Nature

Here are some of the flora you will see around you as you travel through our beautiful island. More pictures can be seen in our gallery.

Mango Tree

The mango tree originated in India, and bears the name ‘King of Fruits’, the most important fruit bearing tree in Antigua. We have over twelve different varieties of mango trees in Antigua. The tree yields mangos from March to October. Pollination is carried out by flies rather than by bees. The fruits are rich in vitamins A and C.

Yellow Bell

The yellow bell is a shrub with yellow flowers and is named after Dr Allamand who first sent the seeds to Linnaeus, the famous Swedish botanist. It has been used as a laxative. There is also a purple variety.

Bougainvillea

The bougainvillea plant is named after a French navigator, Luis De Bougainville, who took a specimen back to France in 1768. it is a hardy plant that seems to flower in times of very little rain. The brilliant colours red, orange, white or pink of different plants emanate from leafy bracts, while the minute flowers within are white and have no petals. it is one of the first ornamentals visitors will see in house gardens.

Coconut Tree

The coconut tree is a graceful palm of tropical shores, and perhaps the most useful to human kind. it appears to be native as pollen was recorded in Barbados in an Amerindian midden dating to 600AD. The tree has the largest seed in the world. The palm has many uses including candles, drinks, copra oil, alcohol. posts, charcoal, walking sticks, ropes, hats and brooms.

Oleander

This evergreen shrub can have pink or white fragrant flowers. It is well planted in gardens prone to the ravages of goats, as the leaves are very poisonous. It is said that a single leaf taken by a person can cause death and even marsh mellows or meat cooked before a fire on the end of an oleander twig can cause serious illness.