Plant Diversity

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The diversity of plants in Costa Rica is amazing with over 9000 species of higher plants, 30 species of heliconias, and 800 species of ferns. Some of them are small, others are big, but all are lusciously colored. Plants can be widespread, but there are some that can't leave Costa Rica's ecosystem. There are 28 endemic plant species.

Plants in neotropical areas have special characteristics so they can survive in the special neotropical environment. Trees have thin smooth bark unlike a temperate rainforest's thick bark. This is so they don't drown themselves in water. Trees also have buttresses, they are ridges near the base of a tree that give it stability in the winds. They need them because their roots aren't very deep. Prop and stilt roots are aboveground roots that grow very fast to help support the tree. The leaves of trees also have a characteristic called a drip tip. This is to keep water from collecting on the leaves which leads to bacteria growing.

Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants. They use the other plants to their advantage, but unlike a parasite, don't harm the other plant.