Chapter 3 of 14 · 3131 words · ~16 min read

III.

CHARACTER OF VEGETATION.

This chapter I begin with a phyto-geographical classification given by Dr. Carl Hoffman and published in Bonplandia in 1858. He distinguishes:

First.—Coast regions (sea shores and salt swamps).

Second.—Regions of tropical forests and savannas, stretching from the coast regions to a height of 900 meters.

Third.—Regions of high plains, lying between 900 to 1500 meters of elevation.

Fourth.—Region of upper tropical forests, situated between 1500 to 2150 meters of altitude.

Fifth.—Region of oaks, from 2150 to 2750 meters in height.

Sixth.—Region of chaparrales, from 2750 to 3050 meters up.

Seventh.—Region of subalpine or subandine flora, from 3050 meters up to the tops of the high mountains.

Dr. Polakowsky enumerates cultivated lands, virgin forests, open forests and savannas.

Another division is given by Dr. Moritz Wagner. He mentions a littoral (as appears on next page) zone, a tropical forest zone and a zone of savannas.

He also distinguishes on the volcano of Chiriqui the following successive regions:

First.—Regions of evergreen forest trees and palms, bananas, Araceæ, etc., to a height of 550 meters, with an average temperature of 26° to 24° C.

Second.—Region of tree ferns and mountain orchids, from 550 to 1220 meters, with an average temperature of 23° to 18° C.

Third.—Region of Rosaceæ, Senecionodeæ, Gramineæ and Agave americana, from 1220 to 1585 meters.

Fourth.—Region of Cupuliferæ and Betulaceæ, mostly oaks and alders, from 1585 to 3050 meters.

Fifth.—Higher region above 3050 meters.

Dr. Wagner calls special attention to a noted uniformity of the flora on the coasts of both oceans, and Professor Pittier affirms that the vegetation between Colon and Greytown on one side, and between Panama and San Juan del Sur on the other side, is remarkably uniform. The littoral zone has a width of about four maritime miles. The predominating flora is composed of _Rhizophora mangle_, _Hippomane mancinella_, _Cocos nucifera_, _Chrysobalanus icaco_, _Crescentia cujete_, _Acacia spadicigera_, _Cæsalpinia bonducella_ and other _Leguminosæ_; _Acrostichum aureum_, _Ipomœa pescapræ_, _Avicennia nitida_, _Uniola Pittierii_ and also _Euphorbiaceæ_, etc.

The zone of tropical forests shows, especially on the Atlantic side behind the coast region, a strip of from twenty to twenty-two miles in width, with lofty trees of _Rubiaceæ_, _Myrtaceæ_, _Melastomaceæ_, _Sterculiaceæ_, _Euphorbiaceæ_, _Meliaceæ_, _Urticaceæ_, _Moraceæ_, _Anacardiacæ_, _Sapindaceæ_, _Leguminosæ_ and _Palmæ_. It is relatively free from ligneous undergrowth, having more monocotyledonous plants, such as _Cycadeæ_, _Scitamineæ_, _Cannaceæ_, _Marantaceæ_, _Cyperaceæ_, _Filices_ and _Bromeliaceæ_, underneath. The latter orders figure, also with _Orchideæ_ and _Loranthaceæ_ among the epiphytes and parasites which cover the trees. Among the most characteristic plants of this region we name the coyol palm (_Acrocomia_), corozo (_Attalea cohune_), biscoyol (_Bactris horrida_), palmiche (_Elæis melanococca_) and _Raphia nicaraguensis_ which forms almost forests along the River San Juan; further, _Tecoma pentaphylla_, _Bombax ceiba_, _Eriodendron_, _Spondias_, _Croton gossypifolius_, _Hymenæa courbaril_, rubber trees (_Castilloa costaricencis_ and _C. elastica_), _Geoffræa superba_, _Simaba cedron_, species of _Enterolobium_, _Cæsalpinia_, _Liquidambar_, _Copaifera_, _Cedrela_, _Swietenia_, _Sapota_, _Pithecolobium_, _Palicourea_, _Cinchona_, _Piper_, _Ficus_, _Cecropia_; still further, smilax, vanilla, etc. Many of these characteristic plants are largely social, such as the piper, ferns, palms and others.

