon-yellow. 

When in full bloom (May-June or early July), the trees are covered with long grape-like clusters of countless delicate yellow flowers – it almost appears as if they have yellow lace dripping from their branches. The leaves begin to return as the flowering progresses, with foliage totally restored by July. 


Lluvia de Oro trees attract bees, butterflies and birds and are widely grown in tropical and subtropical areas around the world for their ornamental and medicinal properties.
The flowers are followed by 2-foot-long, round, slender and woody bean pods which contain several seeds. The fruit/pods emerge green, but mature to black, and can remain on the tree until the following year.

Medicinal Uses

The pod produces between its many seeds a pulp that makes an excellent laxative
The uncooked pulp of the pods cures constipation.

The herb, Cassia fistula is having great medicinal uses and its bark, fruits and leaves have been used since ancient times. It has been referred to as “Aragvadha” or “disease killer”.
Stomach disorders
Cassia Fistula is very effective in treating constipation. Cassia fistula is very effective in treating ulcers. The herb is very effective in treating piles. The pulp of the tree can be soaked in water for about an hour or so and consumed at bedtime. It also kills the intestinal worms.
Common Cold and Cough
The roots of the herb have great curative effects against common cold. Some people inhale the smoke of the roots. This cures the mucous that is found along the respiratory tract.
The pod of the tree is powdered and mixed with honey and consumed. This is very effective in curing cough.
Fever
When infected with fever, a tonic is prepared from the roots of Cassia Fistula.
Skin Problems
The herb is very effective in treating skin disorders like irritation, swelling, etc. The herb is very great in curing fungal infections of the skin. Some of them are athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, etc.
Immunity Booster
The bark and fruits of the tree have great antioxidant properties and hence boost the immunity system of the body.
Blood Purification
The bark of the tree and fruits help in purification of the blood.
Wounds
Cassia Fistula is great in treating wounds. The specialty of the herb is that it promotes tissue regeneration. In many countries, the juice extracted from the juice of the leaves or a paste of the leaves is used for dressing the infected skin areas.
Blood Sugar
The roots of Cassia fistula have the property to reduce blood sugar by about 30 percent.
Purgative
In some countries like Philippines, a decoction is prepared from the leaves and fruit pulp of the tree. This serves as a great purgative.

Precautions

The herb needs to be taken in small quantities. Consuming excess of the medicine results in stomach pain and vomiting.

Trees found in Mexico African Tulip Medicinal Uses for Infections, Ulcers, Skin, Diabetis and HIV

By Liliana Usvat    
Blog 329-365 


Have you planted a tree this year? Here is a suggestion.
 














African Tulip or Flame of the Forest Trees (English) Tulipan Chino (Spanish), Xukul Nicte (Maya) Spathodea campanulata, Spathodea is a monotypic genus species of the Bignoniaceae Family. Native to tropical Africa, the first Tulip tree planted at Hacienda Chichen's Tropical Gardens was brought by Mrs. Carmen G.Rul Barbachano in the 1960s as a rare exotic flowering tree.  Today, the African Tulip or Flame or the Forest  is an ornamental tree common in world tropical regions, as an amazingly beautiful tree with crimson campanulate flowers and foliage.  Its exotic deeply bright orange-red flowers have striking golden yellow edges.  The flower cup holds rain water and dew attracting hummingbirds, birds, and bats. Grows in full sun, limestone rich soil, and its seeds are propagated by wind, birds, and bats.
 

Origin

Native to tropical western Africa (i.e. Burundi, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, Zaire, Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo and Angola).


Medicinal Uses

The bark has laxative and antiseptic properties, and the seeds, flowers and roots are used as medicine. The bark is chewed and sprayed over swollen cheeks. The bark may also be boiled in water used for bathing newly born babies to heal body rashes.

An infusion of the leaves is used for urethral infections, and the dried and pulverized or even the fresh inner bark is applied to oozing ulcers. The tree also has UV absorbing properties and could be utilized as a cheap sunscreen.

A decoction of the bark is astringent and used as a laxative as well as for cases of dysentery and for other gastro-intestinal problems. A decoction of the bark and leaves is used as a lotion for inflamed skin and on rashes. The flowers can be applied directly onto wounds, as can the bruised leaves which have mild pain-killing and anti-inflammatory properties. Both the bark and leaves have been found to have antiseptic actions.
 
