Learn about unique trees from Jamaica

Take a look at Jamaica's medicinal herbs they may help you when you are feeling ill

Jamaica has some of the most beautiful trees. The people are very proud of them. Some have been shown great respect and form a part of our national symbols and heritage

NATIONAL FLOWER – Lignum Vitae

LIGNUM VITAE (Guiacum officinale) is indigenous to this island and was found here by Christopher Columbus. It is thought that the name – translated from the Latin to mean ‘wood of life’ - was then adopted because of its medicinal qualities. The tree grows best in the dry woodlands along both the north and south coasts of the island.

In addition to producing an attractive blue flower, the plant itself is very ornamental. The wood was once popular for use as propeller shaft bearings in nearly all the ships sailing the ‘Seven Seas’ and because of this, in shipyards worldwide, the lignum vitae and Jamaica were once closely associated.

MAHOE (Hibiscus elatus). This has been regarded as one of our primary economic timbers. It is currently much used for re-afforestation and is a valuable source of cabinet timber. It is of an attractive blue-green colour with variegated yellow intrusions, it is capable of taking a high polish which highlights the variety of grain and colour tones.

The mahoe is a native to the Jamaica and the found to grow only in Cuba

.NATIONAL FRUIT - The Ackee

ACKEE (Blighia sapida). Whilst not indigenous to Jamaica, this fruit has remarkable historic associations. It was originally imported from West Africa, probably brought here on a slave ship, and now grows luxuriantly, producing each year large quantities of edible fruit.

The tree was unknown to science until plants were taken from the island to England in 1793 by captain William Bligh (of ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ fame), hence the botanical name ‘ Blighia sapids’ in honour of the seafarer. One of the earliest local propagators of the tree was a Dr. Thomas Clarke, who introduced it to the eastern parishes in 1778.

Jamaica is the only place where the fruit is generally recognized as an edible crop, although the plant has been introduced into most of the other Caribbean islands (Antigua, Barbados, Barbuda, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago) and Central America, and even Florida, where it is known by different names and does not thrive in economic quantities. Continue to read more on Jamaica trees