Evergreen riverine tree typically 7–10 m tall with a dense, rounded crown and gray-brown bark; often single-stemmed but may resprout after pruning. Leaves alternate with conspicuous ochreae (sheathing stipules) at the petiole base; blades leathery, entire-margined, elliptic to suborbicular, with prominent secondary venation beneath. Inflorescences are very elongate, many-flowered spikes, bearing small, greenish-cream, fragrant flowers; plants are often functionally dioecious as in many Coccoloba. Fruits are achenes enclosed by a fleshy, accrescent perianth (“grape-like” strings), edible but astringent, and attractive to frugivores.
Height 7–10 m; typical DBH 10–30 cm (riparian trees; approximate).
Data deficient
Perennial tree; Data deficient (likely several decades)
Not enough data
Not enough data
Data deficient
Flowering May–June and December in Costa Rica (observed).
Fruit development weeks to few months (general for genus); Data deficient for species-specific timing
Evergreen riverine tree typically 7–10 m tall with a dense, rounded crown and gray-brown bark; often single-stemmed but may resprout after pruning. Leaves alternate with conspicuous ochreae (sheathing stipules) at the petiole base; blades leathery, entire-margined, elliptic to suborbicular, with prominent secondary venation beneath. Inflorescences are very elongate, many-flowered spikes, bearing small, greenish-cream, fragrant flowers; plants are often functionally dioecious as in many Coccoloba. Fruits are achenes enclosed by a fleshy, accrescent perianth (“grape-like” strings), edible but astringent, and attractive to frugivores.
Riparian forest and floodplains of the Central Pacific lowlands (Parrita, Puntarenas); also used as live fences and shade trees in pastures. Tolerates seasonally waterlogged alluvial soils.
Primary producer; zoocoric fruits (birds, other frugivores) and melittophilous flowers that attract butterflies, bumblebees, bees, and wasps.
First confirmed Costa-Rican record in 2024 at Estero Negro (between Limón and Cahuita).
The species is explicitly noted as dioecious in national reporting.
WFO lists leafy branchlets with very large leaves (10–30 cm) and a dry, woody drupe, highlighting unusual fruit type within the genus.
Broader range includes Mexico, Central America, the West Indies and Guianas at low elevations.
Powerful, blunt‑snouted requiem shark easily recognised by dark vertical bars and blotches on a bluish‑grey to olive dorsum (most vivid in juveniles, fading in large adults). Body robust with pronounced keel on caudal peduncle and a low interdorsal ridge absent. First dorsal fin large, apex rounded; second dorsal and anal relatively small.
