Download Cinco Ciebas Guidebook - Crop and Soil Sciences

AY-337-W
Self Guided
Tour
Welcome
to Cinco Ceibas,
a name derived from five majestic
Ceiba trees that grow along the board
walk.
The Cinco Ceibas boardwalk is designed to immerse
visitors in the splendor of a primary tropical rainforest. After
traversing the boardwalk, hopefully you’ll understand the
motivation to not only preserve this at-risk habitat, but make
it accessible to the public.
To assist with your sightseeing experience, each entry
in this guidebook provides photos and interesting facts
about flora and fauna that inhabit the rainforest ecosystem.
Waypoints for specific
trees and plants
of interest along
the boardwalk are
provided. Each post is
numbered sequentially
and some are
highlighted according
to the species discussed
in the guide.
The boardwalk is
over one kilometer long
(nearly 1 mile). It was
constructed by local
laborers who carried in
all the material for the
substructure - an exhausting and time-consuming task.
The architects of the boardwalk looked introspectively
to design a structure that would meet a number of “best
management” criteria from an environmental and social
perspective. One goal was to minimize the human footprint
of the project. No trees were cut during construction. In
addition, the path also minimizes human traffic on the
primary forest ecosystem. The boardwalk was also built with
heat treated pine, an environmentally friendly alternative to
chemical preservation. Visitors can also use the boardwalk
during most of the rainy season - although there are times
when the surrounding rivers inundate the lowland tropical
rainforest (flooding part of the boardwalk).
Safety Warning
Please observe the following precautions:
• Stay on the boardwalk at all times.
• Remember that the boardwalk may be slippery when
wet.
• Do not hang from vines! Branches or limbs may break,
which can injure you and the ecosystem.
• Do not touch any flora or fauna. Some may be poisonous,
while others are delicate and easily damaged.
• In the rare event that a heavy thunderstorm moves
through, leave the boardwalk immediately and head for
the bus stop. Severe weather may cause tree branches
to snap. In severe cases, trees may fall.
• Please take home with you only memories and pictures.
Do not remove anything else from the boardwalk.
• Do not consume any plants or parts, some of the
information is derived from native folklore and not
sufficiently scientifically tested.
Visitor’s Etiquette
• Noise and movement scares off animals and birds, so
please be courteous to others and wildlife. Parents
are responsible for their children. Running, shouting,
smoking, and littering is not permitted.
• A word of advice: be patient.
• It is extremely difficult to observe wildlife in a primary
forest. Many species are nocturnal, forage high in the
canopy, or blend into the foliage. If you make yourself
innocuous and blend into your surroundings, animals
are likely to come out on their own accord. The best
way to observe birds is to listen to their songs and
watch for any movement. When the animal does move,
that’s when it’s possible to observe it. Also, use fruit
trees as a focal point. On the boardwalk, common bird
species include various toucans, oropendolas, ant birds,
parrots, trogons, and mot mots. If you’re interested in
primates, look for movement in the canopy - howler,
spider, and white face capuchin monkeys are abundant.
Cinco Ceibas
is located in a lowland
tropical rainforest in Northeast Costa Rica, on the
Caribbean side. Costa Rica is home to a myriad of
ecosystems: from the dry uplands of Guanacaste, to
the tropical rainforest of the Caribbean. The terrain
ranges from costal flat lands with meandering rivers
to volcanic mountains, some of which are still active.
About 25% of Costa Rica is preserved as state parks.
Additional lands, such as Cinco Ceibas, are privately
preserved for conservation and ecotourism. While
these conservation efforts are impressive, it’s
estimated that only 3% of Costa Rica’s rain forest is
undisturbed primary forest.
Cinco Ceibas
is an example of a primary and
secondary rainforest. The area contains some of
the highest concentrations of species diversity in
the world. This diversity is under constant threat
from agricultural encroachment and poaching. It
is crucial to maintain this biodiversity from an
economic, social, and environmental perspective.
These stores of biodiversity represent a veritable
gold mine of medicinal and industrial resources
for bioprospectors. Rainforests also act as a “sink”
to absorb carbon from the atmosphere, generating
oxygen and moderating climate change.
The Caribbean lowland jungles average up to 3 meters
(9 feet) of rain each year. There is a short dry season
(February through May) and a wet (green) season
(June through March). Although, there is never
really a month where it doesn’t rain in the tropics.
Temperatures range from 20°C (68°F) to more than
30°C (86°F). The tropical rainforest hosts some of
the largest tree species in the world, flowering in
the dry season and producing fruit that germinates
at the beginning of the rainy season.
Academic Funding
A
special thanks to Purdue University’s ServiceLearning Faculty Development Grantee Program
and the Community of Service-Learning Faculty
Fellows Program; also the Class of 2011 and 2012
(Sustainability of the Tropics), for engaging in the
initial phases of this project, and providing input on
the final phase of this guidebook. In addition, Purdue
recognizes the initial coordination from Silvia Perrera,
assistance from Dr. Daphene Koch, and Dr. John
Patterson, and the diligent input from both Annie
L.E. Davis and Kathryn McClain, for the final writing
phase.
I, Dr. Lori Unruh Snyder, am especially thankful for the
amazing students who witnessed firsthand how special
it was to learn from the boardwalk. Many educational
and fond memories rest on the boardwalk of Cinco
Ceibas. May my first Cinco Ceibas class be recognized
with meeting the goals of understanding the principles
of sustainable agricultural education: Chloe Davidson,
David Koelle, Elizabeth Lecher, Kimberly Lutz, Zachary
Marshall, Kathyrn McClain, Elizabeth Nichols, Erin
Peiguss, Anthea Saez, and Michael Schuessler.
KEY:
For plants, each entry in this book includes a
color box with the following information:
POST
NUMBER
Costa Rican name
Common Name
Family
Genus and species
For all other entries (insects, etc.), they include
all of the same information above, except the
post number.
1
guácimo blanco
white guacimo or bay cedar
Malvaceae
Goethalsia meiantha
T
his tree is common from Nicaragua to Colombia
in lowland tropical forests. It’s easily recognized
by its smooth, gray bark and prominent buttress
trunk. The species grows fast and is considered a soft
wood. The wood is white and dries easily without
major warping and splitting. This is why it’s used to
make matches and pallets. Note the single leaves from
the Monstera deliciosa (or a philodendron plant)
climbing up the trunk. This species has the unique
ability to start off with flat leaves (which look like they
are glued to the trunk), which completely change
once they grow higher and more exposed to the light.
