Tropical Plants in the West Indies of the Caribbean

PO Box 9021, Wilmington, DE 19809, USA
E-mail: font@focusonnature.com
Phone: Toll-free in USA 1-888-721-3555
or 302/529-1876

Tropical Plants
in the
West Indies
of the
Caribbean

with those during
Focus On Nature Tours
thru 2015
noted with an (*)

during tours in the months of
January, February, March, April,
May, July, November, and December

The following list of Caribbean plants compiled by Armas Hill

Photo at upper right:
The Ghost Orchid, DENDROPHYLAX FAWCETTI is found only on Grand Cayman Island. It flowers for about 2 weeks between April and June.
It grows mainly on 6 acres in the Ironwood forest in Georgetown. A small number have been transplanted to the Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Garden, where we've seen it during FONT tours.

FONT nature tours on West Indian islands in the Caribbean have been in the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and in the Lesser Antilles in Antigua, Barbados, Barbuda, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent.

In the list that follows, below the scientific names are names in English and Spanish (S).
The families in the list are given (mostly) in alphabetical order, and genera within them are given alphabetically as well.
Families that are "break-offs" from other families follow them, may be out of alphabetical order.

Links to Plant Families in this List:

ACANTHACEAE - Acanthus

AGAVACEAE - Agave & Yucca (was said to be in the Lily Family - LILIACEAE) also NOLINACEAE

AIZOACEAE - Fig-marigold, or Carpetweed ALISMATACEAE - Water-plantains

AMARANTHACEAE (closely related to CHENOPODIACEAE - the Goosefoots)

ANACARDIACEAE - Sumacs ANNONACEAE - Custard Apples APIACEAE - Parsley, or Celery family

APOCYNACEAE - Dogbanes APODANTHACEAE (some endoparasitic herbs) ARACEAE - Aroids

ARALIACEAE - Aralias ARECACEAE, was PALMAE - Palms

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE - Bladderwort, Birthwort, or Pipevines

ASCLEPIADACEAE - Milkweeds ASTERACEAE. COMPOSITAE - Aster & Sunflower

ATHYRIACEAE - Lady Ferns BALSAMINACEAE - Touch-me-not

BASELLACEAE (a family of herbaceous plants) BATACEAE - Pickleweed

BIGNONIACEAE - Bignonias, Trumpet Creepers BIXACEAE - Achiote, or Annato Plants

BORAGINACEAE - Borages BRASSICADEAE - Mustards (formerly CRUCIFERAE)

BROMELIACEAE - Bromeliads BURSERACEAE - Torchwoods, or Incense Trees

BUXACEAE - Box family CACTACEAE - Cacti

CALOPHYLLACEAE (previously in the CLUSIACEAE, or GUTTIFERAE family)

CAMPANULACEAE - Bellflowers CANELLACEAE CANNABACEAE - Canna (now includes ULMACEAE)

CAPPARACEAE - Capers CARICACEAE - Papaya Plants CELASTRACEAE - Bittersweet, or Staff-vine

CHENOPODIACEAE - Goosefoot Family CHRYSOBALANACEAE CLUSIACEAE - Clusias

COMBRETACEAE - Bush Willows, Combretums, Almond

COMMELINACEAE - Dayflowers, or Spiderworts CONVOLVULACEAE - Morning Glories

COSTACEAE - Costus Family (inc Spiral Gingers) CRASSULACEAE - Stonecrop, or Orpine Family

CUCURBITACEAE - Gourd, or Cucumbers CUPRESSACEAE - Cypress, Juniper DENNSTAEDTIACEAE - Ferns

DILLENIACEAE - Rose Apples DIOSCOREACEAE - Yam ERYTHROXYLACEAE - Coca family

EUPHORBIACEAE - Spurges

FABACEAE - Legume, or Pea or Bean Family (includes CAESALPINIOIDEAE, the Carob Plants, and MIMOSOIDEAE, the Mimosa Plants)

GENTIANACEAE - Gentians GESNERIACEAE GOODENIACEAE - Fan-flowers

LAMIACEAE, or LABIATAE - Mints LAURACEAE - Laurel LECYTHIDACEAE - Brazil Nut plants and allies

LILIACEAE - Lilies (including what was in AMARYLLIDACEAE, the Amaryllis Family)

LORANTHACEAE - Mistletoes    LYTHRACEAE - Loosestrifes    MAGNOLIACEAE - Magnolias

MALPIGHIACEAE    MALVACEAE - Mallows (includes BOMBACACEAE, the Cotton Tree Plants)

MARANTACEAE - Arrowroot, or Prayer-plant Family    MELASTOMATACEAE - Melastomes

MELIACEAE - Mahogany MENISPERMACEAE MORACEAE - Mulberry plants

MUSACEAE - Banana plants, Heliconias MYRICACEAE - Wax-myrtle MYRSINACEAE - Myrsine

MYRISTICA - Nutmeg MYRTACAE - Myrtles NYCTAGINACEAE - Four O' Clocks

NYMPHAEACEAE - Water Lilies OLACACEAE OLEACEAE - Olive, Jasmine

ONAGRACEAE - Willowherb, Evening Primrose ORCHIDACEAE - Orchids PAPAVERACEAE - Poppies

PASSIFLORACEAE - Passionflowers PHYTOLACCACEAE - Pokeweed PINACEAE - Pines

PIPERACEAE - Pepper PLANTAGINACEAE - Plantains (not related to the Banana)

POACEAE (or GRAMINEAE) - Grasses POLEMONIACEAE - Phloxes POLYGALACEAE - Milkworts

POLYGONACEAE - Buckwheats POLYPODIACEAE - Polypod Ferns

PONTEDERIACEAE - Water Hyacinth, Pickerel-weed    PORTULACACEAE - Purslanes

PRIMULACEAE - Primrose    PROTEACEAE - Macadamia and allies

PSILOTACEAE - fern-like plants (without roots and true leaves)    RHAMNACEE - Buckthorns

RHIZOPHORACEAE - Mangroves and allies ROSACEAE - Rose RUBIACEAE - Madders

RUPPIACEAE - Ditch Grass RUTACEAE - Citrus SALICACEAE - Willows

SANTALACEAE - Sandalwoods (includes VISCACEAE, Mistletoes) SAPINDACEAE - Soapberry family

SAPOTACEAE - Sapote plants SCROPHULARIACEAE - Snapdragons, or Figworts SIMAROUBACEAE

SMILACACEAE - Greenbrier Family SOLANACEAE - Nightshades STERCULIACEAE - Cacao plants

STRELITZIACEAE includes Bird of Paradise SURIANACEAE THYMELACEAE - Daphne

TURNERACEAE (included in PASSIFLORACEAE) TYPHACEAE - Cattail URTICACEAE - Nettles

VERBENACEAE - Vervains, Verbanas VITACEAE - Grape ZAMIACEAE - Cone-palm Ferns

ZINGIBERACEAE - Ginger ZYGOPHYLLACEAE - Caltrop

AN ALPHABETICAL DIRECTORY OF PLANT GENERA IN THIS WEBSITE NOTING FAMILIES

A Photo Gallery of Plants during a FONT Tour in the Dominican Republic
with some of the photographed plants not identified. If you can ID any, we'd greatly appreciate.

Codes:

Categorized as a tree: (T)     as a shrub, or bush: (S)     as a wildflower: (W)

BR: in Brazil    BZ: in Belize    CR: in Costa Rica    CY: in the Cayman Islands    DR: in the Dominican Republic
EC: in Ecuador    GU: in Guatemala    JM: in Jamaica    MX: in Mexico    PN: Panama    PR: Puerto Rico

(ph): species with a photo in the FONT web-site

In this list, Spanish names follow the letter S: Portuguese names follow the letter P:

Other Links:

Information about Upcoming FONT Birding & Nature Tours:
in the Caribbean in Central America in South America (Brazil and Ecuador)

or by month in: 2015 2016 or: by geographic locations worldwide

Lists and Photo Galleries in this Website of Other Nature:

Birds in: the Caribbean Central America South America (Brazil) South America (Ecuador)

A list and Photo Gallery of Hummingbirds in 2 parts

Mammals: the Caribbean Central America South America

Butterflies and Moths in: the Caribbean Central America South America

Other Lists and Photo Galleries in this website relating to Plants:

Wildflowers & Other Plants in Texas Wildflowers & Other Plants in Eastern North America

Desert Plants of the Southwest US & northern Mexico

Northern Plants in Alaska, Iceland, & the mountains of Hokkaido, Japan
(with some notes about medicinal and edible plants)

Tropical Plants of the Americas (a list in 3 parts) Orchids of the Americas

Links to Other Lists & Photo Galleries of Plants Directory of Photos in this Website

Books that have been sources for this list include:
"Aves Brasileiras e Plantas que as Atraem" by Johan Dalgas Frisch and Christian Dalgas Frisch, 2005
"Botanica's Pocket Orchids" by various authors, 2007 (with over 1200 species listed)
"Brazil, Amazon and Pantanal - the Ecotraveler's Wildlife Guide" by David Pearson and Les Beletsky, 2002
"The Butterflies of Hispaniola" by Albert Schwartz, 1989.
"Fruits and Vegetables of the Caribbean" by M Bourne, G. Lennox and S. Seddon, 2006
"Hispaniola" by Eladio Fernandez, 2007
"Hummingbirds, a Life-size Guide to Every Species" by Michael Fogden, Marianne Taylor, and Sheri Williamson, 2014
"A Naturalist in Costa Rica" by Alexander Skutch, 1971
"Threatened Plants of the Cayman Islands - the Red List" by Frederic Burton, 2008.
"Tropical Plants of the World" by Jens Rohwer, 2002

     A List of Tropical Plants of the Americas:


       Family ACANTHACEAE (Acanthus)

        Genus AVICENNIA (was said to be in a family AVICENNIACEAE)

Avicennia germinas ______ BR CY (endangered in CY)
Black Mangrove

As info, the Red Mangrove is in a different family, RHIZOPHORACEAE

GENUS JUSTICIA
Justicia brandegeana ______ (originally grew in Mexico)
False Hop (or "Mexican Shrimp Plant") (herbaceous plant)
S: Cola de Camaron
Justicia carnea ______ BR (originally grew in Brazil)
Brazilian Plume Flower (bush with simple, alternate leaves)
S: Isopo Rojizo, or Tango Rojizo

Family AGAVACEAE (Agaves)

Genus AGAVE
Agave antillarum ______ DR
S: Maguey
Agave caymanensis ______ CY (endemic to the Cayman Islands) (vulnerable)

Family AIZOACEAE (Fig-marigold, or Carpetweed)

Genus SESUVIUM
Sesuvium portulacastrum ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Sesuvium portulacastrum is a food plant for the butterfly Brephidium exilis, the Western Pygmy Blue.

Family ALISMATACEAE (Water-plantains)

Genus LIMNOCHARIS
Limnocharis flava ______ (originally grew in South America)
Sawah Flowering Rush
S: Cebolla de Chucho, or Hoja de Buitre

Genus SAGITTARIA
Sagittaria lancifolia ______ CY

Family AMARANTHACEAE (S)

AMARANTHACEAE is closely related to CHENOPODIACEAE, the Goosefoots, with the latter said now to be a subfamily

Genus BLUTAPARON
Blutaparon vermiculare ______ CY

Genus GOMPHRENA
Gomphrena globosa ______ (originally grew in the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Bachelor's Button (or Globe Amaranth) (herbaceous plant)
S: Lazo de Amor

Genus LITHOPHILA
Lithophila muscoides ______ CY

Family ANACARDIACEAE (Sumacs)

Genus ANACARDIUM
Anacardium occidentale (ph) ______ BR BZ (originally grew in Central America, northern South America, Caribbean islands)
Cashew Nut (tree with simple, alternating leaves)
P: Caju
S: Merey, or Maranon

Birds that feed on the Cashew include: thrushes, tanagers, euphonias, parakeets, parrots, and others.

A Cashew photographed during a FONT tour in Belize
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Genus COMOCLADIA
Comocladia dentata ______ CY
Maiden Plum

Genus MANGIFERA
Mangifera indica ______ (originally grew in India)
Mango (tree with simple, alternating leaves)

The Mango Tree is easily recognized by its dome-shaped crown of dull green leathery leaves growing on a short, thick trunk.
The small green flowers grow in inconspicuous clusters.
Usually the fruit is kidney-shaped, with each fruit hanging down on a long stalk.
When the fruit is ripe, its skin is pinkish or yellowish, lightly flecked with black and brown.
The flesh is yellow-orange and is succulent yet fibrous, especially where it attaches to the single large stone.
Mango is commonly served in the American tropics in breakfast fruit platters and in fruit salad deserts.
On some Caribbean islands, it is cooked as mango pie, mango brown Betty, and even mango mousse.

Genus METOPLUM
Metoplum toxiferum ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Caymans) (endangered in CY)
"Poison Tree" (name in CY)

Genus SCHINUS
Schinus molle ______ (originally grew in South America)
Pepper Tree (tree with leaves pinnately divided)
S: Arbol de Pimienta, or Piru

Family ANNONACEAE (Custard Apples)

Genus ANNONA
Annona muricata (*) (ph) ______ DR (originally grew in the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Soursop (tree with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Guanabana

The Soursop Tree is found on many of the Caribbean islands, where its fruit is particularly popular.
It is a fast-growing tree with small, shiny leaves and yellowish-green flowers.
The fruit is large, oval-shaped, and green in color.
Its skin has a distinct spiny surface, and so the fruit is easily recognized in markets and roadside stalls.
Some fruits attain a length of 8 inches, and a weight of 6 pounds is not unusual.
The inside of the fruit is whitish-pink, and the flesh has the consistency of thick custard.
The fruit is seldom cooked. More frequently it is sieved and served as cream, or soursop ice cream. It also made into drinks and sherbet. It retains its flavor even after deep-freezing for a period of time.

One morning during a FONT tour in the Dominican Republic, along a back road
way out in the countryside, we enjoyed some wonderful-tasting Soursop.
Holding one, to the right in the picture, is our Dominican friend, Julio.
Annona reticulata ______ (grows on Caribbean islands)
Custard Apple (or Sugar Apple)
Annona squamosa ______ (originally grew in the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Sweetsop (tree with simple, alternating leaves)
P: Fruta do Conde
S: Rinon

Genus MONODORA
Monodora myristica ______ (originally grew in tropical Africa, now on Caribbean islands)
Calabash Nutmeg (with simple, alternating leaves)

Family APIACEAE (Parsley, or Celery family)

includes UMBELLIFERAE

Genus CENTELLA
Centella asiatica ______ CY

Genus DAUCUS
Daucus sp. ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Daucus species are food plants for the butterfly Strymon bazochii, the Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak.

Family APOCYNACEAE (Dogbanes)

Genus ALLAMANDA
Allamanda cathartica ______ (originally grew in northeastern South America)
Buttercups (or Yellow Allamanda) (climbing plant with simple opposite leaves)
S: Amanda, or Copa de Oro

Genus ECHNITES
Echnites umbellata ______ CY
White Nightshade

Genus FUNASTRUM
Funastrum clausum ______ DR
White Twinevine

Funastrum clausum is a climbing plant with white flowers, in lowland xeric habitat.

In the Dominican Republic, Funastrum clausum is a food plant for the butterflies: Danaus gilippus, the Queen. Danaus eresimus, the Soldier. At such plants, D. eresimus seems to far outnumber D. gilippus.

