What interesting plants grow in Panama & Costa Rica?

17 years ago

Hi. I have an assignment to write about unique plants that grow in Panama/Costa Rica. I've found some info online but am having trouble finding scientific names for some of the cool plants listed. For instance, something called hot lips or hooker's lips. A holly that occasionally changes sex that is supposedly called ocotea tenera, but I can't find that name online anywhere. Some species of orchid that resembles the form of a female wasp complete with eyes, antennae and wings. An orchid called La Putita de Noche (Little Prostitute of the Night) that smells just at night. I think that pitcher plants are also native to that area--Nepenthes Carnivorous, right?

Ideally I'd like to find more plants like these that have unique adaptations, and some photos would be great to. Can anyone direct me to web sites where I can find this stuff? Thanks much!

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Comments (13)

garyfla_gw
17 years ago
Hi
The problem with that area is the diversity due to so many climate zones. Last I heard something like 80,000 specie of plants!! 1700 of orchids alone.. You could fill several books on just one specie.
Not sure about Carniverous plants ,Nepenthes are native to Asia.
Your only hope is to settle on one type such as orchids ,palms,ferns or maybe growth habits, such as epiphytic,lithophytic ,semi terrestrial. Even then you could only skim the surface.
gary
farmfreedom
17 years ago
2 percent of all the species in the world of plants and animals are from Costa Rica alone . Check conservation groups , the world wildlife fund , the chamber of commerce of Costa Rica , safaris and expeditions .If you find any interesting food plants LET ME KNOW!
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So…maybe…I think… In reading Justin’s great descriptions and looking at photos from the Costa Farms website… I believe tsome are Manjula. They look like my mature Manjula and the leaves are less flat as Justin described. And looking at the photos from the Costa Farms website, both the Pearls and Jade and Glacier have smaller leaves. I think Glacier is smaller than P&J. So…Manjula? – Compared to my Manjula – And I think these are Pearls and Jade, especially looking at the photos from the Costa Farms website. Pearls and Jade from the Costa Farms website: And I don’t think any of the plants really were Glacier. In reading the description and looking at the photos from the Costa Farms website, I think this plant that I bought elsewhere and was not labeled and was not from Costa Farms, is Glacier. And as Justin said that Glacier is NOT patented, any nursery could propagate it and call it whatever they want or not call it anything. I think that Glacier has smaller leaves and they are more “pointed” than the other “pothos” but the points are more of a rounded point, whereas the P&J is pointed as well but a more “pointier” point??? This probably does not matter a wit to anyone but I think it is fun to try to see differences and know if I really have one of each. Glacier from the Costa Farms website: I think this plant (not from Costa Farms) is Glacier. Leaves seem a bit more "crinkly" and I have read that is true of Glacier. Also I have seen plants that look like this sold in grocery stores and other places that were unlabeled. Makes sense if the plant is not patented. And to keep it interesting. Here is my plant (bought at a small hardware store that sells plants) that I believe is N’Joy. It has small leaves too but there is no spotting in the white and the white and green are very defined. Thoughts?
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kstours
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks, folks! Regarding Central American food plants, there's an article in the May 27 issue of New Scientist magazine (published in UK) about Maya nut trees (aka ramon, ojoche, ujuxte, masica). It's pretty cool.

The link is http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19025531.700.html. (You'll have to subscribe to get the full article.) Or if you give me a fax number I can fax it to you. It's 2 pages.

The woman who is working to get the locals using the nut again has a website too, and it has basically all the same info. http://www.theequilibriumfund.org

Here is a link that might be useful: Maya nuts
hawaii50
17 years ago
The scientific name of the orchid that is scented at night is Brassavola nodosa. For the names of other orchid species, you might post a query on a forum dedicated to orchids, such as the Orchid Source Forum (sorry, restricted from posting the website name).
Martina DeLuca
17 years ago
This site has 2 expedition photos, one to Panama and one to Costa Rica. Some of the photos are labeled.

Here is a link that might be useful: Black Jungle
costaricafinca
17 years ago
While I live in Costa Rica, and have Nepenthes'Maxima' & Nepenthes 'Alata' I don't think they are native to Costa Rica. These are two of the few plants I have actually purchased. My husband just loves them! I grow Kohleria 'bogatensis', which many 'experts' in the USA say don't grow here.
Cochlospermum vitifolium or locally known as 'PorÃ³ porÃ³' is interesting.
I have some photos on my site.www.costaricafinca.net
Contact me from there, if you want more info.
costaricafinca
17 years ago
This may be the 'Hot Lips' you were inquiring about,Costus 'Hot Lips'

Here is a link that might be useful: Costus 'Hot Lips'
PuraVida
17 years ago
you can see some pictures of plants I have in my garden posted. if you want the scientific name of a specific one let me know...

Here is a link that might be useful: garden photo blog
Heathen1
17 years ago
pura MAN... What a WONDERFUL place! Sigh! I am surprise that you can grow a Cypress vine Ipomea quamoclit! I love them, never knew they were tropical tolerant. Oh, I am SO in tropical envy!
rlriffle_FL_zone10
17 years ago
Do any of these articles/sited give the botanical (scientific) name of the "Maya nut?"
john13
17 years ago
puravida: Those mystery fruit on your blog look like Surinam Cherry (Eugenia uniflora).

John

Here is a link that might be useful: Surinam Cherry
PuraVida
17 years ago
Thanks John I'll update my blog!

Pura Vida

Here is a link that might be useful: garden photo blog
cactivoras
13 years ago
HI...FROM PANAMA...THAT IS RIGHT (Brassavola nodosa)is the name of that orchid...
I dont think nephente are native from Panama or Costa Rica. Here we have drosera panamensis and another carnivorus plantas...Ee have a lot of orchid and exotics plants as fruits,palms,ephifit cacti, ......

GREETINGS
FACARIELAGUILAR@GMAIL.COM

What interesting plants grow in Panama & Costa Rica?

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What interesting plants grow in Panama & Costa Rica?

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