 One of the characteristics of tropical flora is the diversity of species.
Despite its small surface area, its dry tropical climate, the periods of dryness which can extend into drought, its arid and volcanic soil, even St. Barthelemy adheres to this general rule.
A study on the natural vegetation of the island conducted in 1994 yielded an inventory of hundreds of wild species, confirming the richness and diversity of the local flora.
Environmental factors (topography, soil composition, wind and salt air) determine the distribution of the wild indigenous species as well as those species that were naturalized and have adapted to local climatic conditions and aridity (xerothrypes plants).
The topography of the island is very diverse. The floral landscape varies according to where you are: by the seashore, around the ponds, on the rocky hills, in the valleys or on the limestone rock formations. The succulent plants and cacti are present throughout the island. There are no luxurious tropical forests in St. Barth, but rather wooded areas with a forest-like profile.
Hurricanes, although they bring their share of catastrophe and have a devastating effect on the landscape, facilitate the dissemination of seeds. The turnover in vegetation is very rapid, certain species can disappear while others spring up or proliferate.
It is probable that St. Barthelemy's vegetation was not studied before the island's Swedish occuption in 1784. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that many species considered native to the West Indies were actually imported by the island's first European colonists. The coconut palm tree is a perfect example. A native of the Pacific islands it was the English, with commercial sights in mind, who were responsible for introducing this palm tree to the West Indies.
The opening of a desalinization plant a few years ago has markedly contributed to the presence of many decorative or ornamental tropical plants and has given rise to the tropical gardens and landscapes that surround many island homes.
To familiarize you with some of the plants on St. Barthelemy, we have chosen some species (among the numerous ones that are present on the island) for their charm and their characteristics. We hope you will find these pages both interesting and informative.
Special thanks go to Sylviane Verdier, Hotel Filao Beach, and Michel Magras, biology teacher at the Mireille Choissy middle school in St. Barthelemy and author of the book "Fleurs des Antilles", published by Editions du Latanier.
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