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Explore the rich botanical heritage of this tropical paradise—from the iconic Guanacaste to the towering Ceiba. A free, open-source guide in English and Spanish.
Critically EndangeredPodocarpus costaricensis
The Ciprecillo is Costa Rica's most endangered endemic tree—a critically endangered conifer known from only four locations in the world, all within Costa Rica. This living fossil represents millions of years of evolution and stands on the brink of extinction.
Critically EndangeredDalbergia retusa
The Cocobolo is one of the world's most valuable and beautiful hardwoods, a stunning rosewood species with spectacular orange, red, and black grain patterns that has been prized by craftsmen for centuries—and is now critically endangered from overexploitation.
EndangeredCaryocar costaricense
The Ajo is an endangered emergent rainforest giant, one of the largest trees in Costa Rica's lowland forests. Its massive buttressed trunk and nutritious seeds make it ecologically important, while ongoing deforestation threatens its future.
EndangeredSwietenia macrophylla
The Big-leaf Mahogany is the most commercially important tropical hardwood in the Americas, prized for centuries for fine furniture and cabinetry. Listed on CITES Appendix II, it represents both the tragedy of overexploitation and hope for sustainable forestry.
EndangeredPlatymiscium parviflorum
Cristobalito is a rare Central American hardwood that yields beautifully colored, durable timber but faces pressure from habitat loss and overharvest.
Least ConcernPsidium friedrichsthalianum
The Cas (Costa Rican Guava) is a uniquely Costa Rican fruit tree that produces small, intensely tart green fruits prized for making one of the country's most beloved beverages. Unlike its sweeter cousin the common guava, the cas is rarely eaten fresh due to its sourness, but when blended with sugar and water, it transforms into a refreshing, fragrant juice that captures the essence of Costa Rican tropical flavor.
Least ConcernEnterolobium cyclocarpum
The Guanacaste tree is Costa Rica's national tree, celebrated for its massive umbrella-shaped crown, distinctive ear-shaped seed pods, and deep cultural significance across Central America.
VulnerablePelliciera rhizophorae
Tea Mangrove is the rarest mangrove species, endemic to the Pacific coast with large showy flowers that support the endangered Mangrove Hummingbird. A living fossil representing ancient mangrove lineages.
An open-source project dedicated to documenting the trees of Costa Rica.
Elaeis oleifera
The American Oil Palm (Corozo) is a native Central American palm species closely related to the African Oil Palm but with a creeping trunk, higher-quality oil, and superior disease resistance. Found in lowland tropical forests and wetlands of Costa Rica's Caribbean and Pacific slopes.