Why Drop Leaves Here?

Day 114 - This is a tropical, deciduous tree, originally from the South Pacific. They're called ambarella trees on this island, but the Latin name is Spondias Dulcis. I guess they are sometimes called June Plums in English. They inhabit many different tropical locations, most probably due to the first and longest-lasting European empire, the Portuguese.  Because the little country was a powerful maritime power, they presided over a primarily tropical empire stretching from China to Brazil.   

As I have noted in this blog, they also were prolific at carrying flora to different parts of the tropics. So, this tree can also be found in the Caribbean as well as SE Asia.

 

However, in Sri Lanka, someone should tell these trees that they needn't let their leaves turn orange and drop late in the year and stand around naked until spring.  It really doesn't serve any valuable function when six degrees from the equator!  I guess it's nice seeing them start from scratch producing fruit about now though.