Finca Flora is located 5km north from Bocas town on the way out to Bluff Beach. Below you can find information about the various plants growing on the property and where to find them.
Located in the far Southwest of the property, this section is currently under development.
Plant Info (Coming Soon)
Plant Info
Plant Info
Located in the Southwest of the property, you can expect to find a range of herbs, coconut trees, sprouting papaya plants and more.
Plant Info
Syzygium samarangense is a tropical tree growing to 12 m tall, with evergreen leaves 10–25 cm long and 5–10 cm broad. When mature, the tree is considered a heavy bearer, yielding a crop of up to 700 fruits. When ripe, the fruit will puff outwards, with a slight concavity in the middle of the underside of the "bell". Despite its name, a ripe wax apple only resembles an apple on the outside in color. It does not taste like an apple, its flavor is similar to a snow pear, and the liquid-to-flesh ratio comparable to a watermelon.
Salvia officinalis is a perennial, evergreen subshrub, with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae and native to the Mediterranean region, though it has naturalized in many places throughout the world
Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly known as rosemary, is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers, native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, which includes many other herbs.
A large bell pepper and a great variety for classic bell pepper taste. Bears large fruits up to 5", with a blocky shape. Usually eaten while green, fruits have a sweet flavor and crunchy texture. Plants grow to 2-3ft with nice yields. 75 days.
This is a truly beautiful RARE Capsicum baccatum variety that seems to be a mutation of the popular Brazilian Starfish Red variety. The plants produce a large number of gorgeous almost 'star' shaped pods ripening from green to bright yellow. The crunchy peppers taste absolutely delicious with citrus undertones and have some lingering heat, but very tolerable.
A pitaya or pitahaya is the fruit of several different cactus species indigenous to the Americas. Pitaya usually refers to fruit of the genus Stenocereus, while pitahaya or dragon fruit refers to fruit of the genus Hylocereus, both in the Cactaceae family.
The jalapeño is a medium-sized chili pepper pod type cultivar of the species Capsicum annuum. A mature jalapeño chili is 5–10 cm long and hangs down with a round, firm, smooth flesh of 25–38 mm wide. It can have a range of pungency, with Scoville heat units of 3,500 to 8,000
Ginger is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual pseudostems about a meter tall bearing narrow leaf blades.
Fennel is a flowering plant species in the carrot family. It is a hardy, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. It is indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean but has become widely naturalized in many parts of the world, especially on dry soils near the sea-coast and on riverbanks.
Medium-small, orange-red colored sapote relative with sweet flavored pulp. The flowers are fragrant and sometimes used in perfumes. The Spanish Cherry is a quick grower and provides and abundance of pretty fruits in season. Hardy to around 28F.
A nice variety bearing uniform, 8oz, rounded fruits. Very popular in Southern regions as its stands up well in hot and humid climates. Fruits have good flavor and are great fresh and sliced. Also popular for canning.
Thai basil is a type of basil native to Southeast Asia that has been cultivated to provide distinctive traits. Widely used throughout Southeast Asia, its flavor, described as anise- and licorice-like and slightly spicy, is more stable under high or extended cooking temperatures than that of sweet basil.
Oregano is a flowering plant in the mint family. It is native to temperate Western and Southwestern Eurasia and the Mediterranean region. Oregano is a perennial herb, growing from 20–80 cm tall, with opposite leaves 1–4 cm long. The flowers are purple, 3–4 mm long, produced in erect spikes
Basella alba, a.k.a. Basella or Ceylon spinach is grown for its attractive edible leaves that are cooked. Some people like the mucilaginous leaves and some do not. It has potential to be a great substitute for lettuce in our hot summers. The plant can grow up a fence or trellis or sprawl along the ground and, on top of mulch, forms an attractive ground cover. Malabar spinach is a perennial that comes in two stem colors. The variety ‘Bangladesh’ has red stems; the variety “green” is entirely green. Both are propagated by seed and by cuttings.
The Paprika Kalocsa is very close in appearance to the Szegedi 179 Paprika variety, but it is thicker, nearly 3/4 of an inch and can grow to over 6 inches in length. The heat level is considered medium compared to other chili peppers. They ripen from green to dark red and have a rich paprika flavor with fruity tones. The Paprika Kalocsa can be dried for seasoning, stuffed, roasted or used to make sauces. The Paprika Kalocsa chili plants can grow up to 3 feet tall.
Plantago major is one of the most abundant and widely distributed medicinal crops in the world. A poultice of the leaves can be applied to wounds, stings, and sores in order to facilitate healing and prevent infection. The active chemical constituents are aucubin, allantoin, and mucilage. Plantago has astringent properties, and a tea made from the leaves can be ingested to treat diarrhea and soothe raw internal membranes.
Talinum fruticosum plant can reach heights of 30 to 100 cm. it bears small, pink flowers and broad, fleshy leaves. It is rich in vitamins, including vitamins A and C, and minerals such as iron and calcium. Because it is high in oxalic acid, consumption should be avoided or limited by those suffering from kidney disorders, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis. T. fruticosum is one of the most import leaf vegetables of Nigeria. In Brazil it is grown along the banks of the Amazon River, and is consumed mainly in the states of Pará and Amazonas.
