Handroanthus guayacan

Native from southern Mexico to Peru, this plant is a deciduous tree of dry, moist and wet tropical forests. It commonly reaches about sixty-five to one hundred thirty feet tall. Its leaves have five to seven leaflets arranged like fingers from a central point. The tree sheds its leaves before producing dense clusters of yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers. In Panama, trees can flower together after a heavy rain at the start of the rainy season. Long, cylindrical fruit capsules darken as they ripen and split to release winged seeds. The heavy, durable wood is used for bridges, railway sleepers, tool handles and boats. The species is also planted in parks and along avenues. Photographed in Colombia.