Ira Rosa

---

📸 Photo Gallery

→ View more photos on iNaturalist↗

---

Taxonomy & Classification

Common Names by Region

Etymology

The genus name Brownea honors Patrick Browne (1720-1790), an Irish physician and botanist who studied the flora of Jamaica and published the influential "Civil and Natural History of Jamaica" (1756). The species epithet macrophylla comes from Greek makros (large) + phyllon (leaf), referring to the tree's large compound leaves with big leaflets.

Related Species

The genus Brownea contains about 20-25 species of tropical trees, several of which are notable for spectacular flowers:

• Brownea grandiceps: Similar but with even larger flower heads
• Brownea rosa-de-monte: Venezuelan relative
• Brownea ariza: Red flowers, found in Colombia and Venezuela

---

Physical Description

Tree Form

Ira Rosa is a medium-sized evergreen tree typically reaching 15-25 meters in height with a trunk diameter of 30-50 cm. The tree has an elegant form:

• Trunk: Straight, relatively slender, smooth gray-brown bark
• Crown: Rounded to spreading, moderately dense canopy
• Branching: Upright to spreading branches, often layered
• Growth Pattern: Evergreen; maintains foliage year-round

Bark Characteristics

• Smooth to slightly rough texture
• Gray-brown to dark gray color
• Becomes slightly fissured with age but remains relatively smooth
• Lenticels (breathing pores) visible on younger bark
• Flowers emerge directly from bark on trunk and older branches

Leaves

Detail: Each compound leaf consists of 6-16 pairs of large, opposite leaflets arranged along a central rachis. Leaflets are elliptic to oblong, 8-15 cm long, with smooth margins and a slightly asymmetric base. The upper surface is dark green and glossy, while the lower surface is paler. New leaves emerge in a spectacular display—they hang limp like colorful pendants, starting pink or bronze, gradually turning green and stiffening as they mature over several days. This "pink leaf" stage is a distinctive feature of Brownea species.

Flowers

Description: The flowers are the tree's most spectacular feature. They are produced in large, dense, spherical clusters (capitula) 20-30 cm in diameter that emerge directly from the trunk and older branches—a phenomenon called cauliflory. Each cluster contains numerous individual tubular flowers, each 3-5 cm long, bright red to red-orange in color. The long stamens project beyond the flower tubes, creating a bottle-brush appearance. Flowers have a subtle sweet fragrance and produce nectar that attracts pollinators. The floral display can last several weeks, and a mature tree may produce dozens of flower clusters simultaneously, covering the trunk in flames of red.

Fruit & Seeds

• Type: Flattened legume pod (typical of Fabaceae family)
• Size: 15-25 cm long, 4-6 cm wide
• Color: Green when young, turning brown when mature
• Opening: Splits along two sutures when ripe
• Seeds: 3-8 large, flat, brown seeds per pod
• Season: June-September

---

Geographic Distribution

Native Range

Brownea macrophylla is native to Central America (Costa Rica, Panama) and northern South America (Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador), where it grows naturally in lowland and premontane rainforests. Its spectacular flowers have led to its cultivation throughout the tropics worldwide.

Distribution in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, Ira Rosa occurs naturally in:

• Caribbean Lowlands: Limón province rainforests
• Northern Lowlands: San Carlos, Sarapiquí region
• Pacific Southwest: Osa Peninsula, Golfo Dulce area
• Cultivated: Widely planted ornamentally in suitable climate zones throughout the country

---

Habitat & Ecology

Ecological Role

In its natural rainforest habitat, Ira Rosa plays important ecological functions:

1. Pollinator Support: Major nectar source for hummingbirds, bats, and bees during flowering season
2. Canopy Layer: Forms part of the mid-canopy in mature forests
3. Wildlife Food: Seeds consumed by various mammals and birds
4. Forest Regeneration: Relatively shade-tolerant as a young tree; can regenerate in forest gaps

Wildlife Associations

Cauliflory: Trunk Flowering

The phenomenon of cauliflory—flowers emerging directly from the trunk and older branches rather than from twig tips—is an adaptation common in tropical rainforest understory and mid-canopy trees. Proposed advantages include:

1. Pollinator Access: Large pollinators (bats, large birds) can more easily access flowers on sturdy trunks
2. Visibility: Flowers on bare trunk are more visible in dense forest
3. Resource Allocation: Older woody tissue can support heavy flower and fruit clusters

---

Uses & Applications

Ornamental Horticulture

Ira Rosa is highly valued as an ornamental tree throughout the tropics:

Landscape Uses:

• Specimen Tree: Stunning focal point in gardens and parks
• Avenue Planting: Street tree where overhead space allows
• Public Spaces: Parks, botanical gardens, resort landscaping
• Wildlife Gardens: Excellent for hummingbird and pollinator gardens
• Tropical Gardens: Iconic tropical aesthetic

Horticultural Characteristics:

• Spectacular floral display lasting several weeks
• Evergreen foliage provides year-round green
• Relatively manageable size (not overly large)
• Pink emerging leaves add seasonal interest
• Attracts wildlife without creating mess or hazard

Notable Plantings:

• Featured in botanical gardens throughout Central and South America
• Common ornamental in lowland tropical regions
• Popular in hotel and resort landscaping

Traditional Uses

Conservation Value

• Reforestation: Used in restoration projects to add native diversity and aesthetic appeal
• Pollinator Conservation: Supports populations of nectar-feeding wildlife
• Educational: Helps people appreciate value of native tropical trees

---

Cultural & Historical Significance

Discovery and Naming

The genus Brownea was named in honor of Patrick Browne, an 18th-century Irish physician and botanist who was one of the first to scientifically document the flora of the Caribbean and Central America. The spectacular flowers of Brownea species quickly caught the attention of European botanists and horticulturists.

