Anacardium excelsum (Bertero & Balbis ex Kunth) Skeels

Espavel

(Anacardiaceae)

Espinoza, R., Masís, A., Chavarría, F., Guadamuz, A. and Perez, D., 1998. Anacardium excelsum (Anacardiaceae) Species Page, May 15, 1998. Species Home Pages, Area de Conservación Guanancaaste, Costa Rica. http://www.acguanacaste.ac.cr

I. Identification:

Tree up to 15-40 m.

Flower:

Inflorescence

Fruit:

The form of the fruit is one of the diagnostic characteristics of this species. The nut is the shape of a kidney (2-3 cm long). It is exposed above the fleshy receptacle, which is edible and generally in the form of an "s".

Leaves:

Other diagnostic characteristics of the Espavel are the very large leaves (up to 40 cm long) and clustered on the ends of the branches. They are simple and alternate.

 
Upper surface

 

Under surface

Whole Plant Architecture:

Similar species:

A. occidentale is an introduced species which is smaller in overall size with smaller leaves as well.

Verification:

II. Geografic distribution:

International:

In Costa Rica

In the Area de Conservation Guanacaste :

In areas of transition, along stream banks

 Map of macro-habitats of the ACG

III. Natural History:

The wood is used to make furniture and the fruit is edible.

Dispersion is carried out by bats.

IV. How to find:

Its common to find this walking on the trails of the El Hacha Sector .

On the Espavelar River on the road to Maritza.

Acknowledgements.

This project was carried out by the Area de Conservación Guanacaste/CR, with help from INBio/CR, ICBG from the Foggarty center, NIH/USA and NSF/USA.

Thanks to Kate Beattie for helping with the image management and the translation of this species page.

Literature cited: