Magnolia sororum

Magnolia sororum is a species of flowering plant in the family Magnoliaceae. It is commonly known as vaco. It is native to the mountain forests of Costa Rica and western Panama, and may range into Nicaragua.^[1]

Magnolia sororum
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Magnoliids
Order:	Magnoliales
Family:	Magnoliaceae
Genus:	Magnolia
Section:	Magnolia sect. Magnolia
Species:	M. sororum
Binomial name
Magnolia sororum Seibert

Description

Magnolia sororum is a large tree, growing up to 40 meters tall.

Range and habitat

Magnolia sororum is native to the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama, including the Cordillera Central and Cordillera de Talamanca. The species' estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) is around 20,000 km². A population was reported in Bosawas Biosphere Reserve in northern Nicaragua. If confirmed, this population would extend the species' EOO to around 60,000 km².^[1]

It is found in mature humid upper montane forests from 2,300 to 3,200 meters elevation. In Panama its range extends into lower montane forests.^[1]

Subspecies

There are two accepted subspecies:^[2]

• Magnolia sororum subsp. lutea Vazquez – Costa Rica
• Magnolia sororum subsp. sororum – Honduras, Southeastern Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama^[3]

Uses

Its wood is used for fuelwood, charcoal, timber, and handicrafts.^[1]