Studies have found that the stem bark can lower blood sugar levels and so the traditional use of the bark for diabetes sufferers seems to have been borne out. (Journal of Phytotherapy Research, 1993 Vol. 7 (1) pp 64-69 Niyonzima, G. et al. Hypoglycaemic Activity of Spathodea campanulata stem bark decoction in mice.”) Extracts of the bark, leaves and roots have also been used to combat malaria and HIV and have antimicrobial and antifungal properties.


Other Uses: 
The seeds are edible. The soft, white timber used in making paper. In West Africa, their homeland, the wood is used to make drums and blacksmith's bellows. 

It has shallow roots and a tendency for branches to break off in a storm. Thus it considered unsuitable as a roadside tree.

It can be used in coffee plantations to provide shade for the young plants.


Reforestation with African Tulip

A tree that invades abandoned agricultural land, roadsides, waterways, disturbed sites, waste areas, forest margins and disturbed rainforests in tropical and sub-tropical regions. It favours wetter habitats, and is especially common along creeks and gullies.

Propagation Methods:

From herbaceous stem cuttings
From softwood cuttings
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From seed; sow indoors before last frost

Seed Collecting:

Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored

Links

http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/african_tulip.htm

Monday, May 25, 2015

Mexican Trees Plumeria - Frangipani Trees Medicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat      
Blog 324-365





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Frangipani names around the world

The botanic name is Plumeria. Around the world the frangipani (plumeria) is called:
  • The Aztec word is Cocaloxochite.
  • Tipanier in Tahiti.
  • Dok jampa  or Dok champa in Laos
  • Pomelia and Frangipane in Italy
  • Couleuvre, or Snake Tree in St.Barths Bois
  • Kemboja kuning in Malaysia
  • Pansal Mal in Sri Lanka
  • Jepun in Bali, Indonesia
  • Flor de Mayo in Yucatan, Puebla, El Salvador
  • Flor de la Cruz in Guatemala
  • Pumeli or Melia in Hawaii
  • Amapola in Venezuela
  • Kang Nai Xin in China
  • Phool in India
  • Hoa Su (Southern ), Hoa Dai (Northern) and Hoa Su Ma (ghost Plumeria) in Vietnam
  • Kalachuchi in the Philippines
  • Flor de Cebo in the Canary Islands
  • Sacuanjoche in Nicaragua (the name is derived from the word "xacuan" from a native language called náhuatl and means "precious yellow feather or flower".
  • Common names are Temple Tree or Pagoda Tree in India and the Far East, Graveyard Tree in the Caribbean Islands, Temple Flower in Sri Lanka, and May flower (for the time of flowering) in Nicaragua.
Description
 
Plumeria (English) Sac Nicte (Maya) Flor de Mayo (Spanish), Plumeria rubra, from the Apocinaceae family, it is native to Mexico and South-America. Today this perfumed flowering tree is found in many tropical countries.  Plumeria trees bloom during the spring in Yucatan. 
 
Frangipani flowers are also traditionally used in leis – Hawaiian necklaces made from leaves, seashells, ivory and flowers. The leis are made by stringing flowers through the centre until a complete necklace is formed. Polynesian custom is that leis are worn at weddings and given out to signify a genuine welcome – and a fond farewell – for visitors to Hawaii.

Flowers have various tones from white, yellow, rose, and magenta.

 Each separate species produces differently shaped, alternate leaves with specific forms and growth habits. Frangipani add a sweet aroma to the night’s air as they are nocturnally fragrant. 


These plants can reach a height of 6 meters and a spread of 5 meters wide but may grow even taller depending on age. Many Queensland gardeners who plant frangipani enjoy their beautiful fragrant smells and colors throughout the summer while they sit and relax in its shade.

Growing Frangipani By Propagating Cuttings 

Frangipani is considered one of the best plants grown in subtropical and tropical climates which is great considering that they are not extremely difficult to care for. 

These shrubs and small trees propagate well from aseptically germinated seed and cuttings obtained in the winter or early spring when their sap is less runny. These cuttings need to be left out in an area where they can dry out before planting. The soil you plant in must be well-drained as moist soil promotes plant disease. 

When watering frangipani you want the soil to remain just above a state of dryness. This plants thrives well in full sun especially in the early hours of the day and may also do well in partial shade in the late afternoon hours. The better balance maintained between sunlight and water the better chance you have of significant growth and bloomage. 

 Frangipani pruning is best done in the winter after these trees have shed their leaves. It is also useful to prune young frangipani to promote a strong and healthy structure. With proper care, you can enjoy the magnificent flowers of frangipani shrubs and trees from November to May.