7
palma coquito
coquito palm
T
his solitary palm
grows up to 7
meters (23 feet) tall and
has spines at the base
of each leaf and flower.
Flowers are cream
colored and pollinated
by bees to develop the
seeds. The seeds are eaten by various animals,
especially squirrels. Historically, people have
used the fibers from the leaves to make baskets.
Arecaceae
Astrocaryum alatum
14
ceiba
kapok tree or silk cotton tree
Malvaceae
Ceiba pentandra
I
n his fourth voyage (1502-03) along the Caribbean
coast of Central America, Christopher Columbus
encountered “Indians” in large dugout canoes made
from ceiba trees. During World War II, many life rafts
were filled with kapok, silky fibers surrounding the
seeds, as well as mattresses, seat cushions, and saddles.
The bark is used as a diuretic, aphrodisiac, headache
remedy, and diabetes treatment. It’s a deciduous tree
with a buttress trunk. Trunks can reach over 50 meters
(160 feet) tall without branching. It has smooth, light
gray bark with a wide, flat crown. Up to 300 species of
other plants may live on the branches. The flowers are
small, contain 5 petals, are usually white, and open at
night to attract the bats that pollinate them. Kapok
trees may flower only every 5 to 10 years. This tree is
estimated to be more than 300 years old.
23
T
cacao de montaña
monkey cacao or
wild cacao
Malvaceae
Herrania purpurea
he Mayans, who invented chocolate, used it
extensively in their rituals and it has been used
as a form of early currency. Cacao was first brought
to Europe in 1585, but the first chocolate bar was not
made until 1848. The flowers grow directly out of the
trunk and a fly pollinates the flower; fruit grows in
various sizes year round. Leaves can move 90 degrees
for better light interception and to protect young leaves. The
seeds are dried and roasted to produce chocolate. Various parts
of the tree are used to alleviate fever, fatigue, and emotional
stress. This plant has a sweet edible pulp. Indigenous people use
the seeds to make a cacao drink that is absolutely delicious.
27
34
sangrillo
bloodwood
Fabaceae
Pterocarpus hayesii
T
his tree has large, wrapping-like buttresses that
branch and extend beyond the trunk. Red sap
will appear when the bark is damaged. The small
yellow/orange, somewhat fragrant flowers bloom
in late February and early March. Its wood is used
for veneer and furniture. This medium-size tree has
an astringent resin that is used to put on wounds.
Some species are used to treat diarrhea. At times
it is extremely difficult to find the leaves below the
canopy, from where this picture was taken, because
the leaves are at the top of the canopy.
gavilán
oil tree
I
Fabaceae
Pentaclethra macroloba
n mature forests, this tree grows more than
40 meters tall (130 feet). It’s very common
and tolerates poor light and soil. It produces
white flowers from which long, bean-shaped
seed pods develop. During warm days, it
is common to hear the sound of ripe seed
pods exploding. The leaves close at night,
almost as if asleep. Although the seeds
are large and prominent, not many forest species
eat them, probably because of toxic compounds.
Various home remedies use preparations of the inner
bark to treat colds. The tree has also been used by
indigenous people to help prevent stretch marks
with the indigenous people. The seed oil is known
for the highest natural concentration of behenic acid
(cholesterol-raising saturated fatty acid) which is at
19% in a vegetable fat, more than six times higher
than in peanut oil. The oil is not usually consumed.
40
55
poró de montaña
machete flower
Fabaceae
Erythrina costaricensis
T
his small tree is a deciduous understory
tree that sometimes has spines on its
bark. It can be found all over Costa Rica. Its
bright red flowers are prominent because
they bloom without the leaves present and
look like tiny machetes, hence the name
machete flower, these red flowers bloom in
September and October. The bright red seeds
are used in necklaces found in local craft
stores. Decoctions of the leaves, bark, and
roots are used to treat wounds and ailments
such as jaundice, bronchitis, and to alleviate
toothaches. The seeds, stems, and bark
can also be used as fish poison due to their
alkaloid content. These trees are commonly
used to create fence posts and as shade trees
on coffee plantations.
guácimo colorado
colorado guacimo
Malvaceae
Luehea seemanii
T
Bat
Grea
ter
d
ne
his tree may grow as tall as 40 meters tall (130
feet) and has buttress roots. The trunk has a
gray outside bark and lighter inner bark. White
or yellow flowers are present from November to
January, and fruits are present
it
W h e- L i
from March to July. The tops of
leaves are dark green, while the
undersides have dense, rusty-brown-hair. This tree is
ecologically important as a food source for insects, which
are a food source for birds. This guacimo is estimated to
be more than 250 years old. Note the greater white-lined
bats in some of the dark, grooved areas of the trunk. The
bats have wavy white lines on their backs.
61
coculmeca
Smilacaceae
Smilax cordifolia
greenbrier
T
his vine is a self-pollinating, trailing perennial found at elevations below
1,600 meters (5,200 feet). It produces brown and black beans that some
local people eat. It was traditionally used to improve soil and feed livestock,
but has also been used in glue and to treat many ailments such as eye
inflammation, growths, and headaches. In addition, the dried roots are used
to make a tea to help combat anemia. (See photograph above of the dried
root.)
64
caña agria
sour cane or bitter cane
T
Costaceae
Costus sp.
his is a tall perennial plant with
purple and green stems. The
leaves are egg-shaped and pointed,
containing brown hairs along the
edges and purple inflorescences.
Each produces a white pine cone,
which in turn produces a reddish
flower. The sweet sap attracts
bullet ants; some locals believe
that sucking the sap alleviates
hangovers. This plant is used to treat kidney, urinary, and ear infections;
muscle pain, skin disorders, and eye problems. It has long been a source
of tannin for the tanning industry and for yellow dye. Because high tannin
concentrations are carcinogenic, avoid eating this plant.
