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Flora
Educating visitors about the various plants and animals indigenous to the area is a central goal in all CESIAK activities. The center develops and maintains a database of this information to foster learning. Below is one excerpt from the repository.
Many of the germination and plant maintenance processes discussed are the result of center research and the dune restoration project. Fir information about our native plant nursery, visit our nusery page.
Scientific name: Coccoloba uvifera
Family: Polygonaceae
Common names: Sea grape, Uva de mar, Nixche’, Uvero, Ni’che’.
Location: The sea grape grows on all parts of the coastal dune, as well as further inland.
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Propagation: The seeds of the sea grape grow in long clusters, and mature independently of one another. Mature seeds are purple in color, and may be planted with or without their fruit in sandy soil. Although the plants grow in full sun, seeds also germinate under shady conditions during the same time period (about 3 weeks). Seeds not planted shortly after being gathered can be stored in water (but change the water regularly!). The growth rate is generally fairly slow, although new leaf growth is apparent within a few weeks. Small seedlings also thrive when transplanted as their root systems are fairly compact and intertwined when small, although with time they grow to cover a large area. Air layering may also be a successful propagation method, producing larger plants in a short period of time.
General care: The sea grape is a durable plant, capable of surviving in dry and salty environments. However, growth rate may be accelerated by regular watering and application of fertilizer or compost.
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Medicinal uses: Both the juice and decoctions of wood, bark, and roots of the sea grape are used to treat diarrhea. The woody parts of the plant are also ingested as treatments for dysentery, hemorrhages, and venereal diseases, and applied externally for rashes and other skin afflictions. A tea made from the leaves is used to treat hoarseness and asthma, and to bathe wounds.
Other uses: The fruit is eaten or used to make wine and jellies. The resin of the bark is used in tanning and dying. The wood is used to make furniture and as fuel.
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Scientific name: Cordia sebestena
Family: Boraginaceae
Common names: Geiger tree, Anacahuita, Siricote, K’opte, Sak-k’opte.
Location: Mostly found in sheltered areas on the upper parts of the coastal dune. It tolerates salty and dry conditions well. Often found growing in areas with limestone bedrock.
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Propagation: The seeds of the Geiger tree grow in groups of up to ten white fruit on the tips of its branches. Beneath the fruit is a fibrous pod that contains up to four small white seeds. After the outer fruit is removed the seed may be planted in a sand-dirt mix (more sand than dirt) and various methods of scarification may be employed. One successful method involves soaking the large pod in water for about one week, air drying it, and slitting the outer shell before planting in sandy soil at a depth of one to two inches. The seeds will germinate within three weeks in sunny spots. The roots grow rapidly within the first month.
General care: The Geiger has a rapid growth rate. It is best to water only when needed, as the roots are very susceptible to rot.
Medicinal uses: Syrup of the bark, flowers, or fruit is taken for coughs and bronchial ailments. Teas made from the flowers are used to treat venereal disease. The tree’s sap is applied to wounds. Leaves washed in warm water or dressed with oil are used as poultices for headaches and sprains. Unripe fruit are emetic.
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Scientific name: Thrinax radiata
Family: Palmae
Common names: Chit palm, palma chit.
Location: Found both on the dune and inland.
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Propagation: Seeds take several weeks to germinate in shady spots. Groups of small seedlings are often found beneath larger trees, and may be successfully transplanted. Older trees do not survive transplantation.
General care: Seeds take several weeks to germinate in shady spots. Groups of small seedlings are often found beneath larger trees, and may be successfully transplanted. Older trees do not survive transplantation.
Medicinal uses: In the Yucatan region, an extract of the fruit is used for multiple purposes as a tonic, sedative, nutritive, and diuretic. The plant is also used to treat malnutrition, tuberculosis, bronchitis and other respiratory troubles.
Other uses: Leaves are used to thatch palapas. Fiber used to stuff pillows and mattresses. Dried seeds have been used as a source of food--they can be ground into a flour paste and used to make tortillas.
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Scientific name: Ipomoea pes-caprae
Family: Convovulaceae
Common names: Railroad vine, riņonina.
Location: Railroad vine is found growing in sand on the beach, dune, and in sandy areas atop the dune.
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Propagation: May be grown from seed, or more successfully from cuttings. Rooted cuttings take hold quickly. The root system of the railroad vine is shallow but extensive, and it colonizes most frequently by vegetative methods.
General care: It grows in full sun in sandy soil, and grows best with occasional watering (there is an explosion of new growth during the rainy season).
Medicinal uses: A plant decoction is used to treat kidney complaints and rheumatism. Poultices of the leaves and the juices of the boiled root are used on abscesses and to reduce swelling.
