|
Flora of
Bermuda |
|
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction History
Location
Climate
Flora Plant
List References
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Photographs by Michael Charters
| To begin with, please note that this website is not entitled Native Flora of Bermuda. The flora of Bermuda is regrettably in the main an introduced flora. As is commonly the case with fairly remote oceanic islands, Bermuda's pre-settlement flora was limited to those species that could disperse seeds over long distances by means of wind, water or birds, and thus was a fairly simple one. Fortunately there are early records of that flora, which due to prevailing currents was primarily West Indian in origin, and there are a number of localities on the island where the native flora has survived. However people have been bringing plants to the island for four hundred years, probably at least fifteen hundred species, and Bermuda's warm climate and ample rainfall have made them thrive there. Those native species that do still remain are becoming fewer in number and harder and harder to find. They are waging what is in all likelihood in many instances a losing war against invasive species. But the war has not yet been lost and there are places where natives and endemics hold out. Hopefully on another trip I will be able to make contact with some botanical people or organizations and find and photograph more of those species. In the meantime, this is the flora of Bermuda as it is seen today by visitors in gardens and parks and preserves, draped over stone walls, edging walking paths, bordering beaches, by the side of the Railway Trail, adjacent to ponds and marshes, next to people's houses, around old forts, along roadways, and at places like the Bermuda Perfumery, the Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo, Crystal Caves, the Bermuda Botanic Gardens and the Bermuda Arboretum. Bermuda is itself a single large botanical garden, riotous in color and profusion, and is the inadvertantly welcoming home of many beautiful flowering plants from other parts of the world. |
| Click on pictures for large size photograph. Plants are in alphabetical order by Latin name. Comments invited to mmlcharters[at]gmail.com. |
 |
Acalypha
hispida Chenille plant, Red hot cattail |
Euphorbiaceae
|
Introduced
|
Can grow to 10' high. Other Acalypha
species have much smaller flowers. Native to New Guinea, Malay Archipelago and East Indies. |
 |
Aechmea
fasciata Silver vase bromeliad, Urn plant |
Bromeliaceae
|
Introduced
|
An epiphytic bromeliad from Brazil, it blooms
late summer to mid-winter. Flowering head composed of a cluster of pink bracts or modified leaves in which are nestled the inconspicuous pale blue to rose flowers. |
 |
Agave americana 'Marginata' Century plant, Yellow edge |
Agavaceae |
Introduced |
Leaves have bands of yellow along the margins, hence the common name 'Yellow edge.' When the plant is about five or more years old, it can send up a flowering stalk to 40', then dies. |
 |
Allamanda
cathartica Golden trumpet vine Yellow allamanda |
Apocynaceae
|
Introduced
|
Prolific climbing plants from tropical America.
All parts are poisonous. Has milky sap and prickly seed pods. |
 |
Araucaria
heterophylla Norfolk Island pine |
Araucariaceae
|
Introduced
|
Can reach 200' in its native range of Norfolk
Island east of Australia. Norfolk Island was discovered by Captain Cook and settled by descendents of the Bounty mutineers. Shallow root system makes it subject to hurricane damage. |
 |
Archontophoenix
alexandrae Alexander palm |
Arecaceae
|
Introduced
|
The trunk on this palm enlarges
toward the base which differentiates it from its cousin A. cunningham- iana. Also the flowers are white as opposed to lilac or violet. Grows 70'-80' tall. Native to Australia. |
 |
Archontophoenix
cunninghamiana King palm |
Arecaceae
|
Introduced
|
Brought into Bermuda from Australia, it grows
