Challen Willemsen
Matilisguate
Tabebuia rosea is one of the best-known and prettiest trees in Guatemala, where it is known as “Matilisguate”. It belongs to the Bignoniaceae, a family of plants that includes Jacaranda mimosifolia and Tecoma stans, and is a native of the
Matilisguate
Tabebuia rosea is one of the best-known and prettiest trees in Guatemala, where it is known as “Matilisguate”. It belongs to the Bignoniaceae, a family of plants that includes Jacaranda mimosifolia and Tecoma stans, and is a native of the
Coryanthes speciosa
Members of the orchid genus Coryanthes are usually referred to as “bucket orchids”. Coryanthes speciosa is one of several Guatemalan species in the genus. It is a warm-growing epiphyte with deep grooves along its ovoid pseudobulbs, each of which bear two
Coryanthes speciosa
Members of the orchid genus Coryanthes are usually referred to as “bucket orchids”. Coryanthes speciosa is one of several Guatemalan species in the genus. It is a warm-growing epiphyte with deep grooves along its ovoid pseudobulbs, each of which bear two
Guachipilín
Diphysa robinioides, known as “Guachipilín” in Guatemala, is another of my favorite trees. It is a slow-growing species with deeply furrowed bark, pinnate leaves, and bright yellow flowers. It belongs to the bean family, Fabaceae, and is native to the
Guachipilín
Diphysa robinioides, known as “Guachipilín” in Guatemala, is another of my favorite trees. It is a slow-growing species with deeply furrowed bark, pinnate leaves, and bright yellow flowers. It belongs to the bean family, Fabaceae, and is native to the
Sobralia macrantha
Sobralia is a genus of over a hundred orchids native to the American tropics and subtropics. Most Sobralia specimens grow as terrestrials, but they occasionally germinate between tree branches, on humus deposits. Like most terrestrial orchids, Sobralias lack pseudobulbs. The
Sobralia macrantha
Sobralia is a genus of over a hundred orchids native to the American tropics and subtropics. Most Sobralia specimens grow as terrestrials, but they occasionally germinate between tree branches, on humus deposits. Like most terrestrial orchids, Sobralias lack pseudobulbs. The
Encyclia ambigua
This orchid is my favorite among the Guatemalan Encyclias. It grows as an epiphyte in Honduras, Guatemala and southern Mexico, in mid-altitude humid or dry oak forests. The plants look like most Encyclias – rounded pseudobulbs that taper to leaf-bearing
Encyclia ambigua
This orchid is my favorite among the Guatemalan Encyclias. It grows as an epiphyte in Honduras, Guatemala and southern Mexico, in mid-altitude humid or dry oak forests. The plants look like most Encyclias – rounded pseudobulbs that taper to leaf-bearing
Pachira aquatica
Pachira aquatica is the scientific name of the Zapotón, a beautiful native tree that grows in the Guatemalan lowlands and thrives around swamps, as its name implies. It is related to our national tree, Ceiba pentandra; Pachira was once classified
Pachira aquatica
Pachira aquatica is the scientific name of the Zapotón, a beautiful native tree that grows in the Guatemalan lowlands and thrives around swamps, as its name implies. It is related to our national tree, Ceiba pentandra; Pachira was once classified
Catasetum integerrimum
Catasetum integerrimum is an extraordinary orchid in many respects. Unlike the flowers of most plants, which bear both pistils and stamens, the flowers of Catasetum are either male or female: they produce either pollen or ovules, but never both. Furthermore,
Catasetum integerrimum
Catasetum integerrimum is an extraordinary orchid in many respects. Unlike the flowers of most plants, which bear both pistils and stamens, the flowers of Catasetum are either male or female: they produce either pollen or ovules, but never both. Furthermore,
Oncidium sphacelatum
Oncidium sphacelatum is a spectacular epiphytic orchid that can grow to be quite big, with a diameter of up to a few yards. As a mature plant is has large, oval pseudobulbs with two or three long, apical leaves, and
Oncidium sphacelatum
Oncidium sphacelatum is a spectacular epiphytic orchid that can grow to be quite big, with a diameter of up to a few yards. As a mature plant is has large, oval pseudobulbs with two or three long, apical leaves, and
Timboque
Tecoma stans is another of my favorite Guatemalan trees, and can be seen in bloom around the city (and the rest of the country) from November to January. It is a fast-growing tree that often grows in the full sun
Fig ~ Amate
Ficus is one of my favorite tree genera. It is a huge genus, made up of over 800 species. They are commonly called figs. They can be trees, bushes, or climbers. Many of them are epiphytes, at least for a
Fig ~ Amate
Ficus is one of my favorite tree genera. It is a huge genus, made up of over 800 species. They are commonly called figs. They can be trees, bushes, or climbers. Many of them are epiphytes, at least for a
green flowers and scented leaves 