Puerto Rico

[summerdaze]

Hello Everyone,   I am excited to be able to visit Puerto Rico next February. Does anyone know what palms are native to the island? Any places of interest I should visit? Would February be a good time to collect seeds there? I would like to be able to find some cool species to germinate and share. Thanks, Mike

[Trópico]

Hey Mike,

Have a GREAT time over there (I know you will) and bring back lots of seeds!

We have the following native species:

1. Roystonea borinquena - Can be found all over the island. Check old San Juan for ripe seeds in the ground.

2. Prestoea acuminata var. montana - Abounds at El Yunque rainforest. Free seeds on the way to the top.

3. Gaussia attenuata - Along Highway PR#22 (north coastal "mogotes")

4. Calyptronoma rivalis - I could not spot one of these but if you make it to the Camuy cavern park ask for them (and bring back lots of seeds). All three natural populations are located in the semi-evergreen, limestone forests of northwestern Puerto Rico. Otherwise if you can locate it at the Botanical Gardens.

5. Sabal causiarum - Used as a landscape palm close to El Morro castle. Native from SW Puerto Rico.

Must visit list:

1. El Yunque rainforest. Easy to find. Just drive to the east part of the island.

2. UPR botanical gardens. This is located at the University of PR campus. Free admission. Beautiful specimens but most plants are not labeled. I drove around many times and could not find it. Now I know the easiest way to find it is to take Ave. 65 de infanteria (a well known avenue in Rio Piedras ("New" San Juan)) and drive eastbound all the way. You'll see a small sign pointing to it towards the left, right where the avenue merges with PR#1.

3. Parque Cavernas del Rio Camuy. Take PR#22 towards Arecibo, then follow the signs. Be sure to catch the Arecibo Observatory too.

4. Many surfing beaches at Rincon, PR (westernmost point of the island).

5. Ponce (south coast). The trip along route #52 with the scenery changes is amazing.

6. Old San Juan. Many landscape palms.

I brought back assorted seeds from many landscape palms as well as the botanical gardens. Many I have no idea what these are. Gileno shared some of the loot.

Seeds are easy to bring back to Florida. Just declare them with the USDA (Airport second floor, departure drop off point). Make sure the seeds are clean. Citrus and dirt are the only things not allowed. After they inspect the seeds ask them to place them in one of your bags and send them with your luggage. Do not hand carry. February is a good month since most of the palms flower and seed throughout the whole year, but specially during "winter" time. I went in May and was able to collect many seeds.

I still have many pictures to post [spoiler alert!]. Will be doing so in the next few days.

Have a Great Time!

[summerdaze]

Hello Frank, Thank you for all the great information. I know we will be arriving at San Juan and I believe most of our time will be spent in the southwest area of PR. I'm sure our group of friends will be up for anything and interested in the places you mentioned. The observatory sounds cool too. I hope my palm seed hunting is "fruitful". Thank you very much for the information regarding the proper procedures necessary to get the seeds back home. The pictures are very nice too!  Yours, Mike

[Dave-Vero]

Puerto Rico natives, according to the Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas (Henderson et al., Princeton U. Press):

Acromia aculeata

Aiphanes minima

Calytronoma barbadensis

Coccothrinax barbadensis

Cocos nucifera

Gaussia attenuata

Prestoea acuminata

Roystonea borinquena

Sabal causiarum

Thrinax morrissii

[paulgila]

dave who do you think you are,some kind of botanist?

[redant]

Calyptronoma rivalis is a stunning native.

[summerdaze]

(Dave-Vero @ Jul. 13 2006,13:40)

QUOTE

Puerto Rico natives, according to the Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas (Henderson et al., Princeton U. Press):

Acromia aculeata

Aiphanes minima

Calytronoma barbadensis

Coccothrinax barbadensis

Cocos nucifera

Gaussia attenuata

Prestoea acuminata

Roystonea borinquena

Sabal causiarum

Thrinax morrissii

Thank you Dave, I will spend some time reading up on these species. This will be great entertainment for me!

Cheers, Mike

[Dave-Vero]

Time for corrections and comments.  Especially to clean up spelling.

Acrocomia aculeata.  Possibly spread before Columbus for its oily seeds.  Substantial palm, feather leaves, likes dry weather--south coast???

Aiphanes minima.  Understory, limestone hills.

