What is the official tree of Aruba?
Aruba's trademark: the Divi Divi or Watapana tree. Important to note: People often get the Divi Divi (Watapana) tree and Fofoti tree mistaken for one another.
How much do you know about the flora of Aruba?
Recently, the latest edition of the Flora for Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao was published, triggering local plant lovers to study the flora and discover even more new species. The flora of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao comprises 569 indigenous and naturalised species.
What plants live in Aruba?
Aruba's dry climate is home to large Mondis (forests of cacti). Despite its arid climate, Aruba has a large array of horticulture. One example is the Magdalena, similar in foliage and flower to the Impatiens found in the Eastern US, but which survive with very little water.
What does the national flag of Aruba look like?
The color yellow also represents the flora of Aruba that bloom yellow. The flag’s width-to-length ratio is 2:3. Being a part of the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba began to actively seek independence or autonomy in the early 1970s. As a part of that, in 1976, Aruban leaders decided to develop a national flag.
What flowers are native to Aruba?
Also widespread are Caribbean Pines, a large variety of Hibiscus as well as Bougainvilleas, Wild Orchids and many other cacti, vines, shrubs and trees.
What is Aruba plant?
Japanese aucuba (Aucuba japonica) is an evergreen shrub that grows 6 to 10 feet (2-3 m.) tall with colorful, green, and yellow-gold leaves as much as 8 inches (20.5 cm.) long. The flowers aren't particularly ornamental, but attractive, bright red berries replace them in the fall if a male plant grows nearby.
Is Aloe native to Aruba?
Aloe Vera. In the 1840s, the aloe-vera plant was brought from Africa to Aruba, where the climate and soil proved ideal for its cultivation. By the beginning of the 20th century, aloe plantations covered one third of the island, which soon became the world's leading producer and exporter of aloe.
What kind of cactus grows in Aruba?
There are three cacti species known to dominate the landscape of Aruba: Stenocereus griseus, Pilosocereus lanuginosus and Cereus repandus.
What is the national bird of Aruba?
the PrikichiShoko (Athene cunicularia arubensis) was declared a National Symbol in 2012 and now the Prikichi (Aratinga pertinax arubensis) has become the National Bird of Aruba.
What is unique about Aruba?
Aruba's white sand beaches are barefoot-friendly, even at high noon. The unique crushed coral and shell composition of Aruba's fine, powdery white beaches keeps the sand comfortably cool, even during the hours when the sun is most intense. That means long walks along the shoreline are perfect at any time of day…
Who owns Aruba Aloe?
On Thursday April 22nd, 2021, the Governor of Aruba, his Excellency Mr. Alfonso Boekhoudt handed over the designation “Royal” to Aruba Aloe after His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Dutch Kingdom, granted the designation “Royal” to the Aruban company Aruba Aloe Balm N.V. by Royal warrant.
When was aloe vera introduced in Aruba?
1840Aloe vera was introduced to Aruba's friendly environment in 1840 and harvested primarily for the yellow sap that was used as a laxative. There was a time when aloe vera was so in demand as a laxative that two-thirds of Aruba was covered with the plant.
What trees are in Aruba?
Along the southern coast, where resorts and hotels have made their home, you'll find imported tropical flora such as Frangipani, Poinsettia, Hibiscus, Bougainvillea, Flamboyant, Oleander, Allamanda, Manila Palm, Coconut Palm, and much more, as well as Coconut, Papaya, Mango, Lemon, Almond, and other fruit-bearing trees ...
Are there coconut trees in Aruba?
In the 13 years that I have lived in Aruba, I've enjoyed coconuts and local cherries from my own backyard, as well as plenty of mangoes that have fortuitously fallen into my yard from my neighbor's tree.
Why are there so many cactus in Aruba?
Cactus hedges are the eye catchers of the Aruban landscape. These hedges are mostly made of a cactus species (Ritterocereus griseus). The purpose of these hedges is to demarcate a territory and prevent the trespassing of people or animals.
Flora of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao
This article is from BioNews 5 – May 2013. See all BioNews issues here.
The Flora of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao
Botanical research on Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao dates back to the late 19th century and still continues today. The large historical and recent botanical collections of the islands are now part of Naturalis Biodiversity Center and continue to be of great value for current and future research.