Medicinal Uses
 
Among ulcers, gonorrhea (gonorrhea), swelling, warts, calluses, smoothes the skin and yaws.


  • The raw material essential oils. Frangipani flowers are dried, for approximately 3-4 days, then distilled to produce essential oils, which is the basic ingredient of the perfume or ointment (for treatment) naturally.
  • Overcoming swelling. How to cure swollen body parts is the frangipani tree bark. Way, take first shingle frangipani tree bark and pounded until smooth. Boil half a pot of water to boil. The water used to soak the swollen body parts if possible. If not, use it to compress.
  • As antibiotics. Frangipani flower has a number of compounds that have medicinal properties, namely triterprenoid Amirin, lupeol, and fulvoplumierin. These substances are antipyretic (fever lowering), antiinflarnatif (overcoming inflammation), and analgesic (pain relieving). Because the contents of this, frangipani flower handy to reduce menstrual pain and prevent fainting due to the heat or sun exposure (heat stroke).
  • Treat toothache. To relieve pain in cavities. Take a few drops of sap Frangipani by using a cotton swab, then place the cotton on the aching tooth. Be careful, do not let the teeth do not hurt. The dose 1-2 times a day. However, treatment with the sap is only temporary, and can not heal completely.
  • As drug ulcers.  Benefits and efficacy of frangipani flowers for one's health is as ulcer medications you must provide frangipani flowers and leaves of the olive oil. The combination of these two drugs that will cure ulcers. First take frangipani flower on fire then heat until wilted. Eventually the interest spread with olive oil. In circumstances still hot, stick it on your ulcer.
  • Curing Diabetes Pus (Gonorrhea). Rinse and 1 piece of root frangipani trees, then boiled in two cups of water to boil and the remaining 1 cup. The herb water taken once a day as much as 1 cup.
  • Curing yaws. Take 2 shingles skin frangipani, then finely ground and boiled with 1 pot of water to a boil. Water used for bathing and rubbing the injured body part.
 

Facts - Good for Reforestation in hot areas.

Did you know that frangipanis will only burn in extreme heat (over 500 degrees)? 
If you want to add more trees to your yard for shade or more color in the summer and fall, plumeria grows relatively quickly directly from cuttings -- with the added benefit of not having to purchase an expensive new tree. Cut a branch off the tree in the spring, making sure it's a reasonable size. Limbs about 1 to 2 inches in diameter work well for propagation, although you can use larger branches if you need to trim them to help shape the tree. Dip them in rooting hormone, and place them cut-side-down in well-draining soil, such as a mixture of garden soil and perlite or a cactus mix. The branch should start developing roots within two weeks and can begin blooming in about two years.


Curiosities
 
  • The frangipani is the flower of the city of Palermo in Sicily, Italy.
  • The frangipani is the national flower of Nicaragua and it features on some of their bank notes.
  • Frangipanis won't burn except in extreme (over 500 degrees) temperatures.
  • In Caribbean cultures the leaves are used as poultices (a healing wrap) for bruises and ulcers and the latex is used as a liniment for rheumatism.
  • According to Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (by Scott Cunningham; Llewellyn Publications, 1984) the frangipani (plumeria) is associated with the feminine, ruled by Venus, its element is water, its deity is Buddha, its power is love and its magical uses are in love spells.
  • The frangipani is also associated with love in feng shui.
  • In modern Polynesian culture, the frangipani can be worn by women to indicate their relationship status - over the right ear if seeking a relationship, and over the left if taken.
  • In India the frangipani is a symbol of immortality because of its ability to produce leaves and flowers even after it has been lifted out of the soil. It is often planted near temples and graveyards, where the fresh flowers fall daily upon the tombs.
  • In Vietnam the frangipani is used for its healing qualities: the bark, mashed in alcohol, prevents skin inflammation, it is also used to treat indigestion and high blood pressure, while the roots have purgative effects on animals and the milk-like sap serves as a balm for skin diseases. The white flowers are used in traditional medicine to cure high blood pressure, haemophilia, cough, dysentery and fever.

