The different species of mango, banana - the favoured bluggoe and the plantain - and avocado pear originate from flowers and end up as fruits and vegetables according to the degree of ripeness. Most tropical fruits can be used green as a vegetable. The true flora is represented by increasing varieties of the jewel coloured single, double, and triple hibiscus; the hardiest exotic shrub is the bougainvillea. Most of the women are keen gardeners. Ixoria, red, salmon and pink, frangipani, oleander, allamanda, together with the many flowering trees such as the flamboyant and yellow poui are the most co-operative. Nearly all of the ornamental flowers and shrubs were imported from Asia and the Pacific. The coconut tree came from Africa. Most shrubs have a cultural significance. Many of the wild flowers, their berries and seeds, are highly toxic. The manchineel tree, which is a particularly useful soil retainer along the shore, has a highly poisonous, sweet smelling golden green apple, the size of a silver dollar. The milky sap is equally dangerous. You should not stand under the tree when it rains, but can certainly benefit from its shade when the sun shines. These precious forests of manchineel are being critically endangered due to development. As the trees disappear the beachfronts erode, and the many animal, bird and insect species that live in the bowers and roots lose their habitats. A companion tree which bears handsome bunches of edible grapes, rich in vitamin C, is the seagrape tree. The fruit ripens in October. The tree is equally under threat. The leaves are glossy and round, and once shed, carpet the land with rich bronze colours. Both of these useful trees have quality wood; in the case of the manchineel the wood has to dry for some years, and burning fresh logs should be avoided as the smoke will blister the skin and is highly irritant for both eyes and lungs. Both trees are indigenous. There is a very nasty stinging plant, the burn bush, which has made the Grenadines its stronghold. The small white flowers, stems and large vine shaped leaves are covered with multiple nematocysts, or fine glassy spikes that will puncture and cling to the skin, leaving many small wounds. The rash quickly evolves into ugly red lumps. Fortunately you can nearly always be sure to find the medicinal aloe plant nearby. The long smooth fleshy leaves are rich in a pungent Bovril-smelling gelatine. This substance is applied to every type of burn; as it dries it makes a natural compress, and rapidly soothes. The most precious trees found on the islands are teak and mahogany. The gommier is often used for boatbuilding.

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