Davilla kunthii

Native from central Mexico through Central America to tropical South America and Trinidad, this woody vine has peeling bark and hairy young branches. Its alternate leaves are rough above and softly hairy underneath, with prominent side veins. Branched clusters of small yellow flowers attract bees, which gather pollen and pollinate the blooms. Two enlarged, persistent sepals enclose the developing fruit. When the fruit opens, it exposes seeds with oily white coverings eaten by vireos and other birds in Costa Rica. Photographed in Panama.