Botanical Inventory - DIQUIS DEL SUR, COSTA RICA

The  following listing of plants is a modest attempt to document the extensive and attractive landscape plantings of the Diquis del Sur Resort, an earthly paradise managed by Renee and Pierre Beaupre.  This is to be viewed as an ongoing project as some research is required to document the proper names of the plants.  While the nomenclature or names are current to the best of our knowledge as of this date – March, 2006, some changes are to be expected as taxonomists tend to be revisionists on occasion!

Please note that the listing uses the botanical or latin name as the primary identification as this is universal throughout the world.  So-called common names often have no commonality – that is what is commonly called a Panda Plant in Ojochal may be called a Butterfly Plant in Uvita – you get the idea.  That said, we did include those names when known on which there is general consensus in terms of common names.  This is done in English and when known, in Spanish.  The French version is under study!!!!

For you convenience we have placed numbers on small plastic tags at the base of many of the plants.  The numbers on the tags correspond with the numbers in the left hand column of this inventory.  While we endeavoured to identify those nearest the dining area there are a number scattered throughout the grounds.  In many cases there are numerous examples of certain plants – obviously only one or two will be identified – it will be up to you to find out which ones dear reader.  And for those plants which do not have any tags at all, these are the plants we are currently researching, or a few cases, have not a clue.

Note that some plants are selected for special traits – color, unique flowers, etc. – and often these are given cultivar names.  This would appear as say, Hibiscus rosa-chinensis `Little Dainty`, which has a small but strikingly beautiful pink flower.  Since the planting at Diquis del Sur Resort is mature, the cultivar names, if any, have likely been lost.  Sometimes we made reference to what are obviously selected cultivars without the knowledge of which ones they are, hence the use of `cv.`  

Roger et Donna Kirkwood