The month of January brought
flowers to the Wayaca
In January people could observe
that many Wayaca (Guaiacum officinale) trees on the Island were
flowering. The Wayaca is an indigenous tree of Aruba that has the ability of flowering
several times a year. At the start of the flowering period the Wayaca sets flowers which
are brightly purplish colored. It looks as if
the plant is calling for attention of insects and bees to come to pollinate its flowers.
During this period the trees are buzzing with bees. After a few days the flowers become
paler and at the end of pollination the flowers are plain white.
The color purple is quite different than
the usual yellow that most flowers of the Aruban flora have, like Brasil
(Haemyotoxylon brasiletto), Hubada (Acacia turtuosa), Cawara
di Mondi (Cordia Dentata), Flor di Cruz (Thespesia
populnea) and Kibrahacha (Tabebuia billbergii).
 |
BRASIL
(Haemyotoxylon brasiletto) |
In the past, according to Dr. Hartog, there was a Wayaca forrest eastward of Alto Vista. Nowadays this
seems unlikely according to the experts. As a fact many Wayaca trees were logged in the
past by the inhabitants of the Island. The Wayaca tree is a hard wood also known as
pockwood, which was very useful as timber wood. The logging of the Wayaca started already
in pre-Colombian times as remnants of Wayaca timber were found in pole holes at the
archaeological site of Tanki Flip. In colonial times the Wayaca timber was exported to
Europe through Cura?o, alongside the domestic use. Nowadays the oldest Wayaca trees can
be observed in the Arikok
National Park, mainly in the ditches like ‘Rooi Prins’.
Planting a tree in remembrance of an
eventful date is common practice and the Wayaca tree is perfect for such an occasion. It
is an evergreen, slow grower, with low water demand, which supports heavy pruning easily.
Therefore it fits perfectly in a hedge, but also will do well in a far corner of the
garden.
The Department of Agriculture,
Husbandry and Fisheries (DLVVM), specifically the section of Nature Management
promotes the maintenance of a vital population of the Aruban flora, through cultivation of
indigenous trees and selling these to the public. So therefore DLVVM has also some
yearlings of the Wayaca tree for sale at Piedra Plat 114 A between the
Protestant Church and the Piedra Plat traffic bridge.
For more information call
5858102 or email dirlvvm@setarnet.aw
[Information courtesy of Mr. Facundo Franken of the Department of Agriculture,
Husbandry and Fisheries (DLVVM) - Nature Management]