Genus MANDEVILLA
Mandevilla splendens ______ (originally grew in southeastern Brazil)
Pink Mandevilla (climbing plant with simple, opposite leaves)

Genus PENTALINON
Pentalinon luteum ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)
Yellow Nightshade

Genus PLUMERIA
Plumeria rubra ______ (originally grew in the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Frangipani (or Temple Tree) (bush with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Amipola
Plumeria obtusa ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (endangered in CY)
Jasmine

Genus RAUVOLFIA
Rauvolfia nitida ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (critically endangered in CY)

Genus RHABDADENIA
Rhabdadenia biflora ______ CY

Genus TABERNAEMONTANA
Tabernaemontana laurifolia ______ CY (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands) (endangered)
Wild Jasmine

Genus THEVETIA
Thevetia peruviana ______ (originally grew in the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Be-still Tree (or Yellow Oleander) (bush with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Adelfa Amarilla

Family APODANTHACEAE (some endoparasitic herbs)

Genus PILOSTYLES
Pilostyles globosa (var. caymanensis) ______ CY (endemic to the Caymans)

Family ARACEAE (Aroids)

Genus ANTHURIUM
Anthurium andraeanum ______ (originally grew in Colombia)
Flamingo Lily (herbaceous plant)
S: Cresta de Gallo, or Lengua del Diablo

Genus CALADIUM
Caladium bicolor ______ (originally grew in northern South America)
Heart of Jesus (or "Mother-in-law Plant") (herbaceous plant)
S: Corazon de Jesus

Genus COLOCASIA
Colocasia esculenta ______ (grows on Caribbean islands)
Dasheen (an herbaceous perennial plant)

Colocasia esculenta (var. esculenta) ______ (grows on Caribbean islands)
Eddoe

Genus MONSTERA
Monstera delicioso ______ (originally grew in Central America)
Ceriman (climbing plant with simple alternating leaves)
P: Banana de Macaco
S: Harpon, or Hojadilio, or Pinanona

Other names for Monstera delicioso are Split Leaf Philodendron and Swiss Cheese Plant.

Genus MONTRICHARDIA
Montrichardia sp. ______
Swamp Aroid

Genus PHILODENDRON

Taxonomically, the genus PHILODENDRON is still poorly known, with many undescribed species.
Philodendron hederaceum ______ CY

Genus SPATHIPHYLLUM
Spathiphyllum floribundum ______ (originally grew in Panama and Colombia)
Peace Lily (herbaceous plant)

Family ARALIACEAE (Aralias)

Genus DENDROPANAX
Dendropanax arboreus ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Galipee (name in CY)

Genus DIDYMOPANAX
Didymopanax tremulus ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, in clouds forests: Cordillera Central, Bahoruco)
Tremulus Tree
S: Palo de Viento

Family ARECACEAE (was PALMAE) (Palms)

Genus BACTRIS
Bactris gasipaes ______ (grows in tropical America, origin unknown)
Peach Palm (a feather palm tree)
P: Pupunha
S: Chontas, or Pejibaye

Genus BORASSUS
Borassus flabellifer ______ (originally grew in southern Asia, now widespread in the American tropics)
Lontar Palm (a fan palm tree)

Genus COCCOTHRINAX
Coccothrinax proctorii ______ CY (endemic to the Cayman Islands) (endangered)
Silver Thatch
Coccothrinax spissa (*) ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, in Peravia province)
S: Guanito de Paya, or Guanito de Bani
Coccothrinax scoparia ______ DR (occurs in the Sierra de Bahoruco)

Genus COCOS
Cocos nucifera (*) ______ (originally grew in the tropics by the western Pacific Ocean)
Coconut Palm (a feather palm tree)
S: Coco

Genus COPERNICIA
Copernicia berteroana (*) ______ DR (in the Dominican Republic, near Lake Enriquillo)
S: La Palmera Yarey
Copernicia macroglossa ______ (said to be originally from Cuba)
Petticoat Palm (a fan palm tree)

Genus ELAEIS
Elaeis guineensos ______ (originally grew in west Africa)
Oil Palm (a feather palm tree)

Genus PSEUDOPHOENIX
Pseudophoenix ekamnii ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, in Oviedo) (critically endangered)
Dominican Cherry Palm

Genus REINHARDTIA
Reinhardtia paiwonskiana ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, in the Sierra de Bahoruco at about 2,500 ft above sea level) (a critically endangered species)
Bahoruco Sierra Palm
S: Palma Coquito

Most Reinhardtia in the world are tiny palms, usually seen as potted plants. But in its genus, Reinhardtia paiwonskiana is a giant, growing to about 35 feet high, with a trunk diameter of over 5 inches.

Reinhardtia paiwonskiana was described to science in 1987, and the species in the Dominican Republic is the only known member of its genus in the West Indies. It is also the most tropical in is genus.
And in contrast with other Reinhardtia, it is a solitary pinnate palm that likes full sun.
Reinhardtia paiwonskiana is rarely seen in the wild or in cultivation.

Genus ROYSTONEA
Roystonea borinquena (ph) ______
Puerto Rican Royal Palm (a feather palm tree)

A Puerto Rican Royal Palm photographed during a FONT Caribbean tour
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Roystonea hispaniolana (ph) ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, where widespread)
Hispaniolan Royal Palm
S: Palma Real

Roystonea hispaniolana occurs in transition forests, humid forests, rain forests.

Above: looking up into a Hispaniolan Royal Palm.
This part of the tree is a favored haunt of a bird called the Palmchat,
a bird endemic to Hispaniola and the only member of its genus and family.
Below: the Palmchat
(both photos by Marie Gardner, during a FONT tour in the Dominican Republic)
Roystonea regia ______ CY (said to be originally from Cuba) (endangered in CY)
Royal Palm (a feather palm tree)

Genus SABAL
Sabal domingensis ______ DR (occurs on Hispaniola and Cuba)
Hispaniola Palmetto

Genus THRINAX
Thrinax radiata ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (critically endangered in CY)
Bull Thatch (name in CY)

Genus WASHINGTONIA
Washingtonia filifera ______ (originally grew in more humid places in dry areas of California and Arizona, now in the humid tropics in parks)
Desert Palm (or California Fan Palm) (as in the names, a fan palm tree)
S: Palma de Castilla, Palma de Abanico ("Fan Palm")

Washington filifera is a desert species only in the sense that it grows within desert boundaries. It is a relict species from a time when what is now a desert was an area receiving abundant rain and was covered by a tropical forest. Today, in its original range, the Desert Palm grows only around springs and along streams.

Family ARALIACEAE (Aralias)

Genus DENDROPANAX
Dendropanax arboreus ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Galipee (name in CY)

Family ARAUCARIACEAE (Araucarias)

Genus ARAUCARIA
Araucaria heterophylla ______ (originally grew on Norfolk Island in the Pacific Ocean)
Norfolk Island Pine (a coniferous tree)

Family ARISTOLOCHIACEAE (Pipevines, Bladderworts, Birthworts)

Genus ARISTOLOCHIA
Aristolochia gigantea ______ (originally grew from Panama to the Amazon)
Pelican Flower (climbing plant with simple, alternating leaves)

Family ASCLEPIADACEAE (Milkweeds, Silkweeds)

What has been the family ASCLEPIADACEAE is now the subfamily ASCLEPIADOIDEAE in APOCYNACEAE, the Dogbanes.

Genus ASCLEPIAS
Asclepias curassavica ______ DR (native to he Western Hemisphere)
Butterflyweed (or Orange Milkweed) (bush with simple, alternate leaves)
P: Oficial da Sala
S: Algodoncillo, or Corcalito, or Flor de Sangre, or Mata Caballo, or Yuquillo

Another name for Asclepias curassavica is Bloodflower. A Spanish name for it is the same: "Flor de Sangre".

In the Dominican Republic, Asclepias curassavica is a food plant for the butterfly Papilio machaonides, the Machaonides Swallowtail.
Asclepias nivea ______ DR
Caribbean Milkweed

In the Dominican Republic, Asclepias nivea is a food plant for the butterflies: Anetia jaegeri, the Hispaniolan King, Danaus gilippus, the Queen, Danaus plexippus, the Monarch, Danaus cleophile, the Caribbean Queen or Jamaican Monarch.

A Hispaniolan King photographed during a FONT tour
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Genus METASTELMA
Metastelma palustre ______ CY
Metastelma picardae ______ CY (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands)

Genus SARCOSTEMMA
Sarcostemma clausum ______ CY

Family ASTERACEAE (or COMPOSITAE) (Asters, Sunflowers)

With about 1,100 genera & 20,000 species in this large, worldwide family; making this and the Orchid Family (ORCHIDACEAE) the two largest plant families.

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are about 335 described species in ASTERACEAE.

Genus AGERATUM
Ageratum conyzoides ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Ageratum conyzoides is a food plant for the butterflies: Battus polydamas, the Gold Rim Swallowtail, Strymon istapa, the Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak, Strymon bazochii, the Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak, Anartia lytrea, the Goddard's Anartia, Anetia pantherata, the Great King, Anetia jaegeri, the Hispaniolan King, Danaus gilippus, the Queen, Danaus eresimus, the Soldier, Danaus cleophile, the Caribbean Queen or Jamaican Monarch.

A Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak photographed
during a FONT tour in the Dominican Republic
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Ageratum littorale ______ CY

Genus AMBROSIA
Ambrosia hispida ______ CY (native to the entire Caribbean, Central America, northern South America)
Sweet Bay

Other names for Ambrosia hispida are Bay Gerina, Bay Tansy, Wormwood, Soap Bush. In the Cayman Islands it is called "Geranium".
It grows in sandy dune area along shorelines.

Genus ASTER
Aster subulatus (var. cubensis) ______ CY

Genus BACCHARIS
Baccharis dioca ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)

Genus BIDENS
Bidens pilosa ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Bidens pilosa is a food plant for the butterflies: Strymon istapa, the Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak, Strymon bazochii, the Lantana Scrub-Hairsteak, Anetia pantherata, the Great King, Danaus gilippus, the Queen, Danaus eresimus, the Soldier.

Genus BORRICHIA
Borrichia arborescens ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)
Bay Candlewood

Genus ISOCARPHA
Isocarpha oppositifolia ______ CY

Genus IVA
Iva cheiranthifolia ______ CY
Iva imbricata ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus KOANOPHYLLON
Koanophyllon villosum ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)

Genus LEPIDAPLOA
Lepidaploa divaricata ______ CY (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands) (vulnerable)
Christmas Blossom (name in CY)

Genus MELANTHERA
Melanthera aspera ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands)

Genus MIKANIA
Mikania cordifolia ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Mikania cordifolia is a food plant for the butterfly Danaus eresimus, the Soldier.

Genus PARTHENIUM
Parthenium hysterophorus ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Parthenium hysterophorus is a food plant for the butterfly Strymon columella, the Hewitson's Hairstreak.

Genus PECTIS
Pectis caymanensis ______ CY
Pectis caymanensis (var. caymanensis) ______ (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands) (critically endangered in CY)
Pectis caymanensis (var. robusta) ______ (endemic to Grand Cayman island) (critically endangered in CY)
Tea Banker
Pectis linifolia ______ CY

Genus PLUCHEA
Pluchea carolinensis ______ CY
Cure-for-all Sourbush

Other names for Pluchea carolinensis include Cattletongue.

MEDICINAL PLANT:
As its name implies, the Cure-for-all Sourbush is widely used medically in the Caribbean, for various ailments including cough.
Pluchea odorata ______ CY
Salt Marsh Sourbush

In North America, a name for Pluchea odorata is Salt Marsh Fleabane.

Genus SALMEA
Salmea petrobioides ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)

Genus SENECIO
Senecio haitensis ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Senecio haitensis is a food plant for the butterflies: Anetia pantherata, the Great King, Danaus plexippus, the Monarch.

Genus SPHAGNETICOLA
Sphagneticola trilobata ______ CY
Marigold (name in CY)

Genus SPILANTHES
Spilanthes urens ______ CY

Genus VERBESINA
Verbesina caymanensis ______ CY (endemic to the Caribbean island of Cayman Brac) (critically endangered)

Genus ZINNIA
Zinnia elegans ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Zinnia elegans is a food plant for the butterfly Battus polydamas, the Gold Rim Swallowtail.
It is especially favored by the butterfly Papilio androgeus, the Androgeus Swallowtail.

Family ATHYRIACEAE (Lady-Ferns)

Genus HYMENOPHYLLUM
Hymenophyllum sp. ______ DR

Family BALSAMINACEAE (Touch-me-not)

Genus IMPATIENS

Plants in IMPATIENS can be attractive to feeding hummingbirds.

Family BASELLACEAE (some herbaceous plants)

Genus ANREDERA
Anredera vesicaria ______ CY

Family BATACEAE

A family with only 2 species, 1 in the Americas, 1 in Australia.

Genus BATIS
Batis maritima (*) ______ CY DR
Pickleweed (or Saltwort, Beachwort)

In the Cayman Islands, and the Dominican Republic, Batis maritima is a food plant for the butterfly Brephidium exilis, the Western Pygmy Blue.
During FONT tours on Little Cayman Island, and in the area of the dunes at Bani in the Dominican Republic, we've seen good numbers of this tiny butterfly at this plant by the sea.

Family BIGNONIACEAE (Trumpet Creepers, Bignonias)

Genus CATALPA
Catalpa longissima ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus CRESCENTIA
Crescentia cujete (ph) ______ BR (originally grew on Caribbean islands)
Calabash Tree (with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Calabasa, or Cujete, or Higuero, or Taparo.

The Calabash is the national tree of Saint Lucia.

The fruit of the Calabash tree
(photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen)

Genus JACARANDA
Jacaranda ekmanii ______ DR
Ekman's Jacaranda
S: Jacaranda de Ekman

Genus PARMENTIERA
Parmentiera aculeata ______ (originally grew in Central America)
Food Candle Tree

Genus PYROSTEGIA
Pyrostegia venusta ______ (originally grew in Brazil and Paraguay)
Flame Vine (or "Orange Creeper") (climbing plant with leaves pinnately divided or tripartite)
P: Cipo de Sao Joao
S: Chiltote, or Chorro de Oro

Genus SPATHODEA
Spathodea campanulata (ph) ______ DR JM (originally grew in tropical Africa)
African Tulip Tree (tree with leaves pinnately divided)
S: Tulipan Africano, or Caoba de Santo Domingo, or Arbol de Fuente

Even though the African Tulip Tree is an introduced species in Jamaica, an endemic hummingbird on that island, the Jamaican Mango, Anthracothorax mango, uses it as a food source.

African Tulip Trees photographed during a FONT tour in the Dominican Republic
in the Caribbean (photo by Marie Gardner)

Genus TABEBUIA

The TABEBUIA trees noted below can be, when in bloom, especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds.
Tabebuia berterii ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, widespread there)
S: Aceituno

Tabebuia berterii occurs in rainforest, semi-humid, and dry forest.
Tabebuia haemantha ______
S: Roble Cimarron

Roble Cimarron is a preferred feeding plant for nectar for the hummingbird, the Antillean Mango, Anthracothorax dominicus, on the Caribbean islands of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico.
Tabebuia heterophylla ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Whitewood (name in CY)
Tabebuia jaragua ______ DR
S: Roblillo

Genus TECOMA
Tecoma stans ______ (originally grew from the southern US to northern Argentina)
Yellow Trumpet Flower (bush with leaves pinnately divided)
S: Trompetilla, or Fresnillo, or Floria, or Roble Amarillo, or Sauco Amarillo

The Yellow Trumpet Flower is among the most popular of ornamental plants from the tropics, and so it has many names.

