Clusia peninsulae Hammel sp.
nov. ined.
Common Name: MATAPALO
Clinging evergreen treelet or aerial shrub (5 m) found growing
attached to the trunks of large forest trees - usually well above
the ground. Though not directly parasitic, these plants begin
life as seedlings perched on limbs or nestled in tree bark. Slowly,
their roots grow downward until they reach the soil. Clusias
do not harm the trees that harbor them, unless they grow large
enough to compete with their hosts for sunlight.
Description: C. peninsulae
often has no main trunk, the bulk of its mass being composed
of multiple spreading stems or branches. These limbs fan out and
away from the host tree, usually just under its crown, forming
a secondary crown of considerable dimensions. Clusia roots
may be seen wrapped around the host trunk (encircling it) and
they extend all the way to the forest floor. The bark is gray
and smooth. Twigs and broken bark exude a thick, white, milky
sap that is characteristic of all the species in the Clusia
genus. Leaves (16 cm by 5 cm) are thick and succulent,
smooth, simple, and oppositely arranged. 
They are dark green with parallel
(not netlike) secondary venation and are basically oblanceolate
in shape (wider distally than proximally). Many of the blades
exhibit a marked asymmetry about their longitudinal axes and are
slightly falcate. Drip tips are present as are long petioles (1.5
cm). Flowers are borne in terminal racemes containing about
10 blossoms each (2.5 cm in diameter). Composed basically of four
white petals and a central, mushroom-shaped pistil, the flower
sports a bright orange nectar ring around the base of the ovary.
Clusia flowering periods are extended events that vary
in timing and duration between plants, but generally they last
from December through March, peaking in January. Fruits
develop as globular berries (3 cm in diameter) soon after the
flowers die. Pale green or whitish in color, they show some maroon
highlighting as well. Upon maturation, the fruits open into eight
wedge-shaped sections. A hollow in each wedge holds a pair of
small, elongated white seeds (4 mm by 2 mm) with bright orange
arils. Harvests begin in July and last through October.
Similar Species: C. peninsulae
is a member of a large plant genus whose species share similar
anatomy and growth habits. The Clusias possess thick, succulent
leaves, abundant white latex sap, white or pink flowers with a
large, central pistil, and a globular fruit that opens into eight
wedges exposing brightly ariled seeds. Finally, they all are opportunistic
plants, growing below or inside tree crowns and taking advantage
of the height and strength of host boles to reach the sunlight
rapidly.
Natural History: Flowers in C.
peninsulae are visited and pollinated by bees. Attracted by
the orange nectar ring, these insects collect this substance in
sacs on their legs. Seed dispersal is accomplished with the aid
of small birds like Red-legged Honeycreepers (Stiles and Skutch,
1989). These agile aviators eat the arilate fruits, obtaining
nutrition from the oily aril. Seeds that survive passage through
the birds digestive system are excreted in droppings - many of
which land on tree limbs or get caught in bark cracks and crevasses.
Here the seeds germinate and begin life as epiphytes, producing
aerial roots capable of absorbing necessary nutrients from rainwater
and the residues of decay accumulated on tree bark. At this stage
in their life cycle, Clusias are particularly prone to
drought and desiccation - having no link to soil water supplies
- and so are adapted to xeric conditions. The thick, water storing,
succulent nature of their leaves along with an 
impermeable, waxy coating provide
them with considerable drought protection. Eventually, thin cord-like
roots begin to grow downwards, attempting to reach the ground
far below. If they are successful and find the soil, these roots
begin to thicken. Growth accelerates, thanks to the continuous
and ample supply of water and nutrients obtained from the soil,
and ultimately, the Clusia may become large and strong
enough to support itself independently of the host tree.
Sunlight is a scarce commodity on the forest floor and the Clusias
have invented a way to eliminate the part of the life cycle that
would be spent in the shade. They begin life already well placed
high in the canopy and grow downwards, rather than the other way
around. The Clusias share this growth strategy with the
Ficuses (sometimes refereed to as the strangling figs), differing
from them in that this latter group generally outgrows and shades
its host, eventually killing it. Clusias, in general, appear to
remain within the crown and never get large enough to harm the
tree they cling to.
Distribution: Clusia is
found in all of the Pacific coasts very humid primary forests.
Endemic to Costa Rica, this species is known from Manuel Antonio
National Park, the Osa Peninsula, the Isla del Caño, and
the Golfo Ducle region.
Flower Fruit Flower/Leaf
They are dark green with parallel
(not netlike) secondary venation and are basically oblanceolate
in shape (wider distally than proximally). Many of the blades
exhibit a marked asymmetry about their longitudinal axes and are
slightly falcate. Drip tips are present as are long petioles (1.5
cm). Flowers are borne in terminal racemes containing about
10 blossoms each (2.5 cm in diameter). Composed basically of four
white petals and a central, mushroom-shaped pistil, the flower
sports a bright orange nectar ring around the base of the ovary.
Clusia flowering periods are extended events that vary
in timing and duration between plants, but generally they last
from December through March, peaking in January. Fruits
develop as globular berries (3 cm in diameter) soon after the
flowers die. Pale green or whitish in color, they show some maroon
highlighting as well. Upon maturation, the fruits open into eight
wedge-shaped sections. A hollow in each wedge holds a pair of
small, elongated white seeds (4 mm by 2 mm) with bright orange
arils. Harvests begin in July and last through October.
