Maclura tinctoria

Native from Mexico throughout tropical America, this tree can reach about 100 feet tall and often has spines on its trunk and branches. Male and female flowers occur on separate trees: males form slender spikes, while females gather in rounded heads. In Panama it often sheds its leaves during the dry season and flowers during the wet season. Its rounded, edible fruit clusters turn yellow when ripe. The tree has long been valued for yellow dye obtained from its wood and for dyes from its bark. Its tough, close-grained timber is also used in construction. Photographed in Colombia.