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The rose apple tree reaches a height of 3 to 12 meters. Its leaves are simple and arranged oppositely on the branches. It is recognizable by its axillary inflorescences that produce pink or red flowers. The fruits, which are usually the same color as the flowers, are relatively large and have a refreshing taste.
Native to the Old World, but of uncertain specific origin; reported as native to Malaysia; or Southeast Asia (Gann and Trejo-Torres, 2015-2023).
Besides being known for its edible and refreshing fruits, the Pomarosa is appreciated as an ornamental plant due to its pyramidal shape, its vibrant green leaves and its striking purple-red inflorescences.
Aside from their aesthetic value, the leaves of this plant have anti-inflammatory properties, which can be attributed to the high concentrations of flavonoids, such as myricitrin and quercetin. These compounds, along with other anthocyanins present in the plant, have the ability to reduce inflammation and are associated with improvements in cognitive and cardiovascular function. It is important to mention that quercetin is also found in the fruit of the rose apple (Batista et al., 2017).
The Emajagüilla is a tree that reaches heights of 7 to 8 meters. It is characterized by its heart-shaped, glabrous leaves, meaning they lack hairs or down. Its flowers are large with yellow petals and a darker base. The fruits of this species are oblong, hard, and indehiscent, meaning they do not open spontaneously to release the seeds. It shows a preference for coastal or shoreline habitats.
Native to the tropics of the world (Gann and Trejo-Torres, 2015-2023).
In Puerto Rico, the Emajagüilla is a host for several insect species, including the beetle Hypothenemus ferrugineous (Hopkins), the hemipterans Dysdercus andreae (L.) and D. sanguinarius neglectus(Doesburg), the homopterans Saissitia nigra (Nietner) and Pinnaspis strachani (Cooley), and the Lepidoptera Ereunetis minuscule (Walsingham) and Pectinophora gossypiela (Saunders). Most of these insects feed on the fruits and seeds of the plant (Parrota, 1994).
The Emajagüilla tree has a variety of potential uses, ranging from medicinal applications to the production of dyes for fabrics, the manufacture of ropes, the shade provided by its structure, the prevention of erosion and the production of biodiesel (Rashid and Knothe, 2011).
It is important to note that the Emajagüilla can become an invasive species in mangrove areas due to its ability to regenerate and displace native mangrove species. This can have negative effects on native mangrove vegetation, decreasing the abundance of native species (Santos et al., 2021).
The Almácigo is a deciduous, resinous tree that typically grows to between 5 and 20 meters tall. Its leaves emit a characteristic odor when crushed, are compound, and are arranged alternately on the branches. Each leaf consists of 3 to 13 leaflets, which have entire margins.
Native to the Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, Bahamas, peninsular Florida, Mexico, Central America and northern South America (Gann & Trejo-Torres, 2015-2023).
The Almácigo tree continues to be valued for its medicinal properties and ecological importance. The fresh resin is used in poultices to treat skin problems such as herpes, abscesses, and insect bites, as mentioned by Hernández (2022).
In traditional medicine, the leaves and bark of the Almácigo tree are commonly used to relieve a variety of ailments, including flu, urinary tract infections, and as a purgative and diuretic.
In addition to its medicinal value, the Almácigo plays a crucial role in beekeeping, as it is an important melliferous tree for bees of the genus Apis, as highlighted in the study by Castellanos et al. (2012).
The appearance of its bark, which resembles the skin peeling off after a sunburn, has led to it being known in some places as the "tourist tree." This distinctive feature adds to its uniqueness in different regions.
The Ucar is a tree that can reach heights of up to 35 meters and is characterized by its straight trunk, long branches, and sympodial branching. Its outer bark displays colors ranging from gray to yellowish-brown. The leaves of this tree are simple and typically clustered at the tips of the branches.
The inflorescences of the Ucar are elongated and spike-shaped, with white flowers that give off a pleasant fragrance.
Native to the Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, Bahamas, Mexico, Central America and South America. (Gann & Trejo-Torres, 2015-2023).
The Ucar tree is notable for its remarkable antioxidant activity. The antioxidant extract obtained from this tree is useful for inhibiting oxidative cellular stress, which has a protective effect on the retina and helps prevent eye diseases, as mentioned in the study by Iloki et al. (2015).
