Month: December 2009
Nipple Fruit (Solanum mammosum)
Yesterday afternoon I was treated to an impromptu flower garden tour in the mountain village of Giraudel, Dominica. This region is known for it’s particularly rich soil and has, as a result, become a hub of flower growers and gardeners. I learned a few interesting tidbits that I hope to share here on a later …
Wild Eggplant (Solanum torvum)
Dominica is often referred to as The Garden of Eden, which comes as no surprise since it seems that just about anything will grow here. No matter where I am on the island, whether it be on the coast or in the mountain rain forest interior, I often see wild foods growing. I found this …
Giant Poinsettia
I love poinsettias here in the tropics. They’re so gangling and colourful. And the best part is that those holiday gift plants that typically go to pot in North America can be planted out in the garden and grown into a massive bush. View a few more photos: 1, 2. Learn how you can save …
Heliconia Psittacorum
I have seen these both cultivated and growing wild here in Dominica.
Dispatches from the Land of the Lost
If I had to describe Dominica’s flora with one word, I think I would choose “giant.” Or possibly “huge.” “Lush” is a good word but I’m not sure it can convey the kind of extreme lushness I am talking about. This isn’t North American lush, this is rainforest, tons of water and heat, things just …
Making Sorrel with Fresh Hibiscus
Sorrel or rum punch (sorrel spiked with rum) is a popular, refreshing drink in the Caribbean, especially during the holiday season. Knowing this, I was particularly excited to get to the market and get my hands on some fresh sorrel so that I could find out how the drink compares when the flower calyces are …
Tetrio Sphinx Caterpillar
Imagine one of these munching its way through your garden. I saw this one, and then I saw two others soon after! Both terrifying (I was initially sure it must be poisonous and stepped back as if it might eat my face) and amazingly beautiful all at once. Turns out it won’t eat your face …
Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)
Desert Rose (Adenium obesum).
Hot Cactus on Cactus Action
Okay, maybe not hot, but merely an epiphytic cactus hitching a ride on a large opuntia. Pretty cool though. I’ve never seen this before!
Broadleaf Thyme: The Confusion Continues
Way back when, I wrote about Broadleaf Thyme and Cuban Oregano (Coleus amboinicus) and (Plectranthus amboinicus) and wondered about the proper identification for the different plants. At the time I concluded that Broadleaf thyme was the one with smaller leaves, and Cuban Oregano is the one with bigger leaves. And within that there is also …