Shared Existence

In the forest, existence is shaped by contact with other living beings. In this story, Inhotim takes you on a journey that celebrates the Atlantic Forest in all different sizes and shapes, and highlights the intelligence of the rainforest through stories of collaboration. All plants presented here are part of our botanical collection.

Another form of intelligence in the Atlantic Forest is fungi. There are many fungi that act as companion species to plants, making powerful alliances for collective life.

An example of a companionship relationship is that established between some bromeliads and trees. In the Atlantic Forest biome, there are several species of Tillandsias, like the one pictured. These small bromeliads grow on other plants without harming them. The relationship of housing other species, called epiphytism, is a common phenomenon for many species in the Atlantic Forest.

Easily found in the gardens and forests of Inhotim, Tillandsias are attractive to many animals, especially hummingbirds. Vibrant colors and abundant nectar are an irresistible recipe.

Another plant that attracts a large number of animals, not only in forests but also in domestic gardens, is the jabuticaba tree. Biologist Patrícia Dijigow explains that the name of this typical Brazilian fruit originates from the Tupi language and means fruit in bud.

And that is an accurate description. Jabuticabas result from the pollination process of flower buds that, curiously, grow directly from the trunk of the jabuticaba tree.

A jabuticaba tree loaded with fruit means it has received many visitors, especially bees. This phenomenon usually happens twice a year.

When walking through the gardens of Inhotim, it is common to find several jabuticaba trees, such as those planted around the Adriana Varejão Gallery.

These trees play an important role next to the gallery: they invite various species of birds into the landscape, as well as the species depicted in Adriana Varejão's piece Passarinhos—de Inhotim a Demini (Birds—from Inhotim to Demini), 2004–2008.

The next story reflects the multicultural value of plants. This leaf belongs to a tree from the Atlantic Forest that bears a piece of Brazilian history inside its fruit.

A tree that occurs in the Atlantic Forest and other Brazilian biomes. It has been used for thousands of years by indigenous peoples as a dye plant with strong cultural expressions. Nowadays, it is widely used for cooking all over Brazil as a spice called annatto (locally known as colorau).

The bright red color of the fruit is the result of the transformation of subtle pink petals and other parts of the flower. This is a prime example of what Goethe says in The Metamorphosis of Plants: that plants are best described as constantly changing forms.