Frangipani Myths and Legends

  • There is a theory that Catholic missionary priests spread frangipanis (Plumerias) around the world as they travelled. This may explain why the frangipani is so popular and common in the Philippines and Thailand but very rare in China and Vietnam. Thailand and the Philippines welcomed the Christian missionaries while, in China and Vietnam, they were persecuted until around the 1850s.
  • Frangipani trees were once considered taboo in Thai homes because of superstitious associations with the plant's Thai name, lantom, which is similar to ratom, the Thai word for sorrow. As a result, frangipanis were thought to bring unhappiness. Today, however, the blossoms are presented as fragrant offerings to Buddha and Thai people wear them on special festival days like Songkran (Thai New Year).
  • According to Vietnamese myth, ghosts live in trees with white and fragrant flowers including the frangipani. In Vietnam and China the colour white is associated with death and funerals.
  • In Hindu culture, the flower means loyalty. Hindu women put a flower in their hair on their wedding days to show their loyalty to their husbands.
  • It's believed the Aztecs used a decoction of frangipani flowers and other plant materials mixed with certain internal organs of predatory animals (with a reputation for cunning, strength and bravery) as a powerful potion against fear, lethargy and faintheartedness.
  • "Warming" oils -- such as those from Plumeria, sandalwood, lotus flower, frankinense, cinnamon and basil -- are said to have a calming influence on those suffering from fear, anxiety, insomnia or tremors, according to the principles of Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old Indian holistic science that seeks to balance mind, body and spirit.
  • A popular legend among sailors shipping overseas from Hawaii during WWII was to toss a lei into the waters as the ship passed Diamond Head. If the lei floated ashore, the sailor would return. If it floated toward the ship, he wouldn't be coming back.
  • In the language of flowers, Frangipani (Plumeria) are said to stand for love long in absence, as for a sailor long at sea.
  • Frangipani (Plumeria) is very rare in China, and even more precious than orchids. So, when a person gives frangipani flowers to a sweetheart, it is the closest thing to saying you're special, I love you in a culture where expression of personal feelings is frowned upon.
  • According to Mexican (Lakandon) myth the gods were born from Frangipani (Plumeria) flowers.
  • In Malay folklore the scent of the frangipani is associated with a vampire, the pontianak.

Trees of Mexico Coconut Palm

Coconut Palm (English), Palma de Coco (Spanish), Kastelan tuk (Maya), Cocos nucifera, Arecaceae family.  Coconut palms have single ringed stem. They are poly-gamomonoecious with both male and female flowers found in same inflorescence; bees pollinate flowers.Fronds are large and flow with wind. Coconut palms require sandy soil, full sun, and high humidity for growth. Fruits have protective fiber husk, hard endocarp covering its white flesh, soft to hard as it ripens. Coconut's nutritional value is great; its sweet water, white flesh and natural oil  are delicious food choices.

Trees of Mexico Royal Palm

Royal Palm, Roystonea regia Arecaceae family. Roystonea regia Royal Palms have a grey to white smooth stem that grows over 30 meters high.   Royal Palms have an elegant majestic presence, often bulging either at the base or the central portion, depending on the species. Royal Palms crown-shaft has a distinctive green vassal sheath that extends up to 5 meter of the palms large fronds (pinnate leaves). These palms have the ability to easily release their heavy fronds (leaves) in strong wind. Royal Palm trees have branches panicles with white unisexual flowers filled with nectar that bees enjoy. Their fruits are small spheroids (1 cm diam.) with thick deep purple skin when ripe, highly enjoyed by birds and bats. Some Royal Palms have nodules root shoots at the base of the stem species so closely resemble one another can only be differentiated by inflorescence scientifically. Yucatan woodpeckers and other birds enjoy its fruits.

Trees of Mexico Peccary Wood or Peacock Flower

Peccary Wood or Peacock Flower (English), Chaparral  (Spanish), Kitinché, Kitanché (Maya), Caesalpinia gaumeri Greenm, Fabaceae Family from Mexico, the Peccary Wood tree is one of the most dominating trees in the northern region of Yucatan's forest.  Kitinche trees are part of the Mayan non-crop plant resources and important source of pollen and nectar for bees in the Yucatan, Mexico, the lovely Caesalpinia gaumeri Greenm is a prefer firewood for most rural Mayan people. 

Trees of Mexico Wild Tamarind or Lead Tree

Wild Tamarind or Lead Tree (English),     Guaje (Spanish) Uaxim (Maya) Leucaena leucocephala. Fabaceae Family. Native to Mexico.  Mayans use its branches for charcoal and firewood and for fencing.  Seeds and bark also use for healing remedies. Grows wild in the Maya forest, grayish trunk; foliage nutritional for feeding ruminants, bipinnate leaflets, yellow-cream small pompom like fuzzy blooms; gives abundant brown rusted color pendant seed pods in May and June.

