The genus Acostaea (ah-KOS-tee-uh) is named in honor of Guillermo Acosta, a collector of Costa Rican orchids.  There are about eight species, found in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador.  The small tufted plants have narrow leaves and flowers born in succession in loose racemes that exceed the leaves in length.  They have a very curious lip which is under tension and quickly snaps upward when stimulated by the pollinator, thus causing the insect to be trapped.  After a period of time, the lip returns to the receptive position, releasing the insect with pollinia attached.

 

These plants have not yet been positively identified.

    Acostaea species 01588

    Acostaea species 02137

    Acostaea species 02192

 

    Acostaea campylotyle P. Ortiz

    Acostaea costaricensis Schltr. ssp. bicornis (Luer) Luer

    Acostaea costaricensis Schltr. ssp. columbiana (Garay) Luer

    Acostaea costaricensis Schltr. ssp. costaricensis

    Acostaea costaricensis Schltr. ssp. unicornis (Luer) Luer

        Acostaea glandulata P. Ortiz = Acostaea costaricensis ssp. costaricensis

             Icones Pleurothallidinarum IV; p. 12 (11/1987)

        Acostaea pleurothalloides Schltr. = Acostaea costaricensis ssp. costaricensis

             Icones Pleurothallidinarum IV; p. 12 (11/1987)

    Acostaea tenax Luer & Escobar

    Acostaea trilobata Luer 


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