Flora
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The Park’s dry forests contain between half and a third of the plants, in comparison to the rainforests. They have species such as ceiba or sandbox tree (Hura crepitans), trupillo (Prosopis julliflora), aromo (Acacia tortuosa), brasil (Haematoxylon brasiletto), dividivi (Caesalpinia coriaria), guamacho (Pereskia guamacho), candelabro (Subpilocereus russellianus), tuna (Opuntia wentiana), resbalamono (Bursera simarouba) y olla de mono (Lecythis minor).

Among the evergreen plants of the tropical rainforest there are a great variety of moss, bromeliads and orchids as well as palma de vino (Sheelea magdalenica), palma amarga (Sabal mauritiiformis), iraca (Caludovica palmata), caracolí (Anacardium excelsum), guáimaro (Brosimun alicastrum), macondo or bonga (Cavanillesia platanifolia), ariza (Brownea ariza) and higuerón (Ficus sp.).

The cloud forest has species such as guarumo (Cecropia peltata), cafecillo (Senna occidentalis), majagua blanca (Heliocarpus americanus), avocado (Persea americana) and guáimaro (Brosimum sp.), among others.

Ceiba (Hura crepitans)

Native species of the inter-tropical zones of the American continent, it is a tall and corpulent tree with superficial and buttress roots and a spine-covered trunk. A toxic latex substance can be obtained from its roots and has been used in some cultures for fishing or to cure snakebites. Some animals, such as parrots and monkeys, eat them when they are soft. The fruits ripen in rainy season and they explode when they come in contact with water, dispersing the seeds and producing a strong sound to which it owes its Latin name: crepitans (resound).

Illustration by Laura Pérez