Notice the red dirt found in the beds. Nerium oleander, colloquially known as oleander, is a shrub or a small tree, known for its majestic pink five-lobed flowers and deep green lanceolate leaves. Hibiscus The hibiscus is very common in tropical regions and comes in a large variety of colours and even sizes and petal-shapes. The plant has a high tolerance to salt, drought, poor soil conditions and prefers growing in full sunlight. Plant it in a container or allow it to spread as a ground cover. Its leaves have a milder taste compared to spinach. To 60 ft. (18.3 m). The Blue Flower is also known as the Jamaican Blue Flower or the Rat Tail. In Volume 1 we covered 4 native Bahamian plants, some of which had medicinal values. Statistics from the World Bank indicate that in 2017 the nominal gross domestic product of Bahamas was estimated to be $12.16 billion which at the time was the 128 th . The whole plant is edible, and it has a nice sharp taste. The allspice is an evergreen plant that produces an edible spice, popularly used in cooking. The tree produces small, sweet, edible beans that can be ground into flour and used to make cakes, bread and other baked goods. By Homer Edward Price (Mahogany-leavesUploaded by Amada44) [, By Homer Edward Price (Pigeon PlumUploaded by Amada44) [, By Homer Edward Price (Poisonwood leavesUploaded by Amada44) [, By scott.zona (http://flickr.com/photos/scottzona/2574965453/) [. The leaves are also used in cooking. Bahamians have used indigenous plants for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. One side is satiny green, but the other side is downy with red-brown hairs. addy47648 = addy47648 + 'southbeachnursery' + '.' + 'com'; Next time youre in a grassy area, see if you can spot this low laying herbal plant. Their ability to defend themselves, use animals to help them disperse their seeds, and aid them in reproduction and the complex relationship they have. The tamarind is tropical plant that has woody stems and branches. Invasive species. Edible parts: You can eat the flowers and seeds of this edible wild plant. These have two different sides. Please note that the data processing is essentially carried out by Google LLC and Google may use your data collected by the cookies for own purposes, e.g. There has long been confusion over the correct scientific name for this . All of these are, to the best of my knowledge, edible seeds that can be collected in the wild. . Desert Sage is also an important source of food and habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects. The cookies collect specific information, such as your IP address, data related to your device and other information about your use of the application/website. This forest is a humid habitat sheltered by hardwood trees. It doesnt matter what interesting plants you find in nature around The Bahamas. The succulent ground cover grows wild along coastal shorelines of the Bahamas, as well as Cuba and the Eastern United States. Noni is popularly used for its many nutritional and medicinal contents. The following tips keep these garden raiders at bay without using chemical products. It is a slow-growing cactus that can reach up to 20 feet tall. Commonly used throughout Bahamian landscapes as a specimen tree, the plant produces fragrant flowers in a wide range of colors depending on the particular cultivar. Page text in BHL originates from one of the following sources: Uncorrected OCR Machine-generated text. Yellow dandelion petal-like ray flowers can also. Have a question or comment? Pigeons, crows, and seagulls are all edible. The tree produces small, fragrant flowers that can be used to make essential oils, perfumes and other beauty products. Referred to as "Cedar". Saguaro Cactus is also known for its medicinal properties, the fruit can be used to lower blood sugar levels and the cactus can be used to treat cuts, burns and other skin conditions. That way you can learn about every plant you come across and enjoy the deep beauty of nature. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool , Frangipani garland image by mauritiusview from, butterply on purple flower image by Flashon Studio from, Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Center: Bahamas Plant Information, Bahamas 4 Kids: Flowers & Trees in the Bahamas. Native plants grow naturally in our pine and coppice forests, wetlands and on beaches. Mango tree can also be used for wood after the trees fruit production is over. This plant can be found growing in Pine Forests and human altered environments like roadsides, old homes and abandoned properties. The plants have leathery-long leaves that have an aromatic attraction. Chicory Chicory is a bushy plant that has small lavender, white and blue flowers. The trees are also salt