Spanish Flag Orchid

Spanish Flag Orchid Epidendrum radicans Photo by Jenn Sinasac A “weedy” orchid, common along the roadsides and fields of middle elevations in Central America, the Spanish Flag Orchid is rather eye-catching and distinct. This terrestrial orchid is recognized by its bold inflorescences of fiery reds, oranges and yellows, situated atop a long, cane-like stem up to a meter in length. Leaves are oval, fleshy and are placed regularly along the stem. The stem is covered in imbricated sheaths, as well as the base of the inflorescence. Inflorescences can contain 20-30 flowers, and can be up to 50 cm long. Flowers have a three-lobed lip, which are fringed, and fringes may be lighter in color, fading to yellow. The column and the lip are fused together. Seeds are very small. Several key characteristics distinguish this species from other similar Epidendrum species and other flowering plants in the ecological complex to which it belongs. It produces adventitious roots (secondary roots) that grow off the stems and are used to absorb nutrients and support the plant on different surfaces, including other plants! Its flowers bend backwards and face upwards (resupinate), unlike other Epidendrum species. Its stems do not swell to form pseudobulbs, and it does not produce nectar in the flowers. E. radicans is placed in a complex with several other orange-flowered species that are ecologically similar but otherwise unrelated, including Asclepias curassavicia (Tropical Milkweed) and Lantana camara. These species all share the same habitat and pollinators, and are a great example of convergent evolution. A hypothesis exists that E. radicans mimics the two aforementioned species for pollination, since E. radicans does not produce nectar and the other two do; however, this hypothesis is not supported (Bierzychudek 1981). This orchid is pollinated by butterflies. The Spanish Flag Orchid ranges from southern Mexico throughout Central

Gumbo Limbo Tree Bursera simaruba Photo by Jenn Sinasac The Gumbo Limbo tree is one of the most recognizable trees of the American tropics—often called the “tourist tree” because of its characteristic peeling red bark, reminiscent of a sunburnt tourist! This medium-sized tree grows to 30 meters tall and has a diameter of 1 meter or less. The leaves are pinnate with 7-11 leaflets and are arranged in spirals. The fruits are small, 3-valved capsules which encase one small seed covered in a red fatty seed coat (aril). The Gumbo Limbo is an important food source for many resident and migrant species of birds, as well as monkeys and squirrels, who feed on the aril. Gumbo Limbo is a very useful tree; its wood is suitable for light construction and firewood, and the resin is used as glue, varnish and incense. Anti-inflammatory properties in its leaves, bark and resin can be used to treat a variety of aches and pains. The resin is used as a treatment for gout. The bark is used as a common topical remedy for a variety of skin conditions including sores, measles, sunburn and insect bites, and a decoction can be taken internally to cure pain, cold and flu, fever and sunstroke. Furthermore, this tree is considered one of the most wind-resistant species and can act as a good wind barrier to protect crops and roads, and is commonly planted in hurricane zones. Gumbo Limbo trees grow in a wide variety of habitats from south Florida through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, to Brazil and Venezuela, and is common in the lowlands of central Panama around the Canopy Family lodges. Cool Fact!  The wood of the Gumbo Limbo tree was the traditional wood used to make carousel horses in the United States before plastic became

Bijao Calathea latifolia Photo by Jenn Sinasac Locally known as “bijao,” Calathea latifolia is a distinct roadside plant of central Panama. Standing 1-2 meters tall, the Bijao plant is recognized by its large, thin, pleated heliconia-like leaves and purple inflorescences. It has flowers in pairs with as many as 13 pairs tended by a single bract. Seed capsules are approximately 1 cm long and contain 3 small seeds. The roots have large, edible tuber-like storage organs. Light purple bands on the underside of the leaf blade best distinguish this species. There is a cream-colored flower form, and this lacks the purple bands on the leaves. Calathea latifolia flowers throughout the green season from July to December. Flower buds do not open until forced open by bees responsible for their pollination. They are pollinated by orchid bee Euglossa imperialis on Barro Colorado Island (Panama) and 2 other bee species elsewhere (from the genus Eulaema). Some bees are nectar robbers and do not pollinate the flowers. Fruits develop to mature size in about 2 months and are usually present in the same inflorescence throughout most of the flowering season. During the dry season, the Bijao plant dies back to the roots. Seeds are shed but do not germinate until the beginning of the following rainy season, an adaptation to dealing with the dry season conditions. Calathea latifolia is found in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Trinidad. In Panama, it occurs in central and eastern lowlands and premontane moist forest. The Bijao plant is common around the Canopy Tower, near Pipeline Road and along open roadsides. Hailing from the widespread Marantaceae family, the genus Calathea has approximately 250 species and is the main genus of the family in the Neotropics. Many Calathea species are popular as potted plants; attributable to their decorative leaves and

Aechmea setigera Photo by Jerry and Linda Harrison Aechmea setigera is a large bromeliad native to tropical America. Like many bromeliads, it is epiphytic and usually found high in trees. It grows to 1.5 m tall, with leaves up to a meter long and 3.5 to 7 cm wide with black spines along the edges. Bright red bracts up to 20 cm long surround the base of the inflorescence stalk, which is covered with many flowers and often more than a meter in length. Spikes have 2 to 4 fertile flowers. Petals are pale yellow or greenish-yellow, and up to 3.5 cm long. The flowers produce a lot of nectar, which accumulates in the flower tube. Fruits are fleshy berries containing 8 seeds, reddish in color. In Panama, Aechmea setigera flowers from February to May, and fruits during the rainy season. This bromeliad attracts a wide variety of creatures – ants live at the base of the leaves, and fruits are dispersed by birds, despite that the fruits are not overly colorful or well-exposed when mature. Aechmea setigera is fround in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas and in Amazonia Brazil. In Panama, it is common at Pipeline Road and throughout the lowlands and foothills, and is most abundant in the wettest areas along Panama’s Caribbean coast. It can be seen around all the Canopy Family properties.