The vibrant colors and unique styles of the Caribbean are synonymous with the floral variety inhabited throughout the islands. We want to take you on a journey through a few of the islands and highlight the blooms that are found there!
When translated from Latin, its name means "wood of life." This tree is known for its medical capabilities and is considered one of the most useful in the world. It was first brought to Europe in the early sixteenth century as a syphilis and gout cure. The plant is exceedingly aesthetic, with a beautiful blue flower and orange-yellow fruit, as well as a pleasing rounded crown. Historically, nearly all ships crossing the Seven Seas used wood as propeller shaft bearings. As a result, lignum vitae and Jamaica are synonymous in shipyards all over the world.
Hibiscus, also known as Rosa Sinensis, is Haiti's unofficial national flower. Cayenne, rose mallow, and China rose are three prominent flowers in Haiti. These blooms can be seen in a range of colors and are native to Asia. They're commonly utilized in cuisine and have a variety of health benefits.
This orchid blooms virtually all year and thrives on trees in moist regions. Its clustered bulb-like stems come in a variety of sizes and can reach a length of six inches.
The Pride of Barbados is a bushy, open plant that can reach a height of more than 13 feet. It blooms all year on the island. Barbadians have used this plant for medical and therapeutic uses for years. The leaves are used to treat fevers, and the flower's juice is used to treat sores. Chest aches, coughing, and other respiratory problems are treated with the seeds.
The Yellow Elder is a beautiful shrub that requires plenty of room to develop and expand. The trumpet-shaped, bright yellow flowers contrast beautifully with the bright green leaves. It is a heat-resistant plant that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and thrives in hot areas.
Yellow flowers bloom on the Dagger Log, which rises from the Agave plant's enormous rosette. Fishing rafts were once built out of the log/stem of the flower, and fishing bait was made out of the white internal pulp of the foliage.
The Turks and Caicos Islands' national flower, heather, is a mysterious plant. It has tiny purple flowers that are surrounded by a white sheath that is gathered around the red stem's base. True leaves are absent from the mature plant. Heather grows best in acidic, sandy, or moist soil that drains well.
The top 5 most popular flowers of the Caribbean are: Butterfly Jasmine, Lobster Claw, Hibiscus, Anthuriums, and Orchids.
The island Nevis is the birth island of founding father Alexander Hamilton!
(Check out the recipe from Cooking Sense Magazine)
A large tradition in the Caribbean is the ‘black cake' that is served at a Caribbean wedding. Couples will freeze this portion of the cake to consume for their one-year anniversary. It is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the marriage for many years to come.
This fruit cake (fruits are steeped in rum and wine for at least six months) is more like a plum pudding when baked since all of the fruits are melted in the batter (a different feel, taste, and texture of the American fruit cake). This classic cake's recipe is passed down through the generations.
Prime times to visit the island of St. Kitts would be during the wintertime Carnival or the music festival held every June.
Only around 2% of the islands in the Caribbean are actually inhabited by people!
Rum first took off commercially in the Caribbean! Jamaica was the first island to produce rum on a commercial basis.
Finally, pigs are notorious for becoming beach bums on the uninhabited island of Exuma (a Bahamas province.) You'll be able to get up and personal with these swimming babes on some tours, but be sure to treat them with respect. After all, you're on their turf!