Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Cecropiaceae
Botanical Name
CECROPIA obtusifolia
Plant Common Name
Trompetillo, Trumpet Tree
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Beautifully exotic, hand-like leaves catches the eye of most plant lovers when seeing the trompetillo. An upright, rarely-branching, fast growing, broadleaf evergreen tree, it's native to central Mexico southward into northern South America. Known as a pioneer tree, it quickly germinates and forests cleared areas and vegetates waste areas alongside roads or abandoned lots.
The leaves of this Cecropia are among the easiest to distinguish, as they are large, rounded and deep green, with no less than nine lobes. Looking like a rounded hand, it can have as many as eleven lobes, each with a whitish green underside. The tree's stem is smooth, grayish white and hollow, often infested with ants that protect the plant from hungry animals. Flowering anytime the weather is warm and moisture ample, long banana-like buds that are salmon-red protrude from the trunk towards the tree's top. Trees are dioecious, either being fully male or female in floral gender. The light golden flowers are held in a mophead of pendent catkins (finger-like clusters). The flesh around the seeds in each ripe female catkin is juicy and sweet, relished by bats and birds that end up spreading the seeds across the rainforest.
Grow trompetillo in full to partial sun in any variety of soils, from well-draining to somewhat wet, in a frost-free location. Loving heat and humidity, it can grow upwards of 7 feet (3 m) each year. Protect this plant from damaging tropical storm winds. It's foliage is a reason to include this tree in the tropical garden, as well as trying the sweet fruits.
This tree may be regarded as undesirable or invasive in tropical areas outside of Central America. Its fast growth can make it relatively short lived in comparison to other hardwood tropical trees.
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Light Yellow, Gold
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Fruit Color
Ivory
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Bark Color
White, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
Yes
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
Yes
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
