| Plants in the Garden | |
The Museum Garden has a wide range of plants. There is a leaflet available to visitors to guide them around the garden, and in the garden the name of each plant is written on a conch shell, placved next to or below the plant 1 Silver Buttonwood Concarpus erectus (sericea) Combretaceae Low shrub like tree growing to 20m. Drought and salt tolerant. Tea from the bark used to externally treat prickly heat and inflamed eyes. Used internally for syphilis and diabetes. Sometimes known as button mangrove. This and the normal green form are a popular wood for smoking fish and meat. 2 Lignum vitae Guaiacum officinale Zygophyllaceae Commonly called ironwood, the wood is so dense that it will not float even in seawater. That hardness and a high resin content made lignum a wood much in demand for bearings, pulley wheel and railroad ties. It was logged so extensively in colonial times that it is now considered an endangered species. Very slow growing, it is hard to find a tree more than 6" in diameter. Lignumvitae trees have been found close to 1000 years old. 3 Hog Cabbage Palm Pseudophoenix sargentii Palmae 4 Wild Yellow Allamanda Urechites lutea Apocynaceae Usually overlooked as a decorative plant, allamanda or “wild unction” as it is known in the Bahamas, is quite common on the dry Islands, especially South Caicos . All parts, especially the milky sap, are considered poisonous. 5 Gum Elemi Bursera simaruba Burseaceae This fast-growing tree has many names. In Florida it is called the “tourist tree”, because the bark is almost always red and peeling. A more official name is gumbo-limbo. The very soft wood is similar to balsa and is a favorite in the Caicos Islands for carving model boats. The resin, copal, was used extensively by pre-Columbian people for incense and medicines. In modern times it is the basis for a fine, yellow-tinted varnish. It is related to the Middle Eastern trees that produce frankincense and myrrh. 6 Mahogany Swietenia mahogani Meliaceae Mahogany is, of course, that fine-grained, reddish wood so prized by furniture makers. At the beginning of the colonial period, when great tracts of land were cleared for agricultural crops,some planters were able to survive on the money generated from the sale of the wild mahogany and lignum vitae that they cut down. Also called madeira, it is still a favorite with Caicos Island boat-builders. 7 Wild Frangipani Plumeria obtusa Apocynaceae This sweet-smelling flower tree is common as a decorative planting throughout the Islands and seems to prefer very rocky soil. It’s milky white sap is poisonous. 8 Cabbage Palm Palmae 9 Yellow Elder Tecoma stans Bignoniaceae A common small tree or large bush in the Islands, it is often found as a volunteer on waste ground. It’s abundant yellow flowers make it a garden favorite. 10 Sea Grape Coccoloba uvifera Polygonaceae This salt and drought tolerant plant is found throughout the Islands, from sandy seashores to rocky, windswept hill tops. The dark purple fruits are a favorite with birds, iguanas and small Children. 11 Green Buttonwood Conocarpus erectus Combretaceae See #1, Silver Buttonwood 12 Sea Oats Uniola paniculata Graminaceae Among the best dune stabilizers, sea oats are usually found just above the high tide line. Because it’s showy seed heads are much prized for ornamental flower arrangements, it is considered endangered throughout much of its range. 13 Thatch Palm Coccothrinax argentata Palmae This small palm (or palmetto) is very common in the “whitelands” behind beach areas. Locally it is known as the Silvertop because of the silvery-white color of the underside of the leaves. It is the favored palm for roof thatching, hat making and basket work. 14 Necklace Pod Sophora tomentosa Leguminosae 15 Wild Pomegranate Punica granatum Punicaceae Found in many gardens in the Caicos Islands, the pomegranate is actually a native of the Middle East. 16 Wild Cotton Gossypium barbadense Malvaceae This is the famous Sea-Island cotton. A native of the West Indies, it so impressed the first Loyalist settlers in the late 18th century that they spread it to their colonies in the Carolinas and Africa. The long, strong fibers were far superior to the smaller varieties that they had planted earlier, and the new English mills were willing to pay a premium price for it.In pre-Columbian times, Lucayans made extensive use of the fiber for nets and twine. Among the first items offered to Columbus for trade were balls of cotton string. 