"Hooker's Lips": Costa Rica's Stunning Plant Faces Threat Of Extinction
NDTV
Red bracts resembling "luscious lips" make this plant eye-catching, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies as pollinators.
Native to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Ecuador, and various Central and South American countries, Psychotria elata, commonly referred to as the Hot Lips Plant or Hooker's Lips Plant, stands as a remarkable botanical wonder in the tropical flora.
What makes this plant special are its special leaves, called bracts. These bracts look like two shiny, red, fleshy lips that are similar to human lips. This eye-catching part is helpful in attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies.
The bright color and juicy feel of the bracts make them look like ripe fruit. This attracts pollinators, like hummingbirds and butterflies, to come and check them out. Hopefully, as they explore, they'll carry pollen between different blooms. Even though the real flowers are small and shaped like stars, they're not as attention-grabbing as the amazing bracts.