The USDA research station in Mayaguez still has a substantial plant collection.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/site_main.htm...ode=66-35-00-00

Calyptronoma rivalis.  Palma de manaca.  Very rare in PR.  In Haiti, young leaves

are cut before they open, for use in weaving.  Leaves (feathery) for thatch.

Coccothrinax barbadensis.  Palma de abanico (fan palm).  Very similar to Coccothrinax argentea.  

Cocos nucifera (non-native, of course)

Gaussia attenuata.  Palma de sierra.  On mogotes (limestone haystack hills).  PR is famous for its limestone karst.  the great Arecibo radio telescope is set in a karst basin.  http://www.naic.edu/

Prestoea acuminata.  Palma de sierra.  Wet forest.  Large stems to 15 m.  Feather leaves, crownshaft.  

Roystonea borinquena.  Palma real.  Common in disturbed areas, etc.

Sabal causiarum.  Yarey.  Massive stems.  Leaves used to be made into hats and baskets.  If you see any nice baskets, grab them.  Photo in the Field Guide looks suspiciously as if it was taken at the Ramey (Aguadilla airport) golf course.

Thrinax morrissii.  Palm de escoba.  Dry areas, often on limestone.  South coast?

[Trópico]

Dave -

Acrocomia aculeata, if it's the one pictured below, can be seen all over the place as a landscape palm.

Palma de sierra is Prestoea acuminata var. montana. As for all the other species you mentioned - thanks for the info...

[Robert Lee Riffle]

Hard to believe no one has mentioned the incredible spininess of Acrocomia: every aboveground part of the palm is vicious, especially when young.

[edbrown_3]

I have a fairly substantial Acrocomia media I collected seeds from near the airport ( Isle Verde) about 10 years ago... It is extremely spiney but they have such smooth grey beautiful trunks once they lose the spines.

If you drive around on the backraods between Isabella and Ramey ( route 115 ) you will see the Sabal causerium in the woods. It doesnt get as massive as the base airport ones --- I did see a large one on the road to San German.

The garden at Rio Piedras has many species.  I have a large silver Copernecia alba I collected seeds from... They have a substantial collection of Sabal and Livistonia .....   I have some of the hybridized seeds growing to make robust mauritiformis like mongrels.

The collection there also boasts 3 large Coryphas ,   large Elais guinenis and the central american equivalent. There is also a sealing wax palm and the orange Areca vestiaria ( Please forgive my spelling of these names. )

By all means go to El Yunque ( as others have said)  Walk two trails ( Big tree and El Yunque trail).   You will only see 2 species of palms but massive tree ferns and lianas .   I have walked the trail 50 x in the last 20 years and it is heaven on earth to experience.

Best regards,

Ed

[Mantis sp.]

Acrocomia media at south open forest

Sabal causarium at CaboRojo

Prestoea montana at ToroNegro forest

Prestoea acuminata @t El Yunque

Calyptronoma rivalis, Cambalache forest

Gaussia attenuata @t limestone rock around island.

Aiphanes minima, UPR.university

Roystonea borinqueña at southern side

Roystonea sp. "purple flower" ..the island's central mountain range

Leucotrinax morrisii @ Culebra, Mona and Vieques Islands

Cocotrhinax alta @t Utuado.

incredibles spots to visits:

La ventana cave @ Utuado

Gozalandia waterfalls, San Sebastian.

San Cristobal Canyon, between Orocovix, Barranquitas and Aibonito.

Caja de Muertos island, Ponce

Cabo Rojo and Fajardo lighthouse

Guilligans Island, Guanica

Ballenas channel, Guanica

Panoramic view via central mountain range

Pajaros beach, Mona's island

Sardinera beach, Mona

Flamenco beach, Culebra's island

Zoni beach, Culebras island

Sun bay , Vieques island

Mosquito bay, luminescence beach, Vieques

Mata la Gata island, la Parquera, Lajas

Toro Negro rain forest, Cerro Maravilla, Villalba

Caracas, Navio, Media Luna beaches, Vieques island

Los tubos beach, Manati

Mar chiquita,Manati

Salto Curet, Maricao

Cambalache forest, Arecibo

Susua forest, Sabana Grande

Middles beach, Isabella

Jobos beach, Isabella

Rincon beaches.

Aguadilla beaches

Guajataca tunnel, Quebradillas.