Moritz Wagner states that all along the southern limits of Costa Rica a likeness of climatic and geological conditions gives to the vegetation a nearly uniform character, while further northward a notable contrast is observed between the Atlantic and Pacific slopes of the mountain groups and on the interior terrace lands. The Atlantic slope, with more constant humidity of air, is characterized by vast, dense, evergreen, virgin forests, while the Pacific lands, with a relatively dry climate and rainless summer, present more open forests and savannas, with many deciduous trees and shrubs. However, deep river valleys and some slopes near the water-shed have dense, evergreen forests, and their vegetation does not differ much from that of the Atlantic slope. The flora of the high terrace lands has been so altered by thorough cultivation as to have almost lost its original character.

The Atlantic virgin forests, as well as those in the region of the San Juan River and of Lake Nicaragua, which comprise two-thirds of Costa Rican territory, show such a dense vegetation that its interior can be penetrated almost only by way of the rivers, and its general character and its enormous extension be studied only from high mountains. Owing to the very mountainous character of the country, over half of its area lies between 900 and 2100 meters above the sea, and is almost wholly covered with virgin forest. This forest here and there ascends still higher, reaching the upper limit of the oak region about 2700 meters above the sea.

Dr. Polakowsky, in an interesting publication entitled “Flora of Costa Rica,” calls the forest region of the San Juan River, in view of its luxuriant character, “The Central American Hylæa,” and this name Professor Pittier applies also to the entire Atlantic region, attributing to it a distinctly South American character.

The zone of the open forests and savannas, which has park-like features, is rarely found away from the Pacific side, where it forms a belt from sixteen to eighteen miles in width, interspersed with more densely forested river valleys, islands of higher and thicker virgin forests, isolated trees or groups of trees, sometimes also with _catingas_ and meadows flecked with shrubs and matorrales.

The savannas and open forests spread to a considerable extent over Guanacaste, where they are a continuation of those of Rivas in Nicaragua; also over the plains of Terraba, especially in the region of Buenos Aires and Terraba; and over the coast-lands of Golfo Dulce. There are some small similar tracts near Alajuela, Turialba, Santa Clara and at some other points, as well as catingas and _paramos_ in the high mountain ridges of the south. The paramos are found on poor soil and have a vegetation more herbaceous than ligneous, which, when moist, takes on the character of turf.

The trees of the savannas are generally of little height, excepting the _Enterolobium cyclocarpum_ (the guanacaste), the pochote and ceiba. The grass lands are almost wholly composed of _Gramineæ_ and _Cyperaceæ_, especially in the savannas of Guanacaste. The most characteristic plants are _Digitaria marginata_ and _Paspalum notatum_, besides species of _Setaria_, _Panicum_, _Eragrostis_, _Andropogon_, _Isolepis_, _Cyperus_, _Rhynchospora_ and _Scleria_, as well as of ferns (_Pteris aquilina_) and _Schizæa occidentalis_.

Other abundant plants in the open forests and savannas are _Compositæ_ (_Zemenia_, _Pectis_, _Spilanthes_); _Rubiaceæ_ (_Spermacoce_); _Polygalaceæ_; _Iridaceæ_; _Moraceæ_ (_Maclura_, _Ficus_); _Melastomaceæ_ (_Miconia_, _Clidemia_, _Conostegia_, _Leandra_); _Cyperaceæ_; _Convolvulaceæ_; _Euphorbiaceæ_; _Bombacaceæ_; _Sauvagesia_. Further, _Myrtaceæ_ (_Psidium_, _Alibertia edulis_); _Curatella americana_ (chamico); _Roupala_ (danto hedliondo); _Byrsonima crassifolia_ (nance); _Miconia argentea DC._ (santa maria); guacimo macho (_Luhea_), guacimo de ternero (_Guazuma ulmifolia_); burio (_Bombax apeiba_); ñambar (_Cocobola_); _Davilla lucida_; _Duranta Plumieri_; _Proteaceæ_; and _Acacia scleroxyla Lonchocarpus atropurpureus,_ _Dalbergia_ and many other _Leguminosæ_, especially _Mimosa pudica_, which gives large tracts in many places a special character, and still more so as, being often very abundant and the plants tangled together, a general movement all around is caused when one is touched.

