|
| |
Heliconias in Costa Rica |
|
| Click on images to enlarge, allow your system to download web pages from our site. |
| |
We find in Costa Rica at least 44 species of Heliconias |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Heliconias used to live nicely in that former continent named Godwana that joined what is now Africa and South America, then it split and somehow mostly all of them stayed in this side what is now Central and South America, while many of their relatives -zingiber- stayed in the other side (Africa and south East Asia). |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
While here, the heliconias established a strong relationship with hummingbirds. |
|
| |
This alliance helped both groups; heliconias are strictly hummingbird pollinated plants therefore their bright colors; to attract the hummingbirds. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
This is what is called in biology co evolution: two families evolved together upon mutual cooperation. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Interesting while you travel through Costa Rica is to observe this bright colorful floral apparatus that look like petals but they are not, they are modified leaves also named bracts, this is an adaptation to the environment, this modified leaves are resistant to strong rainfall, while if you observe much closer you will find a true tiny flower usually white surrounded by this bracts. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Recent studies have proved that artificially feeding hummingbirds makes more damage to them than benefits, so, a true naturalist bird watcher traveling to Costa Rica will reject artificial feeders and will appreciate more to observe hummingbirds feeding in their natural environment. |
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
Try visiting Costa Rica with us and enjoy a great true heliconia experience, we will visit the right places where we may find these and some more species, you may check our |
|
| |
list of species doing click here... |
or find more... |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