to 50' to 80' tall. It has violet-colored flowers, egg-shaped red fruits, and blooms in summer. Also called the piccabean or bangalow palm. |
 |
Bambusa
vulgaris Common bamboo |
Poaceae
|
Introduced
|
A vigorous grower that produces culms to 80'
tall. Common throughout the tropical world, place of origin uncertain but possibly China. |
 |
Bauhinia
variegata Orchid tree, Poor man's orchid |
Fabaceae
|
Introduced
|
Spreading tree with fragrant pink orchid-like
flowers growing to 30' or so and quite common in Bermuda. Also called mountain ebony in places. Genus name recognizes two Swiss botanists Johann and Caspar Bauhin. |
 |
Begonia
odorata Fragrant begonia |
Begoniaceae
|
Introduced
|
Has ovate leaves and white-to-pink flowers
with a sweet scent. Low salt tolerance Introduced from Jamaica. |
 |
Bixa
orellana Lipstick tree, Annato, Achiote |
Bixaceae
|
Introduced
|
Species name honors Francisco de Orellana,
16th century Spanish explorer who with Pizarro conquered the Incas and then later discovered the Amazon River. Native to South America, mainly Brazil. Used in many ways as dyes, condiments, cosmetics and medicines. |
 |
Bougainvillea
glabra Paper flower, Bougainvillea |
Nyctaginaceae
|
Introduced
|
Named for world traveler, Louis de Bougainville,
who brought it to Europe from Brazil in 1790. What looks like the flowers are actually bracts. The white flowers are in the center. |
 |
Brachychiton
acerifolius Australian flame tree |
Sterculiaceae
|
Introduced
|
This is a large tree when in bloom covered
with a mass of brilliant crimson bell-shaped flowers. It is native to eastern Australia. The species name means 'with leaves like those of the maple.' Uncommon in Bermuda. |
 |
Brassaia
actinophylla Schefflera, Umbrella tree |
Araliaceae
|
Introduced
|
Native to Australia. Grows to 40'
tall. Also called octopus tree. Leaves may contain harmful toxins. Species name derived from Greek words for 'ray' and 'leaf,' and refers to their palmately compound design. Prefers high light conditions. |
 |
Brunfelsia
americana Lady of the night |
Solanaceae
|
Introduced
|
Native to the West Indies. Sweetly
scented flowers much more pronounced at night. Contains toxic alkaloids like other members of the family. |
 |
Brunfelsia
pauciflora Yesterday-Today- and-Tomorrow, Brazil rain tree |
Solanaceae
|
Introduced
|
Also called morning-noon-and-night. Native
to woodland areas of Brazil. Berries are especially toxic. Genus named for Otto Brunfels (1489-1534), one of the earliest German botanists. |
 |
Butia
capitata Jelly palm, Pindo palm |
Arecaceae
|
Introduced
|
Heavy trunk is topped by arching and long-pinnate bluish-gray leaves. The bright orange fruits are called pindo dates in some places. Native to the grasslands and woodlands of northern Argentina to southern Brazil. |
 |
Caesalpinia |
Fabaceae
|
Introduced
|
Small shrub native to the West Indies and tropical
America, now naturalized in most tropical regions of the world. Has prickly branches and feathery leaves. Also called peacock flower because of brilliant floral displays. |
 |
Calliandra
haematocephala Red powder puff |
Fabaceae
|
Introduced
|
New leaves are glossy copper colored, turn
to a deep green. Flowers are 2-3" across. Species name means 'with heads of blood-red color,' and genus name means 'beautiful stamens.' Attracts butterflies and humming- birds. Native to Bolivia. |
 |
Calophyllum
inophyllum Ballnut, Alexandrian laurel |
Clusiaceae
|
Introduced
|
Large ornamental evergreen growing to 60' native to east Africa, southern India and Australia. Seeds contain a thick oil used as a medicine, hair grease, or skin cream. Widely cultivated in all tropical areas of the world. |
 |
Campsis
radicans Trumpet vine, Trumpet creeper |
Bignoniaceae
|
Introduced
|
Climbs by means of roots produced from stems
to 15' or so. Genus name is from Greek for 'bending or a bend' referring to the curved stamens, and species name means 'having rooting stems.' Native to south- eastern and Gulf Coast United States. |
 |
Canna
indica Indian shot, Cane shot |
