4 facts
Encyclia cochleata, commonly known as the Black Orchid, is renowned for its unique appearance, featuring sepals and petals that are greenish-yellow and a lip that is nearly black. It thrives in the country's humid, tropical climate.
These distinctive trees are naturally shaped by the constant trade winds blowing from the northeast across the island. Their trunks and branches grow at a permanent angle, serving as a natural compass for visitors.
Known as the "Wood Wide Web," mycorrhizal fungi connect tree roots, allowing them to share water, nutrients, and even warning signals about insect infestations or diseases. This complex symbiotic relationship supports forest health.
Pineapples are terrestrial bromeliads that grow as a flowering plant from the soil, producing a single fruit in the center. After the first fruit, smaller suckers can be propagated to grow new plants.