Among the most notable plants and trees in the Manu National Park are the ceiba, known for its imposing height and thick trunk; the rubber tree, famous for its latex production; the mahogany, appreciated for its high-quality wood; the cedar, another valuable wood species; and the aguaje, a palm tree whose fruits are consumed by both humans and local fauna. Also notable are the leche leche (Sapium glandulosum), a tree that produces a white latex used in the production of natural glues, and the sangre de grado (Croton lechleri), famous for its red resin with anti-inflammatory and healing properties. In addition, the achiote (Bixa orellana) is another significant plant in the park, whose seeds are used to obtain a natural red dye, highly valued in cooking and traditional medicine. Achiote is not only known for its culinary use, but also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, being used in natural remedies to treat skin conditions and other health problems.
The park is also home to a wide variety of medicinal plants used by indigenous communities, such as cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa), which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and chuchuhuasi (Maytenus laevis), used to relieve muscle pain. It is also home to a variety of tropical fruits, such as guava, wild mango, camu camu (rich in vitamin C) and copoazú, an Amazonian fruit similar to cacao. This plant wealth is not only essential for the park’s ecosystems, but is also crucial for local communities, which sustainably exploit these natural resources for both medicinal and economic use.