February19_2010

Botanical Glossary - Home - References Cited

After visiting Suchilquitongo I stopped into the village of Etla on the way to where I stay in San Augustin to do a little grocery shopping. The city of Oaxaca is much better for food shopping, but Etla is closer and on the way. Besides, there is an indoor market place in the center of town near Etla's zocalo that is open every day. The market place is where the locals sell their goods that they make or grow, so everything is fresh and tasty.

Photos - Near the zocalo and the Etla market is the Dominican Temple, the center of worship for the village. The view inside the church is awesome with its high, arched ceiling and tiled floor - the Dominican Temple is quite clean and sterile without a lot of the distracting elements like paintings on the ceiling.

Photos - If you pass through the Temple, there is an open doorway that leads to the inner courtyard where priests go to contemplate and visitors can relax - the doorways off the courtyard leads to clergy accommodation and private rooms. Within the courtyard are several interesting plants. This is Alocasia Macrorrhiza (Giant Taro Tree). Alocasia macrorrhiza is also known as giant elephant ear or giant taro. This tropical perennial is native to Asia. In its native area, it can be up to 15 ft (4.5 m) tall. Its leaves are huge, and its flowers (pale-green spathes) are about 8 in (20 cm) long. This plant is often named giant taro, as it is closely related to the taro, Calocasia esculenta. However, this name is also used for Calocasia gigantea, which is very similar in aspect and dimensions to Alocasia macrorrhiza. Leaves - This Alocasia has huge leaves, that can be up to 6 ft (1.80 m) long, with petioles that can be more than 3 ft (1 m) long. Petioles are erect, but leaves are rather horizontal. Leaves are generally green, but there is also a variegated form of giant elephant ears. Flowers - This Alocasia has inflorescences that can be up to about 8 in (20 cm). They are made of a pale-green spathe, and a white spadice.

Photos - L-R - The altar at the eastern end of the Temple with many of the 'saints' icons enshrined.

A detail of one icon that is in an alcove near the altar.

Inside the Temple there is only one area that includes paintings on the ceiling and that is in the highest point of the church and looks down over the priest's pedestal and altar.

Click here for more photos of Etla Mexico for this day.