tolerant. Seagrape plants are one of the most popular edible fruit trees in the Bahamas. Desert Sage is often used in traditional Native American cooking and is known for its medicinal properties, the leaves can be used to treat colds, flu and other respiratory issues. Although the Latin name, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, means the rose of China, it is not related to true roses. They've historically been used to make string, baskets, rope and shoes. The plants have a dense foliage that consists of obviate leaves that can measure up to 12 inches long. Error-corrected OCR . These trees can grow up to 90 ft. tall and 2.5 ft. wide. When branches of this shrub are broken, they release a milky sap, similar to other plumeria species. Unlike coconut trees, which sea grapes often share the shorelines with, these trees are Caribbean natives. Desert Olive is also a great source of food for wildlife, including birds, small mammals and desert tortoises. 5. sea grape. In times of famine and scarcity, these sources of nutrients and health-promoting compounds have received high importance mainly in rural and suburban areas. 33ft. The century plant is so named because it blooms so rarely. Due to erosion and coastal development, populations of this species have declined significantly. Zinc, fibre, great for smoothies and salad deliciousness. Be sure to look out for these common plants when youre walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens. The cactus is also an important source of food and habitat for wildlife, including birds, small mammals and desert tortoises. The flame of the woods is a popular warm-weather garden shrub due to its versatility and unique, bright red leaves. The plants have leathery-long leaves that have an aromatic attraction. This tree produces coconuts. With more than 700 islands and 2,500 islets and cays, the Bahamas, which spread out over an area of approximately 100,000 square miles, have a number of ecosystems boasting many kinds of plant life. (Always verify with multiple sources before consuming any wild plant, AND make sure you're 100% certain on your identification.) 34 reviews Imagine what you could do with eighteen delicious new greens in your dining arsenal including purslane, chickweed, curly dock, wild spinach, sorrel, and wild mustard. Do you think you can identify these plants when you see them in the forest. Plants are pretty nice to look at, and most can make any too-bland environment smell fresh and floral. The plants have a leathery-grey trunk and glossy-green leaves. The fruits and vegetables including citrus oranges, and key limes imported by the Spanish and the sugar cane, and mangos imported by the English settlers, as well as the food crops, plantain, pigeon peas and okra cultivated by the Africans are also on display. In conclusion, deserts may seem like barren wastelands, but they are actually teeming with life, including a wide variety of edible plants that can be used for food, medicine, and even beauty products. They flower in the spring with blood red flowers, and the fruit will come in the fall. Passion fruit plants are vines have the ability to climb and cling to objects. The tree produces long, thin seed pods that can be roasted and ground into a flour. Your free 7-day Premium hasnt been claimed yet. Moringa - the "Miracle Tree" introduces itself to The Bahamas and beyond! The fruit is rich in antioxidants and is a good source of dietary fiber. Leaves are elliptical. Cattail. The two sides make the tree seem to shimmer when the wind blows through the leaves. When the royal poinciana blooms during the summer months it is vividly orange and strikingly beautiful! It isn't particularly noteworthy until it receives rain. Desert Apricot is also a great source of food for wildlife, including birds, small mammals and desert tortoises. The foliage of the plant consists of glossy-green leaves supported on the tree's woody stems and branches. The plant grows on the ground and produces a oval-shaped edible fruit. Their leaves are often a dark, dull green and appears to be slightly curved/rounded. Use a guide to determine which types grow near you. Send us an e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. Moringa contains 3 times the amount of iron found in spinach. The beans are also a good source of protein and other nutrients. Necessary cookies enable core functionality. Desert Wildflowers are an important source of food and habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects. Like traditional Passionfruit, this plant is a vine that produces a beautiful, ornate flower. