The mild, subtropical weather of Barbados has nourished an astonishing variety of flora and fauna on the island. Many of the plants have been introduced from far-flung lands around the world: the mahogany tree of Honduras, the tamarind from Indonesia and the causarina from Northern Australia, among others. These newer inhabitants share the landscape with unique natives like the Bajan ebony tree or "shak-shak", also known as the "women's tongue". 

A vibrant oral culture has endowed many of these plants with histories of their own. The silk cotton tree is native to the island and legend claims that this tree walks at night. Another tree to know is the machineel. Small of stature, it bears poisonous fruit. Oral tradition has claimed that the fruit of the machineel is the original apple of the Garden of Eden.

The lush and exotic nature of the vegetation on the island is emphasized by the variety of flowers and fruit. Orchids of all types thrive here, as do the famous Barbadian cherry trees. One of these cherries is said to fulfill a day's requirement of Vitamin C!

Visit one of the island's many plantation gardens or nationally protected wilderness sites to learn more about the extraordinary greenery.


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