Trees of Mexico Strangler Fig

Strangler figs are found growning on top of many ancient Mayan ruins and Colonial walls in Yucatan Strangler Fig (English), Higuero (Spanish), Amatl (Maya-Naualt) Ficus cotinifolia, Moraceae fig Family.  Native to Mesoamerica. An evergreen strangler fig tree that has 2" round tip leafs and produces small berries at the base of leaf stems; pollinated by ants and bees, propagated by bats, These Ficus are strangler figs, their roots are a mayor factor for the demolition of many Mayan temples (ruins) and Colonial Haciendas in Yucatan, Mexico.   Ancient Mayans used the wild strangler figs bark to handmade "Copo or Amatl" a amate paper for their books and codices.

Trees of Mexico Cuban Laurel or Indian Ficus

Cuban Laurel or Indian Ficus (English), Laurel (Spanish), Ficus retusa Moraceae Family. Asian origins, but adopted as a native Cuban evergreen laurel tree. Cuban Laurel ficus has a huge lush dome canopy, deep green-blue foliage in its magnificent branches and leathery pinnate leafs, its berry-like golden yellow fruits grow in Spring.  Its large branches can reach up to 20 feet long, trunk is very attractive and Cuban Laurels are visited daily by hundreds of birds and other animals that enjoy its berries.shapes organically to adapt, runs large air roots and enjoys holding limestone formations at its base.  Birds, small mammals, snakes, ants, and other insects find food and refuge. This evergreen Laurel is pest resistance and generally grows in sunny areas year-round. Propagates with cuttings, wasps and bee pollinated.  In Asia this is a good bonsai tree, but in Yucatan, Mayan people value its refreshing huge shade.

Trees of Mexico Calabash Tree

Calabash fruits are called Jicaras by the Maya who make beautiful crafts and bowls with it. Maya scholar Jean Charlot used to enjoy drinking fresh water for a jicara bowl.Calabash Tree (English) Jicara (Spanish) Luch Maya, Crescentia cujete,  Bignoniaceae Family. Native to tropical Americas. Calabash or Jicara tree has small bell-shaped leave. Its yellowish flowers, often veined with purple, open at night and are bat pollinated. The calabash fruit grows 12cm.across when ripped; heavy fruits, juicy pulp and seeds. Maya people cut calabash fruits and cured them to be used as bowls and cups. Trees endure high draught periods and enjoys full sun.

Trees of Mexico Elephant Ear Tree

These huge lush trees house many species of Yucatan's wildlife Elephant Ear Tree (English), Piich (Maya)Guanacaste Spanish Enterolobium cyclocarpum Fabaceae Family. Native to Mesoamerica. Strong long branches, large majestic thick trunk, when mature the Piich can reach 30-35 meters high, huge canopy, foliage with double pinnate leaflets. Older Piich trees house many varieties of wild orchids and bromeliads. Piich trees Pich exotic seed pots abound during May. Seeds are eaten cooked by Maya people.flower in April and are filled with exotic deep purple-brown woody seed pods by May.  Elephant Ear Tree's seeds are starchy with a light peanut flavor, very nutritious and filling.  Maya people cooked Piich seeds as snacks (much like pop-corn) and rural Mayan people process seeds to make flour for tortillas when corn crops are marginal.

Fruit Trees of Mexico Maya Nut or Breadnut

Maya Nut or Breadnut (English) Ramon Tree (Spanish) Tax'Osh (Maya) Brosimum alicastrum Moraceae / Fig Family Native to tropical America, this evergreen has thick lush foliage and canopy.  Ramon trees produce small round seeds with one starchy highly nutritious Maya nut.  Ramon seeds or Maya Nuts are much higher in many vital nutrients including antioxidants than foods grown on farmed soils. Ramon fruit, also know as Maya Nut, is an important food for Mayan people. Ramon or Maya Nut tree is a valuable hardwood for Mayan rural people as its wood is used as timber. Ramon latex is often mixed with chicle tree sap; and its green-blue leafs feed horses and domestic cattle, and its seeds may alleviate many of the mal-nutrition issues found in Mayan rural villages today.

Fruit Trees of Mexico Mexican Lime

Mexican Lime (English) Limon Indio (Spanish) Citrus aurantifolia, Rutaceae family. Native to Mexico. This limon / lime has a tart sweet flavor with a high acidity, strong aroma, and thinner rind than more common limes.  Mexican lime shrubby tree has ovate leafs and thorny thin branches. Flowers and fruit appear throughout the year but are most abundant from May to September.

