sandiegozoo.org

Macaw PalmAcrocomia aculeata

This spiny palm is native to the tropical Americas, Cuba, and the Caribbean Islands, and can reach up to 60 feet tall. The pinnate leaves resemble that of a queen palm, but this species can tolerate dry spells more easily.

The fruit is the size of a small apple and has the flavor of coconut. It is a favorite food of hyacinth macaws. FU

NFA

CT

Silver Saw TreeAcoelorraphe wrightii

This palm forms thickets in brackish swamps in its native habitat in Florida, West Indies, and Central America. In San Diego, it prefers light shade, coastal conditions, ample water, and good drainage.

The common name comes from the rows of sharp orange teeth arranged along the edges of the leaf petiole.FU

NFA

CT

Pygmy Date PalmPhoenix roebelenii

Native to Southeast Asia, this is a popular palm for indoor and outdoor landscapes around the world. The species is slow growing, only reaching a mature size of 8 to 10 feet tall.

Look closely at this palm tree and you will notice that it has multiple heads. This is a “crested” palm and it is not entirely understood why some develop in this manner. FU

NFA

CT

10 Thai Mountain GiantCaryota gigas

This species is the largest of the Caryota species, reaching up to 100 feet tall. It is a hapaxanthic tree, meaning that the tree dies after it flowers and sets fruit—after about 15 to 25 years.

Another common name for this plant is fishtail palm. Caryota species are the only palm trees with bipinnate leaves. This means that the fronds of the palm are divided twice, giving it the look of a fish’s tail.

FUN

FAC

T

13

Forest Bush BellMackaya bella

This shrub is native to South Africa and reaches 6 to 8 feet tall. It produces light lavender flowers in spring. ‘Bella’ is Latin for “beautiful,” referring to its attractive flowers.

The fruit of this shrub is a hard, woody pod that splits and scatters the seeds.FU

NFA

CT

14

Texas Wild OliveCordia boissieri

This small tree grows 15 to 25 feet tall and is native to south Texas. The funnel-shaped flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The peak bloom season is in spring, but flowers can be found throughout the year.

The fruit is eaten by birds and other animals. The fresh fruit is slightly toxic to humans; however, Native Americans cook the fruit to make jellies and dyes. FU

NFA

CT

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Monkey TrailsMade possible through the generosity of

The Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation

Caribbean Royal PalmRoystonea oleracea

This impressive palm can grow up to 130 feet. It is often used as an ornamental with its large, smooth, gray trunk. The genus Roystonea was named for Roy Stone, a U.S. Army General who fought in the Civil War.

The fruit is an important part of the diet of orange-winged Amazon parrots and red-bellied macaws in Nariva Swamp, Trinidad and Tobago.FU

NFA

CT

Traveler’s PalmRavenala madagascariensis

This tree is not a true palm, but is in the same family as the well-known bird of paradise. It is a striking and unique tree and is often used as a focal point in tropical landscapes.

This plant gets its name from the fact that thirsty travelers may find water that accumulates in many parts of the plant. In fact, each leaf base can hold up to one quart of water.

FUN

FAC

T

Autograph TreeClusia rosea

This large, evergreen shrub is salt and drought tolerant and will grow in full sun to part shade. The ornamental white flowers last only part of the day.

The early Spanish Conquistadors in the West Indies used the leaves of this tree as writing paper and to make playing cards.FU

NFA

CT

Red MahoganyKhaya nyasica

This tree is native to the evergreen forests of central and southern Africa. Its lumber is prized for making furniture and cabinets.

All the red mahoganies found along Monkey Trails were received as 5-gallon plants in 1999 and grown in the Zoo’s plant nursery until their installation as 36-inch box specimens in 2006.

FUN

FAC

T

AtemoyaAnnona squamosa x Annona cherimoya

This is a cross between two fruits, the sugar-apple Annona squamosa and the cherimoya Annona cherimoya. The fruit is popular in Asia, South and Central America, Cuba, and the Middle East. Artificial hand pollination produces the best fruit quality.

