Cecropia leaf, Mexico

Today we’re in a Mexican rainforest to examine a large Cecropia leaf and some lobster claw petals. The genus called Cecropia contains some of the most recognisable neotropical trees anywhere, but the roughly 50 different species can be hard to distinguish. All Cecropias grow fast. On average, they’ll climb to almost a metre per year and under perfect conditions can grow as much as three metres in that time. Not only are Cecropias very popular with animals like sloths, monkeys and toucans for their fruit and leaves, many species have a symbiotic relationship with Azteca ants. The Cecropias provide shelter and food for the ants, and the ants in turn defend the trees from plant-eating predators.
© Gerry Ellis/Minden Pictures