Soplaera river, Peñuelas

El Ataud river, Adjuntas

Tanama river, Utuado

Carite clouds forest, Cayey

Blue river (rio azul) , Carite, Cayey

Tres Picachos Trails

Cerro Guilarte trails, Adjuntas

Collores falls, Juana Diaz

La Guancha, Ponce

Wine vines plantations @t Bodega Solis, Guanica

International Dry Forest, Guanica

Luchetti lake, Yauco

Lajas valley, Lajas

Cerrillos lake, Maraguez,Ponce

Toa vaca lake, Villalba

Tibes Tainian ceremonial park, Tibes, Ponce

Hacienda Vista Alegre, Ponce

Piedra escrita river, Jayuya

......... ask for the months traditional festivals in each city &

try the island food..)

Edited June 21, 2011 by Mantis sp.

[pindo]

Hola Mantis : bienvenido al foro

Debes tener en cuenta que este mensaje fue comenzado hace 5 años atras.

Hoy ya no tiene interes.

De todas formas, muchas gracias por tu aporte

Un saludo cordial

[Mantis sp.]

Hola Mantis : bienvenido al foro

Debes tener en cuenta que este mensaje fue comenzado hace 5 años atras.

Hoy ya no tiene interes.

De todas formas, muchas gracias por tu aporte

Un saludo cordial

?????????????

forgiveness, it bothers you? I offended you? excuse for that: someone else bothers you my message? sorry, I was just trying to enjoy the post and provide more places of interest to our visitors :(

Edited June 21, 2011 by Mantis sp.

[Cindy Adair]

Thanks so much for the wonderful lists!! I've seen some and want to see all of them. I'll print them out and try to make it to all of them when we move there. Our next visit is August-can't wait!

Acrocomia media at south open forest

Sabal causarium at CaboRojo

Prestoea montana at ToroNegro forest

Prestoea acuminata @t El Yunque

Calyptronoma rivalis, Cambalache forest

Gaussia attenuata @t limestone rock around island.

Aiphanes minima, UPR.university

Roystonea borinqueña at southern side

Roystonea sp. "purple flower" ..the island's central mountain range

Leucotrinax morrisii @ Culebra, Mona and Vieques Islands

Cocotrhinax alta @t Utuado.

incredibles spots to visits:

La ventana cave @ Utuado

Gozalandia waterfalls, San Sebastian.

San Cristobal Canyon, between Orocovix, Barranquitas and Aibonito.

Caja de Muertos island, Ponce

Cabo Rojo and Fajardo lighthouse

Guilligans Island, Guanica

Ballenas channel, Guanica

Panoramic view via central mountain range

Pajaros beach, Mona's island

Sardinera beach, Mona

Flamenco beach, Culebra's island

Zoni beach, Culebras island

Sun bay , Vieques island

Mosquito bay, luminescence beach, Vieques

Mata la Gata island, la Parquera, Lajas

Toro Negro rain forest, Cerro Maravilla, Villalba

Caracas, Navio, Media Luna beaches, Vieques island

Los tubos beach, Manati

Mar chiquita,Manati

Salto Curet, Maricao

Cambalache forest, Arecibo

Susua forest, Sabana Grande

Middles beach, Isabella

Jobos beach, Isabella

Rincon beaches.

Aguadilla beaches

Guajataca tunnel, Quebradillas.

Soplaera river, Peñuelas

El Ataud river, Adjuntas

Tanama river, Utuado

Carite clouds forest, Cayey

Blue river (rio azul) , Carite, Cayey

Tres Picachos Trails

Cerro Guilarte trails, Adjuntas

Collores falls, Juana Diaz

La Guancha, Ponce

Wine vines plantations @t Bodega Solis, Guanica

International Dry Forest, Guanica

Luchetti lake, Yauco

Lajas valley, Lajas

Cerrillos lake, Maraguez,Ponce

Toa vaca lake, Villalba

Tibes Tainian ceremonial park, Tibes, Ponce

Hacienda Vista Alegre, Ponce

Piedra escrita river, Jayuya

......... ask for the months traditional festivals in each city &

try the island food..)

[Cindy Adair]

Hey Mike,

Have a GREAT time over there (I know you will) and bring back lots of seeds!

We have the following native species:

1. Roystonea borinquena - Can be found all over the island. Check old San Juan for ripe seeds in the ground.

2. Prestoea acuminata var. montana - Abounds at El Yunque rainforest. Free seeds on the way to the top.

3. Gaussia attenuata - Along Highway PR#22 (north coastal "mogotes")

4. Calyptronoma rivalis - I could not spot one of these but if you make it to the Camuy cavern park ask for them (and bring back lots of seeds). All three natural populations are located in the semi-evergreen, limestone forests of northwestern Puerto Rico. Otherwise if you can locate it at the Botanical Gardens.