Genus TECOMARIA

TECOMARIA species are especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds, in Brazil.

Family BIXACEAE (Achiote, or Annatto Plants)

Genus BIXA
Bixa orellana ______ (originally grew in the tropics of the Western Hemisphere)
Annatto Tree (bush with simple, alternating leaves)
P: Acafroa
S: Achiote

The fleshy seed coat of the Annatto produces a bright red color that is used in lipsticks, soap, and foods such as cheese and margarine.
Native Americans used it to color their hair and paint their skin.

Genus COCHLOSPERMUM
Cochlospermum vitifolium ______ (originally grew from Mexico to Peru and Brazil)
Buttercup Tree (tree with leaves palmately divided)
S: Bototo, or Carnestolenda, or Poro Poro

Family BORAGINACEAE (Borages)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 50 described species in BORAGINACEAE.

Genus ARGUSIA
Argusia gnaphalodes ______ CY
Lavendar (name in CY)

Genus BOURRERIA
Bourreria succulenta (ph) ______ (in the Bahamas, Cuba, and on other Caribbean islands)
Bahama Strongbark, or Bodywood

Above and below: the Bahama Strongbark
Above: the flowers. Below: the fruit.
(photos courtesy of Michiel Koomen)
Bourreria venosa ______ CY
Parrot Berry (name in CY)

Genus CORDIA

In the Dominican Republic, CORDIA species are food plants for the butterfly Battus polydamas, the Gold Rim Swallowtail.
Cordia brownei ______ CY (nearly endemic to CY)
Cordia gerascanthus ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Spanish Elm (name in CY)
Cordia globosa humilis ______ CY DR (vulnerable in CY)
Black Sage (name in CY)

In the Dominican Republic, Cordia globosa is a food plant for the butterfly Papilio aristor, the Scarce Haitian Swallowtail.
Cordia haitiensis ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Cordia haitensis is a food plant for the butterflies: Papilio aristor, the Scarce Haitian Swallowtail, Papilio machaonides, the Machaonides Swallowtail, Papilio androgeus, the Androgeus Swallowtail, Junonia genoveva, the Mangrove Buckeye.
Cordia laevigata ______ CY (endemic to Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (critically endangered in CY)
Clam Cherry (name in CY)
Cordia rickseckeri ______
S: San Bartolome

The San Bartolome is a preferred feeding plant for nectar for the hummingbird, the Antillean Mango, Anthracothorax dominicus, on the Caribbean islands of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico.
Cordia sebestena ______ JM (originally grew on Caribbean islands and in Venezuela)
Cordia sebestena (var. caymanensis) ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Scarlet Cordia (tree with simple, alternating leaves)
Broad Leaf (name in CY)
S: Vomitel, or No-me-olvide

On Jamaica, the Scarlet Cordia is a food source for the Jamaican Mango, Anthracothorax mango, a hummingbird endemic to that island. The male hummingbirds defend their feeding territories vigorously.

Genus EHRETIA
Ehretia tinifolia ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus HELIOTROPIUM
Heliotropium curassavicum ______ CY DR

In the Dominican Republic, Heliotropium curassavicum is a food plant for the butterfly Strymon columella, the Hewitson's Hairstreak.
Heliotropium humifusum ______ CY
Heliotropium ternatum ______ CY

Genus TOURNEFORTIA
Tournefortia astrotricha ______ CY
Tournefortia hirsutissima ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Tournefortia hirsutissima is a food plant for the butterflies: Battus polydamas, the Gold Rim Swallowtail, Strymon istapa, the Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak, Hamadryas amplichloe, the Pale Cracker, Junonia genoveva, the Mangrove Buckeye, Anetia pantherata, the Great King, Danaus cleophile, the Caribbean Queen or Jamaican Monarch.
Tournefortia minuta ______ CY
Tournefortia volubilis ______ CY
Aunt Eliza Bush (name in CY)

Family BRASSICADEAE (Mustards) - formerly CRUCIFERAE

Genus CAKILE
Cakile lanceolata ______ CY

Family BROMELIACEAE (Bromeliads)

Plants in BROMELIACEAE are favored food, in Central America, for the hummingbird, the Violet Sabrewing, Campylopterus hemileucurus.

Genus AECHMEA

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, plants in AECHMEA are fed upon for nectar by the hummingbird known as the Hispaniolan Emerald, Chlorostilbon swainsonii, a bird endemic to that island.
Aechmea fasciata ______ (originally grew in Brazil)
Silver Vase (epiphyte)
P: Aequimeia

Genus ANANAS
Ananas comosus ______ (originally grew in the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Pineapple
P: Abacaxi
S: Pina

The Pineapple got its English name from the resemblance it has to the pine cone in the temperate regions.
The plant was native to Central America and the West Indies. Columbus found it there when he arrived in 1492.
Since then, it has become cultivated in much of the world, in the tropics, and it now a popular fruit many places.

Because of the structure and arrangement of its leaves, the Pineapple plant can make maximum use of rain water, and so it is capable of living in dry conditions.
The flowers of the plant arise deep in the center of the leaves where they bloom for only a brief period.
About 10 months later, the fruit of the pineapple has grown and ripened and is ready for picking.

Pineapple is used widely as a breakfast dish, a dessert, and in fruit salads. It also is used as accompaniment with meat dishes such as ham, gammon, and pork (all names for pretty much the same thing).
Also Pineapple is often, in the tropics, a flavor in a juice, and it is used to make a delicious "squash drink".

Genus GUZMANIA

The bromeliads in GUZMANIA are favored foods for the hummingbird, the Straight-billed Hermit.

Genus HOHENBERGIA
Hohenbergia caymanensis ______ CY (endemic to the Cayman Islands) (critically endangered)
Old George (name in CY)
Hohenbergia portoricensis ______ PR
Puerto Rican Lacebark

Hohenbergia portoricensis is a food source in Puerto Rico for the Puerto Rican Emerald, Chlorostilbon maugaeus, a hummingbird that is endemic to that island.

Genus PITCAIRNIA
Pitcairnia bromeliifolia ______ DR PR

Pitcairnia bromeliifolia is a red-flowered bromeliad that is a food source in Puerto Rico for the hummingbird, the Green Mango, Anthracothorax viridis, that is endemic to that island.
Also in Puerto Rico, and on Hispaniola, it is a preferred food source for nectar for the Antillean Mango, Anthracothorax dominicus.
Pitcairnia elizabethae ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Pitcairnia elizabethae is a food plant for the butterfly Danaus plexippus, the Monarch.

Genus TILLANDSIA
Tillandsia balbisiana ______ CY
Tillandsia bulbosa ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Tillandsia fasciculata (var. clavispica) ______ CY
Tillandsia festucoides ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Tillandsia flexuosa ______ CY
Tillandsia paucifolia ______ CY (endemic to Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands)
Tillandsia recurvata ______ CY
Old Man's Beard (name in CY)
Tillandsia setacea ______ CY
Tillandsia usneoides ______ (occurs from the southern US to northern Argentina)
Spanish Moss (epiphyte)
P: Barba de Pau, or Barba de Velho
S: Barba de Viejo, or Musgo Blanco

Another name for Tillandsia usneoides is Louisiana Moss.
Tillandsia utriculata ______ CY (endemic to West Indies)

Genus VRIESEA
Vriesea sintenisii ______ PR

Vriesea sintenisii is a food source in Puerto Rico for the hummingbird, the Puerto Rican Emerald, Chlorostilbon maugeus, that is endemic to that island.

Family BURSERA (Torchwoods, or Incense Trees)

Genus BURSERA
Busera simaruba ______ CY
Red Birch (name in CY)

Family BUXACEAE (Box family)

Genus BUXUS
Buxus bahamensis ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Family CACTACEAE (Cacti)

With about 140 genera and 2,000 species, nearly all found in warm arid parts of the Americas.

Genus CONSOLEA
Consolea millspaughii (var. caymanensis) ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus EPIPHYLLUM
Epiphyllum phyllanthus (var. plattsii) ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus HARRISIA
Harrisia gracilis ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Harrisia nashii (*) (ph) ______ DR (in Dominican Republic, by Lake Enriquillo and in the lower Sierra de Bahoruco)
S: Flor de la Pitahaya (referring to the flower)

The cactus, Harrisia nashii, photographed during a FONT tour in the Dominican Republic,
by Lake Enriquillo, at about 200 feet below sea level.
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Genus MELOCACTUS
Melocactus pedernalensis (*) ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, in area of Pedernales)
S: Melon Espinoso

Genus NEOABBOTTIA
Neoabbottia paniculada (*) ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, in xeric forest by Lake Enriquillo)
S: Caguey, or Elcacto

Genus OPUNTIA
Opuntia caribaea (*) ______ DR (in the Dominican Republic, by Lago Enriquillo)
S: Guasabara
Opuntia cochenillifera ______ JM
Cochincal Prickly Pear

The flowers of the Cochincal Prickly Pear are fed on extensively by the Jamaican Mango, Anthracothorax mango, a hummingbird endemic to Jamaica.
Opuntia dillenii ______ CY (endangered in CY)

Genus PERESKIA
Pereskia grandifolia ______ (originally grew in Brazil)
Rose Cactus (bush with simple, alternating leaves)
Pereskia quisqueyana ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, only in and near the beach town of Bayahibe)
S: Flor de Bayahibe, or Rosa de Bayahibe

In the Dominican Republic, Bayahibe is by the "National Park of the East".

Genus PILOSOCEREUS
Pilosocereus swartzii ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Dildo (name in CY)

Genus SELENICEREUS
Selenicereus boeckmannii ______ CY (endemic to Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands)
Vine Pear (name in CY)
Selenicereus grandiflorus ______ CY
Vine Pear (name in CY)

Family CALPHYLLACEAE

Previously in the CLUSIACEAE, or GUTTIFERAE Family.

Genus MAMMEA
Mammea americana ______ (originally grew on Caribbean islands)
Mammee Apple (or Santo Domingo Apple)

Mammea americana is sometimes confused with the unrelated but similar-looking Mamey Sapote Tree (Pauteria sapota) whose fruit is also called Mammee, or Mamey.

Family CANELLACEAE

Genus CANELLA
Canella winterana ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Pepper Cinnamon (name in CY)

Family CAMPANULACEAE (Bellflowers)

Family CANNA (Canna)

now includes ULMACEAE (CELTIS and TREMA)

Genus CANNA
Canna indica ______ (originally grew in the Western Hemisphere, not originally in India)
Indian Shot (herbaceous plant)
S: Bandera Espanola, or Platanillo, or Yuquilla

Genus CELTIS: Hackberries
Celtis iguanaea ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Celtis trinervia ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (critically endangered in CY)

Genus TREMA
Trema lamarckianum ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (vulnerable in CY)

Family CAPPARACEAE (Capers)

Genus CAPPARIS
Capparis cynophallophora ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Jamaican Caper (or Headache Bush, name in CY)
Capparis ferruginea ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Devil Head (name in CY)
Capparis flexuosa ______ CY
Raw Bones (name in CY)

Genus CLEOME
Cleome procumbens ______ CY
Cat's Whiskers (name in CY)

Family CARICACEAE (Papaya Plants)

Genus CARICA
Carica papaya (ph) ______ BR BZ (originally grew in the tropical Western Hemisphere, including Caribbean islands)
Papaya (or Pawpaw) (a giant-rosette plant)
P: Mamao
S: Lechosa

Although said to be a tree, the stem of the Papaya (or Pawpaw) is largely hollow and the plant lacks the wood characteristic of normal trees.
The stem is unbranched with a crown of large, palmate leaves springing from the top. There are separate male, female, and hermaphrodite plants, but only the females and hermaphrodites bear fruit.
The fruits vary in size, with some attaining a weight of ten pounds or more.
The flesh is yellowish-orange when ripe, with small dark seeds scattered in it.
Papaya is often eaten as a breakfast dish with, at times, some lime squeezed over it.
Both the fruit and the leaves contain papain, a protein-digesting enzyme. That enzyme can be extracted and used as a meat tenderizer.

Outside in nature, birds that feed on Papaya include: toucans, thrushes, an assortment of tanagers, euphonias, woodpeckers, and others.

Papaya, photographed during a FONT tour in Belize
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Family CELASTRACEAE (Bittersweet, or Staff-vine)

Genus CROSSOPETALUM
Crossopetalum caymanense ______ CY (endemic to Cayman Islands)
Crossopetalum rhacoma ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)
Snake Berry

Genus ELAEODENDRON
Elaeodendron xylocarpum (var. attenuatum) ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Wild Calabash

Genus GYMINDA
Gyminda latifolia ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (critically endangered in CY)

Genus MAYTENUS
Maytenus buxifolia ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus SCHAEFFERIA
Schaeffria frutescens ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Family CHENOPODIACEAE (Goosefoots)

Genus ATRIPLEX
Atriplex pentandra ______ CY

Genus SALICORNIA
Salicornia bigelovii ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Salicornia virginica ______ CY

Family CHRYSOBALANACEAE

Genus CHRYSOBALANUS
Chrysobalanus icaco ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Cocoplum

Family CLUSIA (Balsam, Clusias)

Genus CLUSIA
Clusia flava ______ CY
Balsam (name in CY)
Clusia major ______ (originally grew in Central America and northern South America, and Caribbean islands)
Autograph Tree (with simple, opposite leaves)
S: Copey, or Tampaco
Clusia rosea ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Balsam (name in CY)

Family COMBRETACEAE (Bush-willows, Combretums, Almond)

Genus CONOCARPUS
Conocarpus erectus ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Buttonwood

Genus LAGUNCULARIA
Laguncularia racemosa ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
White Mangrove

In the Dominican Republic, the White Mangrove is a food plant for the butterfly Eunica monima, the Dingy Purplewing.

Genus TERMINALIA
Terminalia catappa (ph) ______ (the common name below, with Barbados, notwithstanding, originally grew along the coast in southern Asia)
Tropical Almond (tree with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Alconorque, or Almendron, or Almendra de India

Other names for Terminalia catappa are Barbados Almond and Sea Almond.

Tropical Almond leaves. They turn red before they drop.
(photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen)
Teminalia eriostachya (var. margarretiae) ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Black Mastic

Family COMMELINACEAE (Dayflowers, or Spiderworts)

Genus CALLISIA
Callisia repens ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)

Genus COMMELINA
Commelina elegans ______ CY
Water Grass (name in CY)

Genus DICHORISANDRA
Dichorisandra thyrsiflora ______ (originally grew in Brazil)
Blue Ginger (herbaceous plant)

Genus TRADESCANTIA
Tradescantia spathacea ______ (originally grew in Central America)
Boat Lily (or "Moses-in-the-Cradle") (herbaceous plant)
P: Roel

Family CONVOLVULACEAE (Morning Glories) (W)

Genus DICHONDRA
Dichondria repens ______ CY

Genus EVOLVULUS
Evolvulus convolvuloides ______ CY
Evolvulus squamosus ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Crab Bush (name in CY)

Genus IPOMOEA
Ipomoea batatas ______ (originally grew in tropical America)
Sweet Potato
S: Batata, or Boniato
Ipomoea imperati ______ CY
Ipomoea indica (var. acuminata) ______ CY DR

In the Dominican Republic, Ipomoea indica is a food plant for the butterfly Battus polydamas, the Gold Rim Swallowtail.
Ipomoea lobata ______ (originally grew in tropical and subtropical America)
Firecracker Vine (or Spanish Flag) (climbing plant with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Bandera Espanola

With its tubular flowers, Ipomoea lobata differs markedly from other species in the genus.
Ipomoea passifloroides ______ CY (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands)
Ipomoea pes-caprae ______ (grows by tropical beaches of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans)
Ipomoea pes-caprae (var. brasiliensis) ______ CY
Beach Morning Glory (herbaceous plant)
P: Batata de Mar
S: Bejuco de Playa
Ipomoea quamoclit ______ (originally grew in tropical America)
Cardinal Climber (climbing plant with simple, alternating leaves)
P: Corda de Viola
S: Cabello de Angel
Ipomoea violacea ______ CY

Genus JACQUEMONTIA
Jacquemontia havanensis ______ CY

Family COSTACEAE (Costus Family, inc. Spiral Gingers)

Family CRASSULACEAE (Stonecrop, or Orpine Family)

Genus KALANCHOE

On some Caribbean islands in the eastern West Indies, KALANCHOE plants are a favored food source for the hummingbird, the Green-throated Carib. Eulampis holosericeus.

