New Eco Reserve

[Jeff in St Pete]

Paradrymonia sp. - a sample of this was collected

The flowers

Monolena sp.

[Jeff in St Pete]

[Jeff in St Pete]

[Jeff in St Pete]

I think this was a species of Spathiphyllum? The plant was 5-6 feet tall, I've never seen one like this before.

The black thing hanging down is the spent flower.

Cecropia sp.

[Jeff in St Pete]

That's all the photos I took before my camera died.

[Jeff in St Pete]

Ornamental plant I found blooming

I found out yesterday that this is a species of Calathea that is just now being described. This one has ruffled leaves and the undersides are a reddish/purple color. Very nice ornamental plant!

[ariscott]

That Calathea is gorgeous, Jeff. You must've had fun exploring all these wonderful tropical stuff....

Regards, Ari

[Jeff in St Pete]

Hi Ari, I thought so too!

I had a blast yesterday (except for my camera dying on me). I was planning on spending the day at a local restaurant that has a Chili Cook-Off every October. But, when the opportunity came up to accompany a botonist while he collected herbarium specimens, I jumped at the chance and I missed the Chili Cook-Off!