The Terraces

Work has begun to install a series of terraces on the lower slopes of the garden, which will help to make better use of the space available in that area. Progress will surely be slow, as all "earthworks" at LCO are done by hand.

Ananas ananassoides in flower

Reinaldo took this photo of Ananas ananassoides (Bromeliaceae), which is flowering now in the LCO native plants garden. This plant is one of what may possibly be the only two remaining individuals of this species on the entire Osa Peninsula.

Bilbergia macrolepis

Last week, Reinaldo discovered Bilbergia macrolepis (Bromeliaceae). His discovery represents yet another new register for the flora of the Osa Peninsula. Until now, this species was known to Costa Rica on the basis of a single specimen collected by the celebrated swiss born botanist Henri Pittier (1857-1950) more than a century ago , from the vacinity of Buenos Aires in Coto Brus. Bilbergia macrolepis is easily distinguished by its characteristic and unusual bulb-like rhizomes, as can be seen here.

Fruits of Ananas ananassoides

This image shows the very attractive fruit of Ananas ananassoides (Bromeliaceae), which belongs to the same genus (Ananas) as the classic edible pineapple.

Ananas ananassoides

Bromelia plumeri is not the first species Bromeliad to be hit by beach front development in the town of Puerto Jimenez. A critical patch of Ananas ananassoides (Bromeliaceae) once existed in town. Reinaldo happened to have photographed it in 2005, but these majestic plants are now gone and in their place is a beach front concession, a cafe. This was the only example of this species known to us on the Osa Peninsula. Fortunately, we managed to rescue two individuals, these plants are currently flowering in the LCO garden, and we're hoping that they might reproduce.

An important wildlife habitat

One might think - as Costa Rican government officials (from the municipality of Golfito and... believe it or not... the ministry for energy and the environment) overseeing the said development at Preciosa and Platanares beaches clearly did - what difference do a bunch of outsized spiny pineapples make? Well, apart from their intrinsic natural beauty, and the fact these plants help to buffer the coastline, Bromelia plumieri (Bromeliaceae) forms dense, at times almost unpenetrable stands, creating a micro-habitat that provides shelter and protection to a variety of local fauna, such as this fabulous Black Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) known locally as "Garoba", that we found amidst one of the mountains of now destroyed bromeliads.

Flowers of Bromelia plumieri

This is a gorgeous image showing the bright magenta inflorescence and dusky pink flowers of Bromelia plumieri (Bromeliaceae). This plant is known locally as “Piñuela” or “Piro”.