Ceroxylon quindiuense is such a magnificent sight! Walking among them with my amigos from the International Palm Society was such a treat. #Arecaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
September 20, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Ceroxylon quindiuense is such a magnificent sight! Walking among them with my amigos from the International Palm Society was such a treat. #Arecaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
This is Anisophyllea disticha (#Anisophylleaceae), which is perfectly described by the scientific name. Note the larger distichous leaves & the tiny leaves appressed to the stems. This tree is from Malesia. 📷: Cerlin Ng CCBYNCSA2 #anisophylly #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
October 28, 2025 at 4:37 PM
This is Anisophyllea disticha (#Anisophylleaceae), which is perfectly described by the scientific name. Note the larger distichous leaves & the tiny leaves appressed to the stems. This tree is from Malesia. 📷: Cerlin Ng CCBYNCSA2 #anisophylly #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Phyllanthus has what is called “phyllanthoid branching”: Orthotropic (erect) shoots with spirally arranged leaves & plagiotropic (horizontal) branches with distichous leaves. Guam’s P. saffordii shows the dimorphism. 📷: Lauren Gutierrez CCBYND2. #Phyllanthaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
November 11, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Phyllanthus has what is called “phyllanthoid branching”: Orthotropic (erect) shoots with spirally arranged leaves & plagiotropic (horizontal) branches with distichous leaves. Guam’s P. saffordii shows the dimorphism. 📷: Lauren Gutierrez CCBYND2. #Phyllanthaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
I love the interesting leaf arrangements in Aloe. They are typically spirally arranged & none shows it better than A. polyphylla (📷: John Dransfield). Occasionally they’re distichous, as in A. suprafoliata. #Aloe #Asphodelaceae #TropicalBotany #botany 🌾🧪🌱
February 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I love the interesting leaf arrangements in Aloe. They are typically spirally arranged & none shows it better than A. polyphylla (📷: John Dransfield). Occasionally they’re distichous, as in A. suprafoliata. #Aloe #Asphodelaceae #TropicalBotany #botany 🌾🧪🌱
In addition to scent & color, the shape of the flowers is likely attractive to flies (Diptera). On A. tricaudata (“3 tails”), the long attenuate lobes of the perianth are probably fly attractants. Flies, it seems, like that sort of thing. #TropicalBotany #Aristolochiaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
December 31, 2025 at 11:30 AM
In addition to scent & color, the shape of the flowers is likely attractive to flies (Diptera). On A. tricaudata (“3 tails”), the long attenuate lobes of the perianth are probably fly attractants. Flies, it seems, like that sort of thing. #TropicalBotany #Aristolochiaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Bomarea species (#Alstroemeriaceae) are climbers among the shrubs at 3000 m elevation at the Kuelap archeological site. I don’t have IDs on them yet. They are hummingbird pollinated. #Botany 🌾🧪🌱 #tropicalbotany
September 19, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Bomarea species (#Alstroemeriaceae) are climbers among the shrubs at 3000 m elevation at the Kuelap archeological site. I don’t have IDs on them yet. They are hummingbird pollinated. #Botany 🌾🧪🌱 #tropicalbotany
Phyllanthoid branching evolved only once but has been lost several times. Some species have kept the branching but ditched the leaves. Phyllanthus angustifolius of the Antilles has cladodes (flattened, photosynthetic branches). #Phyllanthaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
November 12, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Phyllanthoid branching evolved only once but has been lost several times. Some species have kept the branching but ditched the leaves. Phyllanthus angustifolius of the Antilles has cladodes (flattened, photosynthetic branches). #Phyllanthaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
This is Dracaena goldieana, a species from tropical Africa. It’s easy to see why this species is a popular ornamental plant. That foliar variegation is outstanding! #Asparagaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
September 6, 2025 at 11:52 AM
This is Dracaena goldieana, a species from tropical Africa. It’s easy to see why this species is a popular ornamental plant. That foliar variegation is outstanding! #Asparagaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Some #Aloe species grow intermixed with grasses & mimic their foliage. Their leaves are thin & flexible but still a bit succulent. This is Aloe cooperi. Without the flowers, it might easily be overlooked as “just a grass.” #Asphodelaceae #TropicalBotany #botany 🌾🧪🌱
February 11, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Some #Aloe species grow intermixed with grasses & mimic their foliage. Their leaves are thin & flexible but still a bit succulent. This is Aloe cooperi. Without the flowers, it might easily be overlooked as “just a grass.” #Asphodelaceae #TropicalBotany #botany 🌾🧪🌱
