Grias neuberthii

Native to southern Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru, this tropical forest tree has a smooth trunk and large, leathery leaves clustered along thick branches. Groups of flowers arise directly from woody outgrowths on the trunk and older stems. Each flower has four thick, spreading petals, usually yellow or cream, surrounding numerous inward-curving stamens. Large bracts remain beneath the flowers. Brown, elongated fruits have longitudinal ribs and yellow to orange flesh around a large seed. The edible flesh is sold in western Amazonian markets. Animals disperse the fruits; after the flesh is removed, the fibrous inner layer can help them float and travel by water. Photographed in Colombia.