Jamaican Dry Forests
Comocladia velutina Britton
Family: Anacardiaceae
Dicot
Leaves: Compound
near threatened
also known as maiden plum - supposedly a cure for warts but also slightly dangerous
(Guide to Afro-Cuban Herbalism By Dalia Quiros-Moran)
photo source: http://plants.jstor.org/stable/10.5555/al.ap.specimen.k000572528
Tabernaemontana laurifolia
Family: Apocynaceae
Dicot
Leaves: simple, alternate
near threatened
also known as sling-shot or wild jasmine, a poultice can be used to relieve swelling, the latex used for bruises as well as eradicating ringworm
(Useful Tropical Plants http://tropical.theferns.info)
Bourreria baccata Raf.
Family: Boraginaceae
Dicot
Leaves: Simple, alternate, entire
near threatened.
also known as cherry, currant tree, poison berry
Bursera lunanii
Family: Burseraceae
Dicot
Leaves: Compound, Opposite
near threatened and endemic to Jamaica, Also known as black birch.
Antibacterial
(JUNOR, GO; PORTER, RBR; FACEY, PC and YEE, TH. Investigation of essential oil extracts from four native jamaican species of Bursera for antibacterial activity. West Indian med. j. [online]. 2007, vol.56, n.1 [cited 2016-05-17], pp. 22-25 .)
Phyllanthus latifolius
Dicot
Leaves: Compound, Alternate
near threatened and endemic to Jamaica. Also known as Leafflower. A beautiful, unique plant of the Euphorbiaceae family. A shrub or small tree that occurs in some abundance in dry thickets on limestone ridges, cliffs, and ledges. Threatened by loss of habitat.
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/full/35741/0
Photo source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/Phyllanthus_latifolius_3OB10.jpg
Bauhinia divaricata L.
Family: Fabaceae
Dicot
near threatened
Common name: Butterfly Orchid Tree, Bull Hoof
The bark of the Bauhinia genus is known to treat skin diseases, scrofula, and ulcers. It can also be used to treat obesity and diarrhea. And the root is used to treat snake bites and/or poison.
Sources:
http://www.stuartxchange.org/OrchidTree
http://www.naturalhistorysocietyjamaica.org/Some%20Common%20Trees%20of%20Jamaica.pdf
Calliandra pilosa (DC.) Urb
vulnerable and endemic
A species of legume in the Fabaceae family.
Dicot
Leaves: Compound, alternate
Piscidia piscipula (L.) Sarg.,
Family: Fabaceae
Dicot
Leaves: Compound, opposite
near threatened
Common Name: Jamaican Dogwood
Jamaican Dogwood is potentially toxic and is therefore not recommended for human use unless specified by a doctor. Certain animals studies have been conducted that would suggest the plant may help to promote sleep, relieve pain, reduce smooth muscle pain spasms, relieve cough, reduce fever and inflammation. It may also help to ease anxiety, fear, and sleep problems.
Source: http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/jamaica-dogwood
Photo Source: http://chalk.richmond.edu/flora-kaxil-kiuic/p/piscidia_piscipula_4522_02w.JPG
Tamarindus indica L.
Family: Fabaceae, near threatened
Dicot
Leaves: Compound, opposite
Common name: Tamarind
On a universal level, Tamarind is understood to be a fever-reducer, laxative, and carminative, or an herb used to help prevent the formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract. It is often combined with milk, honey, dates, etc. to act as a digestive agent. More specifically, the bark can be fried with salt and reduced to ash to cure indigestion and colic. Lotions made with the bark can help to ease open sores and caterpillar rashes. Leaves and flowers are used as poultices for swollen joints, sprains, and boils. And finally, the pulp is said to help restore sensation in cases of paralysis.
Source: http://www.ntbg.org/plants/plant_details.php?plantid=10971
Photo Source: http://www.westafricanplants.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=14&id=1535
Malpighia proctorii Vivaldi
Endemic
Dicot
Leaves: simple, opposite
critically endangered, a species of plant in the Malpighiaceae family. It is threatened by habitat loss. (http://america.pink/malpighia-proctorii_2837087.html)
Image source: http://america.pink/malpighia_2837080.html
Hibiscus tiliaceus L.
