The state of Veracruz, situated in eastern Mexico, contains small patches of dry forest along its central coastal plain, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. These dry forests create an ecological island in the middle of a sea of tropical moist forests. While a humid climate, the area has a long dry season in which the plants shed their leaves for several months. Vegetation that thrives in this weather includes Cordia dodecandra, golden trumpet, calabash, and ear pod trees. Cacti are also common, such as species of Acanthocereus and Nopalea. Many birds inhabit the Veracruz dry forests -- you might spot a Couch's kingbird or hear the song of a magnolia warbler.
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