At the start of the dry season many local
trees are setting flowers. One of them is the ‘Palo di Boonchi’
(Erythrina velutina). Just like the Kibrahacha (Tabebuia Bilbergii) the
tree looses all its leaves and stands only with its flowers, which are orange colored. In
the dry season people can recognize the ‘Palo di boonchi’ by its thick trunk
with corkish appearance and covered by small thick thorns.
The
flowers have orange petals, are 5 cm. long and stand at the end of the branches. The
‘Palo di Boonchi’ is one of the endemic species of Aruba, but
only 30 to 40 trees are known to grow in the wilderness. On the American continent it is
found from Panama to Brazil. The timber of this tree is very light, whereas it was used a
lot in the local fishery. The tree is also considered to possess medicinal qualities.
Besides the ‘Palo di boonchi’ there are other Erythrinas flowering in the local
gardens, but these have different flowers, that are red colored.
Department of Agriculture,
Husbandry and Fisheries (DLVVM) has 4 trees of ‘Palo di Boonchi’ in its
garden at Piedra Plat #114 A, between the Protestant Church and the Piedra Plat bridge.
The trees are on the brink of flowering and can be seen by the public during office hours.
It is advisable to call in advance at tel.: 856473. Those who like to see them in the wild
can look for them at Shidaharaca in the National Park Arikok. These trees
are rare so everyone is advised not to damage them.
Another tree type that also is flowering at this moment is Brasil
(Haematoxylon brasiletto). This tree type was more abundant on Aruba, whereas the
Spaniards called Aruba, Brasilwood Island. There is still one district which carries the
name of this tree. In colonial times the timber of Brasil was used in the production of a
red dye for the textile industry. Therefore Brasil was logged at a large scale. Nowadays
only 100 trees are known to be growing in the wilderness. Some of them are found near the
hotels whereupon the government asked the department of Public Housing and Environment to
conserve this area for nature. At the Westside of Bubali Bird Sanctuary,
behind the building of Fiesta Parks there are 30 flowering trees. Brasil has a
characteristic undulating trunk. The leaves are small and round and the branches have
thorns. The small yellow flowers are all over the length of the branches.
Both tree types are indigenous of Aruba
though endemic. Their conservation for future generations is among the tasks of DLVVM.
This can be better done in their original habitat and the department awaits therefore the
introduction of the zonification law. Alternatively DLVVM promotes them also for the local
gardens and have small plants in pots for sale at the above mentioned address.
Registered
with The Aruba Chamber of Commerce since 1997
MEMBER
OF The Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association (AHATA)
&
Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI)
The
flowers have orange petals, are 5 cm. long and stand at the end of the branches. The
‘Palo di Boonchi’ is one of the endemic species of Aruba, but
only 30 to 40 trees are known to grow in the wilderness. On the American continent it is
found from Panama to Brazil. The timber of this tree is very light, whereas it was used a
lot in the local fishery. The tree is also considered to possess medicinal qualities.
Besides the ‘Palo di boonchi’ there are other Erythrinas flowering in the local
gardens, but these have different flowers, that are red colored.
Another tree type that also is flowering at this moment is Brasil
(Haematoxylon brasiletto). This tree type was more abundant on Aruba, whereas the
Spaniards called Aruba, Brasilwood Island. There is still one district which carries the
name of this tree. In colonial times the timber of Brasil was used in the production of a
red dye for the textile industry. Therefore Brasil was logged at a large scale. Nowadays
only 100 trees are known to be growing in the wilderness. Some of them are found near the
hotels whereupon the government asked the department of Public Housing and Environment to
conserve this area for nature. At the Westside of Bubali Bird Sanctuary,
behind the building of Fiesta Parks there are 30 flowering trees. Brasil has a
characteristic undulating trunk. The leaves are small and round and the branches have
thorns. The small yellow flowers are all over the length of the branches. 
