Calycophyllum candidissimum, is native to tropical regions of the Americas, ranging from southern Mexico and Central America to northern South America. It is the national tree of Nicaragua and El Salvador, where it is valued both for its ornamental beauty and durable timber. This species typically grows in dry to semi-moist forests at elevations from sea level up to about 5,000 feet and can reach heights of 30–65 feet.
The flowers are small, star-shaped, and white, borne in dense terminal clusters. What makes the display striking are the large, leaf-like bracts that turn pale yellow or creamy white during blooming. These bracts can measure several inches long and contrast vividly with the tree’s dark green, glossy foliage. Beyond its ornamental value, Calycophyllum candidissimum produces hard, fine-grained wood used in furniture, flooring, and construction, and it is also employed in shade planting for coffee and cacao cultivation. Photographed in Panama.