This page loads
slowly due to
many med
quality photos.
slowly due to
many med
quality photos.
 |
| THIS PAGE ADDED TO SITE 30/09 AND WILL BE REMOVED BY 20/10/05 |
Panama 2004 Expedition
Bastimentos Z. neurophyllidia secondary growth with 7 male heads! Al were from a previously cut trunk. Note the bog floor
In this small area, 7 plants are visible, and all were secondary growths! Apparently common all over Isla Bastimentos.
This Bastimentos Z neurophyllidia cone had a very long stem, owing the profusion of vines growing across the top of the
cycad's stem. Could not detect any bright red on upper portion, as might have been expected.
cycad's stem. Could not detect any bright red on upper portion, as might have been expected.
This Bastimentos Z neurophyllidia female cone was a beautiful display. Sadly, was so dark my shutter speed was too slow to
stop my body motion.
stop my body motion.
Departing Nutivi, we headed inland from Rio Cricamola towards Quebrada Bisira. Much of the camino was marshy and
boggy. Owing the high humidity and temps of 30 to 33C, we were constantly drenched as we tred our way.
boggy. Owing the high humidity and temps of 30 to 33C, we were constantly drenched as we tred our way.
Amazing that after an hour of walking we still were encountering banana plantations. We wondered where and how they
took their product to markets. Greg is obviously showing signs of the heat and humidity on our Zamia skinneri quest.
took their product to markets. Greg is obviously showing signs of the heat and humidity on our Zamia skinneri quest.
A long the steep banks of Quebrada Bisira Greg found this magnificent Z skinneri specimen. Photo taken from a second
plant a bit higher up, albeit the dark area caused a slow shutter speed and some movement. The trunk of this one was
easily about 7 feet or 2.5 mtr tall.
plant a bit higher up, albeit the dark area caused a slow shutter speed and some movement. The trunk of this one was
easily about 7 feet or 2.5 mtr tall.
Mauticio was our host in Bisira, a most amiable gentleman who also spent the afternoon while we went to Nutivi searching
and locating two specimens Z skinneri near Bisira proper.
and locating two specimens Z skinneri near Bisira proper.
Mauricio's children. He was striving to educate them in botany and biological elements with a dictionary and one small
booklet on biology. Our next trip up will take him some additional texts and books for their training. They all showed keen
interest on our Z skinneri plant samples and explanations of what we seeking.
booklet on biology. Our next trip up will take him some additional texts and books for their training. They all showed keen
interest on our Z skinneri plant samples and explanations of what we seeking.
The main pathway through Bisira. The newer casa on the right is Mauricio's and where we stayed the night. An early AM
rain had ceased and the haet and humidity was rising fast.
rain had ceased and the haet and humidity was rising fast.
Along the banks of Rio Cricamola, palms were in numerous quantities and varieties. We attempted to collect seeds from
the two just left of center; but, were either too green or well beyond use and quite decayed within.
the two just left of center; but, were either too green or well beyond use and quite decayed within.
Beneath the palm's canopy, the seed pod displays were at the junctions between old trunk and the smooth new growth
area. The seeds were sadly either very green or well-beyond use, as quite decayed within the seed cover.
area. The seeds were sadly either very green or well-beyond use, as quite decayed within the seed cover.
This lone palm stuck out like a sore thumb as we started our trek up Rio Cricamola. On our return, we found other
specimens also (re previous photo).
specimens also (re previous photo).
Punta Valiente provided a nice surprise, as the few plants found were virtually identical to those of other Z neurophyllidia
From the small stream bed, above the pair of gloves is the entry we went up into the jungle. Several specimens were
located along this sector within the mid-section vertically. Quite dense (as seen in previous photo) and steep. There were
reports that the plants were in various locales in the area.
located along this sector within the mid-section vertically. Quite dense (as seen in previous photo) and steep. There were
reports that the plants were in various locales in the area.
Punta Valiente shows considerable promise for more locales where our plants may be. Our initial survey was to the right of
this photo. This hill is about 200 mtr in height, whereas the hill on which we were searching was about 45 mtr at highest.
The intrusion into this forest is less than the lower altitude where we searched. This area we learned later is under the
Smith clan's ownership, and have received both their and the local Cacique's permission to search for plants.
this photo. This hill is about 200 mtr in height, whereas the hill on which we were searching was about 45 mtr at highest.
The intrusion into this forest is less than the lower altitude where we searched. This area we learned later is under the
Smith clan's ownership, and have received both their and the local Cacique's permission to search for plants.
