FANCY FLOWERS: Caribbiean Tropical Flowers (Part one)

When we first arrived here, I got fascinated by the many types of tropical flowers I haven't seen before such as the hanging lobster, the red ginger and the red torch ginger flowers mentioned below. That is before we even make it to the Batala Garden (botanical garden), which I am very excited to visit soon. Here some of the flowers of the Caribbean Island, Martinique:

Red Torch Ginger

Torch ginger flowers may reach 17 to 20 feet in height. Plant it where it is somewhat protected from the wind, which can snap the shoots of this tropical plant. Due to the large height, growing torch ginger in containers may not be feasible. Learning how to grow torch ginger lilies will add unusual flowers to your outdoor display, available in a range of colors. The unusual torch ginger flowers may be red, pink or orange — blooming from colorful bracts. White blooms have been reported in some torch ginger plant information, but these are rare. Buds are edible, flavorful and used in Southeast Asian cooking.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Torch Ginger Flowers: How To Grow Torch Ginger Lilies 

Claw Crab

These vibrant flowers are unique and very colourful, with the yellow and red flowers resembling small crab claws, hence its name. The Claw Crab is also called the ‘Banana Flower’ and have blossoms that grow in opposing directions, giving the appearance that they have been woven together!

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Bougainville 

The Bougainville flower is not known for the beauty of its flower, but for the magenta bracts which can be found in various colors including yellow, white, salmon and pink. The flower itself is small and white, take a closer look! Originally from the sub-tropical regions of South America, it can now be cultivated in warm climates all around the globe.

Anthurium

Anthurium are commonly found in rich variations of the colour red and in soils varying from sandy loams to heavy clay. The red, heart-shaped flower of Anthuriums is really a spathe or a waxy, modified leaf flaring out from the base of a fleshy spike where the tiny real flower grows.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family. It is quite large, containing several hundred species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Member species are often noted for their showy flowers and are commonly known simply as hibiscus, or less widely known as rose mallow.

Yellow Bells

Yellow bells is the national flower of both the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands and native to several Caribbean nations including the West Indies, Jamaica, and Cayman Islands. This drought-tolerant shrub grows best in bright, partially shaded areas in well-drained, rocky loam soils. Decorative clusters of joyful, trumpet-shaped golden blossoms sprout from olive-green, slender, erect branches.

Red Ginger plant

Als known as pink cone ginger or ostrich plume, red ginger (Alpinia purpurata) is a tropical perennial with a native range that spans from the Maluku islands in Indonesia to the southwest Pacific. The plant has naturalized in the mangroves of Fiji, as well as Hawaii, where it was introduced as an ornamental garden plant in the 1928. 

Frangipanis

Frangipani flowers evoke different emotions, depending on culture. In down-to-earth Australia they’re backyard survivors, beating near-death experiences from some of the most brutal pruning I’ve ever seen. Everywhere they’re grown, their fresh flowers are scattered in pools and bowls as a finishing touch before special events. You can even order fresh frangipani flowers by mail. They’re a favourite in Buddhist temples too, while in some parts of South-East Asia they’re associated with demons and vampires.

Frangipani flowers are also traditionally used in leis – Hawaiian necklaces made from leaves, seashells, ivory and flowers. The leis are made by stringing flowers through the centre until a complete necklace is formed. Polynesian custom is that leis are worn at weddings and given out to signify a genuine welcome – and a fond farewell – for visitors to Hawaii.

Hanging Lobster Claw (Heliconia Rostrata) 

The inconspicuous, yellow flowers emerge from claw-shaped bracts on magnificent, up to 3 feet (0.9 m) long, pendent, zigzagged inflorescences. If pollinated by hummingbirds or nectivorous bats (neither of which are found here in Hawaii), the flowers are followed by violet fruits. The leaves are simple, alternate, long-petioled, and have green, lanceolate leaf blades that are easily shredded by the wind. The pseudostems (formed by the leaf sheaths) emerge from underground rhizomes.

Here in Hawaii, Hanging Lobster Claw is grown in sunny to partly shady gardens at lower elevations. The plants are propagated by rhizome division. The flowers make long lasting cut flowers in tropical flower arrangements.

To be Continued...