Cannaceae
|
Introduced
|
Escaped from cultivation, native to Caribbean
and tropical America. Named by Linnaeus who believed it was from India. Seeds are round and BB-like, and are often used in seed bracelets and earrings. Now naturalized throughout Old and New World tropics. |
 |
Carissa
macrocarpa Natal plum |
Apocynaceae
|
Introduced
|
Native to South Africa. Fragrant
flowers and stems with short sharp spines. Fruits are edible, tasting like a sweet cranberry, often made into jellies. Tolerant of salty soil and salt spray. |
 |
Carpobrotus
chilensis Iceplant, Sour fig, Sea fig |
Aizoaceae
|
Introduced
|
Originally from South Africa. Long
trailing stems with sharply three-angled fleshy leaves. Widely planted as ground cover. |
 |
Caryota
mitis Burmese fishtail palm |
Arecaceae
|
Introduced
|
As name implies, brought in from Southeast
Asia. Somewhat shorter and bushier than its cousin, C. urens, it has leaves almost reminiscent of a large maidenhair fern. The common name mitis means 'gentle, mild, without spines.' |
 |
Caryota
urens Toddy fishtail palm, Jeggery palm |
Arecaceae
|
Introduced
|
Brought into Bermuda from Southeast Asia, this
has longer leaves than its cousin, C. mitis. With a single trunk, it can grow to 80'. Blooms only once then dies. |
 |
Casuarina
equisetifolia Horsetail she-oak, Beefwood, Whistling-pine |
Casuarinaceae
|
Introduced
|
Brought into Bermuda originally from Australia
to replace the cedars killed by the scale blight in the 1940's. Widely planted in Bermuda and elsewhere as windbreaks or to stabilize coastal sand dunes. Its very hard wood is an excellent source of fuel and charcoal |
 |
Ceiba
pentandra Kapok tree, Silk cotton tree |
Bombacaceae
|
Introduced
|
Grows to 80' tall (outside of Bermuda to 230'
tall) with immense buttress-like roots. Native to Mexico, Central and tropical South America, the Caribbean and west Africa. Produces the familiar kapok. |
 |
Chamaerops
humilis European fan palm |
Arecaceae
|
Introduced
|
A hardy palm native to the Mediterranean growing
in low clusters of trunks or with a single taller trunk. Has deeply cleft leaves with spiny petioles. Adaptable to a wide range of soil types so long as well-drained. The species name means 'low growing.' |
 |
Clematis
flammula Traveller's joy, Fragrant clematis |
Ranunculaceae
|
Introduced
|
Fast-growing vine with a sweet fragrance native
to southern Europe and northern Africa. Poisonous. |
 |
Clerodendrum
splendens Scarlet glory, Flaming glorybower |
Verbenaceae
|
Introduced
|
This is a spectacular twining climber often
seen on walls or trellises. Attracts butterflies. Genus name is from Greek words for 'chance or fate' and 'tree,' a possible reference to the variable or doubtful medi- cinal qualities in some species. |
 |
Clerodendrum
ugandense Blue glorybower |
Verbenaceae
|
Introduced
|
Also called Rotheca myrecoides or Clerodendrum myrecoides 'Ugandense.' Native to tropical Africa. |
 |
Coccoloba
uvifera Bay grape, Sea grape |
Polygonaceae
|
Native
|
Sprawling shrub to large tree depending on
location. Native to coastal scrub, grasslands and beach strand from Argentina to Florida, West Indies and Bermuda. Fruits made into "seaside jelly" and wines. Highly salt-tolerant. |
 |
Cocos
nucifera Coconut palm |
Arecaceae
|
Introduced
|
Originated in the western Pacific but now naturalized throughout the world's tropics and subtropics. Grows to 80' tall. |
 |
Cordia
sebestena Scarlet cordia |
Ehretiaceae
|
Introduced
|
Native to West Indies and Venezuela. Produces edible fruit. Widely plant to celebrate coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. |
 |
Cordyline
fruticosa Ti plant |
Agavaceae
|
Introduced
|
The slender woody stem is topped by a crown
of variously-colored leaves and when blooming has sweetly-scented whitish to reddish flowers. It is native originally to Southeast Asia and New Guinea. Formerly C. terminalis. |
 |
Cortaderia
selloana Pampas grass |
Poaceae
|
Introduced
|
Striking feathery plumes up to 6' in height.
