Chiranthodendron pentadactylon: The Bizarre Monkey Hand Tree

The Devil's Hand Tree

Chiranthodendron pentadactylon, known as Monkey Hand Tree, Hand Plant, Devil's Hand, or Mexican Hand Tree, is one of the world's most bizarre flowering trees. Native to cloud forests of Mexico and Guatemala, its flowers uncannily resemble a human hand.

Taxonomic Profile

The Hand-Shaped Flower

This evergreen tree reaches 30-50 feet tall with large, shallowly lobed leaves. The flowers are the phenomenon: bright red, 3-4 inches across, with five elongated, curved, claw-like stamens radiating from a central cup—uncannily resembling an open human hand with five fingers. The "palm" is a nectar-filled cup. Blooms appear in late winter to spring.

Monkey Hand Tree thrives in cool, moist, cloud forest conditions: partial shade, rich soil, high humidity, regular moisture. It's frost-tender (zones 10-11) but dislikes hot, dry climates. In cultivation, it's a conservatory or coastal California specialty. Rare and challenging but unforgettable.

Botanical Wonder

The genus name means "hand-flower tree" (Greek chir = hand, anthos = flower, dendron = tree). The specific epithet pentadactylon means "five-fingered." It's pollinated by birds (hummingbirds, orioles) that perch on the "fingers" to drink nectar. A true botanical marvel for collectors with the right conditions.