GARDEN | SALTY LIFE, LOCAL SALT TOLERANT FAUNA, CAYMAN ISLANDS

Words by Hannah Reid, www.bushgirlmedicine.com

It takes a certain kind of plant to thrive by the sea. Beach living is tough if you have roots – the sands constantly shift, gusts of breeze send salt spray flying, and the sun is unrelenting. That is why the native plants that populate our beaches are so unique and important. They are a stabilising influence on active coastlines, helping to reduce erosion and retain nutrients while providing food and shelter for local wildlife. Here in the Cayman Islands, several of our native coastal plants are also culturally significant, having been used by past generations for food, medicine and even fun!

Here are five drought- and salt-tolerant plants to keep an eye out for on your next beach walk or to consider including in your coastal landscaping.

Jennifer-Suriana Maritima

Known locally as Jennifer or Juniper, this yellow-flowered shrub grows profusely along Cayman’s coastlines. In olden times, Jennifer was used
as a strengthening tea and a poultice made from the bark was used to treat toothache. Jennifer is one of several local plants that seem to be nyctinastic – meaning they experience circadian rhythms just like we do, folding up their leaves at night.

Inkberry-Scaevola Plumieri

Unlike the invasive Scaevola taccada bushes, this native species of Scaevola has black berries instead of white, and its leaves are generally much darker in colour and smaller in size. It’s also much rarer in the Cayman Islands than its introduced counterpart.

Sea Lavender – Tournefortia Gnaphalodes

Past generations of Caymanians used this silver-leafed shrub to make ‘bush tea’ for treating stomach problems and nerves. Its fragrant white flowers also make it popular with local pollinators, including butterflies.

Bay Vine – Ipomoea Pescaprae

With its lush, green leaves and showy, purple flowers, this beach-growing vine is becoming more popular for landscaping as a salt and drought-tolerant ground cover. In times past, the young, sticky leaves from the Bay Vine were placed between sore toes and the vines themselves were used for skipping ropes and hauling buckets of water up from wells and cisterns.

Sea Grape – Cocoloba uvifera

Found along local coastlines, this graceful tree earned both its common name and species name from its fruits, which grow in grape-like clusters. Starting out hard and green, they become a sweet, purple treat for people and parrots alike! Historically, Sea Grape trees were one of several local trees used in catboat building.

For more local gardening tips, visit Bush Girl Medicine www.bushgirlmedicine.com

Around the world, invasive species and unsustainable development practices are impacting native coastal plants and undermining the vital ecosystem services they provide to humans and beachside communities. In the Cayman Islands, Casuarina equisetifolia trees and Scaevola taccada bushes are considered invasive. If you have a coastal property, focus on planting native or endemic coastal species instead, and consider removing these invasive species where possible.