Among the epiphytes and parasites may be mentioned small ferns, _Peperomia_, _Epidendrum_, _Loranthus_, _Aroideæ_, _Tillandsia_ and other _Bromeliaceæ_, mosses, lichens, etc.

Professor Pittier attributes to this flora of the Pacific slope a more northern origin.

During the dry season the vegetation of the savannas almost disappears, the greater part of the trees and bushes shed their leaves and herbs become dry and brittle. Only along the rivers is some freshness observable. Toward the border of Nicaragua cacti appear, mostly species of _Cereus_, _Opuntia_, _Phypsalis_ and _Mammilaria_. Professor Pittier also mentions an oak forest of _Quercus citrifolia_ between Liberia and the Rio de los Ahogados, at a height of about one hundred meters above the sea. The peninsula of Nicoya is noted for a large lumber industry among its different cedars (_Cedro dulce_, _C. amargo_, _C. real_, etc.), mora and other trees. Towards the upper limits of the Atlantic tropical forests, below the oak region, _Chamædorea_, _Geonoma_, _Bactris_, _Euterpe longepetiolata_ and other palms of the same groups, as well as _Gulielma utilis_ (the pijivalle palm) and _Carludovica microphylla_ are seen in great abundance, mixed with tree ferns like _Alsophylla pruinata_, _Hemitelia horrida_, _Hemitelia grandifolia_, etc. Higher up appears the region of oaks, principally _Quercus retusa_, _Quercus granulata_, _Quercus citrifolia_ and _Quercus costaricensis_, with _Buddleia alpina_, _Rubus_, _Lupinus_, etc. Here is also the region of the common potato. This oak region slopes gradually down from east to west. The vegetation on the summits of the high mountains of Costa Rica is of a marked subalpine character, having a great number of northern genera, as _Vaccinium_, _Pernettya_, _Alchemilla_, _Cardamine_, _Calceolaria_, _Spiræa_, etc.

Certain types of vegetation are often more due to the sterile nature of the soil than to elevation.

Although a northern flora is frequent on the high terraces of San José and Cartago, that character is not general because of the introduction of cultivated tropical and other plants peculiar to Costa Rica.

On the southern high mountains two species of _Podocarpus_ (_P. taxifolia_ and _P. salicifolia_), one of _Alnus_ (_Alnus Mirbelii Spach._) and one of _Weinmannia_ occur quite generally among the oak forests. Other distinct floral groups are represented by the vegetation along roads and fences, on potreros, in cultivated regions and along river shores. The latter especially are rich in herbaceous plants, grasses, bushes and woods of _Bignoniaceæ_, _Myrtaceæ_, _Euphorbiaceæ_, _Mimoseæ_, etc.

The potreros are characterized by _Tagetes_, _Sida_, _Hyptis, olanum_, _Salvia_, _Mimosa pudica_ and _M. sensitiva_, etc. Along fences there grow nearly everywhere _Erythrina corallodendron_, _Yucca aloifolia_, _Bromelia pinguin_, _Agave americana_, _Cereus_, _Spondias_, _Bursera_, _Cestrum_, etc.

Prominent characteristic plants, besides the already mentioned species and genera, are the _Piperaceæ_ and _Melastomaceæ_; further, species of _Iriartea_, _Bactris_ and _Raphia_ of the palm order, and _Alsophylla_, _Schizæa occidentalis_ and _Pteris aquilina_ of the ferns; still further _Castilloa costaricana_, _Gunnera insignis_, _Ochroma lagopus_, _Gliciridia_, _Inga edulis_, _Chusquea maurofernandeziana_, _Erythrina corallodendron_, _Drymis Winterii Forst._, _Acacia Farnesiana_, etc.

The passage from one flora to another is one of insensible gradations. Cultivated lands, as already stated, do not show any longer the original vegetation.

