''Dendropanax colombianus'' is a tree native to the highlands of the

Andean The Andes ( ), Andes Mountains or Andean Mountain Range (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long and wide (widest between 18°S ...

region of Colombia belonging to the

family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...

Araliaceae The Araliaceae are a family of flowering plants composed of about 43 genera and around 1500 species consisting of primarily woody plants and some herbaceous plants commonly called the ginseng family. The morphology of Araliaceae varies widely ...

. Common names include mano de oso (bear paw), higuerón, and amarillo (yellow). ''Dendropanax colombianus'' grows up to 20 m (~60 ft.) in height, with alternating palmatilobulated (hand-shaped) leaves. The leaves have reddish backs with long petioles. It is often confused with '' Oreopanax floribundum'' due to morphologic similarities.

Habitat

The range of this plant is restricted, growing in the Andes at altitudes of 3000-3300m. It is often closely associated with the

Encenillo ''Weinmannia tomentosa'', the encenillo, is a tree native of the highlands of the Andean region of Colombia, which belongs to the family Cunoniaceae. A synonym for ''Weinmannia tomentosa'' is ''Windmannia tomentosa''.Weinmannia tomentosa ''Weinmannia tomentosa'', the encenillo, is a tree native of the highlands of the Andean region of Colombia, which belongs to the family Cunoniaceae. A synonym for ''Weinmannia tomentosa'' is ''Windmannia tomentosa''.Cedrela montana ''Cedrela montana'' is a species of tree in the Meliaceae family. It is found in the Andes of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru between 1050 – 3600 meters of elevation. Description Trees up to 20 m (~60 ft) tall, trunk with fissured b ...

'') and Chuwacá tree ('' Prunus buxifolia''), which the subsequent reforestation in the sub-

páramo Páramo () may refer to a variety of alpine tundra ecosystems located in the Andes Mountain Range, South America. Some ecologists describe the páramo broadly as "all high, tropical, montane vegetation above the continuous timberline". A narrower ...

. Due to the high value of its wood it is a target of the

timber Lumber is wood that has been processed into uniform and useful sizes (dimensional lumber), including beams and planks or boards. Lumber is mainly used for construction framing, as well as finishing (floors, wall panels, window frames). ...

industry. Araliaceae Trees of Colombia Flora of the Andes Endangered plants {{tree-stub