Known as the Wyndham San Jose Herradura Hotel, there are spacious grounds, three pools, several restaurants and some of the plants and trees are identified with signs. This one reads:
"Guitite
Acnistus arborescens
Costa Rica"
In English it is also known as "hollowheart" or "wild tabbaco".
Wikipedia (
visit link) adds:
"Large shrub or tree to 10m in height. It flowers in clusters on naked branch parts below the leaves. Leaves are alternate, simple, elliptical, narrow to a long v-shape at the base, variably narrowed to a point at the tip, 15 to 30cm long and 5 to 15cm wide, margins entire or slightly wavy, hairless except when young. Young stems and young leaves have rusty hairs. The fragrant flowers bloom in clusters of 30 or more, with broadly funnel-shaped tubes about 1.2cm long and recurving lobes. The protruding stamens are greenish-white to cream. The bright orange fruit is round, and about 1cm across. They flower sporadically throughout the year, with fruit generally from March to July.
Distribution and habitat
It is native to Central and South America, and the Caribbean. In Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, it is classified by the US Department of Agriculture as a native plant species.
Ecology
Acnistus arborescens contains a rare fragrant compound also found in in roses and Narcissus tazetta, called orcinol dimethyl ether, that is almost undetectable to the human nose. However experiments with honeybees have shown they can readily detect it.
Cultivation
Acnistus arborescens is grown as an ornamental tree for gardens, and natural lands"