Family CUCURBITACEAE (Gourds, or Cucumbers)

Genus CIONOSICYOS
Cionosicyos pomiformis ______ CY (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands) (vulnerable)
Duppy Gourd (name in CY)

Genus CITRULLUS
Citrullus lanatus ______
Watermelon

Genus CUCURBITA
Cucurbita sp. ______ (grown in the American tropics, including on Caribbean islands)
Pumpkins (or Squashes)

Genus FEVILLEA
Fevillea cordifolia ______ CY

Genus SECHIUM
Sechium edule ______ (originally grew in Mexico, now also grown on Caribbean islands)
Christophine
S: Choyote

The "Choyote" is a large type of squash whose flesh can be eaten raw or, more commonly, cooked as a vegetable to accompany a main meat dish.

Family CUPRESSACEAE (Cypress, Juniper)

Genus JUNIPERUS
Juniperus gracilior ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, mountain ranges: Bahoruco, Massif de la Selle)
S: Sabina

Family DENNSTAEDTIACEAE (Ferns)

Genus PTERIDIUM
Pteridium aquilinum ______ DR (in the Dominican Republic, in the Cordillera Central)
Bracken Fern
S: Helecho Calimete

Family DILLENIACEAE (Rose Apples)

Genus DILLENIA
Malayan dillenia ______ (originally grew in Malaysia and Indonesia, now grows wild on Caribbean islands)
Malayan Dillenia (bush with simple, alternating leaves)

Family DIOSCOREACEAE (Yam)

Genus DIOSCOREA
Dioscorea sp. ______
Yam

Family ERYHROXYLACEAE (Coca Family)

Genus ERYTHROXYLUM
Erythroxylum areolatum ______ CY
Smoke Wood (name in CY)
Erythroxylum confusum ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (critically endangered in CY)
Smoke Wood (name in CY)
Erythroxylum rotundifolium ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles, and Cayman Islands) (endangered in CY)
Rat Wood (name in CY)

Family EUPHORBIACEAE (Spurges)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 200 described species of EUPHORBIACEAE.

Genus ACALYPHA
Acalypha chamaedrifolia ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)

Genus ADELIA
Adelia ricinella ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (critically endangered in CY)

Genus ARGYTHAMNIA
Argythamnia proctorii ______ CY (endemic to the Cayman Islands)
Cayman Silverbush

Genus ASTROCASIA
Astrocasia tremula ______ CY (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands) (endangered in CY)

Genus BERNARDIA
Bernardia dichotoma ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)

Genus CHAMAESYCE
Chamaesyce blodgettii ______ CY
Chamaesyce bruntii ______ CY (endemic to Little Cayman Island) (critically endangered)
Chamaesyce mesembrianthemifolia ______ CY
Tittie Molly (name in CY)
Chamaesyce ophtalmica ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)
Chamaesyce torralbasii ______ CY (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands)

Genus CHASCOTHECA
Chascotheca domingensis ______ CY
Chascotheca neopeltandra ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)

Genus CROTON
Croton barahonensis (*) ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Croton barahonensis is a food plant for the butterflies: Strymon istapa, the Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak, Strymon bazochii, the Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak, Strymon acis, the Bartram's Scrub Hairstreak.
Croton linearis (*) ______ CY DR (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands)
Rosemary (name in CY)

Croton linearis has white flowers. In the Dominican Republic, it is a food plant for the butterflies: Strymon istapa, the Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak, Strymon linearis, the Bartram's Scrub-Hairstreak, Junonia genoveva, the Mangrove Buckeye, Danaus gilippus, the Queen.
Croton lucidus ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands)
Croton nitens ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Wild Cinnamon (name in CY)
Croton rosmarinoides ______ CY (endangered in CY)

Genus EUPHORBIA
Euphorbia cassythoides ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Euphorbia fulgens ______ (originally grew in Mexico)
Scarlet Plume
Euphorbia pulcherrima (ph) ______ BR DR (originally grew in Mexico and Guatemala)
Poinsettia (bush with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Bandera

In the Dominican Republic, Euphorbia pulcherrima is a food plant for the butterfly Battus polydamas, the Gold Rim Swallowtail.

Feeding on a Poinsettia, a Malachite butterfly,
during a FONT tour in southeastern Brazil.
Euphorbia trichotoma ______ CY

Genus GYMNANTHES
Gymnanthes lucida ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (critically endangered in CY)
Crab Bush (name in CY)

Genus HIPPOMANE
Hippomane mancinella ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Manchineel (name in CY)

Genus HURA
Hura crepitans ______ (originally grew in the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Sandbox Tree

Genus JATROPHA
Jatropha divaricata ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Wild Oil Nut (name in CY)

Genus MANIHOT
Manihot esculenta ______ (originally grew in the Western Hemisphere)
Cassava (or Tapioca)
P: Mandioca
S: Yuca

Cassava was the staple diet of the early Indians on Caribbean islands, and today it is still an important item in the diet of many West Indians.
It can be ground into meal which is used to make a kind of bread.
The juice obtained from grated cassava root is flavored with cinnamon, cloves and brown sugar to make cassareep, an essential component of a stew known as pepperpot.

Genus MARGARITARIA
Margaritaria nobilis ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus PHYLLANTHUS
Phyllanthus angustifolius ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Duppy Bush (name in CY)
Phyllanthus caymanensis ______ CY (endemic to the Cayman Islands) (vulnerable)
Phyllanthus nutans ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Phyllanthus sp. ______ DR

Genus PICRODENDRON
Picrodendron baccatum ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (endangered in CY)
Bitter Plum (name in CY)

Genus SAVIA
Savia erythroxyloides ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (vulnerable in CY)
Wild Cocoplum (name in CY)

Genus SECURINEGA
Securinega acidoton ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)

Genus TRAGIA
Tragia volubilis ______ CY
Itching Vine (name in CY)

Family FABACEAE (Legumes. or Peas)

Included here in FABACEAE is the now subfamily CAESALPINIOIDEAE, the CAROB PLANTS
and the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE, the MIMOSA PLANTS

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are about 210 described species in FABACEAE.

Genus ACACIA

In the Dominican Republic, xeric ACACIA forest and scrub, with nearby flowers, is preferred habitat for the butterfly Papilio aristor, the Scarce Haitian Swallowtail.



A Scarce Haitian Swallowtail photographed
during a FONT tour in the Dominican Republic
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Acacia cucuyo ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, only in the Sierra Martin Garcia)
Acacia farnesiana ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Acacia farnesiana is a food plant for the butterfly Strymon columnella, the Hewitson's Hairstreak.
Acacia skleroxyla ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola where widespread)
S: Candelon
Acacia vogeliana ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Acacia vogeliana is a food plant for the butterfly Danaus eresimus, the Soldier.

Genus ALBIZIA
Albizia saman ______ (originally grew from Central America to the Amazon)
Rain Tree (tree with leaves pinnately divided)
P: Saman
S: Saman

Albizia saman is in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE.

Genus ARACHIS
Arachis hypogaea ______ (originally grew in southeast South America, in Brazil)
Groundnut (or Peanut)
P: Amendoim
S: Cacahuete, or Mani

The Groundnut (or Peanut) is a small, annual trailing plant. It has a unique feature of producing small, pea-like flowers above ground, and then, after pollination has taken place, "burying" the seed pods in the ground to ripen. Hence, the common name "Groundnut".

The Groundnut (or Peanut) is now cultivated throughout the tropics.
The seeds are harvested for their oil and protein. The oil is used for food and cooking, and it is also converted into margarine and soap.
The nuts are often used in soups and curries in the Caribbean, and as roasted peanuts and peanut butter they are a notable part of the diet of people in North America and Europe.

The plant has other uses as well. After the oil has been extracted, the residue, called groundnut cake, forms a valuable cattle and poultry feed. The leaves and other parts of the plant remaining after the nuts have been dug up are used a fertilizer.

Genus BAUHINIA
Bauhinia divaricata ______ CY DR
Bull Hoof (name in CY)

In the Dominican Republic, Bauhinia divaricata is a food plant for the butterfly Papilio machaonides, the Machaonides Swallowtail.
Bauhinia monandra ______ JM
Orchid Tree

On the Caribbean island of Jamaica, the Orchid Tree, Bauhinia monandra, is a favored for feeding by the hummingbird, the Jamaican Mango, Anthracothorax mango, a bird endemic to that island.

Genus BROWNEA
Brownea grandiceps ______ (originally grew, as indicated by the common English name, in Venezuela)
Rose of Venezuela (tree with leaves pinnately divided)
S: Rosa de Montana

Brownea grandiceps is in the subfamily CAESALPINIOIDEAE.

Genus CAESALPINIA
Caesalpinia barahonensis ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, only in the areas of Barahona and the Sierra Martin Garcia)
Caesalpinia bonduc ______ CY
Cockspur (name in CY)
Caesalpinia coriaria (ph) ______ (in parts of the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, northern South America)
Divi-divi Tree

The Divi-divi Tree is the national tree of the island of Curacao, one of the former Netherlands Antilles. An airline based in those islands has been called "Divi-divi Air".

In Aruba, the Divi-divi Trees always point to the southwest due to the trade winds that blow across the island.

A bee in a Divi-divi Tree
(photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen)
Caesalpinia intermedia ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Caesalpinia pulcherrima ______ (may have originally grown in the West Indies, not known for sure)
Barbados Flower (bush with leaves pinnately divided)
S: Clavellina

Caesalpinia pulcherrima and other species in that genus are in the subfamily CAESALPINIOIDAE.
Caesalpinia wrightiana ______ CY

Genus CAJANUS
Cajanus cajan ______ (now grows on Caribbean islands, maybe from Africa or India)
Pigeon Pea

The plant Cajanus cajan is a perennial shrub which grows to a height of about 9 feet. It is capable of withstanding extremes of drought, and its ability to "fix" nitrogen in the soil makes it a useful plant to use in crop-rotation.

Pigeon Pea is widely cultivated in the tropics, and it is a particularly important crop in the Caribbean region.
The mature pods range in color from light green to dark brown.
A well-established plant can produce good, seed-bearing pods for a number of years.
The seeds vary in color from gray to yellow and resemble small garden peas in shape and size. They are often used in soups and curries after first being dried and split.
Rice with Pigeon Peas is a favorite dish on a number of Caribbean islands, particularly Trinidad and Jamaica.
In Jamaica, the peas are sometimes cooked in the form of a dumpling.
Also in Jamaica, there is a dish called "rice and peas", but the "peas" are not always Pigeon Peas, but instead red kidney beans.

Genus CALLIANDRA

Species in CALLIANDRA are in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE.
And they are especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds.
Calliandra cubensis ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Calliandra picardae (*) ______ DR (in the Dominican Republic, on the lower Sierra de Bahoruco)
S: Clavelina
Calliandra tweedyi ______ BR

Genus CANAVALIA
Canavalia nitida ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (endangered in CY)
Horse Bean (name in CY)
Canavalia rosea ______ CY
Sea Bean (name in CY)

Genus CENTROSEMA
Centrosema virginianum ______ CY

Genus CHAMAECRISTA
Chamaecrista lineata ______ CY
Storm Weed (name in CY)
Chamaecrista nictitans ______ CY
Wild Shame Face (name in CY)

Genus CLITORIA
Clitoria ternatea ______ (thought to have originally grown in the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Butterfly Pea (climbing plant with leaves pinnately divided or tripartite)
S: Azulejo, or Conchitas

Genus DALBERGIA
Dalbergia brownei ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Dalbergia ecastaphyllum ______ CY (endangered in CY)

Genus DELONIX
Delonix regia (was Poinciana regia) ______ DR (originally grew in Madagascar, now planted widely in the tropics)
Flamboyant (or Royal Poinciana) (tree with leaves pinnately divided)
P: Flamboaia
S: Arbol de Fuego, or Tabuchin

Delonix regia is in the subfamily CAESALPINIOIDEAE. The tree can be especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds.

In the Dominican Republic, the ornamental Delonix regia is a food plant for native butterfly Battus polydamas, the Gold Rim Swallowtail.

Genus ENTADA
Entada gigas ______ DR
Monkey Ladder Vine (or Seaheart)
S: Caracol, or Chocho, or Samo

Genus ERYTHRINA
Erythrina velutina (ph) ______ BR CY (native to northern South America and parts of the Caribbean)
Coral Tree
Cockspur Tree (name in CY) (critically endangered in CY)

Erythrina velutina was first described from the Brazilian offshore island Fernando de Noronha, where the native species there is now Erythrina velutina var. aurantiaca.

Erythrina velutina
(photo by G. Kroeger, courtesy of Michiel Koomen)

Genus GLYCINE
Glycine max ______ (originally grew in Asia, now widely cultivated, more in the subtropics than the tropics)
Soybean

Genus MIMOSA
Mimosa pudica ______ (originally grew in the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Sensitive Plant (bush with leaves pinnately divided)
S: Sensitiva, or Dormidera

Mimosa pudica is in the subfamily MIMOSOIDEAE.

In the Dominican Republic, Mimosa pudica is a food plant for the butterfly Anartia lytrea, the Goddard's Anartia.

Genus MORA
Mora abbottii ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, in Sierra Septentrional, Cordillera Central, Sierra de Yamasa)
S: Cola

Mora abbotii is a large tree.

Genus PARKINSONIA
Parkinsonia aculeata ______ (originally grew in warm areas of the Western Hemisphere)
Horsebeam (or Jerusalem Thorn, Mexican Palo Verde, Retama) (tree with leaves pinnately divided)
S: Espinillo, or Flor de Mayo

Parkinsinia aculeata is in the subfamily CAEALPINIOIDEAE.

Genus PISCIDIA
Piscidia piscipula ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Dogwood (name in CY)

Genus PROSOPIS
Prosopis juliflora (*) ______ DR (in the Dominican Republic, a common mesquite in dry habitat)
S: Bayahonda blanca

Genus SENNA
Senna surattensis ______ (originally grew in southeast Asia and Polynesia; has been planted in the Western Hemisphere, where it now grows wild)
Kolomona (bush with leaves pinnately divided)

Senna surattensis is in the subfamily CAEALPINIOIDEAE.

Another name for Senna surattensis is Scrambled Egg Tree.

Genus SOPHORA
Sophora tomentosa ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Micar (name in CY)

Genus TAMARINDUS
Tamarindus indica ______
Tamarind

The Tamarind tree is tall, growing to a height of about 50 feet. On Caribbean islands, it is often planted as a wind-break to give protection during hurricanes and from strong winds.

