Triplaris americana

This plant is a tree native from Chiapas in southern Mexico to southern tropical America. It grows in wet tropical habitats and can reach about 65 feet tall. Its pointed leaves have numerous prominent lateral veins, and male and female flowers grow on separate trees. The female flower sepals enlarge into three wings around each small fruit. Hollow stems house Pseudomyrmex ants, which can defend the tree against herbivores. Photographed in Colombia.