There are many vegetables that we can take advantage of to make food, infusions, medicines, fuel, furniture, etc. The Guanacaste tree, for example, It does all this and more. You may know it under another name, as there are many different ways to refer to it.
To get you out of doubt we will comment what are the names that this curious tree receives, where can we find it and what are its multiple uses. So if you want to know more about the Guanacaste tree, I recommend that you keep reading.
What is the name of the Guanacaste tree?
When we talk about the Guanacaste tree, we refer to a plant species belonging to the family Fabaceae. It is a plant native to America, specifically from warm and tropical areas. It should also be noted that, since August 31, 1959, it has been the national tree of Costa Rica, where it also represents the symbol of Guanacaste, a province in that area.
However, the common name of “Guanacaste tree” receives it for another reason. It is a denomination whose origins are in the Nahuatl language. The word wow means “tree”, while the term nacastl means “ear”. This name refers to the peculiar shape of the fruit of this vegetable, which somewhat resembles a human ear.
As for the scientific name of this plant, this is EInterolobium cyclocarpum. It was Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius, a German botanist, who first described the genus name of this tree: EInterolobium. As usual, it is not very common to use the scientific name to refer to plants or animals. Especially in the case of vegetables, many receive other common names in different areas of the world. Thus, the Guanacaste tree is also known by the following names:
- Guanacaste (Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica)
- Pich (Yucatan)
- Coroto (Panama)
- Jarina (Costa Rica)
- Curu (Costa Rica)
- Ear Guanacaste (Nicaragua)
- Tuburus (Nicaragua)
- Black Guanacaste (Nicaragua, Honduras)
- Pit (Guatemala)
- Conacaste (El Salvador, Guatemala)
- Tubroos (Belize)
- Caracas Venezuela)
- Caracara (Colombia)
- Ear pinion (Colombia)
Interestingly, the country that has the most names for this tree is Mexico. Depending on the region it is known in one way or another: Agucastle, ahuacashle, bisayaga, cuanacaztle, nacashe, nacaste, nacastillo, nacastle, nacaztle, cascabel, cascabel sonajac, cuanacaztli, cuaunacaztli, Juana Costa (commercial name in Mexico), nacaxtle , orejón, pich, piche, cuytátsuic, guanacaste, huanacaxtle, huienacaztle, huinacaxtle, huinecaxtli, lashmatz-zi, ma-ta-cua-tze, mo-cua-dzi, mo-ñi-no, shma-dzi, nacascuahuitl, parota , tutaján, ya-chibe and tiyuhu.
Regarding Spain, here we know the EInterolobium cyclocarpum and Guanacaste, but also as female expensive or black conacaste.
Where is the Guanacaste tree found?
As we mentioned earlier, The Guanacaste tree is native to tropical areas of America. We can find it from the south and west of Mexico, passing through Central America and extending to the north of South America, which includes Brazil and Venezuela. Other regions where it lives are Cuba, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad, apart from those where it has been introduced by humans.
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Generally, the Guanacaste tree it grows and develops along streams and rivers, in coastal areas. The ideal habitat for this plant is at a low elevation, typically not higher than 500 meters. As for the land, it develops remarkably better in sandy, black and sandy-clay soils. However, today we can find this tree in many more regions, including Spain. Its cultivation is not unusual, as it has many uses that we will discuss below.
Uses
We just mentioned that The Guanacaste tree has a wide variety of uses. The flower, for example, is highly valued in beekeeping and the bark, seeds and fruit can be used to tan leather. In addition, this vegetable can be used to create adhesives and gums. It should also be noted that the pulp obtained from the green pods is used in some places as a substitute for laundry soap, since it produces saponins. But this vegetable is useful in many more aspects, let’s see what they are:
- Wood: The wood of the Guanacaste tree is highly valued in the craft and construction world, as it is very easy to work with and durable. With it you can make turned articles, toys, kitchen utensils, interior finishes, furniture, staves, light boats, canoes, wheels, panels, carts, etc. It must be said that some people may be allergic to the dust that it gives off. Wood can also be used in rural construction, and in agricultural implements.
- Edible: The seed is edible. In fact, its amino acid composition is quite similar to that of some flours. They can be eaten toasted and are very rich in protein. In addition, they contain calcium, iron, phosphorus and ascorbic acid. In some places, the seeds are prepared in soups and sauces, and even as a substitute for coffee. Especially on the Atlantic coast belonging to Colombia sweets are made, especially at Easter.
- Forager: The seeds are not only edible for us, but also for animals. These can also consume the fruits, young stems and leaves of the Guanacaste tree. They are generally used as a feed supplement and fodder for equine, goat, pig and bovine livestock.
- Fuel type: With the already ripe fruits of this vegetable, it is possible to manufacture coal agglomerates. In addition, the firewood obtained from this tree is widely used both in homes and in rural industries. In fact, it is one of the most recommended species to use as an energy source. It is not surprising, since its firewood has a caloric power of no more and no less than 18.556 kj/kg.
- Medicinal: The green fruits of the Guanacaste tree are astringent and are used to treat diarrhea. The trunk of the same exudes a type of gum, called “major gum”. This is used to remedy colds and bronchitis. The bark is used in pods or in infusions in order to cure rash.
As you can see, the Guanacaste tree is a very curious vegetable with multiple beneficial uses for us. I hope this information was as interesting to you as it was to me!
