Lafoensia acuminata

Native to Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, this Andean tree reaches about 80 to 100 feet tall and is cultivated as an ornamental. Its white to pale yellow flowers have crinkled petals and conspicuously long stamens. The woody capsules turn brown at maturity and contain numerous flattened, winged seeds. Its wood is used for construction, carpentry, handicrafts and firewood. It grows quickly in sunny conditions and is propagated from seed. In Colombia, it occurs between about 3,280 and 9,190 feet. Photographed in the central Andes mountain range of Colombia.