Flower Photos from Costa Rica

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By Randy M.

Enjoy the beauty of Costa Rica by seeing the flowers! There is an astounding variety of species showing many different flower shapes and colors. Going to a tropical garden is a must, and there are many of those here for visitors to see. You can also observe native plants and the variety that exists in the tropical and tropical dry forest regions, like in the Guanacaste province. There you can see several tree species blooming during the dry season. It is also interesting to go for walks in reserve areas to see the different types of flowering plants in their natural setting.

In this colorful article, there are 18 photos and one video that show the amazing variety of tropical flowers that can be found in gardens and the wild. In the video, there are also photos of several butterflies and moths on the flowers. Go to the end of this article to see the video.

In the photos, the identity of some of the flowers and plants are not given because I just don't know the names. It is not because I haven't looked. If anyone can help me in this regard, please let me know in the comments section so I can add more information. Also, If anyone is interested in purchasing copies of these photos, I am willing to sell in a large format, which would be suitable for calendars, wall prints and more. For almost all of the photos below, they are reduced to 800 x 600 pixels from the originals that are large format files. I can do a calendar of the photos as well.

The first section includes plants for which I don't know the names. Most of them are of wild plants found in the forests of Guanacaste province. The settings range from near the volcanoes Miravalles and Rincon de la Vieja, north to a zone near the Santa Rosa National Park, south of Liberia and along the beaches of the Pacific.

Unknown Flowers - Help Me Identify Them!

Taken from the hills above Playa Arellana, a popular surfing beach.
See all 18 photos
Taken from the hills above Playa Arellana, a popular surfing beach.
Source: Randy M.
Flower from a ground vine that is a common weed, but it is simply elegant. Photo taken south of Liberia.
Flower from a ground vine that is a common weed, but it is simply elegant. Photo taken south of Liberia.
Source: Randy M.
The exotic flower of a vine that was climbing up the tree whose flower is immediately below. Photo taken at Las Hornillas crater.
The exotic flower of a vine that was climbing up the tree whose flower is immediately below. Photo taken at Las Hornillas crater.
Source: Randy M.
The flower of a small tree. The vine tip is part of the plant that made the unusual flower in the photo above.
The flower of a small tree. The vine tip is part of the plant that made the unusual flower in the photo above.
Source: Randy M.

Unusual Flower Types

The odd beauty of these flowers make them fascinating. The pittaya flower is reminiscent of the alien Triffid plants, that were in the 1962 sci-fi film, "Day of the Triffids."

Pitaya (Stenocereus queretaroensis) cactus flower which only opens at night for bats and moths to pollinate. The fruit makes a delicious cod drink. Location: Between Caas Dulce and Buena Vista in Guanacaste
Pitaya (Stenocereus queretaroensis) cactus flower which only opens at night for bats and moths to pollinate. The fruit makes a delicious cod drink. Location: Between Caas Dulce and Buena Vista in Guanacaste
Source: Randy M.
Pitaya bud before opening. It is very common to see pitaya growing on rock walls.
Pitaya bud before opening. It is very common to see pitaya growing on rock walls.
Source: Randy M.
Jicaro (calabash tree, Crescentia alata) flowers. The jicaro makes gourd-like fruit all along the trunk. These jicaro gourds can be decorated or used as drinking vessels. The gourds can get as large as 7-8 inches in diameter, but they are more com
Jicaro (calabash tree, Crescentia alata) flowers. The jicaro makes gourd-like fruit all along the trunk. These jicaro gourds can be decorated or used as drinking vessels. The gourds can get as large as 7-8 inches in diameter, but they are more com
Source: Randy M.
Commonly known as labios de puta (Psychotria poeppigiana), this flower can be found on treks in the wild in mountainous forests and it can also be in tropical gardens.
Commonly known as labios de puta (Psychotria poeppigiana), this flower can be found on treks in the wild in mountainous forests and it can also be in tropical gardens.
Source: Randy M.
Brugmansia suaveolens, which has leaves with psychotropic substances as do other species of this genus. This is a common garden plant.
Brugmansia suaveolens, which has leaves with psychotropic substances as do other species of this genus. This is a common garden plant.
Source: Randy M.
Believed to be Combretum farinosum. This flower, when it is green, is a major source of nectar for hummingbirds. Found near Quebrada Grande in Guanacaste province. Ticos call it "cepillo" because it resembles a brush.
Believed to be Combretum farinosum. This flower, when it is green, is a major source of nectar for hummingbirds. Found near Quebrada Grande in Guanacaste province. Ticos call it "cepillo" because it resembles a brush.
Source: Randy M.

Tree Flowers

There are several species of trees that have outstanding blooms, some of which flower during the dry season in Guanacaste. There are others that bloom primarily during the wet season, from June to mid-December. Plantains, on the other hand, bloom year-round.