The plants which are now mostly cultivated are: _Coffea arabica_ (coffee), _Saccharum officinarum_ (sugar cane), _Zea mays_ (corn), _Musa paradisiaca_ and _Musa sapientium_ (bananas), _Phaseolus_ (beans), _Oryza sativa_ (rice), _Solanum tuberosum_ (potato), _Nicotiana tabacum_ (tobacco), _Batatas dulcis_ (sweet potato), _Lycopersicum esculentum_ and _Lycopersicum Humboldtii_ (tomatoes), _Capsicum annuum_ (chile), _Ananas sativa_ (pine-apple), _Carica papaya_ (papaya), _Persea gratissima_ (aguacate), _Anona cherimolia_ (cherimoya), _Manihot aipi_ and _Manihot utilissima_ (yucca or mandioca), _Indigofera anil_ (indigo), _Gossypium barbadense_ (cotton), _Cichorium Intyous_ (chicory), _Asparagus officinalis_ (asparagus), _Psidium guava_ (guayaba), _Mammea americana_ (mamey), _Theobroma cacao_ (cacao), etc.

Before giving the lists of the woods, tannings, dyeings, gums, balsams, resins, rubber, waxes, textile and medicinal plants, oils and oil seeds, etc., of Costa Rica, it is advantageous to research to name those collectors and scientists who, having traveled through Costa Rica or established themselves there, have especially contributed to the knowledge of the natural resources of the country. They are Professor H. Pittier, A. S. Oersted, Dr. C. Hoffmann, Dr. H. Polakowsky, Dr. M. Wagner, Captain J. Donnel Smith, C. Warszewicz, Neudland, A. Tonduz, P. Biolley, Dr. A. von Frantzius, Dr. Franc Kuntze, Professor W. M. Gabb, José C. Zeledón, Anastasio Alfaro, Juan J. Cooper, and Bishop Bernardo Augusto Thiel, D. D.

Native Names of the Woods of Costa Rica.

Acacia, Aceituno, Aceituno blanco, Aguacate blanco, Aguacatillo, Aguilla, Algarroba, Almendro, Alvahaquilla, Amapola, Amarillo, Anona colorado, Anonilla, Anono, Arco, Arbol colorado, Arbol de la leche, Aromo, Arrayan, Asca, Avellano, Aya, Aya blanco, Aya colorado, Azaharillo, Azulillo.

Balsa, Balsamito, Balsamo, Balsamo negro, Barillo, Bateo, Berenjena, Brasil moral, Brasil negro, Brazil, Brazil de clavo, Brazil nacar, Burio, Burillo.

Cachimbo, Cacique, Cacique amarillo, Cacique pardo, Caimito, Camibar, Campana, Campanilla, Cañafistola, Canasto, Canela or Canelon, Canjura, Cantarillo, Caobana, Copalillo, Capulin, Caragua, Carao macho, Carao silvestre, Carboncillo, Carbon fino, Carne, Caroto, Cas, Cascarillo, Casco-cafe, Castaño, Castorcillo, Cedro amargo, Cedro blanco, Cedro caoba leon, Cedro cirrus, Cedro claro, Cedro cubano, Cedro dulce, Cedro dulce claro, Cedro dulce-ondulado, Cedro jaspeado, Cedro macho, Cedron, Cedro naranjeña, Cedro ondulado, Cedro pochote, Ceiba, Cerillo, Cerro, Chancho, Chaparro, Cherre, Chaperno, Chaperno amarillo, Chaperno blanco, Chaperno veteado, Chavecho, Chicha, Chilamate, Chile, Chilillo, Chirraca, Cirri, Clavellina, Cobola, Cocobola, Cocobola ñambar, Cocora, Colloso, Comenegro de monte, Conchudo, Copal, Copalchi, Copalite verde, Copulchin, Copulchin blanco, Coquito, Corazon, Corazon de leon, Cordoncillo, Carnezuelo, Corteza, Corteza amarilla, Corteza blanca, Corteza de venado, Corteza negra, Cristal, Cristobal, Cuajiniquil, Cuascua, Cucaracho, Culebra, Cura, Curacha.

Damas, Dantisco, Danto, Danto amarillo, Danto barcino, Danto blanco, Danto hedliondo.

