The large red blossoms of the tropical cannonball tree, Couroupita Guianensis, have a decidedly exotic appearance. Even more striking, almost curious, are the fruits that gave the tree its name. It is one of a total of three species of the Couroupita genus, which in turn belongs to the exclusively tropical plant family of the pot-fruit tree family. The Brazil nut also belongs to this family. In addition to its conspicuous fruits, it has a few other special features. Flowers are produced both on branches and directly from the trunk. There is a very special mechanism for pollination of the flowers because within the flowers there are both fertile and infertile stamens. Bee species feed on the pollen of the infertile stamens, while the fertile ones deposit their pollen on the bee's back. Thus loaded, the bees pollinate the next flowers they visit. On the trees, flowers with unripe fruits and ripe fruits can be found at the same time.
Reiner Sutter aka resuimages has been an enthusiastic and ambitious hobby photographer for more than 35 years. He started with digital photography more than 20 years ago and developed his skills step by step. Today's photography offers him the opportunity to combine his knowledge as a computer expert with the.. Read more…