Other uses: The roots have been eaten during times of famine, but cause dizziness. It is an excellent pioneer plant for sandy areas, as it has a rapid growth rate.
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Scientific name: Ipomoea macrantha
Family: Convovulaceae
Common names: Moon vine, bejuco de la luna.
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Location: Moon vine may be found on the top of the dune and inland. It climbs plants, tall trees and fences, apparently without harm to other living plants.
Propagation: One to four dark brown seeds are found within a capsule on the vine. The capsule turns brown and dry when the seeds are mature, and can be harvested before it naturally breaks open to scatter the seed. The seeds can be planted without scarification in sandy soil and placed in almost full sun. Germination takes upwards of two weeks, and the growth rate is rapid. The roots need plenty of space, and must be transplanted within a few months of germination.
General care: Moon vine requires almost total sun, and should be watered as needed.
Medicinal uses: Used to treat fevers, bruises, and edema. The sap is known to be a purgative. An extract from the seed has uterine stimulating effects.
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Scientific name: Sesuvium portalacastrum
Family: Aizoaceae
Common names: Sea purslane, sea pickle, azucena de mar, tsaycan, hierba de conejo, verdolaga.
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Location: Sea purslane is a succulent plant found in sandy shoreline areas on beach, dune front, and amongst the mangrove.
Propagation: It may be grown from seed, but taking cuttings from existing plants is a much faster method. Cuttings root rapidly in water and grow successfully when planted in sandy soil in a sunny spot. Rooted cuttings also take quickly.
General care: Although it grows in sunny places, sea purslane also seems to do quite well in shade.
Medicinal uses: A decoction of sea-purslane juice is used to treat fever. Plant decoctions are also used to treat scurvy, and problems with bladder, kidney, and liver. Hot poultices of the crushed plant are used to relieve chest congestion. Cold poultices and plant decoctions are used to treat burns.
Other uses: Sea purslane is eaten as a vegetable in some parts of the world.
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Scientific name: Chrysobalnus icaco
Family: Chrysobalanaceae
Common names: Cocoplum, icaco
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Location: Cocoplum bushes are found on dune tops and occasionally the dune front, but seem to grow best in slightly protected areas.
Propagation: Cocoplum fruit of this area are large and pinkish white when mature. The rough seed capsule contains one white seed, which may be planted in sandy soil. The seeds take roughly 60 days to germinate, although scarification by fracturing the outer pod can help to increase germination time.
General care: Icaco thrives in sunny spots with moderate watering.
Medicinal uses: A decoction of the bark is used to treat dysentery. Infusions of fruit, bark, or leaves are taken several times a day for hemorrhages and chronic diarrhea.
Other uses: Fruit and kernels are edible, raw or cooked. Wood can be used in carpentry. Leaves are used as a source of dark dye.
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Scientific name: Lantana involuncrata
Family: Verbenaceae
Common names: Wild lantana, wild sage, oregano del monte.
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Location: Generally found on the upper parts of the coastal dune. Further inland the plant can grow to substantial heights.
Propagation: Seeds planted in sandy soil germinate fairly dependably and the small plants have a rapid growth rate.
General care: Wild lantana thrives in sunny environments with frequent watering.
Medicinal uses: One handful of the tender part of the plant boiled in water is used internally and externally to treat syphilis, skin diseases, rashes, and shingles. A decoction is drunk to relieve cramps, gonorrhea, and asthma. The ground leaves are bound on wounds or on the soles of feet. Also used as a treatment for rheumatism.
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Scientific name: Canavalia rosea
Family: Fabaceae
Common names: Beach pea, bay bean, mate de costa
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Location: Vine found on the upper parts of the coastal dune.
Propagation: The seeds are found in long pods that hang from the tips of the plant when mature. Mature seeds planted in sandy soil in a sunny or partially shady spot have a rapid germination rate.
General care: The beach pea is fairly drought and salt tolerant. The plant can extract and use water from salt spray and waves.
Uses: This is a good pioneer plant for coastal revegetation as it has a rapid growth rate. Dry mature beans are edible, although immature beans are reportedly toxic and hallucinogenic.
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Scientific name: Ernodea littoralis
Family: Rubiaceae
Common names: Golden creeper, beach creeper, ernodea de playa
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Location: Upper parts of the coastal dune
Propagation: Seeds have a very slow germination rate, reportedly up to five months. Ground layering, rooted cuttings, and cuttings treated with rooting hormones are the recommended methods of propagation.
General care: Golden creeper thrives in sunny, salty environments.
Medicinal uses: A tea made from the leafy shoots is used as a treatment for coughs.
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