The ripe fruit of the Tamarind forms a small brown pod about 4 inches long. When mature the pod has a pulpy interior surrounding several large seeds.
When still green, the fruit is slightly acidic and is used as a seasoning for fish and meat dishes.
In the unripe state, it is added to curries.
The ripe fruit is sometimes used to make a sugary sweet or candy which has a very spicy taste.
The fruit can also be crushed to make a drink with a strong aromatic flavor, that can be refreshing.

Genus TEPHROSIA
Tephrosia purpurea ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Tephrosia purpurea is a food plant for the butterfly Strymon istapa, the Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak.
Tephrosia senna ______ CY

Family GENTIANACEAE (Gentians)

Genus EUSTOMA
Eustoma exaltatum ______ CY

Genus VOYRIA
Voyria parasitica ______ CY

Family GESNERIACEAE

Genus RHYTIDOPHYLLUM
Rhytidophyllum auriculatum ______ DR

Rhytidophyllum auriculatum is fed upon for its nectar by the Hispaniolan Emerald, Chlorostilbon swainsonii, a hummingbird endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.

Family GOODENIACEAE (Fan-flowers)

Genus SCAEVOLA
Scaevola plumieri ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Bay Balsam (name in CY)

Family LAMIACEAE, or LABIATAE (Mints)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 50 described species in LAMIACEAE.

Genus TECTONA
Tectona grandis ______ (originally grew in southern Asia, from India to Thailand)
Teak (tree with simple, opposite leaves)
S: Teca

Genus OCIMUM
Ocimum micranthum (or campechianum) ______ CY
Amazonian Basil
Pimento Basil (name in CY)
S: Alfavaca de campo

Other names for Ocimum micranthum (or campechianum) include Wild Sweet Basil, Peruvian Basil, Spice Basil, and Wild Mosquito Plant.

Genus SALVIA
Salvia caymanensis ______ CY (endemic to Grand Cayman Island) (critically endangered)
Salvia montecristiana ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, only in the Morro of Monte Cristi)

Family LAURACEAE (Laurels)

Genus CASSYTHA
Cassytha filiformis ______ CY
Dodder (name in CY)

Genus LICARIA
Licaria triandra ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus OCOTEA
Ocotea coriacea ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (vulnerable in CY)
Sweetwood (name in CY)

Genus PERSEA
Persea americana ______ (originally grew in Central America)
Avocado

Persea americana attains a height of about 30 feet and has dark green, shiny foliage and clusters of small, inconspicuous flowers, which are light green in color.
It is not an easy tree to identify except for its characteristic fruit which, because of its shape, is sometimes called an "avocado pear". But, in fact, avocados vary enormously in their shape.

Family LECYTHIDACEAE (Brazil Nut plants)

Genus COUROUPITA
Couropita guianensis ______ (originally grew in northern South America)
Cannonball Tree (with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Bala de Canon, or Coco del Mono, or Taparon

Genus GUSTAVIA
Gustavia augusta ______ (originally grew in northern South America)
Gustavia (with simple, alternating leaves)
P: Geniparana
S: Guatoso, or Matamata

Family LILIACEAE (Lilies)

Genus HYMENOCALLIS
Hymenocallis latifolia ______ CY
Spider Lily

Hymenocallis latifolia was previously placed in the Amaryllis family, AMARYLLIDACEAE.

Family LORANTHACEAE (Mistletoes)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 50 described species in LORANTHACEAE.

Genus DENDROPEMON
Dendropemon caymanensis ______ CY (endemic to Little Cayman Island) (critically endangered)

Genus PSITTACANTHUS

PSITTACANTHUS species are among the various sources of nectar for the Amazilia Hummingbird, Amazilia amazilia, in South America, and the Cinnamon Hummingbird. Amazilia rutila, in Central America.

Family LYTHRACEAE (Loosestrifes)

Genus AMMANIA
Ammania latifolia ______ CY

Genus PUNICA
Punica granatum ______ (grows on some Caribbean islands)
Pomegranate (bush with simple, opposite leaves)
S: Granado

Pomegranate fruits grow on a medium-sized tree, about 20 feet in height, with characteristically spiny branches.
The flowers are reddish, sometimes even scarlet in color, and they have crinkly, paper-like petals.
The fruit is round in shape and about the size of an orange. It has a thick, smooth, leathery skin which turns yellow-red when the fruit is ripe.
The pulp inside is very juicy and contains a mass of small, white seeds.
The peel of the fruit is rich in tannins which can be used to produce high quality leather.

Pomegranate is usually eaten raw, but sometimes the juice is used to make a drink called grenadine.

Family MAGNOLIACEAE (Magnolias)

Genus MAGNOLIA
Magnolia harmori ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola) (a threatened species)
Bahoruco Magnolia
S: Ebano de Bahoruco, or Caimoni

In the Dominican Republic, Magnolia harmori occurs in the areas of Barahona and the cloud forests of Bahoruco Oriental.
Magnolia pallescens ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola)
Pale Magnolia (or Hispaniolan Green Ebony)
S: Ebano Verde

In the Dominican Republic, Magnolia pallescens occurs in the Cordillera Central, where there is a scientific reserve established to protect it.

Family MALPIGHIACEAE

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 50 described species in MALPIGHIACEAE.

Genus BUNCHOSIA
Bunchosia media ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)

Genus MALPIGHIA
Malpighia cubensis ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Lady Hair (name in CY)
Malpighia emarginata ______ (originally grew on Caribbean islands, and in northern South America)
Barbados Cherry (bush with simple, opposite leaves)
S: Acerola, or Escobillo, or Grosella, or Semeruco

The Barbados Cherry is a small tree, often pruned back and used for making ornamental hedges in gardens.
The fruit grows to about the size of an ordinary cherry. Its color varies at different stages in its development starting as a dull orange and then gradually darkening to a reddish-brown when mature.

An interesting feature of the Barbados Cherry is its very high ascorbic acid (vitamin C) content. Weight for weight, it is much richer in this specific nutritional aspect than most citrus fruits. It is also said that its vitamin C is destroyed less easily by cooking than is the case with other fruits.
The fruit is seldom eaten raw as its taste to too sharp for comfort, and so its is used in puddings, or made into jam, jelly and other preserves.

Family MALVACEAE (Mallows)

includes here what was the family BOMBACACEAE, the COTTON TREE PLANTS,
now the subfamily BOMBACOIDEAE

also included here is TILIACEAE (the genus CORCHORUS)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 50 described species in MALVACEAE.

Genus BASTARDIA
Bastardia viscosa ______ CY

Genus CORCHORUS
Corchorus hirsutus ______ CY

Genus HIBISCUS (Rose Mallows)

Worldwide, there are more than 200 species of HIBISCUS, and thousands of hybrids including red, white, and peach-colored cultivars.
Hibiscus esculentus ______
Okra

Okra is also known as Gumbo. It is used as a vegetable in many Caribbean dishes.
Hibiscus pernambucensis ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Seaside Mahoe (name in CY)
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (ph) ______ DR
Hibiscus

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis originated in tropical Asia. Now, in the Caribbean and elsewhere in the American tropics, it is a popular exotic plant.

In the Dominican Republic, Hisbiscus rosa-sinensis is a food plant for the butterflies: Battus polydamas, the Gold Rim Swallowtail. Papilio androgeus, the Androgeus Swallowtail, Anetia pantherata, the Great King.

Feeding at a flower of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, a hummingbird, an Antillean Mango
(photo by Rob Van Brussel)
Hibiscus sabdariffa ______
Sorrel
Hibiscus tilaceus ______
Coast Hibiscus (bush with simple, alternating leaves)

Genus KOSTELETZKYA
Kosteletzkya pentasperma ______ CY

Genus MALVASTRUM
Malvastrum corchorifolium ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)

Genus MALVAVISCUS
Malvaviscus arboreus ______ CY (has spread from the southern US into South America)
Sleeping Hibiscus (bush with simple, alternating leaves)
Mahoe (name in CY)
S: Amapola, or Monacillo, or Tulipipancillo

Malvaviscus arboreus is especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds.

Genus PACHIRA
Pachira aquatica ______ (originally grew in South America)
Guiana Chestnut (tree with leaves palmately divided)
S: Amapola, or Castano de Agua, or Zapote de Agua, or Palo de Boya

Pachira aquatica is in the subfamily BOMBACOIDEAE.

Genus SIDA
Sida ciliaris ______ CY

Genus THESPESIA
Thespesia populnea ______ CY
Plopnut (name in CY)

Genus URENA
Urena lobata ______ DR
Ceasar's Weed

In the Dominican Republic, Urena lobata is a food plant for the butterfly Anartia lytrea, the Goddard's Anartia.

Family MARANTACEAE (Arrowroot, or Prayer-plant family)

Genus MARANTA
Maranta arundinacea ______ (grows in the wild in Central America and northern South America)
Arrowroot (an herbaceous perennial plant)

Arrowroot is cultivated in a large scale on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent.

True arrowroot is the starch obtained from the rhizome or underground stem. It was used, it is said, to treat skin wounds caused by poison arrows.
Now, it is also used for the starching of clothes, and the thickening of soups, puddings, and various sauces, as well as being an ingredient in face powders and glues.

Family MELASTOMATACEAE (Melastomes)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are about 175 described species in MELASTOMATACEAE.

Genus TIBOUCHINA
Tibouchina urvilleana ______ (originally grew in Brazil)
Glory Bush (with simple, opposite leaves)

Family MELIACEAE (Mahogany)

Genus CEDRELA
Cedrela odorata ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Cedar (name in CY)

Genus SWIETENIA
Swietenia mahagoni ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (endangered in CY)

Genus TRICHILIA
Trichilia glabra ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Trichilia havanensis ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Family MENISPERMACEAE

Genus CISSAMPELOS
Cissampelos pareira ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Quacori (name in CY)

Family MORACEAE (Mulberry plants)

Genus ARTOCARPUS
Artocarpus artilis ______ (originally grew in Malaysia)
Breadfruit (tree with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Arbol de Pan

The Saint Vincent Botanical Garden (that we have visited during all FONT tours on that island) boasts a specimen of Artocarpus artilis that is claimed to have been grown from a sucker of one of Captain Bligh's original breadfruit trees, brought from the South Pacific to the Caribbean in 1793.
Artocarpus heterophyllus ______ (originally grew in Malaysia)
Jackfruit

Genus FICUS
Ficus aurea ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman islands) (vulnerable in CY)
Wild Fig (name in CY)
Ficus citrifolia ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Barren Fig (name in CY)
Ficus sp. ______ DR
S: Higo

Genus MACLURA
Maclura tinctoria ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Fustic (name in CY)

Family MUSACEAE (Banana Plants, Heliconias)

Genus HELICONIA

HELICONIA species can be an especially good food source for certain hummingbirds.
A special relationship between two species of HELICONIAS and a hummingbird in the Caribbean (the Purple-throated Carib) is referred to below.
Heliconia bihai ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Heliconia bihai is fed upon for its nectar by the Hispaniolan Emerald, Chlorostilbon swainsonii, a hummingbird endemic to the island of Hispaniola.

Further south in the Caribbean, Heliconia bihai is the favored plant for feeding for the female Purple-throated Carib, a hummingbird in the Lesser Antilles.
Interestingly, however, another species, Heliconia caribaea (below), is the preferred food source for the male Purple-throated Carib.
There is a difference in the bill shape of the male and female Purple-throated Caribs, and Heliconia bihai has a longer corolla.
In areas where Heliconia caribaea is rare or absent, the flowers of Heliconia bihai occur in two different shapes (morphs), one of which is shaped like the flowers of Heliconia caribaea and caters to the male Purple-throated Carib.
This reflects a very close co-evolutionary link between Heliconia bihai and its key pollinator.
The males of the Purple-throated Carib are territorial around prime feeding sites, while the females wander more widely and do not defend their feeding grounds.

Purple-throated Caribs have been observed feeding during FONT tours on the Caribbean islands of Dominica, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent.



A Purple-throated Carib photographed during a FONT tour
Heliconia caribaea ______ (from Jamaica and Cuba to St. Vincent)
Heliconia psittacorum ______ (native to Brazil and the Guianas in South America; in the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean)
Parakeet Flower (herbaceous plant)

Genus MUSA
Musa x sapientum (ph) ______ (wild bananas originally grew in southeast Asia)
Banana (a giant-rosette plant)
S: Platano

The taxonomy of the Banana is involved. Here, sapientum relates to the "desert banana", that is the uncooked food eaten for breakfast, etc.
The "x" prior to it indicates that it came from hybridization.
"x paradisiaca" is used here (below) for the closely-related Plantain, which has to be cooked to be enjoyed.
"x sapientum" is a hybrid from two "wild bananas" of southeast Asia: Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana.
Among the many forms of bananas that now exist are Cavendish Bananas, Dwarf Bananas known as Lady Fingers, and the Jamaican Red Banana which has a pinkish peel.

An interesting book about the banana is "The Fish that Ate the Whale, the Life and Times of America's Banana King" by Rich Cohen, 2012.
It tells about the banana, over the years, in business and history, and how it came to be as we know it now.
About the banana itself, here's an excerpt from the book:

"Some facts about the banana:

It is not a tree. It's an herb, the world's tallest grass. Reaching, in perfect conditions, 30 feet, it's the largest plant in the world without a woody trunk.
Its stem actually consists of banana leaves, big, thick, elephant ears, coiled like a roll of dollar bills.
As the plant grows, the stem uncoils, revealing new leaves, tender at first, rough at last.
The fruit appears at the end of a cycle, growing from a stem that bends toward the ground under its own weight.
Because the plant is an herb, not a tree, the banana is properly classed as a berry.
The plant grows from a rhizome, which, in the way of a potato, has no roots.
It's outrageously top-heavy and can be felled, as entire fields sometimes are, by a strong wind.

While the plant can be grown all over the world, it will, with two exceptions, bear fruit only in the tropics.
Iceland and Israel are the exceptions. Iceland because it grows on the slopes of a volcano; Israel for reasons that remain mysterious.
Various attempts to farm bananas commercially in the continental United States have failed.
The "tree" bears a red flower, a delicate, bloody thing, a few days before it fruits.

The banana's great strength as a crop is also its weakness: it does not grow from a seed, but from a cutting.
When the rhizome is chopped into pieces and planted, each piece produces a "tree". (Even though the plant is not technically a tree, I keep calling it that.)
In fact, the banana does not have a seed - I mean, yes, there is a stone at the bottom of the fruit, but try to plant it and watch what happens. Nothing. Time and evolution have rendered that stone useless.
This means savings in seed and in the shipping of seed and so on, but it also means each fruit - I keep calling it a fruit too because I funny calling it a berry - is a clone, a replica of all the others of its species.
Which means nice corporate uniformity but also poses a terrific danger - if a parasite or a disease mutates to kill one banana, it will eventually kill all members of that species."

In the 1960s, "Panama Disease" attacked large numbers of banana plantations, and new disease-resistant strains had to be developed.

Banana, not a tree, photographed during
the FONT tour in southern Ecuador in April 2014.
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Musa x paradisiaca ______ (now, like the banana, grown throughout the American tropics)
Plantain

Plantain is the name given to a green form of the banana. Plantains do not ripen the same way as their cousins, the sweet bananas, and they are always less sweet.
The individual fruits of the plantain are often bigger than a banana, and usually more horn-shaped.
Plantains are one of the most prolific of all carbohydrate producing crops. It has been calculated that an area of ground capable of producing 50 pounds of wheat or 100 pounds of potatoes could carry as much as 4,000 pounds of plantains.

