Tropical Plants of Costa Rica: A Guide to Native and Exotic Flora

Science News,  July 14, 2007  

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TROPICAL PLANTS OF COSTA RICA: A Guide to Native and Exotic Flora WILLOW ZUCHOWSKI

Did you know that the coffee plant has a relative with showy, bright-red flowers that's known as hot lips? Or that guava has been used to treat ailments such as diarrhea and dysentery? These two plants are among those described in this detailed field guide to tropical flora of Costa Rica--a small country that is home to more than 9,000 native plants. Zuchowski, a botanist and writer, profiles some of the Costa Rica's most common native and introduced species, paying particular attention to those in the Monteverde region. He organizes the plants into general categories, including painted treetops, roadside and garden ornaments, fruits and crops, and conspicuous grasses. Each entry includes a description of the plant, its English and Spanish common names when available, and information on flowering and fruiting, distribution, and related species. The introduction provides a how-to guide for observing plants as well as background information on Costa Rica and on conservation efforts under way to save the country's tropical forests. The book concludes with a glossary of botanical terms and a list of species by family. Zona Tropical, 2007, 529 p., color images, paperback, $35.00.

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