In addition to its antioxidant properties, the Ucar tree provides excellent shade for people visiting Jaime Benítez Park.
The Maraymaray is characterized as a shrub or tree that often exhibits a climbing habit, meaning it can grow along a ridge or trail. Its leaves are unifoliolate, meaning they have a single leaflet, which tends to have a slightly glaucous (lighter) hue on the underside. Its fruits are suborbicular or reniform, meaning they have a shape resembling a slightly flattened circle or kidney.
Native to the Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, Bahamas, peninsular Florida, Mexico, Central America, South America and Africa (Gann & Trejo-Torres, 2015-2023).
The importance of Maraymaray lies in its function as a source of plant resin for the production of propolis by honeybees. Propolis is a resinous substance that bees obtain from the sap of plants and other plant sources, and then process in the hive. This substance fulfills several vital functions for the hive, such as sealing small gaps, stabilizing the hive structure, reducing vibrations, and, sometimes, is mixed with wax to varnish the interior of the hive (Mata, 2015).
Furthermore, the leaves and stems of Maraymaray contain high concentrations of phenolic compounds, giving them significant antioxidant capacity. This property may have beneficial health applications. In traditional medicine, Maraymaray has been used to treat conditions such as fevers and diarrhea, highlighting its importance in both beekeeping and natural medicine (Lucas et al. (2020)).
The Guamá is a tree or shrub characterized by its thorny branches. Its flowers are small, white or creamy-white, and emit a light fragrance. The fruits of the Guamá are thin pods, usually reddish or pinkish in color. These pods split open on both ends to release the seeds, which are surrounded by a white aril.
It is reported as native to the continental tropics of the New World; Mexico, Central America and South America; widely cultivated and naturalized in other regions. (Gann & Trejo-Torres, 2015-2023)
The American Guamá is an edible tree, as its fruits can be eaten fresh or mixed with corn atole. Furthermore, this plant has medicinal applications, especially in the treatment of digestive disorders and diarrhea, as well as in wound cleansing. Through its roots, the guamá contributes to nitrogen fixation in the soil (Monroy & Collin, 2004). The honey produced by bees that visit the flowers of this tree is of very high quality. In the reserve, this species plays an important role in erosion control and soil conservation (CONABIO (2009)).
The Ceiba tree can reach a very large size, growing up to 60 meters tall. Its leaves are alternate, compound, and palmate, with up to 9 leaflets. This tree primarily loses its leaves between November and January. Its bark is green when young and covered with numerous thorns. These thorns tend to disappear with age, and the bark takes on a grayish color. Ceiba flowers have 5 stamens with orange anthers, and the petals are usually pink.
Native to the Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, Bahamas, Mexico, Central America and South America; introduced to the Old World (Gann & Trejo-Torres, 2015-2023).
The ceiba tree is the national tree of Puerto Rico and holds exceptional ecological and cultural importance. Ecologically, ceiba flowers open before nightfall, attracting numerous daytime pollinators, such as bees, that come in search of nectar and pollen. At night, moths and bats play a vital role as pollinators of this species (Mari Mut, 2015). Furthermore, in forested areas, the branches of the ceiba host a wealth of epiphytes and other organisms, creating a thriving ecosystem within its canopy.
Culturally, the ceiba tree has been venerated by pre-Hispanic Indigenous peoples. Its importance is evident in the fact that this tree is considered the axis of the universe in the Amazon and Mesoamerica, and is believed to house many spirits within it. This illustrates the significant connection between this species and the cultural spirituality of Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples in the Americas (Tareau et al., 2022).
The Queen of Flowers is a medium-sized tree distinguished by its scaly bark and attractive flowers. Its leaves are generally opposite or subopposite, and its flowers are grouped in upright panicles, each with six petals ranging in color from purple to pale pink. It is an ornamental tree prized for its beauty and is found in various tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
Native to the Old World, reported as native to India (Gann & Trejo-Torres, 2015-2023).
The Queen of Flowers possesses a wide range of beneficial health properties, according to Al Snafi (2019). These properties include antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, gastrointestinal, diuretic, thrombolytic, and cardiovascular effects, as well as protective actions on the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys.
