Plants at the Lalo Loor Reserve
Orchids
Although the abundance of orchids in deciduous forests is lower than in wetter habitats,
our observations in a limited area in the Lalo Loor Dry Forest reserve indicate high
species diversity and suggest several areas for further study. During recent surveys
we found 27 species of orchids in at least 23 genera. Dimeranda rimbachii is
the most abundant epiphytic orchid at BSLL, growing on virtually every large canopy
tree, at least within the elevational range we sampled. Other abundant and widespread
species include Notylia sp., Catasetum expansum, Oncidium hyphaematicum
(left), and Lockhartia serra. Other species were found only in low numbers
or near the upper extent of our sample, such as Psychopsis kramerianum (right)
and Huntleya fasciata. Cattleya maxima and an Epidendrum
species were found growing at Punta Prieta, a private property about 10 km to the
south, but are likely also to occur at BSLL. As surveys becomes more exhaustive, we
hope to clarify these distribution patterns further. We also expect that a sampling
of the higher elevations will yield additional species, such as the Lycaste
and Sobralia species previously found during a survey by the National Herbarium
in a forest nearby. If you are interested, please view our current orchid
list.
Bromeliads and other Epiphytes
In
addition to orchids, the coastal dry forest is rich in other epiphytes (plants that
live on trees) such as bromeliads and aroids (Taro relatives). Epiphytes use a variety
of adaptations to survive the hot dry season, including using root or stem tissue
for storage. Perhaps the most famous example of this approach is the cactus, which
stores moisture in its spiny trunk (and there are epiphytic cacti!), but other plants
do the same: orchids use their pseudobulbs (swollen upper roots), while bromeliads
and aroids (pictured) collect leaf litter and moisture around their leaf bases. These
arboreal plants often are homes to many kinds of animals, such as frogs, which often
lay their eggs in bromeliad "tanks" when other water is not available.
Trees
Studies of the trees in the Lalo Loor reserve, by the National Herbarium in Quito,
have turned up some very surprising discoveries. Among these is Exothea paniculata
(Fam: Sapindaceae), which although not uncommon within the reserve, has 
never
been discovered elsewhere in Ecuador! In fact, the nearest record for this species
is over 1000 km away. Several other species either rare, or completely new to
science, also have been found in the reserve. The National Herbarium has established
two permanent 1-ha plots within the reserve, already exhaustively sampled, which will
be monitored year-round to track plant phenology: the pattern of fruiting and flowering
throughout the year.
Common to the region, particularly the southern and more dry portion of the Manabí
province, is the striking green giant Ceiba trichastandra. Spiny when young,
to prevent herbivores from damaging the trunk, this tree has green bark that is photosynthetically-active
even when the tree sheds its leaves in the dry season. Because of the height and enormous
weight of these trees, they develop buttresses near their bases that spread out and
help support their immense mass.
Also abundant in the reserve are a diverse assortment of palms. These include spiny
Bactris palms (used elsewhere as indigenous blowguns), towering Attalea
palms (whose fruits are sought by parrots and macaws), and the vegetable ivory palm
known as Tagua (nuts from which are fashioned into all manner of artesian
crafts).