Although plantains are less sweet than bananas, they are far more versatile in their use. They are often boiled and served with meat as part of a main course, but because their tissue has a starchier taste than that of bananas, plantains are best cooked with some spices, onions and pepper, or mixed in a casserole.
Plantains are often cut into slices and fried in a pan of deep fat producing tasty crisps.

Chopped beef and plantains are the main ingredients of a well-known Puerto Rican dish called Piononos.
In that dish, the plantains are cut wafer thin and then fried and wrapped around a mixture of cheese and finely chopped meat.

That Puerto Rican meal called Piononos has been enjoyed during FONT tours at the Hacienda Juanita, a nice place with good birding, and good food, in picturesque hills in the western part of the island, in an area renowned for fine coffee production.

Family MYRICACEAE (Wax-Myrtle)

Genus MYRICA
Myrica cerifera ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Bayberry (name in CY)

Family MYRSINACEAE (Myrsine)

Genus MYRSINE
Myrsine acrantha ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Family MYRISTICACEAE (Nutmeg)

Genus MYRISTICA
Myristica fragans ______ (originally grew on the Molucca, or Spice Islands of Indonesia)
Nutmeg

Family MYRTACEAE (Myrtles)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are about 145 described species in MYRTACEAE.

Genus ACCA
Acca sellowiana ______ (originally grew in South America)
Pineapple Guava (bush with simple, alternate leaves)
S: Guayabo del Brasil

Genus CALYPTRANTHES
Calyptranthes pallens ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (endangered in CY)

Genus EUGENIA
Eugenia axillaris ______ CY
Strawberry (name in CY)
Eugenia biflora ______ CY
Eugenia chacueyana ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, along the banks of the Chacuey River in Dajabon)
Eugenia foetida ______ CY

Genus MYRCIANTHES
Myrcianthes fragrans ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Cherry (name in CY)

Genus PIMENTA
Pimenta haitiensis ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, between Oviedo and Pedernales)
S: Canelilla de Oviedo

Genus PSIDIUM
Psidium guajava ______ (originally grew in tropical America)
Guava (bush with simple, opposite leaves)
P: Goiaba
S: Guayabo

Names for Psidium guajava also include: Yellow Guava, Apple Guava.

Family NYCTAGINACEAE (Four O'Clocks) (W)

Genus BOERHAVIA
Boerhavia coccinea ______ CY
Chick Weed (name in CY)
Boerhavia erecta ______ CY
Broom Weed (name in CY)

Genus BOUGAINVILLEA
Bougainvillea spectabilis ______ (originally grew in Brazil)
Bougainvillea (climbing plant with simple, alternating leaves)

Genus GUAPIRA
Guapira discolor ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands)
Cabbage Tree (name in CY)

Genus PISONIA
Pisonia aculeata ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Pisonia margaretae ______ CY (endemic to Grand Cayman Island) (critically endangered)

Family NYMPHAEACEAE (Water Lilies)

Genus NYMPHAEA
Nymphaea ampla ______ CY
Water Lily

Family OLACACEAE

Genus SCHOEPTIA
Schoeptia chrysophylloides ______ CY (endangered in CY)

Family OLEACEAE (Olives, Jasmines)

Genus CHIONANTHUS
Chionanthus caymanensis ______ CY (endemic to the Cayman Islands) (endangered)
Ironwood

Genus FORESTIERA
Forestiera segregata ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (endangered in CY)

Family ONAGRACEAE (Willowherb, Evening Primrose)

Genus FUCHSIA
Fuchsia triphylla (ph) ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, in mountains of Cordillera Central, Neiba, Bahoruco)
S: Cocaria

Fuchsia triphylla is called Honeysuckle Fuchsia.

Fuchsia triphylla photographed during a FONT tour in the Dominican Republic.
The plant was observed being a food source for the hummingbird, the Hispaniolan Emerald,
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Family ORCHIDACEAE (Orchids)

The numerous ORCHIDS of the world can be said to be of 3 types:
1) Many grow on trees. They are EPIPHYTES.
2) Those that grow on rocks are LITHOPHYTES.
3) Those that grow in the ground are TERRESTRIALS.

Numbers in this grouping noted as (BPO:xx) refer to pages with photos in the book "Botanica's Pocket Orchids", 2007.

A list and photo gallery is being made of "Wild Orchids in the Americas", and a link to it will be here.

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are about 350 described species in ORCHIDACEAE.

Even on the small Cayman islands in the Caribbean, alone, there are 26 species of native orchids.
Those that are endangered there are noted as such below.

During FONT tours on Grand Cayman Island, we visit an outstanding place, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, not only for the fine birding we have there, but also to see the wonderful array of plants, many of which are native to the Caribbean.
A link to information about FONT tours, in the Caribbean and elsewhere, is at the top of this file.

Genus ANTILLANORCHIS
Antillanorchis gundlachii ______ DR

Genus BELOGLOTTIS
Beloglottis costaricensis ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus BRASSAVOLA

In BRASSAVOLA there are 15 showy epiphytic species, ranging from Mexico and some Caribbean islands south to Argentina.
Brassavola nodosa ______ (BPO:84) CY (Central America south to Venezuela, and the West Indies) (critically endangered in CY)

Genus CYCLOPOGON
Cyclopogon cranichoides ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Cyclopogon elatus ______ CY (endangered in CY)

Genus CYRTOPODIUM

In CYRTOPODIUM there are about 30 species of epiphytes or terrestrials. They occur in Florida, the West Indies, Central America, and South America south to Argentina.
CYRTOPODIUM is closely related to EULOPHIA.
Cyrtopodium punctatum ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus DENDROPHYLAX

In DENDROPHYLAX there are 8 epiphytic species restricted to the Caribbean. It is an American offshoot of the Eurasian VANDA group.
DENDROPHYLAX orchids are leafless, and nearly stemless, with greenish flattened roots that do the photosynthetic function of leaves.
Having no ability to store water, they are limited to humid, shady, and swampy habitats.
Most DENDROPHYLAX orchids have large flowers with a long spur.
Dendrophylax fawcettii (ph) ______ CY (endemic to Grand Cayman Island, in the Caribbean) (critically endangered)
Ghost Orchid

Ghost Orchid
Dendrophylax porrectus ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus DILOMILIS
Dilomilis montana ______ DR PR (in the Dominican Republic, in the Cordillera Central, in Puerto Rico in El Yunque)

Genus ELTROPLECTRIS
Eltroplectris calcarata ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus ENCYCLIA

In ENCYCLIA there are about 250 epiphytic or lithophytic species mostly in Central America and the West Indies.
Most occur in seasonally dry forests below 3,300 feet above sea level.
Encyclia kingsii ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Encyclia phoenicia ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus EPIDENDRUM

EPIDENDRUM species may be epiphytic, terrestrial, or lithophytic. There are at least 1,000 species found throughout the Americas from Florida to Argentina.
They grow in a variety of habitats and at various altitudes.
In this genus there may still be taxonomic name changes, and it can be difficult to know which species one may be.

In Puerto Rico, EPIDENDRUM orchids are fed upon by the Puerto Rican Emerald, Chlorostilbon maugaeus, a hummingbird endemic to that island.
Epidendrum ackermani ______ PR
Epidendrum caphoporum ______ PR
Epidendrum ibaguense ______ (widespread in Central and South America)
Fiery Reed Orchid (epiphyte)
S: Boca de Fuego
Epidendrum nocturnum ______ (BPO:261) CY DR (from Florida through the West Indies and Central America and South America south to Bolivia) (critically endangered in CY)

Epidendrum nocturnum grows in a range of habitats from lowlands to moderate altitudes, and from humid forests to dry savannas.
The flowers of Epidendrum nocturnum have a strong pungent fragrance that is produced at night. Those flowers are borne one or two at a time at the end of a short inflorescence.
The size of the flowers is variable. They may be 2 or 4 inches across, but sometimes they do not open widely. Flowering is throughout the year, but more so in the summer and autumn.
The erect leafy stems are about 40 inches tall.
Epidendrum pygmaeum ______ PR
Epidendrum rigidum ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus EULOPHIA

In EULOPHIA there are over 250 species distributed throughout the tropics in America, Asia, and Africa, with most in Africa.
Almost all of them are terrestrial. Some have swollen underground rhizomes. Some have above-ground pseudobulbs.
The upright inflorescences are tall with numerous flowers.
Eulophia alta ______ DR (in the Dominican Republic, in the Cordillera Central)

Genus IONOPSIS

In IONOPSIS there are 5 species, occurring in lowland tropical America. They are epiphytes that grow from sea level to about 2,700 feet.
IONOPSIS orchids have a single leaf on a pseudobulb with one internode. The leaf is flat or terete and the inflorescence emerges from the axil of the leaf.
Ionopsis utricularioides ______ (BPO:305) CY (Florida, the West Indies, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil) (critically endangered in CY)

Genus ISOCHILUS

In ISOCHILUS there are about 7 species, in tropical America, ranging from Cuba and Mexico to Argentina.
They are epiphytes, growing in moist lowland forests from about 330 to 1,300 feet above sea level.
Isochilus major ______ (BPO:306) (Mexico to Panama, and in the Caribbean on Jamaica)

Genus LEPANTHES
Lepanthes sp. ______ DR

Genus LEPANTHOPSIS
Lepanthopsis constanzensis ______ DR
Lepanthropsis cucullata ______ DR
S: Orquidea Diminuta

Genus MAXILLARIA

MAXILLARIA is one of the largest genera of orchids, with more than 300 species. They occur from Florida to Argentina.
Most are epiphytes found at moderate altitudes, but some occur in tropical lowlands and others at high altitudes.

Genus MYRMECOPHILA

In MYRMECOPHILA there are about 8 species, ranging from Mexico to Venezuela, and in the West Indies.
They are large robust epiphytes or lithophytes.

MYRMECOPHILA species were part of SCHOMBUGKIA, and some still consider them to be. They are closely related to CATTLEYA, SOPHRONITIS, and LAELIA.
Myrmecophila thompsoniana ______ CY (endemic to the Cayman Islands) (endangered in CY)
Banana Orchid

Genus ONCIDIUM

ONCIDIUM is a very large genus of orchids, with more than 600 species. But a more exact number is dependent upon the taxonomic treatment of the group. There have been many name changes in ONCIDIUM, and with the large genus it seems as if there will be more before a stable nomenclature is achieved.

ONCIDIUM range throughout the American tropics from Florida to Argentina, from sea level to as high as 13,300 feet.
The areas with the greatest diversity are Brazil and the Andes. Most are epiphytes, but some are terrestrial.

Genus PLATYSTELE
Platystele ovalifolia ______ DR

Genus PLEUROTHALLIS

PLEUROTHALLIS has been just about the largest of orchid genera, with more than 1,000 species described.
Recently, however, the genus has been studied using DNA, and a new classification is emerging that will create a number of name changes at the generic level.

Those orchids that have been in PLEUROTHALLIS are in tropical America, most abundantly in mountainous regions, with some in cool cloud forests more than 10,000 feet above sea level. Yet, others are near sea level in much hotter climates.
Most of these orchids are epiphytes, but there are a few that grow as lithophytes or terrestrials.
The plants that have been in PLEUROTHALLIS are very diverse, ranging from small, tufted plants to large, bushy ones.
Pleurothalis caymanensis ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Pleurothalis oblongifolia ______ DR

Genus POLYSTACHYA

In POLYSTACHYA there are about 120 epiphyte species, mostly in tropical Africa. Some, however, are in Asia and tropical America.
They grow mostly in rain forests at both low and high altitudes.
Polystachya concreta ______ CY

Genus PRESCOTTIA
Prescottia oligantha ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Prescottia stachyoides ______ DR

Genus PROSTHECHEA

In PROSTHECHEA there are about 100 species, ranging from Mexico to Brazil.
They were originally placed in EPIDENDRUM and later in ENCYCLIA, but they have been reclassified because of their pseudobulbs and lips.
The pseudibulbs are spindle-shaped and often somewhat flattened, while those of ENCYCLIA are usually ovoid.
Prosthechea boothiana ______ CY (near-threatened in CY)
Prosthechea cochleata ______ (BPO:481) CY (in the West Indies, Florida, and Mexico to Venezuela) (critically endangered in CY)
Prosthechea sp. ______ DR

Genus PSYCHILIS

In PSYCHILIS there are about 15 species on Caribbean islands. The genus is closely related to ENCYCLIA and EPIDENDRUM.
Those in PSYCHILIS are easily distinguished by their spindle-shaped pseudobulbs. They grow in exposed conditions on rocks or as epiphytes.
Psychilis dudii ______ (BPO:485) DR

Psychilis dudii grows in forests between 1,000 and 4,000 feet above sea level in the Dominican Republic.
The plant may grow up to 5 feet tall. Flowers are about 2.5 inches in diameter. Flowering is mainly in the summer.

Genus SOBRALIA

In SOBRALIA there are about 75 species, ranging from Mexico to South America. They grow from sea level to high altitudes, mostly as terrestrials, but some are epiphytes.
The flowers are large, showy, and fragrant, but they last only a day or two.

Genus SACOILA
Sacoila lanceolata ______ CY

Genus TOLUMNIA

Plants in TOLUMNIA are native to Caribbean islands. They were called "equitant" Oncidiums, referring to their unique growth habit of overlapping leaves.
Generally, they are small epiphytes that lack pseudobulbs, or have a very small one.
Tolumnia calochila ______ CY DR (critically endangered in CY)
Tolumnia heneckenii ______ (BPO:561) DR (endemic to Hispaniola, in Montecristi province, Villa Elisa Reserve)
S: Cacatica

Tolumnia heneckenii occurs naturally in a very dry area in northern Hispaniola. It forms a fan of stiff, sharply curved, red-green leaves. The inflorescence gradually increases in length as each flower dies and another is formed. It can produce about 15 flowers during several months, with each flower about 1 inch long.
Tolumnia variegata ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Caymans) (critically endangered in CY)

Genus TRICHOPILIA

In TRICHOPILIA there are about 30 species ranging from Mexico to Brazil. They are mostly epiphytes, but some are lithophytes and a few are terrestrials. They grow in wet forests at altitudes from 1,700 to 6,700 feet above sea level.
These plants have flattened pseudobulbs with a single leaf.
Trichopilia fragrans ______ DR

Genus TRIPHORA
Triphora gentianoides ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus TROPIDIA
Tropidia polystachya ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus VANILLA

In VANILLA there are over 50 species, occurring in the tropics of Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Vanilla bicolor ______ DR
Vanilla
S: Vainilla
Vanilla claviculata ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Caymans) (vulnerable in CY)
Green Withe
Vanilla planifolia ______ (BPO:583) (originally grew in Mexico, but now cultivated in many tropical areas)
Flat-leaved Vanilla
S: Vainilla

Vanilla planifolia is grown on farms for the vanilla essence that is made from the seed pods.
The plants grow as vines that often reach more than 100 feet long.
The roots are produced at the nodes and grow up trees, over rocks, or on cliff faces.
The leaves are succulent and well-spaced along the stem.
The short inflorescences bear a few large flowers that last for only a day or two.

Genus XYLOBIUM

In XYLOBIUM there are 25 species, ranging from Mexico to southeast Brazil, with the greatest diversity in the Andes.
They have clustered pseudobulbs, and the inflorescence is short, arising from the base of the pseudobulbs.
Xylobium elongatum ______ CR

Family PAPAVERACEAE (Poppies) (W)

Genus ARGEMONE
Argemone mexicana ______ CY (originally grew in Central America)
Devil's Fig (or Mexican Poppy) (herbaceous plant)
Thom Thistle (name in CY)
P: Cardo Santo
S: Cardo Amarillo, or Chicalote

Family PASSIFLORACEAE (Passionflowers)

includes TURNERACEAE

Genus PASSIFLORA

There are at least 400 different species of PASSIFLORA with many distributed throughout the tropics, with some as well in temperate countries.
The PASSIFLORA flowers have a characteristic and unique shape (see photo below), and the arrangement of the floral parts has been said to symbolize the cross of the crucifixion, hence the name "Passion Fruit".
Some species have small ball-shaped fruits.
One species in particular, Passiflora edulis (var. edulis) is grown commercially for its fruit.

