Lindenia rivalis (White Star Flower)

Native from Mexico through Central America to northwestern Colombia, this shrub grows beside rivers and streams. It usually reaches about 1 to 4 feet tall, occasionally taller, with narrow leaves clustered near the branch tips. Its white flowers have very long, slender tubes that flare into five spreading lobes. The flowers open at night and are pollinated by hawkmoths. The woody fruit splits open to release numerous small seeds. Photographed in Panama.