As name suggests, it is native to Argentina and southern Brazil. |
 |
Cryptostegia
grandiflora Rubber vine |
Asclepiadaceae
|
Introduced
|
Native to Tropical Africa and
Madagascar. Rubber vine was used in India to produce a poor quality rubber latex. Poisonous to ingest and irritating to the skin. Also called purple allamanda. |
 |
Cycas
revoluta Sago palm |
Cycadaceae
|
Introduced
|
Cycads are an ancient primitive group of plants
that are related to conifers and gingkos. The species name refers to the edges of the leaflets and means 'rolled backwards.' The sago prefers sandy, well-drained soil. Native to southern Japan. |
 |
Delonix
regia Royal poinciana, Flamboyant tree |
Fabaceae
|
Introduced
|
Grows to 60' or so. Deciduous.
Has spectacular flame- red flowers, feathery leaves, and large black bean-like seed pods. Used to be in genus Poinciana. Native to Madagascar. |
 |
Dodonaea
viscosa Jamaica dogwood, Hop bush |
Sapindaceae
|
Native
|
Widespread throughout tropical regions, also
found in Cuba, Jamaica and Florida. Origin uncertain. Flowers are inconspicuous, while the seed pods are what really attract the eye. |
 |
Eriobotrya
japonica Japanese loquat, Japanese plum |
Rosaceae
|
Introduced
|
Evergreen tree with fragrant flowers growing
to 20'. Has been grown in Bermuda for many years. Fruit is used to make jams, pies and a liqueur. Native to China and Japan. |
 |
Eucalyptus
camaldulensis Red river gum |
Myrtaceae
|
Introduced
|
Named for the Camaldoli monastery
near Naples, from where the first specimen came to be described. Typical along water courses. Has earned nickname of 'widow-maker' because it tends to drop large boughs without warning. Native to Western Australia. |
 |
Eugenia
uniflora Surinam cherry |
Myrtaceae
|
Introduced
|
Medium-sized shrub to small tree, native from
Surinam to central Uruguay, and naturalized on many islands of the Caribbean. Fruits when ripe are eaten plain, or used in pies, jams and relishes. Also can be distilled into a liqueur. |
 |
Euphorbia
cyathophora Summer poinsettia, Mexican fire plant |
Euphorbiaceae
|
Introduced
|
Stems have milky sap. The cyathia
(glands) are oblong which differentiates it from E. heterophylla with its round cyathia Also called Mexican fireplant or fire-on-the-mountain. Native from southern US to northern South America and West Indies. |
 |
Euphorbia
milii Crown of thorns |
Euphorbiaceae
|
Introduced
|
Spiny climbing succulent shrub native to Madagascar. Supposedly named by King Juba II of Mauritania for his physician Euphorbus. Common name is an allusion to the crucifixion of Christ. Sap poisonous if ingested in large amounts. Blooms year round. |
 |
Evolvulus
pilosus Blue daze |
Convolvulaceae
|
Introduced
|
Spreading ground cover with attractive, silky
gray foliage. Species name means 'covered with long soft hairs' and the genus name means 'without twining.' Native to Australia. |
 |
Ficus
benghalensis Banyan tree, Indian fig |
Moraceae
|
Introduced
|
Begins life as an epiphyte having had its seed
depos- ited by some fig-eating bird, then produces aerial roots that take root when they touch the ground. It is native to India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Figs are scarlet red. |
 |
Ficus
carica Common fig |
Moraceae
|
Introduced
|
Spreading small tree or shrub native to the
Mediterr- anean. When properly pollinated they will produce large quantities of fruit. The fig was apparently one of the first plants cultivated by humans and figures prominently in mythology and the Bible. Not grown extensively in Bermuda. |
 |
Ficus
elastica Rubber tree |
Moraceae
|
Introduced
|
As with other figs, what appears
to be the fruit is in reality a hollow capsule with hundreds of flowers facing each other inside. It is pollinated by a fig wasp. Grows to over 100' tall and is supported by finlike buttress roots. Native from northern India to Indonesia. |
 |
Ficus
microcarpa Indian laurel fig, Chinese banyan |
Moraceae
|
Introduced
|
