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Aloe (Aloe vera)
Originating on the
Mediterranean coast of Africa, Aloe thrives in climates such as the Caribbean
as well as Central and South America. It has large, fleshy, strap-like
leaves close to the ground edged with spines and a pointed tip. In the
Virgin Islands, the external uses are numerous. It is used as an emollient,
a bath, hair conditioner, sunscreen, and treatments of burns, cuts, and
sores. Internally, it has been used for the treatments of colds and fevers,
coughs, intestinal worms, and even food. When stewed, Aloe has immense
benefits to the hair, nails, and especially skin. However, it doesn't
do much for your teeth but add a yellowish tint. In South America, it
is often worn as a mosquito repellent, and whole plants hung upside down
to repel insects. |
 
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Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)
Many different types
of cacti are present throughout St.Croix, mostly on the dry terrain of
the East End. The "prickly pear" (a) can
be found throughout the island. Many use it for it's decorative
properties. This particular cactus possesses jointed stems formed
of flattened segments covered with hairs. The flowers are
yellow or orange, sometimes blushed red near the base. The fruits
are purple. During harvesting, gloves can be worn to avoid being
wounded by the spines and hairs. The sweet fruit is usually eaten
raw, alone or placed in fruit salads. The Turks Cap (b)
is completely covered with spines, has a short, stubby, barrel-like bottom
with a taller, cylindrical top usually red and bristly. It can grow
as large as 30 cm in height by 8 cm in diameter. Pink flowers develop
among the bristles and spines so it makes for a great ornamental cactus.
It thrives in arid, rocky areas along the coasts. Night-Blooming
Cactus (c) is flaccid with a diameter of 1 to 3 cm, and usually
requires the stability of another plant, so it is often found wrapped
and hanging from other plants. It grows as a vining shrub with fleshy
stems that are covered with silky spines up to 1.5 cm long and with deciduous
white or yellow hairs. At night the white flowers bloom. Native
to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Cuba, it inhabits the scrub
woods near the coast. It has been sold throughout the states for its ornamental
purpose, and is also subject to large-scale cultivation since it yields
a medicinal substance that stimulates the cardiovascular system. The
Pipe Organ cactus (d) also commonly seen throughout the east
end of the island stands tall and thin and is covered with woody, needle-like
spines, varying in lengths to 2 inches long. Fluting is an adaptation
to provide the plant with a greater green surface. |
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Casha
Bush
This
very intimidating thorn-covered bush is seen almost everywhere on the
island. Its leaves are numerous, each about ¼ inch long and blunt tipped.
Casha also holds cylindrical tiny yellow flowers and a nearly cylindrical
legume pod, 4 to 5 inches long. The stem is thin and woody, usually contorted
and covered with whitish thorns an inch or more long on mature stems.
Be careful when hiking, as the casha thorns can do some damage to exposed
knees, legs, and feet. |
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Century
Plant (Agave americana)
The century plant
resembles an Aloe plant, except it is much larger and possesses sharper
spines on the leaves' edges and its pointed tip is sharp and strong.
Until flowering, each plant has a single stem bud which produces
leaves in clusters near the ground. When the plant has stored enough
food, usually after a decade or so, the stem bud starts to grow. This
is called "flowering". At "flowering", the main
stem elongates rapidly to 20 feet. Flowers grow in lateral groups of tubular,
6-parted yellow clusters that look like upturned candelabras. When
it is done, it dies and the whole plant dies with it, although a new plant
usually sprouts from the roots. The Century Plant is commonly
found as an ornamental plant. |
   
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Tan-Tan
This prolific plant
can be found almost everywhere on the island... on roadsides, open fields,
woodlands, even inside houses growing like a weed beside your favorite
house plant. It grows fast and thick, starting as a small twig and eventually,
if left alone, can grow to a great size. It's branches are covered with
little green oval leaves and sporadically filled with clusters of flat
green, then brown, pods, each about six inches long. Inside the pods are
numerous shiny seeds, changing color with the pod, in a ladder-like linear
series. The stems have no thorns, which makes the pods easy to get to.
The seeds can be strung into quite interesting and unique necklaces. Although
this bush can be considered a nuisance, it is a nitrogen fixer, which
helps to build the soil. However, it also contains an alkaloid, which
over a period of time, can cause loss of long hair in livestock. |
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