65
heliconia
heliconia
Heliconiaceae
Heliconia imbracata
T
his is a large perennial plant that grows in
disturbed habitats and natural openings in
tropical wet forests. Upright bright red flowers
surround flower buds and hold rainwater. This
moist environment is home to several invertebrates
including beetles, worms, spiders, mites, assassin
bugs, and fly larvae. Many hummingbirds are
attracted to the bright flowers and feed on their
nectar. Many exotic varieties exist with tremendous
interesting shapes and spectacular colors.
67
rabo de mico
tree fern or monkey tail
tree fern
T
his tall fern with large leaves is a slow growing
species. Some plants may be more than 100 years
old. Its distant relatives have been found in fossils that
date back to the Precambrian, the period when the
first dinosaurs appeared. Almost 50 species of tree
ferns exist in Costa Rica, some shedding as much as
a billion spores. However, a very small portion make
it to full grown trees. Unfortunately, the trunks are
often harvested and used to grow orchids on.
Inner Fern
Cyatheaceae
Alsophila cuspidata
76
corteza amarilla
yellow cortez
Bignoniaceae
Tabebuia chrysantha
T
here are several yellow tabebuia genus in
Costa Rica. It can grow relatively tall in natural
rainforest settings. It loses all its leaves in the drier
season, blooming for less than a week. The bark is
gray with cracks. Because it produces such highquality hardwood, these trees have been exploited
and are now rare outside of parks and conservation
areas. The wood has been used for furniture and
decorative veneers, boardwalks, tool handles,
turnery, industrial flooring, and textile mill items.
The wood is also very durable and has been used
all over Costa Rica for bridges in rural areas. When
cut with a chainsaw, the sawdust is a bright yellow.
93
T
fruta dorada
Myristicaceae
wild nutmeg
Virola koschnyi
his tall tree has a straight, pink-gray trunk
and buttress roots. Its seeds are covered
by a red fleshy network that is attractive to
birds (such as macaws and toucans) and small
animals. The tree is recognizable by its large
leaves with bluish undersides. The flowers are
small and yellow. The species has potential in
reforestation and is used for construction and
furniture. Extracts of the tree are used to alleviate
symptoms of liver, digestive, and central nervous
system illnesses. There are two important spices
derived from the fruit of this tree: nutmeg and
mace. Nutmeg is derived from the seed of the
tree; while mace is the dried red “lacy” (the fleshy
network) covering of the seed.
104
tabacón
bird’s-nest anthurium
Araceae
Anthurium salvinii
T
105
he bird’s-nest anthurium is one of the largest
anthurium species in Costa Rica. It’s an epiphyte
(a plant that grows on another), but is not a parasite
(an organism that benefits at another’s expense).
The plant’s shape resembles a large bird nest, which
collects leaf litter that decays and supplies nutrients
to the plant. The Spanish called many plants with
similarly shaped leaves tobacco, hence the Spanish
name, tabacón. The roots are shallow and the trees
fall easily during the rainy session nothing will grow.
bromelia de reina
queen aechmea
Bromeliaceae
Aechmea mariae-reginae
T
his is one of the largest air plants in the rainforest.
When blooming, it’s easy to identify by virtue of its
long and spectacular pink flower sleeves. Hummingbirds
pollinate the flowers. The leaf sheathings collect water
year-round, which is why many tree-frog species lay
their eggs in them. Nurseries cultivate many ornamental
species of this plant and sell them worldwide.
124
targuayugo
W
Fabaceae
Dussia macroprophyllata
hen mature, these large trees dominate the forest
canopy. However, most trees never reach full
maturity due to logging. Its yellow and grayish wood is
used for construction, furniture, and fence posts. This
tree was hit by a lightning bolt in 2011. Although a large
branch crashed down from its crown and several other
surrounding trees died, it seems that this specimen
survived the ordeal.
136
palma conga
welfia palm
Arecaceae
Welfia regia
T
his palm is a tall, single-trunk, sub-canopy palm
with large leaves. The tree is distinguishable by
the unique red color of new leaves that appear in the
center of the crown and stand out among the older,
dark green fronds. The flowers are white, while the
fruit are almond-like and dark purple at maturity.
The crown produces a sweet edible palm cabbage,
but the palm must be killed to harvest the cabbage.
Monkeys, kinkajous, squirrels, and large birds eat
the seeds. Indigenous people have used its durable
and salt-tolerant wood to build coastal stilt homes,
and used the leaves to make roofs for houses.
152
maquenque
walking palm
T
Arecaceae
Socratea exorrhiza
his unique palm gets its English name from
its spiny stilt root system. While many debate
whether this palm really “walks” during its lifetime
in search of light on the jungle floor, its impressive
root system certainly seems capable of it. This
palm may move as much as 1 meter (3.3 feet) from
its original location during its life. The seeds are
dried and used in necklaces available in local craft
stores. Several large bird species eat the fruits from
this tree. The roots contain small, white spines
used for scraping coconuts and yucca. Historically,
the trunk has been used to construct houses.
153
almendro
almond tree
Fabaceae
Dipteryx panamensis
T
his large tree produces some of the heaviest and most durable wood in
the world. For many years, it was impossible to cut them down because
one needed diamond-tipped chain-saws to cut it down — that’s why lone
specimens survive on some old farms. These trees are protected in Costa Rica
because of the great green macaw; the birds nest in these trees and the almonds
are a favorite food. The protective shell of the seed makes it difficult for most
animals to access; only those with powerful teeth and beaks get to the almond.
The tree blooms pink from May to September. Specimens as large as this one
are rare in Costa Rica. Indigenous peoples collect the seeds and roast them on
coals. After they cool down, they crack them open and eat the almond. The
estimated commercial value of this tree’s wood is about $45,000.
157
T
uña de gato
cats claw
his vine derives its name from the spiny
hooks it uses to climb up host trees. This
vine may become so abundant that the host tree
collapses under its weight. The vine you see here
made its way into the large almond tree, which is
luckily able to tolerate such weight. Historically,
people have used the vine to treat many ailments
including dengue fever, diabetes, and others. In
2012, a gavalan tree collapsed under the heavy
weight of the vine.
Rubiaceae
Uncaria tomentosa
176
caobilla
crabwood
Meliaceae
Carapa nicaraguensis
T
his tall tree may live more than 400
years. The seeds are housed in round
capsules. Peccaries, agouties, and other seed
eaters eat the seeds after they fall. The wood
is comparable to mahogany and the species
has been cut to such a degree that large
specimens are rare. Locals cut up the seeds
and use them for fish
bait. Soap, head lice
treatment, and insect
repellent can be made
from the oil extracted from the seed. Sawdust from this
tree is often used by the indigenous people to remove
foot door.