In Costa Rican Culture

Ira Rosa holds a special place in Costa Rica's appreciation of its native flora:

• Often planted in public spaces and national parks
• Featured in botanical education about rainforest diversity
• Symbol of the country's incredible floral biodiversity
• Popular subject for nature photography

Horticultural History

• Introduced to cultivation in Europe in the 19th century
• Became popular in tropical botanical collections worldwide
• Now widely cultivated in frost-free tropical and subtropical regions
• Remains a sought-after specimen tree for tropical gardens

---

Conservation Status

IUCN Assessment

Brownea macrophylla is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN due to:

• Moderately wide distribution across Central and northern South America
• Occurrence in multiple protected areas
• Ability to tolerate some habitat disturbance
• Widespread cultivation reduces extinction risk

Threats & Challenges

Despite its Least Concern status, the species faces pressures:

1. Habitat Loss: Deforestation of lowland rainforests throughout its range
2. Fragmentation: Isolation of populations affects gene flow and pollinator networks
3. Climate Change: Shifts in rainfall patterns may affect suitable habitat
4. Over-collection: Wild specimens sometimes removed for ornamental use

Protection Status

• Costa Rica: Occurs in multiple national parks and reserves (Tortuguero, Corcovado, La Selva, Braulio Carrillo, others)
• Regional: Protected in reserves throughout Central and South America
• Cultivation: Widespread ornamental use provides ex-situ conservation

---

Growing Ira Rosa

Propagation

From Seed:

1. Collect mature brown pods from tree (June-September)
2. Remove seeds from pods—large, flat, brown seeds
3. Seeds have hard seed coat; scarify (nick or file) for faster germination
4. Soak scarified seeds in water 24 hours before planting
5. Plant in well-draining potting mix, barely covering seeds
6. Keep warm (25-30°C) and moist
7. Germination occurs in 2-3 weeks
8. Seedlings grow moderately fast with good care

From Cuttings:

• Use semi-hardwood cuttings from recent growth
• Treat with rooting hormone
• Place in moist, well-draining medium under mist or humidity dome
• Success rate moderate; be patient

Air Layering:

• Reliable method for getting larger plants faster
• Select healthy branch 1-2 cm diameter
• Make wound, apply rooting hormone, wrap with moist sphagnum moss
• Roots form in 2-3 months
• Cut below roots and plant

Site Requirements

Where to Plant:

• ✅ Warm, humid lowland and premontane zones
• ✅ Protected locations with consistent moisture
• ✅ Parks, gardens, and public spaces for maximum appreciation
• ✅ Locations where trunk flowers can be easily viewed
• ❌ Cold highland areas (sensitive to frost)
• ❌ Very dry regions without irrigation

Planting & Establishment

1. Timing: Plant at beginning of rainy season (May) for best establishment
2. Spacing: 10-15 m from buildings and other trees for full development
3. Soil Preparation:
   • Dig large planting hole 2x root ball size
   • Amend with compost or organic matter
   • Ensure good drainage
4. Planting Depth: Plant at same depth as in container
5. Initial Care:
   • Water deeply and regularly, especially first 2 years
   • Mulch around base to retain moisture
   • Stake if needed in windy locations

Growth & Maintenance

Watering:

• Young trees: Water 2-3 times weekly during dry periods
• Established trees: Weekly deep watering in dry season
• Maintain consistent moisture; do not allow to fully dry out

Fertilizing:

• Apply balanced fertilizer 3-4 times per year
• Or top-dress with compost annually
• Additional fertilization promotes more vigorous flowering

Pruning:

• Minimal pruning needed
• Remove dead or crossing branches
• IMPORTANT: Flowers emerge from old wood on trunk and branches—avoid excessive pruning of main trunk and scaffold branches
• Shape when young to develop good structure
• Prune after flowering if needed

Pest Management:

• Monitor for leaf-cutting ants on young trees—protect if necessary
• Occasionally attacked by caterpillars—usually not serious
• Generally pest-resistant

Time to Flowering

• Trees grown from seed begin flowering at 5-8 years
• May take 10+ years to produce spectacular displays
• Grafted or air-layered trees may flower sooner
• Peak flowering occurs on mature trees 15+ years old

---

Where to See Ira Rosa in Costa Rica

Botanical Gardens & Public Spaces

Best Time to Visit

Peak Flowering: February through May, with March-April being the peak in most locations. Individual trees may flower at slightly different times within this window.

Identification Tips

When looking for Ira Rosa:

• Flowers are unmistakable: Large red-orange spherical clusters on trunk = definitely Brownea species
• Large compound leaves: Fewer, larger leaflets than many other legumes
• Smooth grayish bark: Relatively smooth bark with flowers emerging directly from it
• Pink new leaves: Look for hanging, limp, pink new leaves—a distinctive feature
• Rainforest habitat: In natural settings, found in moist lowland to premontane forests

---

External Resources

---

References

---

The Ira Rosa (Brownea macrophylla) is living proof that Costa Rica's rainforests harbor some of the world's most spectacular natural beauty. When this tree bursts into bloom, with its trunk covered in brilliant red-orange flower clusters, it creates a sight that stops visitors in their tracks. Beyond its stunning aesthetic value, it serves critical ecological functions as a food source for hummingbirds, bats, and countless other pollinators. Protecting and planting Ira Rosa helps preserve both the beauty and the biodiversity of Costa Rica's tropical forests.