Carludovicoideae (species unidentified)

Native to tropical America, this subfamily of Cyclanthaceae includes perennial herbs, climbers, and plants that grow on trees. Most inhabit humid forests and have large, pleated leaves, often divided into two or more sections. Tiny male and female flowers are packed onto dense spikes, with four male flowers surrounding each female flower. The female flowers have long, threadlike sterile stamens. Fruits are fleshy and may be separate or joined together. One member, the Panama hat plant, supplies leaf fibers for weaving hats. Photographed in Colombia.