Disney’s newest feature film, Charm, really enchanted the hearts of Latinos, who finally saw themselves represented in Walt Disney animations. And, although the film is not about plants, they are much more than background vegetation in this story.
Playing a major role in the unfolding plot and taking center stage in one of the liveliest musical numbers, even in the background, they serve a purpose.
To better understand, check out a closer look at some of the most notable species featured in Encanto, along with some tips from a botanist who helped this fantastic flora come to life on the big screen.
Rows and rows of roses
The story takes place in the mountains of Colombia, centering on the Madrigal family. Each child in the family is blessed with a magical gift – except for the film’s protagonist, Mirabel.
Plants feature prominently throughout the film, but mostly around Mirabel’s older sister, Isabela, whose perfection is manifested in her ability to grow plants and flowers at will.
Isabela’s botanical breadth is on full display during the song «What Else Can I Do?» after facing a difficult truth that unlocks her ability to create species beyond perfectly symmetrical flowers.
First, one cactus and, as the music unfolds, a jacaranda “hurricane” (jacaranda mimosifolia), strangler figs (species ficus), hanging vines and even sundews appear!
While Isabela’s botanical talents get most of the spotlight, she’s not the only Madrigal who harnesses the power of plants. Mirabel’s mother, Julieta, was gifted with the ability to heal through food. If you look closely, you’ll notice her apron full of specific herbs such as chamomile and mint.
Bringing the Roots to the Screen
Disney Animation Studios goes to great lengths to build realistic environments into their films. For Encanto, they enlisted the help of Colombian Cultural Trust. This group of experts consulted the filmmakers on topics such as architecture, clothing, indigenous culture, food and, of course, plants.
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Felipe Zapata, a native Colombian who studies evolutionary biology at the University of California, earned his doctorate at the University of Missouri St. Louis, working closely with botanist Peter Stevens and botanist Elizabeth “Toby” Kellogg.
Your search in St. Louis concentrated on the genus Escallonia and several of his collections of plants from that time are part of the Missouri Botanical Garden herbarium. It was Zapata’s experience that helped Disney animators accurately portray the plants of his native country in the film – and he says the attention to botanical detail was impressive.
“A recurring theme throughout our meetings was the very detailed questions the team prepared for me about general plant morphology, including leaf colors and shapes, attachment of leaves to stems (phyllotaxy), flower variation and symmetry, etc. . Really fascinating to me to see the level of detail and care taken by the team of illustrators and animators to get things right!”
Paying attention to the trees
One plant that is ever-present throughout the film is the wax palm (Ceroxylon quindiense). This magnificent palm tree can grow to around 150 feet tall and gets its common name from the wax that covers its trunk. And the national tree of colombia and can be found in forests high in the Andes.
Unfortunately, the species is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List because of overharvesting of the trunks for wax and palm leaves for religious ceremonies.
“There are very few places left in Colombia where you can see an untouched forest of wax palms, so it was great to see this plant in its native habitat playing a central role in the film. As a botanist, I was also paying attention to detail in the background that most people might not be looking at very much, and I was very excited to see one of my favorite plants, the Cecropia trees. These are landmark trees in the Andes, as they are easy to identify from a distance because of their large, silvery leaves,” says Zapata.
A non-native, but culturally and economically important, tree also features prominently in the film – coffee (arabica coffee). Ripe red berries can be seen outside the Madrigal family home, sitting in large burlap sacks next to a machine used to separate the bean pulp.
In other scenes, small coffee plantations are seen dotting the slopes. Despite originating in Africa, it is widely cultivated throughout Central and South America, including Colombia.
The importance of the presence of vegetation
The examples above only touch on some examples of the vegetation shown in Encanto. Zapata says viewers should be on the lookout for members of plant families Araceae, Melastomataceae, Heliconiaceae, among others. Pollinators also play a role. Yellow butterflies are featured throughout the film and carry a special symbolism within the plot.
The film is a wonderful vehicle for highlighting the incredible biodiversity of tropical habitats and Colombia specifically.
“I think that kind of representation in film is important because it can accomplish some things. First, I believe that the realistic way respects and recognizes the biodiversity and local culture of other countries (in this case, Colombia) in a genuine way. This, in turn, exposes viewers to a more indigenous perspective on a country and its attributes, rather than an ‘outside perspective,’ says Zapata.
Second, for many people, this type of representation can strengthen and develop a sense of belonging when they identify with their local environments in a true way. This could potentially promote local people learning about their biodiversity, history and culture.
Finally, I believe that films that can reach a wide and worldwide audience, such as this one, are ideal vehicles for disseminating accurate scientific information (also historical and cultural information). The popularization of science, even if subtle, can generate admiration, which, in turn, can result in a new generation of scientists and develop a general interest in science on the part of local communities or even political authorities”, concludes the botanist .
*Via Discover and Share