Encino roble, Escoba, Escobillo, Escobo, Esparei, Espavel, Espino blanco.

Flor blanca, Flor de aroma, Frijolillo, Fruta de pava, Fubus, Furru, Fustete.

Gavilan colorado, Gavilan, Gavilancillo, Gallinazo, Genizaro, Golondrino, Guachazo negro, Guachipilin, Guachipilin claro, Guachipilin oscuro, Guachi raton, Guacimo, Guacimo amarillo, Guacimo blanco, Guacimo macho, Guacimo monillo, Guacimo ternero, Guanacaste, Guapinol, Guapinol tierno, Guatil or Jagua, Guavo, Guavo silvestre, Guayabillo, Guayabito, Guayacan, Guayacan amarillo, Guayacan de costa, Guayacan oscuro, Guayavo, Güitite.

Habilla, Haya, Higuera, Hormigo, Huesillo, Hule.

Ira, Ira amarillo, Ira blanco, Ira bofo, Ira colorado, Ira mangle, Ira, rosa.

Jaboncillo, Jamaico, Jaul, Jicaro, Jiñocuave, Jobo, Jorobado, Juaquiniquil.

Lagartillo, Lagarto, Lagarto amarillo, Lagarto negro, Landal, Lentisco, Lentisco oscuro, Laurel barcino, Laurel claro, Laurel espino, Laurel negro, Laurel oscuro, Laurel pardo, Laurel veteado, Llema de huevo, Lliguatil, Lloro, Lloron, Lloron puire, Lope, Lorito.

Madera de hierro, Madera negra, Maderon, Madroño blanca, Madroño corteza, Madroño de comer, Makenge, Malacahuite, Malacahuite blanca, Mangle, Mangle morigüite, Manglero, Mango, Mano, Manzana rosa, Manzanillo, Marañon, Maria, Mario, Mastate, Mastatillo, Mayo, Melon, Molenillo, Mora decipina, Moral blanco, Moral leonado, Moral listado, Moral negro, Morante, Mora punteado, Morate, Mora tinta, Muñeco, Muñeco macho, Murta.

Ñambar negro, Nance, Nance tricore, Nancite, Nancite colorado, Naranjillo, Naranjito, Nispero amarillo, Nispero colorado, Nispero espino, Nispero negro.

Ocotillo, Ojoche, Olmo.

Pacaya, Pacaya baton, Palanco amarillo, Palanco nudoso, Palma, Palma de mano, Palma real, Palmiche, Palo azul, Palo de sal, Palo frio, Palo jabon, Papaturro blanco, Papaturro negro, Papayo almendro, Papelillo, Paraiso, Pastora, Pava, Pava macho, Pavilla veteado, Peine de mico, Pejivalle, Piedrilla, Pipa or Mora blanco, Plomillo, Pocara, Pochote, Poro cerrado, Poroporo, Pure.

Quajiniquil, Quiebracha colorado, Quiebra hacha, Quina, Quita calzon, Quitirri, Quizarra amarillo, Quizarra baboso, Quizarra bofo, Quizarracillo, Quizarra clara, Quizarra barcii, Quizarra ira, Quizarra negro, Quizarra quina, Quizarra zopilote.

Ramal, Raspaguacal, Raton, Raton blanco, Ratoncillo, Resino, Roble, Roble angular, Roble de la laguna, Roble de sabana, Roble encino, Ronron, Ronron veteado.

Sabino, Sandalo, Sangre de toro, Sangre de drago, San Juan, San Juan dulce, San Juanillo, Sierrillo, Siete cueros, Siete cueros machos, Simaruba, Sirri, Siva, Sota caballo.

Tamarindo, Targua, Ticuarri, Tirra, Torco, Tres huevos, Tuiquisirrie.

Uiscoyol or Viscoyol, Uruca or Teregre.

Varablanca, Viscoyol (palm).

Yabo, Yabo blanco, Yas, Yocote iguana, Yos.

Zapote mico, Zapotillo, Zapotillo danto, Zenicero, Zenicero-ocre, Zorillo.

Native Names of the Medicinal Plants of Costa Rica.