Dracaena has a handful of species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. They are likely descendants of a single introduction via long-distance dispersal from Asia. This is D. konaensis 📷: Grigory Heaton CCBYNC4. #Dracaena #Asparagaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
September 3, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Dracaena has a handful of species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. They are likely descendants of a single introduction via long-distance dispersal from Asia. This is D. konaensis 📷: Grigory Heaton CCBYNC4. #Dracaena #Asparagaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
The spectacular tree aloes, cultivated to great effect in S. California, are now separate from Aloe & very appropriately called Aloidendron (“Aloe-tree”). Here’s Aloidendron dichotomum in San Diego. #Asphodelaceae #TropicalBotany #Aloe #botany 🌾🧪🌱
February 12, 2025 at 11:15 AM
The spectacular tree aloes, cultivated to great effect in S. California, are now separate from Aloe & very appropriately called Aloidendron (“Aloe-tree”). Here’s Aloidendron dichotomum in San Diego. #Asphodelaceae #TropicalBotany #Aloe #botany 🌾🧪🌱
Here’s Phyllanthus fluitans, a floating aquatic species from southern Mexico and northern South America. I expected this to be a pantropical aquatic weed, but I see it’s escaped only in Florida (of course 😒). 📷: Eric Hunt CCBYNCND2 #Phyllanthaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
November 13, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Here’s Phyllanthus fluitans, a floating aquatic species from southern Mexico and northern South America. I expected this to be a pantropical aquatic weed, but I see it’s escaped only in Florida (of course 😒). 📷: Eric Hunt CCBYNCND2 #Phyllanthaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
The genus Aloe (#Asphodelaceae), much loved by growers of succulent plants, was long believed to be paraphyletic. A few years ago, several species were removed from Aloe & placed into separate genera. The remaining #Aloe, nearly 600 spp., is still wonderfully diverse. #TropicalBotany #botany 🌾🧪🌱
February 10, 2025 at 11:24 AM
The genus Aloe (#Asphodelaceae), much loved by growers of succulent plants, was long believed to be paraphyletic. A few years ago, several species were removed from Aloe & placed into separate genera. The remaining #Aloe, nearly 600 spp., is still wonderfully diverse. #TropicalBotany #botany 🌾🧪🌱
Passiflora includes a few trees & shrubs, which, not surprisingly, lack tendrils. This is P. emarginata, a tree found in deciduous forests of Colombia. This one was cultivated in a glasshouse at RBG Kew. #Passifloraceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
August 4, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Passiflora includes a few trees & shrubs, which, not surprisingly, lack tendrils. This is P. emarginata, a tree found in deciduous forests of Colombia. This one was cultivated in a glasshouse at RBG Kew. #Passifloraceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Many species of Selaginella (#Selaginellaceae) have two kinds of leaves (microphylls): Spreading, distichously arranged leaves and a second kind of leaf appressed to the stem. This is Selaginella picta. Classic #anisophylly! #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
October 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Many species of Selaginella (#Selaginellaceae) have two kinds of leaves (microphylls): Spreading, distichously arranged leaves and a second kind of leaf appressed to the stem. This is Selaginella picta. Classic #anisophylly! #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Flowers of Aristolochia are weird & wonderful. I find them irresistible. (Doesn’t everyone?) This is A. grandiflora, with its large, saxophone-shaped flowers, each with a long, tail-like lobe. #Aristolochiaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
December 29, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Flowers of Aristolochia are weird & wonderful. I find them irresistible. (Doesn’t everyone?) This is A. grandiflora, with its large, saxophone-shaped flowers, each with a long, tail-like lobe. #Aristolochiaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Hippeastrum calyptratum is a badass maverick among #Amaryllidaceae: Its flowers smell like a chemical factory & are pollinated by bats! 🦇 Oh, and it’s an epiphyte! 🤯📷: Victor Farjalla CC0. #BatWeek #TropicalBotany #epiphyte #botany 🌾🧪🌱
October 29, 2024 at 10:30 AM
Hippeastrum calyptratum is a badass maverick among #Amaryllidaceae: Its flowers smell like a chemical factory & are pollinated by bats! 🦇 Oh, and it’s an epiphyte! 🤯📷: Victor Farjalla CC0. #BatWeek #TropicalBotany #epiphyte #botany 🌾🧪🌱
Ficus pseudopalma is one of my favorites! It’s a Ficus that wants to be a palm. 😁 This unusual growth form has been called a Schopfbaum or tuft-tree. Those leaves are almost 1 m long. #Moraceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