185
T
pentagonia
pentagonia
his tree is easily recognizable by its large
leaves. Young leaves stand up vertical and
are usually reddish. It produces small, tubular,
yellow flowers in the base of the crown. This is
an understory tree that uses forest openings to
seek light. It is in the same family as the more
commonly known coffee tree.
Rubiaceae
Pentagonia donnell smithii
189
poponjoche
money tree or provision
tree
Malvaceae
Pachira aquatica
T
his tree prefers moist environments, has
smooth green bark, and the sap is used
for yellow dye. The tree forms large, brown,
cannonball-shaped capsules that house large
brown seeds that are edible and taste like peanuts.
The seeds can be eaten raw, roasted, or fried. In the
wild, this tree flowers year round, but only at night.
Bats and insects pollinate the flowers. Monkeys eat
the flowers (which resemble a shaving brush) and
seeds. Agouties and tepezcuintles eat fallen seeds. The
plant can propagate from seeds (which are dispersed
through water) or from stem cuttings. In the United
States, this plant is sold under the commercial name
“Money Tree.” In Asian cultures it is thought to bring
good luck and bring money into the home.
194
peine de mico
Malvaceae
monkey comb
Apeiba membranacea
T
The large comb-like seed
his tree grows fast and grows up to 20 meters
(66 feet) tall. It has a gray, slightly greenish
trunk and produces round, spiked fruits that look
like sea urchins. Monkeys, typically white-faced
capuchins use the fruit to rub each other and the
fruits are eaten by various birds and animals. These
fruits are spiny and the seeds are small, black,
and abundant. The seeds have a high oil content
that is used to relieve rheumatism and an oil that
may help hair growth. From medicinal folklore
it is known that from the bark a medicine can
be made that can be ingested to expel intestinal
worms.
214
caña de danta
Arecaceae
Geonoma congesta
suita palm
T
his common, short, understory palm has reddish
leaves when young. Its seeds and plants are
commercially available in many tropical nurseries.
The leaves have been extensively used for thatch roof
material, so it is scarce in some regions.
218
palma de escoba
rootspine palm
Arecaceae
Crysophila warscewiczii
T
242
T
he leaves of this tree are soft, dark green surface, and
whitish underside. The crown is compact over a slender
trunk. It forms aerial roots, which are transformed into
spines that cover the trunk. The seeds have the flavor of
bitter coffee, but can be eaten. The indigenous Malekus tribe
(here in Costa Rica) often consume them. The Malekus have
used the strong, sharp thorns as arrowheads. The leaves of
this tree have been used to make brooms, which is how it
received its Spanish name, Escoba means broom.
guarumo
trumpet tree
his abundant, umbrella-shaped evergreen tree is
found in the understory. It is a fast-growing tree
that quickly invades disturbed areas. Rarely living
longer than 80 years, they are replaced by other tree
species that grow up beneath them and eventually
reach the canopy. Virtually every part of this tree can
be used to treat a diversity of ailments. Azteca ants
protect the leaves from predators. In return, the ants
receive food from the tree. The seeds are eaten by birds,
bats, rodents, and other animals. Howler monkeys
often feast on the young leaves.
Cecropiaceae
Cecropia obtusifolia
249
huele de la noche
lady of the night
Orchidaceae
Brassavola nodosa
L
ady of the night is a nocturnally blooming
perennial plant that blooms in the fall. Epiphytic
orchids (like this one) cling to the host plant’s bark
with tuberous roots and absorb the nutrients from
rain and the detritus that collects around them. They
do not absorb sap from the host plant. Usually, orchids
grow high in the canopy where they can absorb more
light. This orchid has white-lipped flowers on erect
stalks that are fragrant at night. Worldwide there are
more than 20,000 orchid species —Costa Rica is home to about 1,400 species.
Due to habitat destruction and collectors, many species are extremely rare.
255
T
bijagua
rattlesnake plant
his plant takes advantage of open areas in the
forest and will only grow in areas where the
sun reaches the ground. It is a perennial and has
an erect flower stem with yellow bracts. There are
quite a few species dispersed around the tropics
and several cultures use the leaves as “wrapping
paper” for rice, chicken, and fish. In Thailand,
street vendors make small baskets from the leaves
to carry prepared food home, making it quite a
sustainable “doggy bag” for food leftovers.
NOTES:
Marantaceae
Calathea crotalifera
Map of cinco
ceibas Boardwalk
Legend
Open Swamp
Boardwalk
River
Flood Zone
Uplands
Shelter
Observation Tower
Majestic Ceiba
Tree
257
garrobo
syngonium or
arrowhead
Araceae
Syngonium podophyllum
T
his perennial plant is a climbing herb with
mottled leaves and is a common houseplant
all over the world. The shape of its leaves give it
one of its common names: arrowhead plant. The
flowers are white and bloom mid-spring. In its
native habitat, it grows fast along the bark of its
host. Although it is commonly used as a decorative
plant, all plant parts are poisonous if ingested. It
causes irritation of the lips, tongue, and throat, as
well as severe pain in the mouth.
260
bejuco de agua
water vine
T
Dilleniaceae
Pinzona coriacea
his is a perennial woody vine that indigenous
people cut to drink the water that flows from the
stem. This plant has been used to treat headaches,
high blood pressure, and health problems in general.
It also has been used to provide energy, when needed.
The flowers are white. This specimen became so
heavy that its host (a large gavilon tree) snapped
and crashed to the forest floor in 2011. The vine has
already started its ascent up another host.
Notes:
265
manteco
Sapindaceae
leeche tree
Cupania sp.
T
In bud
289
his tree is in the same family as leeches. This
small to medium tree has glossy green leaves
and small, whitish or greenish flowers. Its round
fruit contains a rough, reddish exterior with
white, juicy pulp. The fruit can be consumed fresh,
canned, or dried and is used to make ice cream,
juice, candies, and wine. Crushed seeds are used
to alleviate pain and intestinal problems. A tea
from the fruit peel is taken to control diarrhea.
