Native from Mexico to Venezuela, The tree can exceed 100 feet with its leaves, bark, and seeds offering medicinal benefits. Its bark extract is known to alleviate colds and bronchitis​​. The seeds and young seedpods are edible, often cooked and consumed as a vegetable.  Beyond its nutritive offerings, the tree is a source of timber used in boat making and paper production. Additionally, it's a valuable forage tree legume providing nourishment to browsing livestock. It is the national tree of Costa Rica with a habitat below 4,000 feet. Photographed in the department of Atlantico, Colombia.