The papaya, papaw or pawpaw is the plant Carica papaya, one of the 22 accepted species in the genus Carica of the family Caricaceae. Its origin is in the tropics of the Americas. Two kinds of papayas are commonly grown. One has sweet, red or orange flesh, and the other has yellow flesh. Papaya plants grow in three sexes: male, female, and hermaphrodite. The male produces only pollen, never fruit. The female produces small, inedible fruits unless pollinated. The hermaphrodite can self-pollinate since its flowers contain both male stamens and female ovaries.
Located in the middle of the property near Yurt 2, you can expect to find a range of herbs, passionfruit, peppers, pumpkin and more.
Plant Info
The habanero is a hot variety of chili pepper. Unripe habaneros are green, and they color as they mature. The most common color variants are orange and red, but the fruit may also be white, brown, yellow, green, or purple. Typically, a ripe habanero is 2–6 cm long.
Basil, also called great basil or Saint-Joseph's-wort, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae. Basil is native to tropical regions from central Africa to Southeast Asia. It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide.
Are a group of varieties of banana with reddish-purple skin. Some are smaller and plumper than the common Cavendish banana, others much larger. When ripe, raw red bananas have a flesh that is cream to light pink in color.
The lemon drop pepper, ají limon, is a hot, citrus-like, lemon-flavored pepper which is a popular seasoning pepper in Peru, where it is known as qillu uchu. A member of the baccatum species, the lemon drop is a cone pepper that is around 60mm long and 12mm wide with some crinkling.
The ripe fruit are yellow colored with small light markings. The pulp is the edible part of the fruit and has a soft sweet sour taste. It is very aromatic and contains vitamins A, C, and K, phosphorus, iron, and calcium. Passiflora ligularis, is an evergreen climbing shrub, producing stems of up to 5 meters long. The stems scramble over the ground or clamber into the surrounding vegetation, attaching themselves by means of coiling tendrils.
Cymbopogon, better known as lemongrass, is a long thick grass with leaves at the top and a solid portion several inches long at the root end. The lower portion is sliced or pounded and used in cooking. As a spice, fresh lemongrass is preferred for its vibrant flavour, but is also sold in dried form. The dried spice is available in several forms: chopped in slices, cut and sifted, powdered, or as an oil can be extracted from the plant.
Wild mint is a herbaceous perennial plant generally growing to 10–60 cm. It has a creeping rootstock from which grow erect or semi-sprawling squarish stems. The leaves are in opposite pairs, simple, long and broad, hairy, and with a coarsely serrated margin.
Plectranthus amboinicus is a perennial succulent with aromatic foliage. Leaves contain pungent oils, which can be harnessed for cooking. Harvesting Cuban oregano and using it in recipes can provide similar flavor to traditional oregano but should be used in more moderate amounts to avoid over-seasoning the dish.
A pumpkin is a cultivar of a squash plant, most commonly of Cucurbita pepo, that is round, with smooth, slightly ribbed skin, and most often deep yellow to orange in coloration. The thick shell contains the seeds and pulp.
Located in the East of the property near Yurt 1, you can expect to find Yardlong beans, Taro, Chaya and more.
Plant Info
A variety of the cowpea, the yardlong bean is grown primarily for its strikingly long immature green pods and has uses very similar to those of the green bean. It is a vigorous climbing annual vine. They are used as vegetable when they are picked before they reach full maturity; however, overlooked mature pods can be used like dry beans. When harvesting, it is important not to pick the buds which are above the beans, since the plant will set many more beans in the future on the same stem.
Colocasia esculenta has heart-shaped leaves and a big edible root. It often grows wild and often grows right next to a poisonous lookalike, so make sure you are confident you have harvested the correct plant (a distinguishing characteristic is that the stem is tinged purple). It can be planted in wetlands and also used to filter grey water. Taro and sweet potatoes can be planted along with bananas, yucca, papayas and under certain fruit trees as well.
Cymbopogon, better known as lemongrass, is a long thick grass with leaves at the top and a solid portion several inches long at the root end. The lower portion is sliced or pounded and used in cooking. As a spice, fresh lemongrass is preferred for its vibrant flavor, but is also sold in dried form. The dried spice is available in several forms: chopped in slices, cut and sifted, powdered, or as an oil can be extracted from the plant.
Amaranthus, collectively known as amaranth, is a cosmopolitan genus of annual or short-lived perennial plants. Some amaranth species are cultivated as leaf vegetables, pseudocereals, and ornamental plants. One cup of cooked amaranth grain provides 251 calories and is an excellent source of protein, dietary fiber, and some dietary minerals. Amaranth is particularly rich in manganese , magnesium, iron, and selenium. Cooked amaranth leaves are a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, manganese, and folate.
Also known as sweet leaf bush, they have a really nutty/pea flavor and are produced in abundance by the plants. The leaves are also nutrition packed, especially with regards to protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Also, the tips of young branches are often eaten, and they are referred to as tropical asparagus. Katuk is good for wet soils, tolerates a bit of shade, and roots well in water. It likes the heat of the tropics but can work in a greenhouse. After being misused as a weight-loss supplement, the perfectly safe food got wrapped up in an unsafe to eat scandal. This was the result of eating katuk in exceedingly rare abundance.