Large tree with dense rounded crown and smooth gray bark. It has an aggressive rooting system and sometimes produced aerial roots as additional an- chors when mature. It is native from in East Asia from Sri Lanka through New Caledonia. |
 |
Ficus
pumila Creeping fig |
Moraceae
|
Introduced
|
An aggressive climber, it readily attaches
itself to any walls or other supports with fine rootlets and can cause damage to surfaces. It is native to East Asia and bears little resemblance to its larger relatives. The species name means 'dwarf.' |
 |
Galphimia
glauca Cloth of gold, Thryallis, Gold shower |
Malpighiaceae
|
Introduced
|
Genus name is an anagram of the related Malpighia. Forms dense thickets and is often planted under windows to deter prowlers. Blooms throughout most of the year. Native to Mexico and tropical America. |
 |
Gloriosa
superba Gloriosa lily, Climbing lily, Tiger claw |
Colchicaceae
|
Introduced
|
Viney species that climbs with
tendrils at the ends of the leaves. Petals begin by facing downward, then arch backwards to an upright position. Prominent stamens. Native to tropical jungles of Africa, related species from Asia. |
 |
Grevillea
robusta Silk oak, Australian silver-oak |
Proteaceae
|
Introduced
|
Native to eastern Australia. Fast-growing,
evergreen, reaches 40' or so in height. The largest species in the genus Grevillea. Also called Australia silver-oak. |
 |
Grewia
occidentalis Lavender starbush, Grewia |
Tiliaceae
|
Introduced
|
An important species in traditional medicine.
Bruised bark soaked in hot water used to treat wounds. Parts of the plant were also used to treat impotence and sterility, and root extracts were used to help in child- birth. Beer brewed from fruit. Native to South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. |
 |
Guaiacum
officinale Lignum-vitae, Guajacum, Ironwood |
Zygophyllaceae
|
Introduced
|
Native to West Indies, also present in Puerto
Rico, Florida and Texas. It has beautiful blue flowers and very dense wood. Common name is Latin for 'wood of life," and refers to its medicinal properties. Some- times the genus name is spelled Guajacum. |
 |
Heliconia
caribaea Lobster claw, Wild plantain, Caribbean heliconia |
Heliconiaceae
|
Introduced
|
Native to the West Indies, Columbia
and Central America. No trunk or stem, but the Leaves can be 12' long and resemble bananas. Boat-shaped bracts hold water. Hummingbirds are primary pollinators. |
 |
Heliotropium
curassavicum Seaside heliotrope, Chinese pusley |
Boraginaceae
|
Native
|
White flowers with yellow centers in dense
scorpioid spikes and fleshy linear leaves. Ranges from western North America to tropical America and Caribbean. Genus name means 'turning to the sun,' and species name means 'of Curaçao.' |
 |
Hibiscus
rosa-sinensis Hibiscus, China rose, Shoe flower |
Malvaceae
|
Introduced
|
Widely grown as
ornamental in warm tropics and subtropics. National flower of Malaysia. Used some places to shine shoes. Native to East Asia. |
 |
Howea
forsteriana Kentia palm Sentry palm, Thatch palm |
Arecaceae
|
Introduced
|
Single-stemmed and pinnate-leaved, this palm
is most often seen as a container plant. The trunk is somewhat enlarged toward the base and can grow to 60' although it is usually much less. Endemic to the Lord Howe Island group off the eastern coast of Australia. |
 |
Hymenocallis
caribaea Spider lily |
Amaryllidaceae
|
Introduced
|
Naturalized from West Indies. Species
name means "beautiful membrane" because of the funnel-shaped membrane at the center of the flower. Several other species of Hymenocallis thrive in Bermuda. |
 |
Ilex
vomitoria Bermuda holly, Yaupon |
Aquifoliaceae
|
Introduced
|
Species name derives from the fact that the
fruits of this Ilex are emetic and purgative. Has been used as a caffeine-containing beverage comparable to yerba mate. Native to southeastern U.S. especially in mari- time forests. |
 |
Ipomoea
indica Blue dawn flower, Bluebell |
Convolvulaceae
|
Introduced
|
Often a pest because it grows so
prolifically. The most common of Bermuda's morning glories. |
| Page Two |