Goeppertia macrosepala (Chufle)

Native from southern Mexico to western Colombia and Trinidad, this perennial herb grows in tropical forests, streamside woodland and disturbed ground. Broad leaves rise from underground rhizomes. The aerial growth can die back seasonally while the rhizomes remain alive. Egg-shaped flower heads have persistent, upright, pale green bracts enclosing cream-colored flowers. Rounded, cream to yellowish capsules retain the sepals as they mature. In Nicaragua, flowering and fruiting coincide with the rainy season. Its immature flower heads are eaten as a vegetable in parts of Central America. Photographed in Colombia.