The single book I believe you will find most useful is Zuchowski’s A Guide to Tropical Plants of Costa Rica. For nearly every plant she describes she has at least a paragraph devoted to uses by local people, whether indigenous or not. She also has several sections devoted to different ways plants are used.

If you want a rigorous ecological background, I’d suggest

Janzen, D.H. 1975. Ecology of Plants in the Tropics (Studies in Biology). United Kingdom, no. 58. 66 pp, 4 plates.

There’s a good book on the Trees and Shrubs of Panama that you would have to buy at the Smithsonian Institute for Tropical Research after you get here, and it’s pricy, but here it is:

Carrasquilla R., Luis G. 2005. Trees and Shrubs of Panama [Árboles y Arbustos de Panamá]. University of Panama/National Environmental Authority [Universidad de Panamá/Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente]. 479 pp.

Finally, you might browse through the references on my blog page:

A Neotropical Savanna: References.

Good luck, and enjoy your trip!

I am coming to Panama for a couple of weeks next month. I study and teach about plants and wondered if you had a few books you recommend to really get to know the plant species there and how they have been (and are) being used by indigenous people.

Thank you.

Frank