Root, flower, and bark extracts are taken for sore
throat. The roots show anti-cancer possibilities.
jícaro de montaña
calabash tree
T
Bignoniaceae
Amphitecna kennedyi
his rare tree grows in the understory.
Small, yellow-whitish flowers grow out of
the tree trunk and form oval fruits. The tree is
unusual because it is covered with stiff, little,
green leaves in the rainy season. Sometimes it’s
adorned with gourd-like, round or oval, green
balls called jícaras, which appear in the least
expected places. People have made small bowls
and crafts from the dried fruit, but the fruit
itself is not edible.
299
matapalo
strangler fig
Moraceae
Ficus sp.
A
strangler fig starts life in the canopy of a host tree.
Its roots creep down to the forest floor over time
and draw nutrients for itself. Although it doesn’t take
nutrients from its host, a strangler fit will eventually
kill its host by wrapping around it, cutting off its
nutrients and growing a larger canopy that cuts off
sunlight. The long roots that hang from the canopy of
the ceiba are from a ficus. Its fruit (figs) are thought to
be one of the first fruits humans cultivated . These trees
are extremely important to the rainforest ecosystem
because they produce figs year-round, allowing many
fruit-dependent animals a constant food source.
317
oreja de elefante
elephant ear
T
Araceae
Colocasia esculenta
he leaves of the elephant ear plant are typically
large, flat, and broadly ovate in shape. The flowers
are large, attractive, and fragrant. The fruits, when
present, are a single cluster of small berries that are
greenish or yellowish and have several seeds inside.
All parts of the plants are edible, but you must steam
or boil them first to remove calcium oxalate crystals.
Around dusk, the flowers heat up to 42° C (108°F) and
produce a menthol-like scent that attracts pollinating
scarab beetles.
NOTES:
331
palo de hule
Panama rubber tree
Moraceae
Castilla elastica
T
he sap of this tree is milky, and young leaf growth
is yellowish and hairy. The leaves, when mature,
have bristly hairs with pointed tips. It produces small,
yellowish flowers. Older bark contains vertical rows of
small, warty outgrowths. The fruits are fleshy, yelloworange, and have numerous seeds. Many herbivores
(including birds, monkeys, other mammals, and ants)
eat the fruit. The animals spread the seeds after eating
the fruit. In Mesoamerica, Mayans have used its latex
to make the balls they used in their games. These games had strong traditions
and are believed to have included human sacrifice.
332
balsa
balsa tree
T
Malvaceae
Ochroma pyramidale
his species is located 10 meters back into
the forest canopy. This fast-growing pioneer
species takes advantage of the light created when a
tree falls. Its flowers open at night, are large, cream
colored, bloom year–round, and are pollinated by
bats. The flowers also attract birds that forage in the
canopy. The wood is very light and used in model
planes. The indigenous people of the tropics have
used the trunks for kayaks.
NOTES:
335
sainillo
dumb cane
Araceae
Dieffenbachia longispatha
T
he dumb cane has a
blossom that consists
of many small flowers
that are densely packed
on a stalk. The leaves
are large, dark green,
and have white and
yellow blotches. If any
part is eaten, a sudden
burning irritation and paralysis of the mouth, tongue, and lips will result.
The victim’s speech becomes impaired, hence its name: dumb cane. Ingestion
may cause vomiting, diarrhea, intense salivation, or in extreme cases, death.
When bruised, the plant emits a skunk-like odor, which attracts the collared
peccary, a pig-like animal that can tolerate the high toxicity. The plant is also
commonly used as a houseplant due to its tolerance for low light and dry heat.
341
pilón
Euphorbiaceae
pilón
Hyeronima alchorneoides
P
ilón has a very nice, dark brown wood and is
commercially used for furniture, paneling, and
other interior finishings. Due to over logging, large
specimens are rare. The species is easily recognizable
by its fibrous brown-orange bark. Pilón is one of the
dominant reforestation species in Finca Pangola
because it shows promise on areas with alluvial soil
(or soil formed by flooded river beds).
351
pacaya
Arecaceae
Costa Rican bamboo palm
Chamaedorea
costaricana
T
his tree tends to grow in the understory.
The trunk, looks like bamboo, it is
slender and green but some species are
trunkless. In moderate climates, this palm
is widely sold as a decorative “Parlor Palm”
because of its slow growth and tolerance of
indoor conditions. The unopened clusters
of flowers are harvested and sold in local
markets as a luxury vegetable. They are
also put up commercially in jars for export
where they can be found in markets serving
Central American communities.
INSECTS
What makes Costa Rica so special is its species density (the number of species per
unit area). Costa Rica possesses about 5 percent of the total world’s biodiversity.
Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity extends to the insect world. There are more than
800,000 insect species on Earth, and Costa Rica is home to more than 34,000. Many
thousands more await identification, including about 20,000 different types of
spiders! More than 10 percent of the world’s butterfly species live here.
hormiga bala
bullet ant
T
Formicidae
Paraponera clavata
his ant is located throughout tropical rainforest,
usually on the ground or the bottoms of tree trunks.
This enormous black ant is second only to the greater
giant hunting ant (Dinoponera grandis) and is hairier than
most. Bullet ants contain a neurotoxin that causes extreme
pain, equal to that of getting shot with a gun. The pain last
for 24 hours on average. Bullet ants eat floral nectar, sap,
arthropods, and small vertebrates. It lives in Costa Rica at
elevations up to 500 meters (1,600 feet).
zompopas
leaf cutter ants
Formicidae
Atta fabricius
L
eaf cutter ants have a well-developed social
system that consists of a queen that gives rise
to a whole colony of worker ants, forager ants,
and soldier ants. The ants create a composted
nutritive medium made from leaf matter that is
used to grow a fungus. The ants then use the fungal
fruiting bodies to feed their young. Forager ants search for leaf matter and
leave a noticeable trail, while worker ants guard the food source. Soldier ants
can easily puncture skin and guard the colony from all intruders. Indigenous
people have used the large mandibles of soldier ants to suture wounds. Next to
humans, leaf cutter ants form the largest and most complex animal societies
on Earth. In a few years, the central mound of their underground nests can
grow to more than 30 meters (90 feet) across and have smaller, radiating
mounds extending to a radius of 80 meters (240 feet). The mound complex
can take up as much as 30 to 600 square meters (5400 sq. feet) and contain
more than 8 million individuals.
tarántula
tarantula
T
Theraphosidae
Aphonopelma sp.
arantulas are the biggest of all spiders
and may range in size from a fingernail
to a dinner plate. They have two hollow
fangs filled with poison, which they use
to kill their prey by liquefying the insides.