The fruit has a taste similar to a piña colada and can be eaten right out of the shell.FU

NFA

CT

Watkins FigFicus watkinsiana

This strangler fig from the rain forests of eastern Australia can reach heights of up to 135 feet and forms massive buttress roots. The figs are the main food source for cat birds, which spread the seeds up into the canopies of host trees.

This huge, 168-inch diameter, 440,000 pound specimen was moved to the center of Monkey Trails by a tracked gantry system. The tree was moved 300 feet horizontally and 30 feet down to its current location.

FUN

FAC

T

Moreton Bay FigFicus macrophylla

This species is native to eastern Australia where, if grown without competition, it can reach 150 feet wide. In crowded, natural forest habitats—or near buildings in an urban setting—it tends to grow tall and narrow.

Another example of this species grows near the San Diego Natural History Museum. It was planted in preparation for the 1915 Panama–California Exposition.FUN

FAC

TJoy Perfume TreeMagnolia champaca

This evergreen tree is an Indian relative of the iconic southern magnolia of the southeastern United States. The sweet-smelling flowers bloom nearly year round.

The oils from the flowers are used to make the perfume ‘Joy’, considered to be one of the costliest fragrances in the world.FU

NFA

CT

4 7

2 5 8

3 6 9

Match the numbers to the plant ID signs. The tour begins at Map Locator 3, continues along Monkey Trail to Treetops Way and back to the Front Plaza.

Bay Rum TreePimenta racemosa

This is a small tree in the myrtle family, related to allspice and guavas. The leaves can be used in cooking and tea, and essential oils are also distilled from them.

A type of cologne named ‘Bay Rum’ was historically made in the early 20th century by distilling the oil using rum and water, hence the common name of the plant.FU

NFA

CT

1

sandiegozoo.org

Macaw PalmAcrocomia aculeata

This spiny palm is native to the tropical Americas, Cuba, and the Caribbean Islands, and can reach up to 60 feet tall. The pinnate leaves resemble that of a queen palm, but this species can tolerate dry spells more easily.

The fruit is the size of a small apple and has the flavor of coconut. It is a favorite food of hyacinth macaws. FUN

FAC

T

Silver Saw TreeAcoelorraphe wrightii

This palm forms thickets in brackish swamps in its native habitat in Florida, West Indies, and Central America. In San Diego, it prefers light shade, coastal conditions, ample water, and good drainage.

The common name comes from the rows of sharp orange teeth arranged along the edges of the leaf petiole.FU

NFA

CT

Pygmy Date PalmPhoenix roebelenii

Native to Southeast Asia, this is a popular palm for indoor and outdoor landscapes around the world. The species is slow growing, only reaching a mature size of 8 to 10 feet tall.

Look closely at this palm tree and you will notice that it has multiple heads. This is a “crested” palm and it is not entirely understood why some develop in this manner. FU

NFA

CT

10 Thai Mountain GiantCaryota gigas

This species is the largest of the Caryota species, reaching up to 100 feet tall. It is a hapaxanthic tree, meaning that the tree dies after it flowers and sets fruit—after about 15 to 25 years.

Another common name for this plant is fishtail palm. Caryota species are the only palm trees with bipinnate leaves. This means that the fronds of the palm are divided twice, giving it the look of a fish’s tail.

FUN

FAC

T

13

Forest Bush BellMackaya bella

This shrub is native to South Africa and reaches 6 to 8 feet tall. It produces light lavender flowers in spring. ‘Bella’ is Latin for “beautiful,” referring to its attractive flowers.

The fruit of this shrub is a hard, woody pod that splits and scatters the seeds.FU

NFA

CT

14

Texas Wild OliveCordia boissieri

This small tree grows 15 to 25 feet tall and is native to south Texas. The funnel-shaped flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The peak bloom season is in spring, but flowers can be found throughout the year.

The fruit is eaten by birds and other animals. The fresh fruit is slightly toxic to humans; however, Native Americans cook the fruit to make jellies and dyes. FU

NFA

CT

15

11

12

Monkey TrailsMade possible through the generosity of

The Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation