The Eliphant Ear Tree

manuelhooks (72)Verified | Club5050in Nature & Agriculture • 4 days ago

_{^{The leaf and fruit of the Eliphant Ear tree Captured with GalaxyA15}}

The Eliphant Ear Tree

While exploring the grounds around the Ibibio Heritage Museum Park Resort, a specific tree caught my attention. The tree was adequately providing shade cover, under its enormous canopy, I looked up and saw this twisty-curvy-coiling pod. It was obvious that I was looking at the fruit of this tree. It looked oddly strange, twisting and curving.

_{^{The Eliphant Ear Tree location in Uyo}}

The nature of the tree and its fascinating features activated my curiosity, so I invoked Google Lens and made inquiries.

My aim was to get its name, possible uses, if its fruit is edible so I can make an informed assumption as to why it could have been planted in the grounds of the Ibibio Heritage Museum Park Resort.

It turned out the tree is scientifically identified as Enterolobium cyclocarpum. But some texts call it the elephant ear tree. Other possible names you may come across are Guanacaste, Ear Tree, Monkey Ear Tree or the Ear Pod Tree.

_{^{The coily pod of an Eliphant Ear Tree}}

When considering its uses, this tree might have been planted in the Ibibio Heritage Museum Park Resort for its shade because the tree's broad, umbrella-like crown provides ample shade. And its looks may also be a reason why it was planted, let's say it has ornamental value.

The different trees planted here also make it look like an arboretum, a kind of tree sanctuary wheŕe you can get these trees and benefit from them. Less I forget, this elephant ear tree enriches the soil and preventing erosion and some people believe it has value in traditional medicine, used in the treatment of flu, bronchitis and diarrhea

_{^{The elephant ear tree can make good timber}}

As you can see in the picture above, the elephant ear tree can be logged into timber and the wood is generally resistant to decay, making it a popular choice for outdoor and indoor uses. The wood can be used in producing doors, windos and decorative items.

But don't come for this particular tree with an axe, there are layers of laws protecting the trees in this space.