Anguilla / Special Interests / Flowers & Gardens

With its dry climate, Anguilla doesn't enjoy the lush tropical vegetation of some Caribbean islands. Most natural flora is low growing and tolerant of the salty air, strong sun and drought. Look for: beach maho or sea cotton; green agave; aloe vera; organ pipe cactus; buttonwood, a tree that grows in saltwater and brackish water; beach morning glory; cordia, a shade tree with orange blooms; beach or spider lily; tabebuia, the national plant of Anguilla, with pink blooms; calypso oleander; domestic scavola,a dune stabilizer that grows in salt water; giant milkweed, used by locals in past years for treatment of hypertension; silver buttonwood; pomegranate flower; mahogany tree; natal plum, with starshaped flowers that smell like gardenias.

At present, Anguilla has no botanical garden or other place to see identified plants. The best look at the island's flora is on a weekly horticultural tour at Cap Juluca resort at 10:30 am on Friday mornings. Participation is easy; just show up at the front desk and ask to take part in the free tour.

Leroy Browne is a forward thinking organic gardener on Anguilla who runs ‘Desert Green’, an organic farm growing vegetables, herbs and fruit for sale. It also has an attractive display of cacti. Leroy also works on the hydroponics garden at CuisinArt Resort & Spa. This ground-breaking garden grows fresh vegetables, edible flowers and herbs for daily use in the resort restaurants and spa.

On the island over 500 species of plants have now been identified as part of the Flora Project by the Anguilla National Trust. This ongoing project has been compiled by a local naturalist and a visiting botanist working to photograph and press plant specimens. Much of Anguilla's vegetation and wildlife was severely damaged by Hurricane Luis in September 1995. However, the island has bounced back remarkably from the devastation. While trees may be smaller than those of past years, the island is green and dotted with vegetation.

Preservation of the trees following the hurricane has largely been credited to the efforts of the Anguilla Beautification Club (ABC). This volunteer group broadcast over Radio Anguilla, advising islanders on tree-saving procedures. Before Governor Alan Shave retired, he presented ABC with $3,000. The club has used the money to import trees. It has provided citrus trees for islanders who wished to replace those lost in the storm and has imported shade trees for the island beaches.

The Anguilla Beautification Club (ABC) continues work to plant trees. One project allows visitors to adopt a tree. The Club also works to beautify the island through tree plantings; a current project plants trees at the hospital and island schools in a project called “1,000 Trees for the Children.” The Club also works to keep the island litter free. Donations can be made to ABC Trees, PO Box 274 Anguilla, BWI.

If you want to read up, get hold of a copy of ‘A Guide to Common Plants of Anguilla’ by Mary M. Walker, Oliver Hodge, Floyd Homer, Winston Johnson. Native and introduced plant species are described, along with their uses and historical/cultural significance.