Jamaica plant dictionary

ackee

Blighia sapida; A fruit of the soapberry family native to West Africa that was introduced to the Caribbean. It is the national fruit of Jamaica, and f

afu

Yams are edible tubers that develop from certain plant species in the Dioscorea family, though it should be noted that some species within this genus

almond

The tree and fruit of Terminalia catappa. It is a large tree (up to 115ft in height), often grown for ornamental purposes and the shade provided by it

aloes

Aloe vera. Valued for use in herbal medicine, as a purgative or washout, and for cosmetic and skin care purposes.

anatto

The fruit and plant of Bixa orellana, commonly known as anatto. It is important for its seeds which are used to produce spices, and bright red/orange

apple

Syzygium malaccense is a species of flowering tree native to tropical parts of Asia; It has been introduced throughout the Caribbean. The trees produ

bissy

Kola nut. The dried nuts, particularly in grated form, are highly regarded for its medicinal properties. It is commonly used as an antidote for variou

black mango

A small, highly desired mango cultivar. The fruit is mostly green even when ripe - with some black spots. Occasionally some ripe fruit may have blushe

blackie

A small, highly desired mango cultivar. The fruit is mostly green even when ripe - with some black spots. Occasionally some ripe fruit may have blushe

blim blim

The fruit and tree of Averrhoa bilimbi. A relative of the carambola or star fruit, the tree produces an edible, green, five pomed, cucumber like fruit

blue mahoe

A straight trunked, broad leafed tree with flowers resembling that of the hibiscus. The polished wood of the tree is marked by blue-green streaks. It

bombay

A popular mango cultivar valued for pleasant taste.

breadfruit

Tree and fruit native to the Pacific Islands and Malaysia that was brought to the West Indies in the 18th century. The fruit is large with a rough gre

breshe

Tree and fruit native to the Pacific Islands and Malaysia that was brought to the West Indies in the 18th century. The fruit is large with a rough gre

bumpy banana

A banana variety known for small sweet fruit.

burr

Acacia riparia - a small thorny bush that tends to attach itself to clothing.

byrie

Ziziphus Mauritania; A small round berry about 3/4 inches in diameter. The fruit is green and turns yellow as it ripens. Ripe fruit may occasionally d

calabash

A gourd that is used for utilitarian purposes, and not for food. The skin or shell of the large green fruit hardens to become wood-like when dry. The

callaloo

Aramanth - an edible green leafy vegetable resembling spinach. It is typically prepared by steaming, often with saltfish

cerasee

A variety of bitter melon plant (Momordica charantia). A vine bearing a small bumpy skinned yellow or orange fruit. The leaves are used to make a bitt

cherry

The fruit of a small tree originally from South and Central America. The fruit are green when immature, and turn yellow/red to bright red when mature.

chiny guinep

Lychee - a sweet fruit native to China. It is similar in structure to the guinep. The outside is covered by a pink-red, roughly-textured rind that is

chiny jimbilin

Carambola; A fruit with a star shaped cross section. As it ripens it turns from green to yellow. The fruit has a tart taste and is a good source of vi

chocho

Chayote. Edible pear shaped green vegetable of the squash family. The vegetable bears on vines and comes in smooth skinned and prickly skinned varieti

chocolate

The fruit of the cocoa plant. The fruit resembles a yellow or orange torpedo approximately a foot in length. Inside there are several seed covered by

collie

Marijuana; Cannabis

coolie plum

Ziziphus Mauritania; A small round berry about 3/4 inches in diameter. The fruit is green and turns yellow as it ripens. Ripe fruit may occasionally d

cotton tree

The silk cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra) is a tropical tree of the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae (previously separated in the family Bombacace