Poinciana or Flamboyant
tree (Delonix regia)
- national flower of St. Kitts & Nevis, said
to be named after the French nobleman, Count de Poincy,
a former Governor General of St. Kitts during the French
rule. Breadfruit (Artocarpus
altilis)
- used as a starchy vegetable in many local dishes.
Black Sage (Cordia curassavica)
- leaves are steeped to treat colds and cough.
Wild Sage (Lantana camara)
- used in tea to treat colds and chills
Mango (Mangifera indica L.)
- the most popular fruit in the West Indies.
Mahoe (Quararibea turbinata)
- stems were used as goad sticks and the bark
as a rope substitute.
Soursop (Annona muricata L.)
- used to make ice cream and preserves, and as
a sedative for children.
Screw Pine (Pandanus utilis)
- leaves used to make baskets, place mats and
other woven craft.
Blood Flower/Milky-Milky (Asclepias curassavica)
- used to treat guinea worm and ringworm.
Wild Coffee (Casearia guianensis)
- easily identified by it's distinct dark bark;
used as fuelwood.
Wild Cilliment (Pimenta racemosa)
- leaves were soaked in rum and used to relieve
soreness.
Wild Cherries (Prunus occidentalis)
- fruits are used locally to make fruit punches. |
Coconut Palm (Cocos
nucifara)
- used for medicine, thatch, timber, fiber and copra.
Golden Apple (Spondias dulcis)
- fruits made into preserves or eaten when ripe.
Joint Wood (Piper amalago)
- used in tea for colds and flu and as a laxative.
Tree Fern (Cyathea arborea)
- used by the Carib Indians to preserve and carry
fire.
Ficus Citrofolia
- roots unite to form a trunk; were used in
making guitars and for fuel.
Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris)
- used in making furniture, pipes, fences and poles.
Jumbie Beads (Abrus precatorius)
- seeds used as decorations on handicrafts.
Warri Beads
- seeds used to play the game Warri, a game descendant
from Africa Mankala, the oldest family of games in
the world.
White Cedar (Tabebuia heteropyhlla)
- used chiefly for posts and poles, but also used
in boat building.
Silk Cotton Tree/Kapok (Ceiba pentandra)
- used in baths to relieve fatigue and to counteract
poisoning.
Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera)
- fruits used to prepare jellies and wine-like
beverages locally.
Hog Plum (Spondias mombin)
- used in a tea to stop diarrhoea or dysentery. |
