Sightings of a world traveler: Orchids of Costa Rica (Winter 2012)

Orchids of Caribbean Costa Rica

Brassavola nodosa

The lady of the night is one of the most spectacular orchids that I saw in Costa Rica. Large epiphyte plants with large white and green flowers.

Brassavola nodosa

A similar looking orchid, Epidendrum parkinsonianum had a divided lip instead of a solid one. These were in various stages of blooming to seed pods the entire two weeks I was at Cano Palma research station (Nov 15th-30th).

Epidendrum parkinsonianum

The smallest flowering orchid I discovered on the east coast of Costa Rica was budding when I fist discovered it on Nov 18th. It was fully flowered within a few days.

Stelis sp.

The oddest orchid in the Cano Palma garden was Catasetum maculatum. With different male and female flowers the sexes appear to be different species all together. This male flower discovered while budding on Nov 20th took a long time to fully bloom, lasted a few days and was finished by the time we left on Nov 30th.

Catasetum maculatum

This unknown specie was quite small. Leaves were slender. Flower stalk was short and coming from the base of the leaf.

Unknown species of epiphytic orchid

This Epidendrum radicans was the second tallest orchid I saw in Costa Rica, topped only by the Bamboo Orchid which was often taller than me!

Epidendrum radicans

Trigonidium egertonianum was a very common species of orchid lining the canals and rivers in northeastern Costa Rica. The epiphyte has quite sizable plants with medium sized flowers.

Trigonidium egertonianum

Pleurothallis cf quadrifida

Pleurothallis cf grobyi or microphylla

There were many species that are VERY tiny and are beyond my current skill level to identify from photos and memory. The above species was the smallest leaved orchid I have seen in Costa Rica. The leaves being almost as long as the flowers and less than 1cm in length approximately.

Maxillariella variabilis

These two Maxillaria species were also fairly common and almost appear to be frequently 'planted' on trees since they were mostly found in populated areas with a lot of disturbance and light.

Christensonella uncata (Maxillaria u.)

Lockhartia amoena

Lockhartia amoena was one of my favorite species to watch bloom. Over the course of a few days the flower changed drastically in appearance.

Lockhartia amoena

A kayak trip down the canal of palms for an afternoon allowed me to find many orchids that were growing on the trees that were fallen over or leaning over the canal. These trees had a lot more light on them than the ones in the forest making this a great place for plants.

Epidendrum fragrans

This small pink orchid was the hardest one to photograph. I had to stand up in the kayak to get close enough to get a picture and even then I couldnt get a great look at the plant.

The species which I identified as Epidendrum cf rigidum was found alongside many other orchids but only on a few trees.

Epidendrum cf rigidum

The orchid named after a famous fictional owl (from Harry Potter)... Or maybe the other way around? No idea just liked the name.

Mormolyca hedwigiae (Maxillaria hedwigiae)

Orchids of Monte Verde

Pleurothallis cf rowleei

Monteverde is no doubt one of the must see places in Costa Rica for orchid lovers. The park boasts ridiculous numbers of orchid diversity and I do not doubt it at all. Many Pleurothallis sp. were blooming along the trails.

Pleurothallis cf cardiothallis or oncoglossa

Even the small orchid garden near the front gates was very impressive. These four species were the most interesting of the ones in flower at the time.

Epidendrum sp.

Masdevallia cf chontalensis

Epidendrum cf parviexasperatum

Orchids of Santa Elena

Pleurothallis sp. with seed pod

A growing seed pod is always a good sign of a healthy plant that not only met the conditions to flower but is also getting enough energy and nutrients to reproduce.