The buttress root tree gets its name from the large winding roots that support it. The roots are shallow and grow out rather than down, so the buttress root tree can grow in nutrient-poor soil. The trunk of this tree can grow up to 15 feet tall, but the roots can spread for 100 feet. The roots also support surrounding trees.
The kapok tree can grow up to 200 feet tall and 11 feet in diameter. Kapok trees produce a sweet flower that attracts frogs, insects and bats. The bats fertilize the kapok tree throughout the Brazilian rain forest and pollinate the flowers. The kapok tree is also home to many climbing plants and bromeliads, prolific tropical plants that grow in the rain forest.
The capirona tree grows to a height of 100 feet and is considered a canopy tree. Every year the capirona tree sheds and regenerates its bark. The new bark changes from green to brown as it matures throughout the year. Capirona trees are often found near water in the Brazilian rain forest and can survive through regular flooding.
The Brazil nut tree grows up to 200 feet tall. It produces a large nut with a thick, woody capsule that is primarily eaten by the agouti, a rodent. The agouti also bury the nuts for later use, and those forgotten germinate and grow into new Brazil nut trees. Brazil nut trees will not grow in captivity due to the lack of a bee that pollinates its flowers.
The chicle tree is also know as the chewing gum tree because its sap was originally used as the base for this confection. The bark was cut with diagonal, downward strokes so the sap, or latex, could leak out. This was collected and molded into blocks, then sugar and flavoring were added. Synthetic latex and sap from other trees have replaced the chicle tree in gum making. The chicle tree also produces a sweet fruit called sapodilla.