They hunt insects, rodents, and small birds, and are usually hiding when not
hunting. Their defenses include speed, venom, and hairs on their back legs
and abdomens that easily break off and burrow into the skin, which cause
severe itching. A tarantula’s bite is harmless to a human unless they are allergic.
Tarantulas will go bald on their thorax when they get old and have retractable
claws just like cats.
cigarra
cicada
Cicadidae
Magicicada sp.
C
el l
C
om
sh
ing
out of its
icadas are probably best known for their buzzing
and clicking noises, which a multitude of the
insects can turn into an overpowering hum. Males
produce this species-specific noise with vibrating
membranes on their abdomens. Cicadas are also
famous for disappearing entirely for many years
(known to reappear in 17 years), only to reappear
in force at irregular intervals. Cicadas do not create
destructive plagues, as some locusts do, although tens
or hundreds of thousands of insects may crowd into a
single hectare.
morfo
Nymphalidae
blue morpho Morpho menalaus
T
he blue morpho is one of the largest
butterflies in the jungle. It finds nectar high
in the canopy and is hard to capture on camera
because of its rising and falling flight pattern.
The tops of their wings are a beautiful sky blue.
They have sensors on their legs that they use to
taste fruit. It is the most common butterfly in
Central America and Costa Rica.
Notes:
termitas
arboreal termites
Termitidae
Nasutitemes sp.
I
n many areas high in the trees
one can observe large black or
dark brown spheres that look like
they are made of mud. Those are
the nests of arboreal termites. The
nests are made from a mixture of
digested wood and feces and upon closer examination,
look like cardboard. Often, mud-covered channels lead
from the nest to the ground. Termites live off dead plant
material, usually wood. Each nest can harbor more than
6,000 individuals. The small anteater called the northern
tamandura (Tamandura mexicana) climbs high into the
trees and with its powerful claws and rips open the nests
in search of termites.
FROGS
Frogs and toads can be found on all continents except Antarctica. Frogs fill a
variety of niches, nooks, and crannies: from the typical ponds and streams, to
forest leaf litter, to the canopy. Costa Rica is home to 133 known species of frogs
and toads representing eight families. There are short-legged ground dwellers,
strong-legged pond hoppers, and long-limbed leaf-climbers, all trying to survive
in the dynamic world.
sapo grande
giant toad
T
Bufonidae
Bufo marinus
his massive toad is a brown or olive color with brown
splotches on a dirty white or cream underside. It is an
agricultural and urban pest in some regions. The species
breeds all year, and females lay 5,000 to 25,000 eggs at
a time. Its toxins produce a hallucinogenic response,
however, its effects on humans can be unpredictable
and lethal. The giant toad eats rodents and snakes.
ranita roja
blue jean frog
Dendrobatidae
Dendrobates pumilio
T
he blue jean frog is a popular icon in Costa
Rica. Common in moist, leaf-littered areas of
the rainforest, these species survive on invertebrates.
The blue jean frog is only poisonous if their skin is
penetrated. After meeting a female the male will lead
her to a place where she will lay three or four eggs. The
male will then fertilize them and remain to care for
them. The male keeps the eggs moist by emptying his
bladder on them. He also eats any eggs that are infected
with fungi or that do not develop, as well as any eggs left by other males. The
female carries each tadpole to its own separate pool of water, usually in a
bromeliad, where she then lays unfertilized eggs for it to eat while it matures.
For more than a month, the female returns every few days to feed her young.
rana venenosa
green and black
poison dart frog
T
Dendrobatidae
Dendrobates auratus
his frog is easily recognizable by the dark brown
or black camouflage-like splotches on their green
skin. Typically found on the ground and climbing
on rocks close to water, these timid frogs are usually
found in the interior forest. Their adult diet consists
of flightless fruit flies, termites, spiders, ants, beetles,
and mites. Typically active in early morning, males
are always actively attracting mates with high-pitched
calls. The female chooses her mate by jumping on his back and prodding
him to show interest. She will lay four to six eggs in a moist area on the
forest floor, and the male will fertilize and care for them. The male will also
carry the tadpoles to small bodies of water where they will mature into
frogs. Larger tadpoles sometimes eat smaller ones, as well as insect larvae,
algae, detritus, and protozoa.
SNAKES & LIZARDS
Snakes and lizards have played important roles in tribal cultures worldwide. Today,
many snake and lizard species are endangered because they have been over hunted
for their skins and venom. Snakes are also popular exotic pets, so indigenous people
often procure young snakes or eggs to be used in the pet trade. Snake and lizard meat
also is a food source for many tribal communities. These animals have historically
been used in tribal rituals, drum making, native medicine, and talismans. The profits
from hunting these animals allow some tribes to sustain themselves. Conservation
products are being developed in some areas to teach tribes how to retrieve venom
from snakes without killing them, so they can be released back into the wild to
improve population. Conservation farming and rehabilitation for iguanas has been
established in parts of Costa Rica to provide sustainable farming of iguanas as a
meat source. Local indigenous people think that all snakes are poisonous so they kill
snakes.
boa or bécquer
Boidae
boa constrictor
Boa constrictor
B
oas live on the ground and in the trees, surviving
in various habitats from wet to dry. This huge
snake may get as long as 5 or 6 meters (16-20 feet).
Females give birth to 10-65 live young, but they are left
to fend for themselves after birth, so many die before
adulthood. Their diet consists of many small animals,
which they strangle and squeeze until the victim
suffocates — hence their name: constrictor.