August 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Ficus pseudopalma is one of my favorites! It’s a Ficus that wants to be a palm. 😁 This unusual growth form has been called a Schopfbaum or tuft-tree. Those leaves are almost 1 m long. #Moraceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Leaf gloss has not received much study from botanists. Why are some leaves glossy & others not? Does gloss have a function? Reflecting excess light? So many questions. An excellent example of ultra-glossy leaves is Garcinia aristata of Cuba & Hispaniola. #Clusiaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
November 5, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Leaf gloss has not received much study from botanists. Why are some leaves glossy & others not? Does gloss have a function? Reflecting excess light? So many questions. An excellent example of ultra-glossy leaves is Garcinia aristata of Cuba & Hispaniola. #Clusiaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
There are so many things I love about #Pandanaceae roots. Where to begin? Ok, sometimes they can look a bit rude (all part of the fun!), but they are fantastic for teaching about root caps. 📷: Pandanus utilis #TropicalBotany #Botany #PlantScience 🌾🧪
July 11, 2024 at 11:01 AM
There are so many things I love about #Pandanaceae roots. Where to begin? Ok, sometimes they can look a bit rude (all part of the fun!), but they are fantastic for teaching about root caps. 📷: Pandanus utilis #TropicalBotany #Botany #PlantScience 🌾🧪
Erbar et al. (2016), “Aristolochia species are generally assumed to be brood-site fraudsters [that] simulate carrion or fungi.” They look & smell like a good place to lay eggs & are pollinated by ovipositing flies. 📷: A. arborea, which mimics fungi. #TropicalBotany #Aristolochiaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
December 30, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Erbar et al. (2016), “Aristolochia species are generally assumed to be brood-site fraudsters [that] simulate carrion or fungi.” They look & smell like a good place to lay eggs & are pollinated by ovipositing flies. 📷: A. arborea, which mimics fungi. #TropicalBotany #Aristolochiaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Phyllanthus emblica produces edible fruits. They are greenish, about the size of ping-pong balls & have firm, crisp flesh around a single large seed. Dried fruits are available in large Asian groceries in my area. 📷: Vijay Anand Ismavel CCBYNC2. #Phyllanthaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
November 15, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Phyllanthus emblica produces edible fruits. They are greenish, about the size of ping-pong balls & have firm, crisp flesh around a single large seed. Dried fruits are available in large Asian groceries in my area. 📷: Vijay Anand Ismavel CCBYNC2. #Phyllanthaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Swietenia mahagoni (West Indian mahogany) has capsular fruits that break apart while still on the tree. They release winged seeds that spin to the ground, like seeds of Pinus (pine) or the fruit fragments (mericarps) of Acer (maple). #Meliaceae #dispersal #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
August 30, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Swietenia mahagoni (West Indian mahogany) has capsular fruits that break apart while still on the tree. They release winged seeds that spin to the ground, like seeds of Pinus (pine) or the fruit fragments (mericarps) of Acer (maple). #Meliaceae #dispersal #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Phyllanthus was once treated as yet another odd Euphorbiaceae. The unisexual flower & 3-part stigma fit, but they’re plesiomorphic*. We now place it in its own family, not esp. close to Euphorbiaceae. 📷: P. calycinus Philip Bouchard CCBYNCND2 #Phyllanthaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
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November 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Phyllanthus was once treated as yet another odd Euphorbiaceae. The unisexual flower & 3-part stigma fit, but they’re plesiomorphic*. We now place it in its own family, not esp. close to Euphorbiaceae. 📷: P. calycinus Philip Bouchard CCBYNCND2 #Phyllanthaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
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#Anacardiaceae are a worldwide family of woody plants, some of which (cashews, mangoes) are economically important. HT to Susan Pell & Matt on the In Defense of Plants podcast for reminding me that, until now, I’ve never devoted a week to this family. 📷: mangoes #tropicalbotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
March 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#Anacardiaceae are a worldwide family of woody plants, some of which (cashews, mangoes) are economically important. HT to Susan Pell & Matt on the In Defense of Plants podcast for reminding me that, until now, I’ve never devoted a week to this family. 📷: mangoes #tropicalbotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