Martius in the Amazon

The Flora Brasiliensis is a landmark in global botany. Although started in 1840, its Volume 1 was finally published in 1906, with 59 illustrations of Brazilian landscapes. In this story, we will embark on a 'botanical journey' through one of them, highlighting its plants.

The opening figure of Flora Brasiliensis depicts an igapó forest on the banks of the Amazon River, near the city of Santarém in Pará. Flooded for up to 10 months of the year, these forests are home to a valuable sample of Amazonian biodiversity.

Along the riverbanks, the lush ‘canarana’ (Echinochloa polystachya) grows in abundance. During the flood season, these plants detach from the soil, forming impressive floating islands of grass and creating a dynamic scene in the Amazonian landscape.

In this environment, the "aninga" (Montrichardia arborescens) stands out, with its light-colored stems marked by the scars of old leaves. Its trunks reach up to 3 meters in height and support large sagittate leaves, creating a striking presence in the landscape.

Near the mud, in a place devoid of vegetation, we see some “blood-spikes” (Helosis cayenensis) emerging from the roots of other plants. This small, chlorophyll-free parasitic plant that looks more like a reddish fungus.

The “ingá” or “ingá tree” (Inga sp.) can easily be recognized by its winged compound leaves and its hanging pods, with sweet and edible white pulp seeds.

Both the “embaúba” (Cecropia latiloba), with its large palmate leaves, and the “ant-tree” (Triplaris americana), with its striking red blossoms, have hollow trunks that house ants, establishing a fascinating symbiotic relationship.

In the background, standing out among the treetops, we see graceful “açaí” (Euterpe oleracea) and “jauari” (Astrocaryum jauari) palms, both first described by Martius as a result of his visit to Brazil.

The “cacao tree” (Theobroma cacao) stands out for its large stem fruits. Its scientific name means “food of the gods” and refers to the Aztecs, who considered it a sacred tree. Its seeds are the raw material for chocolate.

To the right and starting from the base of this cacao tree, we see the long and complex branches of the “sarsaparilla” vine (Smilax syphilitica). Its leaves and fruits are used as spices in food, while its roots have significant medicinal properties.

One of the region’s most exuberant flowers belongs to the “munguba” (Pachira aquatica), also known as the “water chestnut tree” or “mamorana”. They are fragrant and enormous flowers, about 30 cm in diameter, with floral parts ranging from yellow to red.

Huge fig trees (Ficus gomelleira) adorn the riverbanks. Their fruits are a source of food for the fauna, and their branches house a vast variety of epiphytes, such as anthuriums, bromeliads, orchids, and ferns.

Around the fig tree, we see the vines of numerous species, among which the “escada-de-jabuti” (“tortoise ladder”) (Schnella outimouta) stands out for its incredible shapes.

The shade of the trees growing on the banks darkens some of the river’s quietest corners, where the peltate and floating leaves of the “water lilies” (Nymphaea spp.) are abundant.

The predictability of the annual rainfall cycle in the Amazon has allowed animals and plants to adapt to the igapó forests. However, climate change and human activities, such as deforestation, fires, mining, and the construction of hydroelectric dams, are growing threats.