17 Kanky Berry Solanum bahamense Solanaceae Canker berry, as its name implies was used to treat rashes and sores. The fruit from the bright red berries can be used as a poutice. 18 Caribbean Pine Pinus caribaea Pinaceae A tall, sturdy relative of the American Southern Slash Pines, these pines are also rich in turpentines and resins. They make excellent pulpwood and have been logged extensively in the Bahamas. Locally, Caribbean pine is a favorite for house timbers and ship building. 19 Cocoplum Chrysobalanus icaco Rosaceae Commonly found on windward beaches as a low dense shrub, the dark purple, olive-size fruits are a favorite with birds and iguanas. Locally called Caicos plums, of course. 20 Native Oak Bucida buceras Combretaceae Common in the Caicos Islands and most of the Southern Bahamas. Not a true oak, but the hard dense wood is preferred for boat-building and wheel-making. 21 Poison Wood Metopium toxiferum Anacardiaceae This and the similar looking Manchineel are often confused. In either case, it is wise to avoid them because of the serious rash that can develop from contact with the milky sap. Fortunately, it is often found growing near its natural antidote. The crushed leaves of the Gum Elemi will ease the itch and burn. 22 Guinea Grass Panicum maximum Gramineae As it’s name implies, Guinea grass is a native of Africa. Found to be an excellent fodder crop for livestock, it was spread throughout the tropical world in the mid 1700's. It nows grows wild throughout the West Indies, especially on the sites of plantation ruins. 23 Sisal Agave sisalana Agavaceae One of many members in the Agave family, sisal was found to produce copious amounts of quality fiber and grew best in hot, dry, rocky soils. Imported into the West Indies from Mexico in the mid 1800's, it led to a short-lived “fiber boom” that gave farmers an exportable cash crop. It was soon made obsolete, however, by other fiber crops and synthetics. Sisal is still grown as an important export crop in Brazil and East Africa. 24 Bull-de-mass Rhoeo spathacea Commelinaceae You may be familiar with this one under the name “Moses in the Boat”, its common name as a houseplant in North America. In the Caicos Islands, a tea made from the leaves is used to treat back problems. 25 Aloe vera Aloe vera Liliaceae Known throughout the world, in the Islands it is called “alvis” or “elvers”. Another introduced plant, aloe has been grown in the West Indies since the 1600's, when it was taken to Barbados from the Mediterranean. Aloe juice is a proven topical remedy for burns, abrasions and bites. It is used extensively as a tonic, aphrodisiac and cathartic. It’s bright red, bell-shaped flowers are a favorite with hummingbirds. 26 Periwinkle Catheranthis roseus Apocynaceae Once thought to be West Indian native, periwinkles actually come from Madagascar. Locally, the flowers are called tulips. It’s ability to grow in salty, windswept places and it’s tendency to easily reseed itself have spread it throughtout the tropics. Periwinkle teas have proven effective in the treatment of diabetes, diarrhea, high blood pressure and some cancers. Modern medical researchers have isolated 90 alkaloids from this small plant, many of which are potentially useful. 27 Geiger Tree (Cordia) Cordia sebestena Boraginaceae The Scarlet Cordia, a native to the West Indies and Florida, blooms year round. It is very salt and drought resistant. The raspy, broad leaves have been used as a fine sandpaper for tortoise shell. According to Julia Morton, Audobon named this tree after a Key West “wrecker” in the 1830's. 28 Neem Tree The Neem is a recent import from Asia. It is a fast grower, tolerant of dry conditions. The resin contains a high percentage of pyrethrin, a natural insect repellent that is used in mosquito sprays and flea and tick shampoos. 29 Acacia Acacia macracantha Leguminosae This is the common, spiny bush or tree that abounds on the dry Islands, especially where the ground has been disturbed. Once rooted, it is almost imposssible to get rid of, but if pruned well will make an excellent shade tree. The wood is very hard and is used extensively to make a high quality charcoal. 