In addition to its health benefits, the Queen of Flowers plays a role in the ecology, as it serves as a host for the cicada. Xylocopa brasilianorum (Jackson and Woodbury, 1976).
It is interesting to note that the genus Lagerstroemia was named in 1759 in honor of the Swedish botanist Magnus von Lagerstroem, who collected plants in India for Carl Linnaeus. The epithet 'speciosa' refers to the elegance and beauty that characterizes this species.
Al-Snafi, A.E. (2019). Medicinal value of Lagerstroemia speciosa: An updated review. International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research, 11(5), 18-26. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ali-Al-Snafi/publication/335859185_MEDICINAL_VALUE_OF_LAGERSTROEMIA_SPECIOSA_AN_UPDATED_REVIEW/links/5d80cd0da6fdcc12cb95a366/MEDICINAL-VALUE-OF-LAGERSTROEMIA-SPECIOSA-AN-UPDATED-REVIEW.pdf
Batista, Â. G., da Silva, JK, Cazarin, CBB, Biasoto, ACT, Sawaya, ACHF, Prado, MA, & Júnior, MRM (2017). Red-jambo (Syzygium malaccense): Bioactive compounds in fruits and leaves. LWT-Food science and technology, 76, 284-291. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0023643816302699
Castellanos-Potenciano, BP, Ramírez-Arriaga, E., & Zaldivar-Cruz, JM (2012). Analysis of the pollen content of honeys produced by Apis mellifera L.(Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the state of Tabasco, Mexico. Mexican Zoological Act, 28(1), 13-36. Retrieved from: https://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?pid=S0065-17372012000100002&script=sci_abstract&tlng=pt
CONABIO (National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity). 2009.
Fact sheet on Sweet pithecellobium. Recovered from: http://www.conabio.gob.mx/conocimiento/info_especies/arboles/doctos/45-legum38m.pdf
Iloki-Assanga, SB, Lewis-Luján, LM, Lara-Espinoza, CL, Gil-Salido AA, Fernandez-Angulo D, Rubio-Pino JL, Haines DD et al. (2015) Solvent effects on phytochemical constituent profiles and antioxidant activities, using four different extraction formulations for analysis of Bucida buceras L. and Phoradendron californicum BMC Res Notes 8, 396. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-015-1388-1
Jackson, G. C., & Woodbury, R. O. (1976). Host Plants of the Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa brasilianorum L. (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) in Puerto Rico. The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico, 60(4), 639-660. https://doi.org/10.46429/jaupr.v60i4.10512
Lucas, CIS, Ferreira, AF, Costa, MAPDC, Silva, FDL, Estevinho, LM, & Carvalho, CALD (2020). Phytochemical study and antioxidant activity of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum. Rodrigésia, 71, e00492019. Recovered from: https://www.scielo.br/j/rod/a/BqFHHCdv4gkGSwFnBMXyFRP/?format=pdf&lang=en
Mata, VPD (2015). Natural occurrence and aspects of agronomic interest of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taubert (Fabaceae) in the state of Bahia: basis for red propolis production. Recovered from: https://repositorio.ufrb.edu.br/bitstream/123456789/889/1/Disserta%c3%a7%c3%a3o_Vandira%20Pereira%20da%20Mata_2014.pdf
Parrotta, John A. (1994). Thespesia populnea (L.) Soland. former Correa. Portiatree, emajagüilla. SO-ITF-SM6. New Orleans, LA: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 4 p.m. Recovered from: https://rngr.net/publications/arboles-de-puerto-rico/thespesia-populnea/at_download/file
Santos, JPB, Oliveira, JCDS, & Fabricante, JR (2021). Population structure and impacts of the invasive exotic Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Corrêa on the native vegetation of mangue. Hoehnea, 48, e1152020.Retrieved from: https://www.scielo.br/j/hoehnea/a/5HBsybnJ6SVQhxRw93cL9LK/
Rashid, U., Anwar, F., & Knothe, G. (2011). Biodiesel from Milo (Thespesia populnea L.) seed oil. biomass and bioenergy, 35(9), 4034-4039. Recovered from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0961953411003837