Acedera, Agra, Ajo, Alcornoque, Albahaca, Alcotan, Algabia, Algabia or Abelmoscus, Almendro (Papayo colorado), Almendrillo aromatico, Alucema, Amapola, Anisillo, Anona, Anonillo, Apasote, Apasote de mexico, Artemisa.

Balsamito, Balsamo copal, Balsamo negro, Barbasco, Barbas ilote (Cabello de maiz), Borraja.

Cacao gigante, Camibar, Campanilla blanca, Canchalagua, Canchillo, Candelillo, Canela, Caña gigantea, Caña agria, Caña fistula, Capitana, Capitaneja, Carao, Cardo santo amarillo, Cardo santo blanco, Chamomila, Cola de alacran, Contrayerba, Copal, Copalchi, Copalchi guisarra, Copey, Cordoncillo, Cornezuelo, Croton, Cucanillo, Culantrillo.

Doradilla.

Eneldo, Escoba blanca, Escorzonera, Esparto.

Fierrito, Frutas de cornezuela.

Guacamayo, Guachara, Guacimo negro, Guaco, Guaco redondo (vine), Guas molenillo, Guanacaste, Guapinol, Guayacan amarillo, Guarumo, Guizaro.

Higuerilla, Hanojo, Hojasen, Hombre grande.

Inga carao, Ipecacuanha.

Jabillo, Jabon vegetal, Jinote terebinto, Jobo amarillo, Jiquaitil, Juanilama.

Laurel real, Lechuguilla or Carraja, Lengua de ciervo, Lengua de vaca, Liquidambar, Llanten, Lombricero.

Majaguilla, Malva, Manzanilla, Marango, Marañon, Matasano, Mejorana, Meloncillo, Michoacan, Mozote de caballo.

Naranja, Naranja agria, Nuez moscada.

Ojoche macho, Ojoche rojo, Oregomo, Orosus, Ortiga.

Palo leche, Paraiso, Petrona, Peine de mico, Pichichio solano, Pie de venado, Platanillo, Pochoche macho, Polipodio.

Quina, Quina colorado, Quassia hombre grande.

Raiz de toro, Reina de la noche, Romero, Ruda, Ruibarbo.

Sacaguacal, Sacate limon, Sagu, Salvia, Samo, Sangre de drago colorado, Sangre de toro, Sarsaparilla, Sanco, Sensitiva, Simaba cedron, Simaruba, Suelda con suelda.

Tamarindo, Tapate, Tarsana, Tiguilote, Tuete.

Uña de gato.

Valeriana, Vainilla, Velvet, Venado, Verbena, Vetiver, Viborana.

Yerba buena, Yerba culebra, Yerba mora, Yerba té, Yerba tora.

Zacate de limon, Zacate de olor, Zarza, Zarzon, Zenizero, Zarzaparilla, Zorrillo.

Native Names of Costa Rican Tanning and Dyeing Plants.

-----------------+------------+--------------------- Name. | Commercial | Use. | Part. | -----------------+------------+--------------------- Achiote | Seed | Dyeing. Aguacate | Seed | Tanning. Añil | Extract | Dyeing. Brazil | Wood | ” Catazin | Wood | ” Encino blanco | Bark | Tanning. Encino colorado | Bark | ” Gavilan | Bark | ” Guanacaste | Bark | ” Guanacaste | Fruit | Dyeing and tanning. Mangle | Bark | ” ” ” Mora | Wood | Dyeing. Nacascolo | Fruit | Dyeing and tanning. Nancite | Bark | ” ” ” Ojo de venado | Seed | Dyeing. Ratoncillo | Bark | Tanning. Sacatinta | Plant | Dyeing. Sangre de drago | Sap | ” Yuquilla | Root | ” -----------------+------------+---------------------

Native Names of Costa Rican Gums, Resins, Rubber, Etc.

Native Names of Costa Rican Oilseeds.

Almendro, Algodon, Ajonjoli, Biscoyol, Coco, Colza, Coyol, Coquito, Corozo, Cacahuete, Higuerilla, Lino.

Native Names of Costa Rican Textile Plants.