Family: Malvaceae, near threatened
Dicot
Leaves: simple, alternate
Otherwise known as the Sea Hibiscus, this plant has many medicinal purposes. Its leaves are used to cure fevers, soothe coughs, and remove phlegm from throats. When boiled in milk, the flowers can be used to help ear infections. And when crushed, the flowers can be applied to abscesses. Specifically, flower buds are known to help with a dry throat. Finally, the “sap,” or latex, from the bark, branches, and flower buds, acts as a lubricant during childbirth.
Source: http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/sea_hibiscus.htm
Photo Source: http://www.prota4u.org/protav8.asp?p=Hibiscus+tiliaceus
Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq.
Family: Meliaceae
Dicot
Leaves: compound, opposite
endangered
Common name: West Indian Mahogany
The Swietenia mahagoni is known to help ease fevers, cure malaria, anemia, diarrhea, and dysentery. More specifically, the bark is antipyretic, tonic, and astringent.
https://www.herbalstudies.net/_media/resources/library/Medicinal-Plants-of-Jamaica.pdf
Source: http://www.stuartxchange.com/Mahogany.html
Photo Source: http://plantillustrations.org/illustration.php?id_illustration=292411
Trichilia reticulata P. Wilson
near threatened
a species of plant in the Meliaceae family.
Dicot
It is endemic to Jamaica. A source of hexane and acetone by cold percolation. Known to be antibacterial and antifungal.
Source: Natural Products: Essential Resources for Human Survival By Yi-Zhun Zhu
Image source: http://plants.jstor.org/stable/history/10.5555/al.ap.specimen.ny00054823
Ficus citrifolia Mill.
Family: Moraceae. Dicot. Leaves: simple, alternate, conical terminal stipule.
near threatened
Common name: Shortleaf fig
The latex of the Shortleaf fig tree is often extracted to produce chewing gum. Furthermore, the extract of this fig species is known to be anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic. Peoples of Panama used the bark to treat wounds, though no such usage has been documented amongst Jamaican peoples.
Source: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr328 Photo Source: http://herbario.up.ac.pa/Herbario/herb/vasculares/view/species/3521
Maclura tinctoria (L.) D.Don ex Steud.
Family: Moraceae
Dicot.
Leaves: simple, alternate, conical terminal stipule.
Near threatened
Common name: Fustic Tree
The bark of the Maclura tinctoria is astringent, tonic, and vermifuge. If consumed in larger doses, the bark can also be a purgative, meaning that it can clean the bowels. The Fustic Tree is primarily valued because its bark can act as a dye.
Source: http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Maclura+tinctoria
Photo Source: http://www.ufrgs.br/fitoecologia/florars/open_sp.php?img=11897
Eugenia harrisii Krug & Urb.
Family: Myrtaceae
Dicot
Leaves: Simple, opposite, punctation.
critically endangered
Image source: http://plants.jstor.org/stable/10.5555/al.ap.specimen.k000276326
Phialanthus revolutus Urb.
Family: Rubiaceae
Dicot
Leaves: Simple, opposite.
near threatened, native to Jamaica
Isotype of Phialanthus revolutus Urb.
Sideroxylon rotundifolium (Sw.) T.D. Penn.
Family: Sapotaceae
Dicot
Leaves: simple, alternate.
near threatened
Locality - St. Catherine: banks of the Rio Cobre
Comments: “A pretty little shrub rocks near [bog] Herbarium Hookerianum 1867”
http://plants.jstor.org/stable/10.5555/al.ap.specimen.k000641551
Guaiacum officinale L.
Family: Zygophyllaceae
Dicot
Leaves: Compound, opposite.
near threatened
Given the significance of Guaiacum officinale L. in Jamaica’s history, it is no wonder they made it the national flower! In the 1770s, the gum from this tree was of great economic value, selling for two shillings and sixpence per pound! Additionally, the fruit, bark, and flowers were used by Jamaican peoples to make laxatives. Often, Jamaicans would soak the resin in rum to produce a substance that helps with sore throats and stomach aches, and those parts of the body affected by rheumatism. It will serve as an acrid stimulant, i.e. increasing body temperature and circulation. At the same time, if it is taken when the body is warm and the liquid hot, it can be a diaphoretic. And if taken when the body is cool and the liquid cold, it can be a diuretic.
Source: https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/g/guaiac42.html
http://www.naturalhistorysocietyjamaica.org/Some%20Common%20Trees%20of%20Jamaica.pdf
Photo Source: Public Domain