Notes:
iguana
Iguanidae
green iguana
Iguana iquana
I
guanas live mainly in the canopy and
descend only to mate, lay eggs, or change
trees. They are active during the day, feeding
on leaves, flowers, and fruit. When threatened,
they will leap out of the canopy, often from
great heights. They generally live near water
and are excellent swimmers. Iguanas use their
sharp tails to drive off predators. The tail can
detach in a fight and another will grow without
permanent damage. They are hunted in Costa
Rica for their meat and farmed for their skin.
basilisco
green basilisk
T
Iguanidae
Basiliscus plumifrons
his lizard’s amazing ability to run on water gives
this species its most recognizable moniker: the
Jesus Christ lizard. Green basilisks spend much of
their time in the trees and are always close to a body
of water. When threatened, they can drop from a tree
onto the water and sprint, upright, about 1.65 meters
(5 feet) across the surface until gravity becomes an
issue and they resort to their excellent swimming skills to continue their
flight. Females lay up to 20 eggs in a shallow trench that they prepare, and
then leave the eggs to hatch on their own. Another common lizard found in
the humid rainforest of Costa Rica is the Central American whiptail lizard
(Ameiva festiva), watch for it among the dead leaves on the ground of the
forest. (Brown coloured with darker browns making a zig-zag pattern down
the back.)
BIRDS
H
istorically, the most common use of birds has been for feathers for
decorations — and this is still true in developing countries such as Costa
Rica. Although they may still be a food source, their major value today is as
exotic pets for developed countries. The pet trade is the number one threat
to exotic birds. In Central America, hunting for food and sport occurs at
bottleneck migration sites. Birds of prey, although not discussed here, have
also played a major role in indigenous populations for food, rituals, totems,
and ceremonial attire. Falconry has also been a popular use of these birds in
hunting and as gifts or trades.
trogon
violaceous trogon
T
Violaceous Trogon
Slaty-tailed Trogon
Trogonidae
Trogon violaceus
he male has a pale gray, greenish bill and a yellow
eye-ring. Its crown, neck, and chest are a shiny
violet blue. The belly is yellow and the under-tail has
even black and white horizontal stripes with white
tips to the feathers. The female is gray and has a duller
yellow belly. It has a white eye-ring broken above and
below the eye and thin black and white bars on the
wings. Slaty-tailed trogons (T. massena) are fairly
common in much of Costa Rica. The male slatytailed trogon has a green head, back, and throat; an
orange bill; and red under-parts with a dark gray tail.
The female is dull gray except for a red belly. They
characteristically feed by striking out from perches
and delicately plucking fruit from the tips of twigs,
usually without alighting, then return to a nearby
perch.
lapa verde
Psittacidae
great green macaw Ara ambiguus
T
he great green macaw is a large, stocky
bird with a heavy bill, lengthy tail, and
brilliant green, blue, and red plumage. Adult
macaws may reach up to 80 cm (31.5 inches)
long and live for more than 60 years. The green
macaw’s diet consists of fruit from the almond
tree (Post 153). Their beaks can easily crack the
shells to get the nuts inside. Because they are foragers, they travel to search
for food. They also depend on almond trees for nesting. Hollow branches
often provide a start for their nests, which they hollow out further with their
strong beaks. There they lay their eggs and nourish their young. Due to heavy
deforestation and loss of habitat, the number of green macaws in the wild has
fallen, however, recent conservation and restoration efforts have provided a
modest rebound in the green macaw population. Recently, the scarlet macaw
(A. macao) has returned to the Caribbean lowland forest. It can be identified
by the bright red feathers that cover its back, head, and lower tail feathers. It
has bold blue across its wings and lower back, with large strips of bold yellow
above them. Its conspicuous facial skin is pinkish white, and its bill is ivory
and black. This bird is also protected; however, young are still taken from their
nests for the pet trade.
Momotidae
motmot
rufous motmot Baryphthengus martii
T
his species is the largest of six motmot species
in Costa Rica. They typically have short broad
beaks, often decurved, and striking plumage.
Motmots are typically quite shy and patience is often needed to locate them,
especially in thick vegetation. They perch on lower branches and have a
peculiar habit of swinging their tails back and forth like pendulums when
they sense danger. When foraging, they sit quietly on shaded horizontal
branches for long periods, and then suddenly dart out after passing insects.
They nest in burrows that they dig or refurbish.
oropéndula
Icteridae
montesuma oropendula Psarocolius montezuma
T
his bird builds its nest in colonies. From far away, you
can observe narrow sack nests (80 to 100 cm or 3040 in long) gently swaying in the wind like pendulums
from the ends of branches of large trees. This bird can
be identified by its mostly black body, bright yellow tail,
chestnut-colored head, pale blue eyes, and long ivory bill that starts high up on the
forehead. The name of this largest bird in the oriole family is derived from the Latin
words for gold (oro, which refers to its bright yellow tail) and pendulum (pendola,
which refers to its nest). In addition, its name commemorates the Aztec leader
Montezuma II. Females weave long sack-shaped nests of fibers, vines, Spanish moss,
and other materials. They also incubate and raise their two young without the help
of adult males. Because females spend more energy than the males raising their
young, there are five females for every male in the colony; however, the males do
not fight, nor do they show any sort of dominance hierarchy. Oropendulas lose their
chicks to predators like toucans, snakes, opossums, and bats, but the most severe
damage comes from the botfly larvae.
tucán
Ramphastidae
chesnut-mandibled Ramphastos swainsonii
toucan
T
his is the largest toucan in Central America and
a prominent bird of the rainforest. Groups of
about 20 will travel together to forage. Males are larger than females, but they
look alike: black bodies bibbed in bright yellow, white rumps, and red on the
undersides of their tail feathers. Their distinctly shaped, bicolor bills are brown
and yellow, huge and curved. A mating pair stays together for the season,
and forage and parent together. Also common is the keel-billed toucan (R.
sulfuratus); sometimes called the rainbow-billed toucan, for the progression
of yellow, orange, lime, pale blue, and crimson of its exceptionally bright and
enormous beak. Aside from yellow facial skin and bib lined in red, this large
bird’s body is mostly black with maroon on its back and neck, and olive on
its lower back and underside. The collared aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)
(black head & chest & dark olive green upper-parts) is a much smaller toucan
and can be observed in large groups.
MAMMALS
M
ammals have been important throughout human history. Many have
been used for food (wild and domesticated). Many rainforest mammal
populations suffer from habitat loss and the pet trade — traders will often
kill a whole group of monkeys to obtain one infant to export as a pet. Not
all mammals are endangered because of humans. Odd-toed ungulates, such
as the American tapir, are considered unsuccessful species and many even
went extinct in prehistoric times for reasons unrelated to humans. That’s
because they are unable to adapt to environmental changes and produce few
offspring. Still, as the human population has increase, their numbers have
dwindled even further.
