Sierra Los Tuxtlas with High Tropical Evergreen Forest is a subregion in the Southern Gulf Coastal Plain of Veracruz, Mexico, distinguished as a volcanic island isolated from other mountainous systems, characterized by high tropical evergreen forest, abundant water resources, and volcanic origin.
Zone
Forest
Common Name
Los Tuxtlas Sierra with High Evergreen Tropical Forest
CEC Level III Code
15.3.1
CEC Level II Code
15.3 Tropical Wet Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Los Tuxtlas Sierra with High Evergreen Tropical Forest, Los Tuxtlas Sierra |
| Geographic Range | Sierra Los Tuxtlas, located in the southern part of Veracruz, Mexico, is a unique, isolated “volcanic island” within the Southern Gulf Coastal Plain, characterized by high tropical evergreen forest, abundant water resources, and volcanic origin. |
| Climate Snapshot | The predominant climate is warm and semi-warm with generally abundant rainfall, occurring in summer in some areas and year-round in others. |
| Terrain Profile | The Sierra Los Tuxtlas is a volcanic "island" characterized by a pronounced elevation gradient from sea level to 1,680 masl, primarily covered with lava, ash, and pyroclasts. |
| Vegetation Cover | The vegetation is characterized by high tropical evergreen forest and some mountain cloud forest on the windward slopes and highest parts of the volcanoes, with cultivated grasslands and forest remnants predominating the landscape, along with smaller areas of tropical oak forest, pine groves, mangrove swamps, and palm groves. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Sierra Los Tuxtlas is home to endangered species such as the cougar, jaguar, and Baird's tapir, as well as endemic birds like the long-tailed sabrewing and Tuxtla quail-dove. |
Eco snapshot
The vegetation is characterized by high tropical evergreen forest and some mountain cloud forest on the windward slopes and highest parts of the volcanoes, with cultivated grasslands and forest remnants predominating the landscape, along with smaller areas of tropical oak forest, pine groves, mangrove swamps, and palm groves.
The Sierra Los Tuxtlas is home to endangered species such as the cougar, jaguar, and Baird’s tapir, as well as endemic birds like the long-tailed sabrewing and Tuxtla quail-dove.
Seasonal timing
Yearly needs
What pollinators need throughout the year, and what to do about it.
| Season | What pollinators need most | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter/early spring | Reliable nectar/pollen “kick-start,” plus safe water and shelter | Add a few early-blooming plants near sunny edges; keep a shallow water source with stones for landing; avoid any pesticide use during bloom |
| Spring | Diverse blooms and nesting materials as populations build | Plant a mix of herbs/flowers and flowering shrubs; leave some bare soil patches and stems for nesting; keep some leaf litter |
| Summer | Continuous bloom, shade/cover, and hydration | Prioritize heat-tolerant flowering plants; add layered vegetation (shrubs/hedges); water new plants during dry spells |
| Late summer/fall | “Bridge” blooms to prevent food gaps; safe places to rest | Add late-blooming species; let some plants go to seed; reduce trimming so insects can use stems and sheltered corners |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter from heat/dryness and enough flowers to get through lean times | Keep habitat structure (hedges, leaf litter, brushy corners); plant or protect dry-season bloomers where appropriate; avoid “cleaning up” everything at once |
Seed mix concept
A starter phase: quick, easy blooms (often sun-edge herbs)
A bridge phase: mid-season continuity (a mix of herbs and shrubs)
A finisher phase: late-season or dry-season support (plants that flower when resources are scarce)
What You Can Do
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Native plants
Agaves are bold, sculptural succulents that store water in thick leaves and thrive in bright, dry spots. Their flowers can be a big seasonal draw for pollinators when plants are mature and in bloom.
Erythrinas (coral trees) are showy flowering trees in the genus Erythrina, known for bold, nectar-rich blooms that can be a seasonal food stop for pollinators in warm gardens.
Inga is a group of tropical trees (genus Inga) known for fluffy, brush-like flowers and long pods. In warm climates, it can be a shade tree that also offers nectar and pollen for a variety of insects.
Milkweeds from tropical Mexico (genus Asclepias) are nectar-rich wildflowers that can add bright blooms and pollinator activity to sunny gardens and containers.
Passionflowers (genus Passiflora) are climbing vines known for their intricate, otherworldly blooms and their ability to add vertical color to fences, trellises, and sunny walls.
Salvias are a big, colorful group of flowering plants in the genus Salvia, with especially rich diversity in Mexico. Many are easy, pollinator-friendly garden plants that bloom over a long season when given sun and well-drained soil.
Wild lilacs (genus Calliandra) are warm-climate shrubs known for fluffy “powderpuff” blooms that can add color and pollinator activity to sunny gardens and patios.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
They move pollen between flowers while feeding, helping many plants reproduce.
They move pollen between flowers over long distances, helping some plants set fruit and seed.
They move pollen between flowers over long distances and help many plants set fruit and seed.
They move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, supporting seed and fruit production in many plants.
They help pollinate many wild and cultivated plants in tropical and subtropical regions, supporting food webs and biodiversity.