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy," because it is so hard to kill, and can grow in the dark. Papaya is a fruit-bearing plant that originates from Central America. FIVE FINGERS (Tabebuia bahamensis) This common tree has pink flowers and its leaves make a soothing tea for body strains and aches. Ground cover plants and shrubs with strong root systems and broad leaves are particularly helpful, as they hold back soil and soften the impact of rain. Lemon is a cultivated small evergreen tree known for its yellow, juicy, sour fruits full of citric acid. An enzyme collected from the milky sap is used as a meat softener, which if ingested may be toxic. Purple orchids grow in the pine forest. It is drought-tolerant and grows well in warm climates. The fruit is sweet and makes a good jam. The Bahama Waltheria produces a cluster of bright yellow flowers that have 5 unfused petals and its fruit is a follicle. A fast growing salt tolerant ground cover that is used for coastal landscaping. Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) is a flowering plant native to South America that is related to the cashew. This plant is a favorite of wild harvesters and has been called the supermarket of the wild. Outdoor Plants; Edible Garden; Vegetable Plants. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; Edible seaweed, or sea vegetables, are seaweeds that can be eaten and used for culinary purposes. The bark of this tree is flaky and as a resin in its sap, which along with he absence of lower branches, helps the Caribbean Pine survive forest fires [see more here.]. The plant is also known for its medicinal properties, the leaves can be used to treat cuts, burns and other skin conditions. Plants are hardy, spreading readily by seeds, and are both salt and drought tolerant. This common " weed " is actually edible; in fact, the entire plant is edible: roots, leaves and flowers. Its entirety can be eaten from its leaves to the roots. Fish, beautiful beaches, and forests are some of the Bahamas natural resources. Agave plants look sort of like aloe and vary in color from almost blue to bright or dark green. For more information about how Google processes your data and Googles approach to privacy as well as implemented safeguards for your data, please see here. It produces a white flower. Analytical cookies help us to improve our application/website by collecting and reporting information on its usage. This email address is being protected from spambots. Learn more here. The edible sweet basil leaves can be eaten fresh or dried with pizza, salads, soups, teas, and many other dishes. Ash (Fraxinus sp.) 33ft. Castor beans cannot be eaten because they contain a potent poison that's released if the seed is broken. A rare salt tolerant plant used for coastal and inland planting. Examples of flowers, herbs and plants that are suitable for an edible garden include: flowers - borage, carnation, chamomile, chrysanthemum, fuchsia, geranium, hibiscus, hollyhock, honeysuckle, impatiens, lavender, lemon blossom, lilac, marigold, nasturtium, pansy, rose, salvia and violet It is a slow-growing shrub that can reach up to 10 feet tall. Though not a true native, its status as the national flower ranks it on the native plant list. Send us an e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. Sapodilla plants are evergreen native Bahamian edible fruit trees. After being cooped up through the winter, many people are jumping at the chance toContinue reading 15 Essential Spring Gardening Jobs: A Checklist, Plant Collection Best Rosaceae Flowering Trees That Blooming in Spring Known as Rosaceae, includes thousands of species that can add a distinct flair to your garden. 57 reviews. They are also an important source of food and habitat for wildlife, including birds, small mammals and desert tortoises. You can start by sowing seeds 4 to 8 inches apart in a well-drained soil mix, preferably in a tray container in rows. Many species of orchids grow in the islands of the Bahamas. The fruits are eaten at all stages of ripening. Desert Wildflowers are a diverse group of drought-tolerant flowers that are native to the deserts of North America. Knowing the difference between safe wilderness food and poisonous plants could save your life. This is an edible seaweed from the Pacific best enjoyed with a little soy sauce, but that's a story for Uncommon Japan.) Have a question or comment? Brazilian peppertree is widely cultivated as a houseplant in regions without frost. Like the allamanda, the yellow elder is a yellow, trumpet-shaped flower, although it is smaller than the allamanda and grows in clusters. Some of these plants are endemic to our archipelago (the Lucayan Archipelago), which means that they are not found any where else in the world. Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.) Seagrape plants are popular landsc Silver thatch palms are palm trees native to the Bahamas.