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On the way back to the house, Viviana pointed out this tree whose local name I failed to write down. Earlier in the week she had prepared arroz con leche (rice with milk) and I had inquired what other ingredients were used since I noted a familiar flavor. When she offered me a piece of bark, I knew we were talking about cinnamon. Sure, I knew it was a plant but had no idea it was such a huge tree.. |
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After we returned to the house, I took a stroll around the building looking at plants. I think Rodrigo had gathered some in the forest and had them scattered around the yard, but others, like the bromeliads and orchids were on all of the trees.
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The orchids growing in the trees were not unlike the Oncidium which grow in southern Sonora but I was totally unfamiliar with the terrestrial forms I encountered. There were many other plants which I had seen in botanical gardens or fancy plant shops, here growing as weeds. |
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torch ginger |
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On a citrus tree, I did find a familiar face, that of the orange dog or giant swallowtail Papilio cresphontes. As I do when in Tucson, I tickled its back to prompt it to evert its foul smelling osmeteria, a scent structure common to the family. It has been suggested the smell is like an alarm pheromone that helps the larva keep ants at a distance. |
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I also recognized the cousin of our Dutchman’s pipe. Both the leaves and the flowers of Aristilochia grandifloris are much larger than our A. watsoni but like it, the flowers emit a putrid smell to attract flies that provide pollination services. |
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Before noon we were on our way back to Angostura. We stopped by Haydee’s again, this time to deliver a gallon of fresh milk and to drop off Viviana who had her own classes to attend on Saturday. Back at the farm, Sergio and Diego jumped back into work mode while I explored the area more. After the soccer game at sundown, Sergio took all of us to dinner in Puntarenas. Sadly, it was our last evening together as first thing in the morning, I returned to La Guacima. Actually it was time to get back as I had to do my laundry and get caught up on things before heading out to another breeder’s home on Monday morning. |
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