Brazil presents the largest diversity of bamboos in the neotropical realm, occurring mainly in the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest, since these species prefer richer soils in terms of the presence of organic matter and constant humidity. The bambuzinho or tiny bamboo is an herbaceous bamboo, found primarily in the coastal forests ranging from Ceará … Continued
With leaves that stand out for their brightness and the big bunches of orange fruits, this peculiar plant can resist to long dry periods. It is native to the rocky outcrops of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais, stony places with slim grounds, which give the plant the popular name of ‘coco-de-pedra,’ literally ‘rocky coconut.’ Due … Continued
A palm tree of huge stilt roots that look like tentacles calls the attention of people walking by Inhotim. It is the distinction of this genus, found in Central America and in the northern states of Brazil. For the Yanomami, it is an important species that serves as food, as well as for construction purposes … Continued
Its major hand fan-shaped leaves arouse the attention of visitors at Inhotim. It is the traveler’s palm, a plant that is the symbol of Madagascar. Very used for landscape design purposes in several parts of the world, in its homeland African island it is much more than an ornamental plant. In rural communities there, the … Continued
Of imposing size, the raffia palm has a solitary stem and the biggest leaves among palm trees, reaching up to 20 meters long. Its set of flowers blooms when the plant reaches 20 to 30 years old. After this event, it starts a senescence process – a slow death that might take up to a … Continued
Native to the Canary Islands, this date palm welcomes visitors at the entrance hall of Inhotim. It is one of the most cultivated plants in the hot zones of the planet. Its flowers stand out due to their luminous orange-yellowish color. Contrary to other date palm trees, its fruits are not edible for humans. Its … Continued
Belonging to the Araceae family, the Philodendron genus is widely known by landscape designers and enthusiasts of the urban jungle movement due to its beauty and the great variety of colors, shapes, and leaf sizes. The Philodendron ricardoi is an endemic species in Brazil, part of the Atlantic Forest biome, more specifically in the southeast … Continued
The name xaxim comes from the Tupi-Guarani term ‘tupichachî,’ which stands for ‘rugged’ or ‘tangled,’ in a reference to the aspect of the roots covering the plant’s whole stem. Native to the Atlantic Forest and other formations in South America, its stem was previously used to make orchid pots. Since 2001, the National Council for … Continued
The queen sago belongs to the Cycadaceae, a family of plants with prehistorical features. In its scientific name, the term circinalis is Latin for ‘spiral,’ making reference to the rolled leaflets (parts of the leaves) during its young phase. Similar to a small palm, it has long, rigid, and shiny leaves that can reach up … Continued
Of Tupi origin, the name ‘coité’ means vessel or pot, the reason why this plant is also known as calabash tree. Its hard and strong wood is used in carpentry and cabinetry. The very hard shell of its fruit is used to make vessels and musical instruments, like the berimbau. The plant can also be … Continued