Fruit Trees of Mexico Lemon or Lima

Yucatan Lime is highly popular for " Sopa de Lima" see recipeLemon (English), Lima (Spanish) - Yucatan “limas” are hybrid citrus that look like a round Persian lime but have distinctive aroma and flavor no other lime matches. Limas have bumpy yellow/green thick skin rather than a smooth thin skin texture. It is not known where or how this lime originated, but must likely it is a hybrid between a Mexican lime and a sweet citron.

Fruit Trees of Mexico Sour Seville Orange

Sour Seville Orange (English), Su'uts' pak'aal (Maya) Naranja-Agria (Spanish) Citrus aurantium ssp. Rutaceac family. Naranja Agria (sour orange) is an indispensable ingredient to Maya and Yucatan cuisine. Sour orange oil is commercially produce in other countries for cosmetic and cleaning products.  This citrus has ruff skin and bitter sour juice. Its trunk, branches, leafs are similar to other orange varieties. Sour Seville Orange trees enjoy full sun and water.

Fruit Trees of Mexico Orange

Orange (English), Naranja Dulce (Spanish), Pak' aal (Maya) Citrus sinensis, Rutaceae Family. Oranges are hybrid trees; originating maybe in China where cross pollination on pomelo and tangerine seem to have yield the first orange hybrid.  Orange blooms have sweet citrus aroma; bees pollinate most blooms. There are a large variety of orange hybrid fruits, in Yucatan it is the Citrus sinensis the most commonly grown. Fruits are oval shaped with yellow-orange porous skin tones. Orange leafs teas are used to smooth digestion.

Fruit Trees of Mexico Tamarind

Tamarids are so common in Yucatan, they grow wild around rural villages and ornament urban streets.Tamarind (English) Tamarindo (Spanish), Pah-Ch'uhuk (Maya) Tamarindus indica, Fabaceae Family. Native to Africa, brought during Colonial times to Yucatan, tamarind evergreen trees bear great amounts of fruits pods from April to July. Maya people enjoy the tart sweet aromatic rich flavor of this fruit, Tamarind is highly popular among Maya people. Fruit pods hang in clusters up to six to eight inches long. tamarind is eaten ripe, fresh, in candies, juices, and in sauces.

Fruit Trees of Mexico Plantain

Plantain (English), Plátano Macho (Spanish) Xib Ja'as (Maya), Musa balbisiana, Musaceae Family. Native to India, nowadays cultivated in many subtropical regions like Yucatan. Plantain tree bears flower and fruits in the same manner as a banana tree; plantain plants propagate with suckers frim the mother plant which dies after bearing fruit.  Fruits are eaten always fried green or ripe.

Fruit Trees of Mexico Bananas

Bananas (English), Plátanos (Spanish) Ja'as (Maya), Musa paradisiaca, Musaceae Family. Native to Southeast Asia, banana hybrids are now widely cultivated in subtropical world regions. Banana trees are evergreen herbaceous plants that only bear fruits once from a pseudo-stem with a large flower at its tip; from the flower grow multiple clusters of fruits creating a large column fruit pendant; banana leafs are used to wrap tamales and other Mayan cooking delights.

Fruit Trees of Mexico Wild Graboo

Wild Graboo (English), Xac pac (Maya), Nance (Spanish),  Malpighia crassifolia, Malphigiaceae Family, wild tropical forest hardwood tree with orange yellow small bloom clusters during May, bearing small cherry like yellow round fruits that have silk shiny light skin, a creamy rich flavor with tart undertones, highly aromatic and bitter sweet, ideal for liquor creams. Maya people enjoys ripe fruits with salt and chili powered as snacks.

Mexican Fruit Trees Guava


Guava fruits have great nutrition value that help the Maya children grow healthy.Guava (English), Guayaba (Spanish), Xālxocotl (Nāhuatl) Pichi' (Maya) Psidium guajava Myrtaceae Family. Native to Mexico. Guava tree grows best in semi-dhaded tropical climates and humid soil.  Guava tree trunk has a distinctive smooth copper color bark and can grow up to 15 meters high in the wild; its leaves have Contact Chichen Service if you wish to book a fun Eco-Cultural Vacation in Yucatan, Mexicoa mild smell when rub, white delicate flowers bloom in March and by May guava fruits are fully grown; when ripe they have a distinctive sweet fragrance and may reach 5 cm. in diameter. Guava fruits have a spherical small seeds cluster in the center and can be eaten raw or cook. Guava leaves, bark, and fruit have medicinal healing properties use by Mayan Healers. Ripe guavas are a delight for birds, iguanas, bats and bees its pollinators.