Some members of the PASSIFLORA genus are host plants for the butterfly: Agraulis vanillae, the Gulf Fritillary.
PASSIFLORA species are also visited for their nectar by the hummingbird, the Long-tailed Hermit.
Passiflora cupraea ______ CY
Passiflora edulis ______ (originally grew in South America)
Passion Fruit (climbing plant with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Maracuya

Passiflora edulis is also called the Purple Granadilla.
It is a vine-like plant, which climbs by means of long, green tendrils, grown commercially for its fruits, which become purple when ripe. The flesh is usually eaten raw in fruit salads.
The pulp can also be squashed and the juice made into a cool and refreshing drink.
It is also used to make an ice cream with a distinctive flavor.

A Passion Fruit photographed during the FONT tour
in western Ecuador in May 2014.
This fruit was growing on the side of the home
of our Ecuadorian friend, Wilmur.
In his home, we drank a wonderful juice from the fruit.
Passiflora quadrangularis ______ (originally grew in the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Giant Granadilla (climbing plant with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Badea, or Granadilla Real
Passiflora tripartita (var. molissima) (ph) ______ (originally grew in the Andes of South America)
Banana Poka (or Banana Passion Fruit) (climbing plant with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Curuba de Castilla, or Tacso, or Tumbo

Passion Flower
Passiflora suberosa ______ CY
Wild Pumpkin (name in CY)
Passiflora sp. ______ DR

Genus TURNERA (in TURNERACEAE)
Turnera diffusa ______ CY
Turnera triglandulosa ______ CY (endemic to Little Cayman and Cayman Brac Islands)
Turnera ulmifolia ______ CY (originally grew in the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Bahama Buttercup (herbaceous plant)
Cat Bush (name in CY)
P: Albina, or Chanana
S: Marilope

Family PHYTOLACCACEAE (Pokeweed)

Genus RIVINA
Rivina humilis (ph) ______ CY
Rouge Plant
Fowl Berry (name in CY)

Another name for Rivina humilis is Pigeonberry.

A Rouge Plant, with its small red berry
(photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen)

Genus TRICHOSTIGMA
Trichostigma octandrum ______ CY

Family PINACEAE (Pines)

Genus PINUS
Pinus occidentalis (ph) ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, in Cordillera Central and the Bahoruco mountain ranges)
Hispaniolan Pine
S: Pino Criollo, or Pino de Cuaba

A Pine Warbler in a Hispaniolan Pine.
The tree is endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.
The bird is a resident subspecies endemic to the island,
Setophaga pinus chrysoleuca.
(photo by Marie Gardner during a FONT tour in the Dominican Republic)

Family PIPERACEAE (Pepper)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 50 described species in PIPERACEAE.

Genus PEPEROMIA
Peperomia glabella ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Peperomia obtusifolia ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Vine Balsam (name in CY)
Peperomia pseudopereskiifolia ______ CY (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands) (endangered)
Peperomia simplex ______ CY (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands) (critically endangered)

Genus PIPER

PIPER is a very common and widespread genus of forest understory shrubs in the American Tropics.
There are more than 120 species in Brazil.
An erect, candle-like, flowering-structure makes such species easy to identify.
Bats, instead of insects or birds, are pollinators for many of these shrubs. Short-tailed Fruit Bats are the main dispersers of its fruits.
Black Pepper is harvested from a species in this grouping.
Piper amalago ______ CY
Pepper Elder (name in CY)

Family PLANTAGINACEAE (Plantains, not related to the Banana)

Family POACEAE, or GRAMINEAE (Grasses)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 350 described species in POACEAE.

Genus DANTHONIA
Danthonia dominguensis (ph) ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, in mountains of Cordillera Central, Neiba, Bahoruco)
S: Pajon

Danthonia dominguensis, a Tussock Grass,
at 8,000 feet above sea level in the Dominican Republic
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Genus DENDROCALAMUS
Dendrocalamus giganteus ______ (originally grew in southeast Asia, now in parks in the tropics)
Giant Bamboo

Genus SACCHARUM
Saccharum officinarum ______ (now widely cultivated; thought to have originated in New Guinea)
Sugarcane
P: Cana de Acucar
S: Cana de Azucar

Genus ORYZA
Oryza sativa (ph) ______ (originally grew in Asia)
Asian Rice (or Rice)

Rice being cultivated on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola,
the rice was native to Asia, the Cattle Egrets in the photo native to Africa.
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Genus ZEA
Zea mays ______
Sweet Corn
SP: Maize

Family POLEMONIACEAE (Phloxes)

Genus COBAEA
Cobaea scandens ______ (originally grew in the Western Hemisphere)
Cathedral Bells (or "Mexican Ivy") (climbing plant with leaves pinnately divided or tripartite)

Family POLYGALACEAE (Milkworts)

Genus POLYGALA
Polygala propinqua ______ CY (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands) (critically endangered in CY)

On Grand Cayman Island in the Caribbean, Polygala propinqua seems to be an important food source for the bird, the Western Spindalis, Spindalis zena salvini.
Birds of that species have been observed returning repeatedly to Polygala bushes, feeding on the leaves. Over time, from that activity, the bushes become shredded, and the birds move on.

Family POLYGONACEAE (Buckwheats)

Genus ANTIGONON
Antigonon leptopus ______ DR (originally grew in Mexico)
Bride's Tears (or "Mexican Creeper") (climbing plant with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Cadena de Amor, or Colacion

In the Dominican Republic, Antigonon leptopus is a food plant for the butterflies: Papilio aristor, the Scarce Haitian Swallowtail, Strymon istapa, the Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak, Hamadryas amphichloe, the Pale Cracker, Junonia genoveva, the Mangrove Buckeye, Anartia lytrea, the Goddard's Anartia, Danaus gilippus, the Queen, Danaus eresimus, the Soldier.

Genus COCCOLOBA

Coccoloba uvifera (ph) ______ CY (originally grew along coasts in tropical America) (critically endangered in CY)
Sea Grape (tree with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Uvero de Playa

The Sea Grape is certainly characteristic of many Caribbean beaches, and visitors soon become familiar with its smooth, leathery leaves with their prominent reddish veins.
The male and female flowers occur on separate plants. After fertilization, the fruits develop into purple, grape-like clusters. These clusters do not ripen evenly.

The Sea Grape varies depending upon the environment in which it is growing.
On exposed shores, it grows as a sprawling shrub.
In more sheltered areas, it grows as a tree, reaching a height of about 50 feet.
The sour fruits are edible when ripe, but they are too sour to be pleasant.
They contain large amounts of pectin which makes them suitable for making a good jelly and jam preserves.
On some Caribbean islands, they are made into soup.

Sea Grape, showing a cluster of the fruit
and the leathery leaves with reddish veins
(photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen)

Genus POLYGONUM
Polygonum densiflorum ______ CY
Polygonum punctatum ______ CY

Family POLYPODIACEAE (Polypod Ferns)

Genus ACROSTICHUM
Acrostichum aureum ______ CY
Acrostichum danaeifolium ______ CY

Genus ADIANTUM
Adiantum melanoleucum ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and the Cayman Islands) (endangered in CY)
Adiantum tenerum ______ CY (endangered in CY)

Genus BLECHNUM
Blechnum serrulatum ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)

Genus CHEILANTHES
Cheilanthes microphylla ______ CY

Genus NEPHROLEPIS
Nephrolepis biserrata ______ CY
Nephrolepis exaltata ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands)

Genus POLYPODIUM
Polypodium aureum ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Polypodium dispersum ______ CY
Polypodium heterophyllum ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (endangered in CY)
Polypodium phyllitidis ______ CY
Cow Tongue (name in CY)
Polypodium polypodioides ______ CY
Resurrection Fern

Genus PTERIS
Pteris longifolia (var. bahamensis) ______ CY

Genus TECTARIA
Tectaria incisa ______ CY

Genus THELYPTERIS
Thelypteris augescens ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (endangered in CY)
Thelypteris interrupta ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Thelypteris kunthii ______ CY
Thelypteris reptans ______ CY

Family PONTEDERIACEAE (Water Hyacinth, Pickerel-weed)

Genus EICHHORNIA
Eichhornia crassipes ______ (originally grew in South America)
Water Hyacinth
P: Aguape, or Jacinto Aquatico
S: Buchon de Agua, or Camalote, or Lirio Aquatico

Family PORTULACACEAE (Purslanes)

Genus PORTULACA
Portulaca halimoides ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)
Portulaca pilosa ______ CY
Ten O'Clock (name in CY)
Portulaca rubricaulis ______ CY
Portulaca tuberculata ______ CY

Family PRIMULACEAE (Primroses)

Genus JACQUINIA
Jacquinia keyensis ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (endangered in CY)
Wash Wood (name in CY)
Jacquinia proctorii ______ CY (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands) (critically endangered in CY)

Family PROTEACEAE (Macadamia and allies)

Family PSILOTACEAE (fern-like plants)

Genus PSILOTUM
Psilotum nudum ______ CY
Skeleton Fork Fern

Psilotum nudum lacks both roots and true leaves.

Family RHAMNACEAE (Buckthorns)

Genus COLUBRINA
Colubrina arborescens ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Red Heart (name in CY)
Colubrina cubensis ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands)
Cajon (name in CY)
Colubrina elliptica ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Wild Guava (name in CY)

Family RHIZOPHORACEAE (Mangroves)

The Black Mangrove is in a different family, ACANTHACEAE.

Genus RHIZOPHORA
Rhizophora mangle ______ CY

Family ROSACEAE (Rose)

Genus RUBUS

In the Dominican Republic, plants in RUBUS are food plants for the butterfly Danaus gilippus, the Queen.

Family RUBIACEAE (Madders)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are about 275 described species in RUBIACEAE.

Genus ANTIRHEA
Antirhea lucida ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (critically endangered in CY)

Genus CATESBAEA
Catesbaea parviflora ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)

Genus CHIOCOCCA
Chococca alba ______ CY
Snow Berry (name in CY)
Chococca parvifolia ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (vulnerable in CY)

Genus COFFEA
Coffea arabica (ph) ______ (originally said to have grown in Africa, in Ethopia)
Coffee (bush with simple, alternate leaves)
P: Cafe
S: Cafe, also Cafeto

In the tropics, Coffee is grown at rather high elevations, as the tree requires fairly cool temperatures. It also needs a moderate rainfall and some shade.
Places during FONT tours where Coffee has been seen commonly in cultivation include Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, and Puerto Rico.
In the Caribbean, Coffee grown in Jamaica, in the Blue Mountains, has been especially good to drink.



Coffee, photographed during a FONT tour in the highlands of Guatemala.
Where we've seen such shade-grown coffee during our tours, we've seen,
especially during the winter and spring, many passerine birds.
More common than most of the Neotropical migrants at such places,
in Central America, has been the Tennessee Warbler.
(photo by Marie Gardner)

In the Dominican Republic, Coffea arabica is a food plant for the butterfly Anartia lytrea, the Goddard's Anartia.

Genus CUBANOLA
Cubanola domingensis ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, along the northern coast) (rare)
S: Campanita, or Cubanola

Genus ERITHALIS
Erithalis fruticosa ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Black Candlewood (name in CY)

Genus ERNODEA
Ernodea littoralis ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)
Guana Berry (name in CY)

Genus EXOSTEMA
Exostema caribaeum ______ CY (endangered in CY)

Genus FARAMEA
Faramea occidentalis ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus GUETTARDA
Guettarda elliptica ______ CY (endangered in CY)

Genus HAMELIA
Hamelia cuprea ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (vulnerable in CY)

Genus IXORA

Plants in IXORA are especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds.

In the Dominican Republic, IXORA species are food plants for the butterflies: Battus polydamas, the Gold Rim Swallowtail, Papilio machaonides, the Machaonides Swallowtail, Strymon istapa, the Mallow Scrub Hairstreak.

Genus MORINDA
Morinda royoc ______ CY
Yellow Root (name in CY)

Genus PALICOUREA
Palicourea guianensis barbinervia ______ DR

Palicourea guianensis barbinervia has small yellow flowers. In the Dominican Republic, the butterfly Papilio machaonides, the Machaonides Swallowtail has been observed being attracted to them.
Also in the Dominican Republic, Paliocourea guianensis barbainervia is a food plant for the butterfly Anartia lytrea, the Goddard's Anartia.

Genus PSYCHOTRIA
Psychotria brachiata ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Psychotria brachiata is a food plant for the butterfly Papilio machaonides, the Machaonides Swallowtail.
Psychotria nervosa ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Strong Back (name in CY)

Genus RANDIA
Randia aculeata ______ CY
Lance Wood (name in CY)

Genus RHACHICALLIS
Rhachicallis americana ______ CY
Sandfly Bush (name in CY)

Genus SCOLOSANTHUS
Scolosanthus roulstonii ______ CY (endemic to Grand Cayman Island) (endangered)

Genus SPERMACOCE
Spermacoce retraquetra ______ CY

Genus STRUMPFIA
Strumpfia maritima ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)

Genus WARSZEWICZIA
Warszewiczia coccinea ______ (grew originally in the Western Hemisphere)
Pride of Trinidad (bush with simple, alternate leaves)
S: Barba Gallo, or Crucero, or Guna, or Sangrenaria

Family RUPPIACEAE (Ditch Grass, Wigeon Grass)

Genus RUPPIA
Ruppia cirrhosa ______ CY
Ruppia maritima ______ CY

Family RUTACEAE (Citrus)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 50 described species in RUTACEAE.

Genus AMYRIS
Amyris elemifera ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Candlewood (name in CY)

Genus CITRUS

In the Dominican Republic, CITRUS species are food plants for the butterfly Papilio machaonides, the Machaonides Swallowtail.
Citrus aurantiifolia ______ (originally grew in the Indo-Malaysian area of southeast Asia)
Lime (tree with simple, alternating leaves)
P: Lima
S: Lima, or Limon Criollo
Citrus grandis ______ (originally grew on Polynesian islands in the Pacific)
Shaddock
The hybrid of the Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) and the Tangerine, or Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) is the Ortanique.
It first appeared in Jamaica and probably by chance.
The name reflects the origins of the fruit: a composite of orange-tangerine-unique.
It is very juicy and has a pleasant flavor.