Bradypodidae
perezoso de dos dedos
two-toed sloth
Bradypus variagatus
T
Notes:
his sloth has a round head, short projecting nose,
no tail, and two long claws on the fore feet, and
three on the hind. The hair on the body is long and
rough; in some parts curled and wooly, of a pale red
above and in others, of a yellowish white below and
brown above. It has a white face, a brown stripe on
each side of its body. Sloths stay near the upper level
of the canopy where they live, feed, and mate. An adult
female spends half the year pregnant and the other half
rearing her single offspring. Sloths have reduced muscle
mass in order to live in the treetops while carrying an
enormous gut capacity — nearly 30 percent of their
body weight. On average, a sloth travels to the forest
floor every 30 days to defecate.
danta
baird’s tapir
Tapiridae
Tapirus bairdii
T
apirs are related to rhinoceroses and horses. They
weigh 225-275 kilograms (500-600 pounds),
and eat leaves and fruit by grabbing them with
their prehensile noses. Tapirs are primarily solitary
but communicate with a variety of whistles. They
are most active at dusk but on a rare occasions can
be spotted cooling down in water or mud. Because
of their declining numbers they are listed on the
Endangered Species list. At Cinco Ceibas a relatively
healthy population exists — several individuals (some
even with juveniles) have been recorded on motion
cameras.
saíno collarejo
collard peccary
T
Tayassuidae
Tayassu tajacu
his animal is fairly common in Costa Rica and
can usually be found in primary and secondary
forests. They live in groups of up to 30 members and
forage day and night for roots and fallen fruits. A
troop is often detectable by the strong musk odor they
leave behind. These animals are a favorite prey of large
cats, so they play an important role in the food chain.
Also common on the rainforest ground are Central
American agouties (Dasyprocta punctata), which
are related to the guinea pig. Agoutis look similar to
guinea pigs but have much longer legs. An agouti’s
sharp canines are capable of cracking hard nuts.
Pacas (Augouti paca) are less common than agoutis.
Pacas are a favorite game for poachers in Costa Rica.
On several occasions, security at Cinco Ceibas has
confiscated hunting dogs and handed them over to
the authorities.
león
puma
Felidae
Puma concolor costaricensiss
A
dults are generally cinnamon
to reddish brown with white
undersides, but young pumas are
spotted. A puma spends most of its
time on the ground; however, it can
climb trees and leap more than 5 meters
(16 feet) into the air. A puma generally
stalks its prey from behind, and usually
attacks the back of the neck. Pumas require large areas of land for their
territorial needs, so deforestation and habitat destruction has made it
harder for them to survive in the wild.
The jaguar (Panthera onca) has a yellowish brown coat with a white
stomach and black spots all over its body. This endangered cat is the largest
of Central American carnivores. The jaguar used to be common in many
habitats but are rare except in large protected reserves. They are sensitive to
habitat size: in forest reserves a single male needs a huge area for his home
range.
The jacarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) is a medium-size cat with a
slender build and comparatively long neck and head. Unlike other small cats
in Central America, the jacarundi is not spotted, it is solid black, gray, or
reddish. The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a nocturnal cat that sleeps in the
trees is rarely seen because of its spotted fur. Their diet consists of rodents,
rabbits, iguanas, fish, frogs, and monkeys. When fur was fashionable,
ocelot numbers were affected greatly by the fur trade. Fortunately, at Cinco
Ceibas all the cats have been recorded regularly on motion cameras, except
for the jaguar.
Notes:
congo
Atlelidea
mantled howler monkey Alouatta palliate
T
hese arboreal monkeys live in the canopies of
lowland and tropical forests from southern
Mexico to northwestern South America. They
are typically foragers and will eat fruits, flowers,
and leaves. They live in groups of about 11 to 18
individuals. Females give birth to a single offspring
and care for their young for about 12 weeks. Howlers
are most famously known for their bold
vocalizations that can be heard more than 1
kilometer (0.6 miles) through the forest. They
are best observed when debris falls from the
canopy. The monkeys associated with the
novelty street organ grinder performers of
the 19th and early 20th century are the whitefaced capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus).
In the forest canopy these monkeys live in large groups and are extremely
versatile. They rub plants on their bodies, presumably to keep their fur
healthy and get rid of infestations. The third monkey that lives in this part
of Costa Rica is the endangered Central American spider monkey (Ateles
geoffroyi). It has a long, prehensile tail that can support its entire body
weight. It primarily lives on ripe fruit. While uncommon, these monkeys
have been observed at Cinco Ceibas several times.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING
Cinco Ceibas!!
We greatly appreciate your visit, come
back and bring your friends!!
Boardwalk discovery and route design:
Elizabeth Hunter and Kevin Loope
Ulises Aleman
Agustin Jaques Pieters
Gary Nicolas Moll
Boardwalk construction:
Agustin Jaques Pieters
Gary Nicolas Moll
Jose Joaquin Salas Ezquivel
Sergio Antonio Davila Ocampo
Wilson Tercero Madrigal
Juan Davila Lazo
Freddy Jose Rodriguez Baez
Boardwalk pictures:
Gary Nicolas Moll
Hendrik Morelisse
Lori Unruh Snyder Ph.D.
Boardwalk cover design and artwork:
Jacqueline Morelisse
Boardwalk scientific research:
Hendrik Morelisse
Lori Unruh Snyder, Ph.D., Purdue University
Randy Umaña Picado, M.S., Technological Institute of Costa Rica
G. M. Castillo Martinez, G.M. Aventura Guide Service
Technical Editors:
Lori Unruh Snyder, Ph.D., Purdue University
Timothy Durham, D.P.M., Florida Gulf Coast University
Randy Umaña Picado, M.S., Technological Institute of Costa Rica
Graphic Designers:
Annie L.E. Davis, M.S., Purdue University
Lori Unruh Snyder, Ph.D., Purdue University
Terry Patterson, B.A., Purdue University
Auxiliary Editors:
Jesus Vallalobos
Danielle Atkins
Ashley Sheetz
Annie L. E. Davis
Gina Jones
Nicole Terry
Pangola, Heredia, Costa Rica
www.cincoceibas.com
Phone: 506-4000-0606
Fax: 506-4000-0688
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