No doubt your eyes are drawn to the large, silver-bluish leaf in today"s photo, but there"s a little more to this colorful display. We"re on the floor of a Mexican rainforest to examine a large Cecropia leaf and some lobster claw petals. The genus called Cecropia contains some of the most recognizable neotropical trees anywhere, but the roughly 60 different species can be hard to tell apart. All Cecropias grow fast, by tree standards anyway. On average, they"ll climb about 2.5 feet per year and under perfect conditions can grow as much as 10 feet in that time, eventually reaching around 60 feet tall. When dried, Cecropia leaves shrivel into a fist-like form which displays interesting patterns and shapes. Not only are Cecropias very popular with animals like sloths, monkeys, and toucans for their fruit and leaves, many species have a symbiotic relationship with Azteca ants. Cecropias provide shelter and food for ants, and the ants in turn defend the trees from plant-eating predators.
Cecropia leaf and lobster claw petals in Mexico
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Kjell Henriksen Observatory
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Groundhog Day
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A river runs through it
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Water colors
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The forecast calls for blooms
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The National Museum of the American Indian
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Lunar eclipse
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Golden jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake, Palau
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Here, fishy!
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Corn maze in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania
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International Rock Day
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Preservation Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana
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Asteroid Day
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Hiking the High Trestle Trail
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Swimming into the season
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Happy trails for the 21st century
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World Art Day
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Who s there? The largest owl in the world
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Where fire meets water
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Remembering the Velvet Revolution
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Darwin s Arch
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World Population Day
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Christmas Tree Point Road and Twin Peaks, San Francisco
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Earth seen from the International Space Station
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Spotted Lake emerges
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Oymyakon, Russia
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Celebrating Helsinki’s birthday at the Kiasma Museum
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Seven Magic Mountains art installation, Jean Dry Lake, Nevada
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Merry Christmas!
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Arrone in Umbria, Italy