Genus ZANTHOXYLUM

In the Dominican Republic, ZANTHOXYLUM species are larval food plants of several species of Papilio swallowtail butterflies, including Papilio aristor, the Scarce Haitian Swallowtail.
Zanthoxylum coriaceum ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (critically endangered in CY)
Shake Hand (name in CY)
Zanthoxylum flavum ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (critically endangered in CY)
Satinwood (name in CY)
Zanthoxylum martinicense ______ DR (in the Dominican Republic in Los Haitises National Park)
Yellow Prickle
S: Pino de Teta

Family SALICACEAE (Willows)

Genus BANARA
Banara caymanensis ______ CY (endemic to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Islands) (critically endangered)

Genus CASEARIA
Casearia aculeata ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Thom Prickle (name in CY)
Casearia guianensis ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Wild Coffee (name in CY)
Casearia hirsuta ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Wild Coffee (name in CY)
Casearia odorata ______ CY (nearly endemic to CY) (endangered)
Casearia staffordiae ______ CY (endemic to Grand Cayman Island) (critically endangered)
Casearia sylvestris ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus XYLOSMA
Xylosma bahamense ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Shake Hand (name in CY)

Genus ZUELANIA
Zuelania guidonia ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Jeremiah Bush (name in CY)

Family SANTALACEAE (Sandalwoods)

includes VISCACEAE

Genus PHORADENDRON
Phoradendron quadrangulare ______ CY
Scorn-the-ground (name in CY)
Phoradendron rubrum ______ CY
Scorn-the-ground (name in CY)
Phoradendron trinervium ______ CY

Family SAPINDACEAE (Soapberry)

Genus ALLOPHYLLUS
Allophyllus cominia (var. caymanensis) ______ CY

Genus BLIGHIA
Blighia sapida ______ (grows now on Caribbean islands)
Akee

The Akee tree was brought to the Caribbean islands back in the late 18th Century. It is said to have been carried on the MMS Bounty by Captain Bligh in 1787. The scientific name, Blighia, refers to him.

The fruits of the Akee develop thick, reddish-green skins that enclose shiny black seeds, each with a fleshy whitish-colored structure at its base called an aril. The aril is the edible part.
But, beware! The fruit is ready to be eaten only when it has turned red and has split open. Unripened arils and those overripe are poisonous.
"Jamaica Poisoning" is a term given to the condition resulting in death caused by eating arils at the wrong stage of development.

Jamaica is the only island in the Caribbean where Akee is eaten in any quantity. Akee and salt fish is a favorite Jamaican dish, and despite the fact that the "cod" is soaked overnight to reduce its saltiness, it still keeps enough of a salty taste to go well with the mildness of the Akee to produce, combined, a delicious taste.

Genus CARDIOSPERMUM
Cardiospermum corindum ______ CY
Cardiospermum halicacabum ______ CY

Genus DODONAEA
Dodonaea viscosa ______ CY

Genus EXOTHEA
Exothea paniculata ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Wild Ginep (name in CY)

Genus HYPELATE
Hypelate trifoliata ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (endangered in CY)
Plumperra (name in CY)

Genus MELICOCCUS (or TALISIA)
Melicoccus (or Talisia) jimenezii ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, only in one area of the southwest coast of the Dominican Republic)
S: Cotoperi

Genus PAULLINIA
Paullinia pinnata ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Paullinia pinnata is a food plant for the butterfly Danaus eresimus, the Soldier.

Family SAPOTACEAE (Sapote plants)

Genus CHRYSOPHYLLUM
Chrysophyllum cainito ______ (grows on Caribbean islands)
Star Apple

Although the Star Apple Tree grows throughout the Caribbean, it is more common in Jamaica and Haiti.
The tree grows to about 50 feet high and it often planted as a shade tree because of its dense foliage, which is shed only very infrequently.
The tree produces small, inconspicuous purplish-white flowers.
The mature fruits are about the size of an ordinary apple and they have a dark, smooth, purplish skin when they are ripe.
The fruit gets its name from the pattern inside when it is cut in half. The star shape is produced by the arrangement of the purplish seeds in among the white, rather gelatinous flesh.
The fruit has a sweetish but mild taste. It is eaten raw, or as a desert, either as part of a fruit salad or in a mixture with pieces of orange.

Genus MANIKARA
Manikara chicle ______ (originally grew in Mexico and Central America)
Chicle (tree with simple, alternating leaves)
P: Sapoti
S: Chicozapote, or Nispero

The sap of Manikara zapotais the basic material for chewing gum.
Manikara zapota ______ (originally grew in southern Mexico, Central America, and on some Caribbean islands)
Sapodilla Tree

A name for the fruit of Manikara zapota is Naseberry.

Genus SIDEROXYLON
Sideroxylon foetidissimum ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies) (critically endangered in CY)
Mastic (name in CY)
Sideroxylon horridum ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Green Thorn (name in CY)
Sideroxylon salicifolium ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Wild Sapodilla

Family SCROPHULARIACEAE (Snapdragons, or Figworts)

Genus AGALINIS
Agalinis kingsii ______ CY (endemic to Grand Cayman Island) (critically endangered)

Genus BONTIA
Bontia daphnoides ______ CY (on West Indian islands, and in South America)
Sea Olive

Bontia has been said to be in MYOPORACEAE, a generally Australian family.

On the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, Bontia daphnoides is indigenous, quite rare along the Atlantic coast, and often close to mangroves.

Genus RUSSELIA

Plants in RUSSELIA are especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds.
Russelia equisetiformis ______ (thought to have originally grown in Mexico)
Coral Plant (bush with simple, opposite leaves)
S: Arete de la Cocinera, or Coralito, or Lluvia de Fuego.

Genus SCOPARIA
Scoparia dulcis ______ CY

Genus STEMODIA
Stemodia maritima ______ CY

Family SIMAROUBACEAE

Genus SIMAROUBA
Simarouba berteroana ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola)
S: Olivo (name in DR)

In the Dominican Republic, Simarouba berteroana is in the Dunas de las Calderas, in Bani.
During FONT tours, we've been there and seen this plant found nowhere else in the world.
Simarouba laevis ______ (in the Caribbean)
Simarouba tulae ______ (in the Caribbean)

Family SMILACACEAE (Greenbriers)

Genus SMILAX
Smilax havanensis ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands)
Wire Wiss (name in CY)

Family SOLANACEAE (Nightshades)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 50 described species in SOLANACEAE.

Genus BRUGMANSIA
Brugmansia aurea ______ (originally grew in the northern Andes in South America)
Yellow Angel's Trumpet (bush with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Borrachero

Genus BRUNFELSIA
Brunfelsia pauciflora ______ (originally grew in Brazil)
Yesterday - Today - and Tomorrow (bush with simple, alternating leaves)

Genus CAPSICUM
Capsicum annuum ______ (this and C. frutescens, below, originally grew in the tropical Western Hemisphere)
Cayenne Pepper (herbaceous plant)
Closely related to Capsicum annuum is Capsicum frutescens, called Chili.

Peppers grow on small bushes. As noted above, there are two main types: chili peppers and sweet peppers.
Chili Peppers are small, red or green fruits that are used to impart a hot, spicy taste to soups, stews, sauces, and curries.
Sweet Peppers grow to a larger size. They are also colored red or green, but they have a much cooler taste, and are eaten raw as part of salads. Or, they can be cooked as a vegetable in stews, or served by themselves, stuffed with finely chopped meat or other types of filling.

Genus CESTRUM
Cestrum diurnum ______ CY
Cestrum diurnum (var. marcianum) ______ CY (nearly endemic to the Cayman Islands)
Cestrum diurnum (var. venenatum) ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)

Genus GOETZEA
Goetzea ekmanii ______ DR (endemic to Hispaniola, along the banks of the Cumayasa River)

Genus SOLANDRA
Solandra longiflora ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Solandra maxima ______ (originally grew in Mexico)
Cup of Gold (climbing plant with simple, alternating leaves)
S: "Copa de Oro"

Genus SOLANUM

Potatoes and Eggplants are among the nonpoisonous and economically important plants in this huge genus. (W)

In the Dominican Republic, SOLANUM species are food plants for the butterfly Papilio androgeus, the Androgeus Swallowtail.
Solanum bahamense ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands)
Solanum havanense ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands)
Solanum lanceifolium ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)
Solanum melongena ______ (now common on Caribbean islands)
Aubergine
Solanum rantonnetii ______ (originally grew in Paraguay and Argentina)
Blue Potato Bush (with simple, alternating leaves)

Another name for Solanum rantonnetii is Paraguay Nightshade.
Solanum wendlandii ______ CR (originally grew in Costa Rica)
Costa Rican Nightshade (climbing plant with simple, alternating leaves)
S: Eliza

Genus STREPTOSOLEN
Streptosolen jamesonii ______ (originally grew in western South America)
Firebush (bush with simple, alternating leaves)

Family STERCULIACEAE (Cacao plants)

Genus HELICTERES
Helicteres jamaicensis ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Screw Bush (name in CY)

Genus MELOCHIA
Melochia tomentosa ______ CY DR
Velvet Leaf (name in CY)

In the Dominican Republic, Melochia tomentosa is a food plant for the butterfly Strymon istapa, the Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak.

Genus NEOREGNELLIA
Neoregnellia cubensis ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)

Genus THEOBROMA
Theobroma cacao (ph) ______ (said to originally have grown in the Amazon region in South America)
Cacao (or Cocoa) (tree with simple, alternating leaves)
P: Cacau
S: Cacao

When European explorers arrived in the New World in the 1400s and 1500s, Cacao was being grown in Mexico by the Aztecs.
From the Caribbean and Central America, Columbus took Cacao (in the form of cocoa beans) back to the Spanish court in 1502.

The Cacao tree is easily recognized by its dark green shiny leaves and by its characteristic pods, each about 10 inches long and often growing directly from the trunk.
The pods turn from green to brownish-red when ripe, and at that stage they are picked.
The beans are extracted from the pods and laid out to dry in the sun before being roasted and then used to make cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and chocolate.

Although the Cocoa tree has been cultivated for about 500 years, it wasn't until the middle of the 1800s that the beans were used to produce chocolate as a confectionary.

A pod of Cacao, photographed during a FONT tour in Belize
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Family STRELITZIACEAE (was at one time part of MUSACEAE)

Genus STRELITZIA
Strelitzia reginae (ph) ______ (originally grew in southern Africa)
Bird of Paradise

As noted, the plant known as the Bird of Paradise is originally from southern Africa, but it now grows in tropical America, including on Caribbean islands.

Bird of Paradise flowers photographed during a FONT tour in the Caribbean
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Family SURIANACEAE

Genus SURIANA
Suriana maritima ______ CY
Bay Cedar
Juniper (name in CY)

Family THYMELACEAE (Daphne)

Genus DAPHNOPSIS
Daphnopsis americana ______ CY (critically endangered in CY)
Daphnopsis helleron ______ PR (endemic to Puerto Rico) (endangered)
Daphnopsis occidentalis ______ CY (endangered in CY)

Family TYPHACEAE (Cattail)

Genus TYPHA
Typha dominigensis ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)
Cat Tail (name in CY)

Family URTICACEAE (Nettle Family)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are about 120 described species in URTICACEAE.

Genus PILEA
Pilea herniarioides ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)
Pilea microphylla ______ CY

Family VERBENACEAE (Vervains, Verbenas)

On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, there are over 50 described species in VERBENACEAE.

Genus AEGIPHILA
Aegiphila caymanensis ______ CY (endemic to Grand Cayman Island) (critically endangered)
Aegiphila elata ______ CY

Genus CITHAREXYLUM
Citharexylum fruticosum ______ CY (endangered in CY)
Yellow Fiddlewood (name in CY)

Genus CLERODENDRON

Plants in CLERODENDRON are especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds.
Clerodendrum aculeatum ______ CY
Cat Claw (name in CY)

Genus DURANTA
Duranta erecta ______ CY (originally grew in the Western Hemisphere)
Forget-me-not Tree (bush with simple, opposite leaves)
S: Adonis Morado, or Celosa Cimmarona, or Espina de Paloma, or Fruita de Iguana

Genus LANTANA

Plants in LANTANA are especially attractive to feeding hummingbirds.
Lantana aculeata ______ CY
Lantana bahamensis ______ CY
Lantana camara (ph) ______ CY (originally grew from Texas south into South America)
Shrub Verbena (bush with simple, alternate leaves)
S: Camara, and "Coronitas del Sol".

Other names for Lantana camara are: Wild Sage, and "Cherry Pie".

The following, about Lantana camara, a widespread, weedy, tropical shrub, is from the book "A Naturalist in Costa Rica" by Alexander Skutch, published in 1971:
"The small florets are borne in flattish heads that are orange in the center, where the unopened bulbs are situated.
Around this is a circle of bright yellow, containing freshly opened flowers with yellow chromoplasts in their cells.
At the outside of the head is a zone of orange, composed of older florets.
As the blossoms age, a reddish-purple soluble pigment appears in the epidermal cells and deepens the yellow to orange."

A Vervain Hummingbird feeding at Lantana camara
during a FONT tour in the Dominican Republic.
The Vervain Hummingbird is one of the smallest birds in the world.
(photo by Marie Garner)
Lantana involucrata ______ CY
Bitter Sage (name in CY)
Lantana ovatifolia ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Lantana ovatifolia is a food plant for the butterflies: Battus polydamas, the Gold Rim Swallowtail, Papilio machaonides, the Machaonides Swallowtail, Papilio androgeus, the Androgeus Swallowtail, Papilio aristor, the Scarce Haitian Swallowtail, Strymon bazochii, the Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak, Hamadryas amphichloe, the Pale Cracker, Junonia genoveva, the Mangrove Buckeye, Danaus gilippus, the Queen, Danaus eresimus, the Soldier, Danaus cleophile, the Caribbean Queen or Jamaican Monarch.
Lantana reticulata ______ DR

In the Dominican Republic, Lantana reticulata is a food plant for the butterfly Strymon bazochii, the Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak.
Lantana urticifolia ______ CY (endemic to the West Indies)
Sweet Sage (name in CY)

Genus LIPPIA
Lippia alba ______ CY
Lippia nodiflora ______ CY
Match Head (name in CY)

Genus PETITIA
Petitia domingensis ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands) (endangered in CY)
Fiddlewood

Genus PETREA
Petrea volubilis ______ (originally grew in Central America and on Caribbean islands)
Blue Bird Vine (climbing plant with simple, opposite leaves)
S: Adolfina

Genus STACHYTARPHETA
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis ______ CY DR

In the Dominican Republic, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis is a food plant for the butterfly Strymon istapa, the Mallow Scrub-Haistreak.

Family VITACEAE (Grape)

Genus CISSUS
Cissus microcarpa ______ CY
Pudding White (name in CY)
Cissus trifoliata ______ CY
Cissus verticillata ______ CY (vulnerable in CY)

Family ZAMIACEAE (Cone-palm Ferns)

Genus DIOON
Dioon edule ______ (originally grew in Central America)
Chestnut Dioon (a palm fern)

Genus ZAMIA
Zamia integrifolia ______ CY (endemic to the Greater Antilles) (critically endangered in CY)
Bulrush (name in CY)

Family ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger and allies)

Genus ZINGIBER
Zingiber officinale ______ (originally grew in southern China)
Ginger

Ginger is a perennial herbaceous plant that is now widely cultivated in most tropical countries, particularly so in the Caribbean, where Jamaica is famous for the production and exportation of commercial ginger.

The plant grows as a group of leafy shoots which reach a height of between 2 and 3 feet. The ginger familiar in shops and supermarkets is extracted from the underground tuberous stems.
The white form of ginger is obtained by washing, boiling, peeling, and then blanching the rhizomes.
Another form, black ginger, is produced by washing and boiling he rhizomes and then drying them. The dried rhizomes are also ground into a powder.
Ground ginger is used mainly in cake flavorings and for adding to drinks such as ginger ale.
Preserved ginger, which is used in baking fruit cakes and as an ingredient of ginger marmalade, is produced by boiling prepared rhizones in a sugar syrup.

Family ZYGOPHYLLACEAE (Caltrop)

Genus TRIBULUS
Tribulus cistoides ______ CY
Jamaican Feverplant (or Puncture Vine)
Jim Carter Weed (name in CY)

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