30 Pink Bight Plant 31 Locus Wood 32 Wild Tamarind Lysiloma Latisiliquum Leguminosae 33 Yellow Thistle Argemone mexicana Papaveraceae Also called Mexican Poppy, it is quite common on disturbed ground. The resinous sap is corrosive and the seed oil is poisonous. 34 Cabbage Palm (see 8) 35 Air Plant Tillandsia Bromeliaceae (Either usnoides or utriculata) 36 Bamboo Creeper 37 Soldier Bush Tournefortia volubilis or Phyllanthus epiphyllanthus 38 Seven Year Apple Casasia Clusiaefolia Rubiaceae This erect bush commonly grows on the shore just behind the highest dune ridge. When mature, it flowers and fruits year round. Though it is edible, the fruit is somewhat bitter, so is mostly favored by birds and iguanas. 39 Dillweed 40 Cork Tree Thespesia populnea Malvaceae A very salt tolerant tree, it is also called the sea-side mahoe. The wood is multi-colored red,purple and yellow. The juice of the green seeds and the bark have been used medicinally. 41 Blue Century Plant Agave neglecta Agavaceae This bluish-gray relative to the Sisal is a showy native found in gardens and in the wild. Century plants don’t really live for a century, but have been known to live for more than twenty years before flowering. 42 Triangle Cactus Euphorbia lactea. Euphorbiaceae This cactus is found worldwide. The tall, straight trunks, planted closely together, make an impenetrable, natural fence. The milky white latex is extremely caustic. 43 Prickly Pear Opuntia sp. Cactaceae There are several varieties of Prickly Pear cactus growing in the Islands. The one in the Garden is an uncommon, thornless variety (O. cochenillifera). All the Prickly Pears bear a bright red, edible fruit. The flower buds, while still folded, are harvested and cooked as a vegetable. They have about the same texture and taste as okra. The pads, split open and with the spines removed, have been used as a hair conditioner after shampooing. 44 Coconut Cocos nucifera Palmae Though a familiar tropical plant, coconuts are not native to the New World. When Columbus reached the West Indies, there were no coconuts in the Islands. A small population existed on the Pacific side of the Panamanian isthmus, started from nuts washed ashore from the Pacific Islands, but it took the Spanish and Portuguese to introduce them into the Caribbean and Brazil in the mid 1500's. 45 Yellow Flower Turnera ulmifolia Turneraceae Called the Bahama Buttercup in the Islands to the north of us, this plant is used to treat “the Gripes” or diarrhea, and menstrual disorders. The seeds contain up to 1.2% caffeine and the folliage is toxic to mosquito larvae. As well as producing nectar and pollen at the flower, it also seeps nectar from the base of the leaves. 46 Purple Allamanda Cryptostegia grandiflora Asclepiadaceae Though not a true West Indian native plant, it has run wild through the Islands since its introduction into Mexico two centuries ago. The white, poisonous sap is a good source for latex rubber, but will permanently stain clothes and is somewhat caustic. Don’t touch! 47 Tamarind Tamarindus indica Caesalpinaceae This is the only species in its genus. Native to tropical Africa, it was spread to Asia thousands of years ago. Because of its usefulness, it was one of the first Old World trees to be brought to the New World. Every part of this tree has many uses, including food, lumber, medicines, varnishes and dyes. 48 Inkberry Scaevola plumieri Goodiniaceae Inkberry will grow in almost any dry, salty area, so is commonly used as a hedge plant around houses in the Turks Islands.The little purple berries are a powerful pugative, but a favorite of birds. 49 Mahoe Hibiscus tiliaceus Malvaceae A native of tropical shores around the world, the mahoe has a beautifully figured wood that is much prized for cabinet work. This tree and the cork tree (Thespesia populnea) are often confused, having very similar leaves and large yellow flowers that last only one day. 50 Jamaica Trash Nama jamaicensis (?) Hydrophyllaceae Contents of this story: Turks and Caicos National Museum |
Printed On: Thursday, August 28th, 2008