Calyptrogyne costatifrons

Very rare species

This larger Calyptrogyne native to lowland rainforests on the Atlantic slope in eastern Panama to 600 m (2000 ft.) forms a thin trunk to 4 m (13 ft.) tall, topped by an upright crown of flat, sparsely pinnate leaves that have three or more broad leaflets or rarely are entire. The remarkable, unbranched inflorescences have stalks longer than the leaves and arch far below the crown. It is best suited for the humid, tropical garden but is very rarely, if at all seen in cultivation.