Eugenia uniflora, with common names pitanga, Suriname cherry, Brazilian cherry, Cayenne cherry, or Cerisier Carré is a plant in the family Myrtaceae, native to tropical South America’s east coast. The edible fruit is a botanical berry. The taste ranges from sweet to sour, depending on the cultivar and level of ripeness (the darker red to black range is quite sweet, while the green to orange range is strikingly tart). Its predominant food use is as a flavoring and base for jams and jellies. The fruit is high in vitamin C and a source of vitamin A.
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, commonly known as chaya or tree spinach, is a large, fast-growing leafy perennial shrub that is believed to have originated in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. It has succulent stems which exude a milky sap when cut. It can grow to be 6 meters tall, but is usually pruned to about 2 m for easier leaf harvest. The leaves should be cooked before being eaten, as the raw leaves contain a high content of toxic hydrocyanic acid. Up to 5 raw leaves can be eaten a day. To be safely eaten, the required cooking time is 5–15 minutes.
Moringa oleifera is the most widely cultivated species in the genus Moringa, the only genus in the plant family Moringaceae. Common names include moringa, drumstick tree, horseradish tree, and ben oil tree or benzoil treeIt fast-growing, drought-resistant, and highly productive. The leaves are small and can be eaten raw, as salad greens or additions to omelets, stir-fries, soups and so on.They have a spice reminiscent of mustard greens or rocket, with a bit of nuttiness.
Located in the Eastern end of the property, you can expect to find Pineapple, Cacao, Yucca and more.
Plant Info
The pineapple is a tropical plant with an edible multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries, also called pineapples, and the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae.
(a.k.a. Tapioca, yucca, manioc), Manihot esculenta, is an important root crop that is grown as a staple food in many parts of the tropical and subtropical world. Tapioca is made from processed cassava tubers. Cassava is tolerant of drought and poor soil, but needs good drainage. It is a perennial shrub harvested for its roots about 8-12 months after planting. Our cultivated varieties grow to about 8 ft. and tend to sprawl. The young, fully expanded leaves can be eaten after boiling. They contain 11-39% protein on a dry weight basis. Cassava is propagated by stem cuttings, both the leaves and roots contain a cyanide compound, so both should be cooked and the water drained.
Theobroma cacao, also called the cacao tree and the cocoa tree, is a small evergreen tree in the family Malvaceae, native to the deep tropical regions of the Americas. Its seeds, cocoa beans, are used to make chocolate liquor, cocoa solids, cocoa butter and chocolate.
aka the Peach palm is a species of palm native to the tropical forests of South and Central America. The fruits are edible and very nutritious but need to be cooked for 3–5 hours. However the fruit contains extremely high levels of vitamin A with up to 1,500% of the recommended daily allowance in a 100g serving. Peach-palms are also cultivated for the heart of palm and the trunk can make valuable timber. Fruit production starts between three and five years after planting and production lasts then for 50 to 75 years. The plant reaches its full productivity after about seven years.
The neem tree is known in India as divine. Neem contains antimicrobial properties, often used in toothpaste and soaps, used to make insecticides and various other medcines. The neem tree is noted for its drought resistance. Normally it thrives in areas with sub-arid to sub-humid conditions, with an annual rainfall of 400–1,200 millimetres. Neem can grow in many different types of soil, but it thrives best on well drained deep and sandy soils.
Located in the far Eastern end of the property, we are currently in the process of building an aquaponic system here.
Plant Info (coming soon)
Plant Info
Plant Info
Located all over the property, you can expect to find a range of plantain, coconut trees, bananas and more.
Plant Info
A banana is an edible fruit – botanically a berry – produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa. Banana's are sweet in taste and ripe when the skin has turned yellow.
Young coconuts, also known as ma-prao orn, are encased with a uniquely shaped ivory shell. The young coconut is harvested directly from the tree before it has time to age and drop, it is green in color. The young coconut produces more sweeter water with no meat.
Harvested at around 9 – 12 months old, mature coconuts contain white hard coconut meat and little water. The husk of the mature coconut is brown and this is fully removed to reveal a dry hard shell. The mature coconut is valued for its meat which can be eaten natural, as an addition to soups, curries, cakes and desserts or used in coconut milk preparation. Coconut in its mature stage has a rich, nutty flavour and chewy texture with a high oil content.
Sugarcane, or sugar cane, are several species of tall perennial true grasses of the genus Saccharum, tribe Andropogoneae, native to the warm temperate to tropical regions of South, Southeast Asia, and New Guinea, and used for sugar production. The plant is two to six metres (six to twenty feet) tall. Sugarcane belongs to the grass family Poaceae, an economically important seed plant family that includes maize, wheat, rice, and sorghum, and many forage crops.
aka cooking bananas are banana cultivars in the genus Musa whose fruits are generally used in cooking. They may be eaten ripe or unripe and are generally starchy. Many cooking bananas are referred to as plantains or green bananas, although not all of them are true plantains.
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