Publications

A medium to large-sized, spreading, usually evergreen, tree capable of reaching 120 in height with a trunk 4 feet in diameter, but rarely growing to more than 65 feet in the Virgin Islands. Its bark is smooth and light gray. Compound, alternate leaves are shiny, green with paired leaflets having pointed tips and a distinctly off-centered mid-vein.

A medium-sized, partially deciduous tree reaching over 40 feet in height. The canopy is dark green and com- posed of relatively large leaves with a pronounced orange mid-vein. The bark is dark gray, thick and fissured.

A small, multi-stemmed, evergreen tree reaching up to 30 feet in high. Canopy is dense, spreading and rounded with dark green foliage. Trunk divisions begin low on the trunk, resulting in many strong branches. The trunk is covered in a dark brown, smooth bark which peels off in large, thin scales, exposing patches of gray and light brown.

A small, attractive, evergreen tree reaching 10 to 20 feet in height. Canopy is compact and upright with dark green foliage. Trunk reaches a maximum of 6 inches in diameter with light gray to black bark and an inner bark with a strong, spicy fragrance and horseradish taste.

A small- to medium-sized, multi-stemmed, shrubby tree usually reaching less than 10 feet tall.The bark is brown to grey, smooth or becoming scaly. The highly branched canopy is dense and dark green. The thick, leathery leaves are simple, opposite, upturned along the branches and yellowish-green on the underside.

The St. Croix Ground Lizard (Ameiva polops) is a federally listed endangered species, endemic to St. Croix. At one time this lizard was found on the main island of St. Croix, but through predation by the introduced mongoose and habitat degradation, their range is now

A rapid assessment and inventory was completed on three populations of the federally endangered Buxus vahlii and St. Croix’s only know population of Catesbaea melanocarpa. Plant height, and basal stem caliper were measured and phenology was recorded. Individual plant health was assessed at each point and observations on canopy characteristics and associated species were collected at each location.

This list is intended to serve as a guide for selecting plant material for the landscape at the Palm Beach Resort. All of these plants are native to the Virgin Islands and also adapted to the coastal environment found along St. Croix sandy north shore.

This project was conducted to answer specific questions about the changing landscape of the Virgin Islands. “How much of St. Croix is forested and how much is in agriculture?

Waterways or guts channel rainwater downstream and connect marine terrestrial ecosystems. When forest is removed and bare soil is exposed, this often results in erosion.

A Guide to Starting and Operating a Nursery for Native and Traditional Plants