Costa Rica Tree Flower Photos

An unusually prolific bloom on a malinche tree (royal ponciano, Delonix regia) in Tamarindo. There are usually scattered blooms mixed in with the foliage. This leguminous tree makes a bean pod that is almost a meter long.
An unusually prolific bloom on a malinche tree (royal ponciano, Delonix regia) in Tamarindo. There are usually scattered blooms mixed in with the foliage. This leguminous tree makes a bean pod that is almost a meter long.
Source: Randy M.
Roble sabana tree (Tabebuia ochracea). Roble means oak, but these trees are not really oaks. They are beautiful, if only for a few days. They have flowers during the dry season when they don't have leaves in Guanacaste.
Roble sabana tree (Tabebuia ochracea). Roble means oak, but these trees are not really oaks. They are beautiful, if only for a few days. They have flowers during the dry season when they don't have leaves in Guanacaste.
Source: Randy M.
Another type of roble sabana, Tabebuia rosea. This close-up shows the beautiful detail of the flowers. Like Tabebula ochracea, it also blooms during the dry season. This tree usually blooms the first week of February.
Another type of roble sabana, Tabebuia rosea. This close-up shows the beautiful detail of the flowers. Like Tabebula ochracea, it also blooms during the dry season. This tree usually blooms the first week of February.
Source: Randy M.
Madero negro, Gliricidia sepium, Close-up of the indeterminate florescence. These trees are one of the species used for living fence posts in the country.
Madero negro, Gliricidia sepium, Close-up of the indeterminate florescence. These trees are one of the species used for living fence posts in the country.
Source: Randy M.
Plantain flower. There are several varieties. When green, it is delicious fried and eaten with bean dip. When mature, it can be added to soups and sliced and fried to go as a sweet side dish for any meal.
Plantain flower. There are several varieties. When green, it is delicious fried and eaten with bean dip. When mature, it can be added to soups and sliced and fried to go as a sweet side dish for any meal.
Source: Randy M.
A male flower from a Cercropia species. Male and female flowers are produced on separate trees. Commonly called the Yagrumo. These trees have many uses. They also exhibit myrmecophytism, a mutualistic relationship formed with Azteca ant colonies.
A male flower from a Cercropia species. Male and female flowers are produced on separate trees. Commonly called the Yagrumo. These trees have many uses. They also exhibit myrmecophytism, a mutualistic relationship formed with Azteca ant colonies.
Source: Randy M.
Cashew flowers, fruit and nut. Cashews are called mariñon and you can make a refreshing beverage from the fruit.
Cashew flowers, fruit and nut. Cashews are called mariñon and you can make a refreshing beverage from the fruit.
Source: Randy M.
Plumeria rubra, a native species found in Guanacaste province. Known as juche in Costa Rica and as frangipani in other parts of the world.
Plumeria rubra, a native species found in Guanacaste province. Known as juche in Costa Rica and as frangipani in other parts of the world.
Source: Randy M.

Resources for Flowering Plants and Trees of Costa Rica

Tropical Plants of Costa Rica: A Guide to Native and Exotic Flora (Zona Tropical Publications)
Tropical Plants of Costa Rica: A Guide to Native and Exotic Flora (Zona Tropical Publications)
This is the most useful guide for identification of Costa Rican plants. Plants are identified by photographs and there are no botanical keys. Most of the more common plants are found in this book.
Amazon Price: $22.18
List Price: $35.00
A Field Guide to Plants of Costa Rica
A Field Guide to Plants of Costa Rica
This book has divisions based on the following categories: tall and small trees, vines, shrubs, grasses and more. on Subsection are organized based on the colors of flowers.
Amazon Price: $20.91
List Price: $39.50
Trees of Panama and Costa Rica (Princeton Field Guides)
Trees of Panama and Costa Rica (Princeton Field Guides)
This Princeton field guide to trees of Costa Rica and Panama contains species distribution maps, scientific names, color photos and detailed descriptions. If you want detailed information, this is the book to have on hand.
Amazon Price: $28.87
List Price: $45.00

Stunning Photos of Flowers from Costa Rica

See My Other Pages

1. Guanacaste Costa Rica - Mi Tierra, blog about various aspects of Guanacaste Province in Costa Rica, including photos of the natural environment and vacation locations.

2. Ten Tips for Tourists Visiting Costa Rica

3. Costa Rica All Inclusive Resorts

4. Butterfly Photos of Guanacaste, Costa Rica

5. Attractions and Distractions in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Comments

hornofhawthorn profile image

hornofhawthorn 10 months ago

the psychotropic plant...datura...also known as the green goddess...considered sacred in some cultures.

Randy M. profile image

Randy M. Hub Author 10 months ago

True. There is a good monograph on Brugmansia on the website: http://www.biopark.org/peru/toe.html. But, I wasn't aware that datura was a common name for it. This brings up the point - we shouldn't confuse Datura species, like Datura stramonium, with this species. There is a good website for the comparison between the two in Spanish: http://plantas.facilisimo.com/foros/plantas-y-flor

Jessie T. Ponce 9 months ago

Very interesting hub. "labios de puta" - what a name for a nice flower, although I can see why. Thanks Randy.

Derdriu profile image

Derdriu Level 8 Commenter 3 months ago

Randy, What an enticing, fascinating, riveting introduction to Costa Rica's colorful, stunning, unusual flowers! The commentary and the photos coordinate well with each other to give potential visitors an inviting look at the country's unique floral output. It's particularly helpful to have the use and wildlife associations, such as savannah oaks blooming in the dry season and plantain food preparation choices.

Thank you for sharing, etc.,

Derdriu

gramarye profile image

gramarye 5 weeks ago

Hi Randy,

Beautiful pictures - have you put them on RedGage?

Randy M. profile image

Randy M. Hub Author 5 weeks ago

Thanks gramarye! I have some flower photos on Redgage, but I am not duplicating content between the sites. For those who want to see my content there, my user name is RandyM.

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