Chiranthodendron is a monotypic genus of flowering tree in the mallow family (Malvaceae, or Bombacaceae in older classifications), placed in the order Malvales. Its sole species is Chiranthodendron pentadactylon, commonly known as the Mexican hand tree, devil's hand tree, or monkey's hand tree.
The tree is native to the wet slopes of southern Mexico and Guatemala, where it reaches heights of 10.5 to 27.5 metres (34–90 ft). The leaves are large and shallowly lobed, with a brown indumentum (fuzzy coating) on the underside. The genus is best known for its remarkable flowers, which appear in late spring and early summer. Each flower bears five long, curved, bright red stamens that protrude upward, unmistakably resembling a clawed human hand. The fruit is an oblong, five-lobed capsule 7.5–10 cm (3–3.9 in) long, containing black seeds.
The genus is closely related to Fremontodendron, and the two can produce the intergeneric hybrid ×Chiranthofremontia lenzii, which bears yellow flowers with a reduced claw form. Historically, the tree was revered by the Maya, who used preparations of its flowers medicinally for abdominal pain, heart ailments, and as a diuretic — uses attributed to the glycosides quercetin and luteolin present in the flowers. It was first scientifically described from a cultivated specimen grown in Toluca, Mexico, well outside its natural range. The tree is now cultivated in gardens worldwide for its striking flowers, particularly in North America where it thrives near its native climate.
Etymology
The scientific name Chiranthodendron derives from Greek roots meaning "five-fingered hand-flower tree." Its common names across languages and cultures all reference the distinctive hand-like shape of its flowers: devil's hand tree or Mexican hand tree in English, árbol de las manitas ("tree of little hands") in Spanish, Canak in Mayan, and mācpalxōchitl ("palm flower") in Nahuatl.
Distribution
The genus is native to the wet slopes of southern Mexico and Guatemala. It has been introduced into cultivation in gardens around the world, primarily in North America, where it grows well near its native climatic range. The first scientific description was based on a cultivated specimen growing in Toluca, Mexico, well outside the tree's natural distribution.
Ecology
In its native range, Chiranthodendron pentadactylon grows on wet slopes alongside other mesic-adapted vegetation. Trees can reach canopy heights of up to 27.5 metres (90 ft) in suitable conditions. The bright red, hand-shaped flowers appear in late spring and early summer.
Cultural Uses
The tree was revered by the Maya, and both Mayan and other Central American communities have traditionally used infusions of its flowers as medicine. A tea made by steeping the flowers in hot water has been employed as a remedy for lower abdominal pain and heart problems. The flowers contain the glycosides quercetin and luteolin, giving preparations diuretic properties as well as the ability to reduce edema and serum cholesterol levels. The infusion can also be applied externally as a wash.
Cultivation
The striking hand-shaped flowers have made Chiranthodendron a sought-after ornamental tree. It is cultivated in gardens around the world, with particular success in North America, where climatic conditions approximate those of its native range in southern Mexico and Guatemala.
History
The genus was first scientifically described from a single cultivated specimen growing in Toluca, in the Toluca Valley of Mexico — an area well outside the tree's native range in southern Mexico and Guatemala. The formal description was published by J.D. Larréategui in 1805 as Description Botanique du Chiranthodendron.
Taxonomy
Chiranthodendron is closely related to Fremontodendron, another genus in the Malvaceae (traditionally Bombacaceae) known for showy flowers. The two genera are sufficiently compatible to produce the intergeneric hybrid ×Chiranthofremontia lenzii Henrickson, which bears yellow flowers with a reduced form of the claw-like stamen arrangement. GBIF places the genus in family Bombacaceae, while Wikipedia (following the APG classification) places it in Malvaceae — reflecting the ongoing taxonomic realignment of these groups.
