In many years visiting the
Maricao Forest I had never encountered this species. Then in December of 2014, as I was looking at
a plant of Epidendrum anceps, I
noticed that there were several plants of this species a few feet away. I could have easily missed the plants had I
not looked at the right place, they are small and inconspicuous, a rosette of a
few leaves flush with the leaf litter. But once I had noticed the plants, I saw
them at several places. The plants must
be deciduous since I have examined the places where they are growing many times
and would have noticed them if they had been present.
For some reason all the plants I
found were growing among fearsomely thorny plants and reaching them to take a
photo was not that easy. The largest group
of plants was nested among a clump of Pitcairnia
bromeliads. A few plants here and there were
under some thorny vines. As I stepped in
to take a photo a large thorn stabbed me on the foot through the shoe. It was very painful. The sacrifices one makes to get a photo!
All the plants I saw were producing seed pods and seemed in
good health. The plants are quite safe in
their habitat as it is unlikely anyone will collect them and they live in a
protected area. Next year when I visit them I will wear thorn
resistant clothes and footwear!
No comments:
Post a Comment