5. Sabal causiarum - Used as a landscape palm close to El Morro castle. Native from SW Puerto Rico.

Must visit list:

1. El Yunque rainforest. Easy to find. Just drive to the east part of the island.

2. UPR botanical gardens. This is located at the University of PR campus. Free admission. Beautiful specimens but most plants are not labeled. I drove around many times and could not find it. Now I know the easiest way to find it is to take Ave. 65 de infanteria (a well known avenue in Rio Piedras ("New" San Juan)) and drive eastbound all the way. You'll see a small sign pointing to it towards the left, right where the avenue merges with PR#1.

3. Parque Cavernas del Rio Camuy. Take PR#22 towards Arecibo, then follow the signs. Be sure to catch the Arecibo Observatory too.

4. Many surfing beaches at Rincon, PR (westernmost point of the island).

5. Ponce (south coast). The trip along route #52 with the scenery changes is amazing.

6. Old San Juan. Many landscape palms.

I brought back assorted seeds from many landscape palms as well as the botanical gardens. Many I have no idea what these are. Gileno shared some of the loot.

Seeds are easy to bring back to Florida. Just declare them with the USDA (Airport second floor, departure drop off point). Make sure the seeds are clean. Citrus and dirt are the only things not allowed. After they inspect the seeds ask them to place them in one of your bags and send them with your luggage. Do not hand carry. February is a good month since most of the palms flower and seed throughout the whole year, but specially during "winter" time. I went in May and was able to collect many seeds.

I still have many pictures to post [spoiler alert!]. Will be doing so in the next few days.

Have a Great Time!

They now allow citrus (at least as of April 2011) as long as they have no visible scale. Most of my flights are into Aguadilla (former U.S. Air Force base) and a great little airport. In fact in 2010, when my husband hadn't cleaned some fruit properly the friendly inspector there even cleaned it for him by wiping the surface with a cloth and then passed it. Avocado, pineapples and bananas are allowed as long as the fruit is cleaned of dirt. The same friendly inspectors sent my husband to the airport bathroom to wash off visible dirt and then passed a large suitcase with bananas in March 2011. In April 2011, my husband told the inspector (who remembered him by this time)that he HAD made an effort to clean everything properly and they passed all without a need for cleaning. All seeds have passed since I cleaned those thoroughly. A few seeds are on there not allowed list (a brochure is at the airport) but nothing I ever wanted to bring. Oh, cacao pods, unopened ARE allowed and usually net 30-40 easy to germinate seeds. No need to clean the seeds of this species. Most other fruits ARE NOT allowed so eat them there and bring the cleaned seeds home. In western PR, the San Sebastian Agricultural market is every Friday afternoon/evening and worth a visit among the locals. No charge to go or park. Have a great trip!

[Cindy Adair]

Hello Frank, Thank you for all the great information. I know we will be arriving at San Juan and I believe most of our time will be spent in the southwest area of PR. I'm sure our group of friends will be up for anything and interested in the places you mentioned. The observatory sounds cool too. I hope my palm seed hunting is "fruitful". Thank you very much for the information regarding the proper procedures necessary to get the seeds back home. The pictures are very nice too!  Yours, Mike

Oh, the entrance to the Camuy caves and the Observatory are both closed on Mondays and are close enough to visit on the same day. You picked MY favorite part of the island (southwest). Montoso gardens is fantastic and takes visitors (arranged in advance for a small fee I think) as well as selling and shipping some plants. They have a website that lists their amazing collection and Brian Brunner is extremely nice and KNOWS plants.His brother David and his family are really great as well and all are fluent in English and Spanish. They have fruiting nutmeg and miracle fruits, lots of palms and other ornamentals and most everything else and Brian is co-author of a book on PR fruits. It's in Spanish, but worth it just for the photos! He's working on a Heliconia book as well. February is part of the dry season so it won't be muddy which happens sometimes in the summer. Feel free to pm me if you have other questions and I'll try to help. It'll be 4 years until we move full-time, but we've enjoyed visiting 4 times a year for the last 4 years so are beginning to learn our way around that side of the island.I've included just 2 photos to whet your appetite.

[Dave-Vero]

I visited the Observatory once, on a school field trip. There's nothing else like it, but there'll be a much larger version in China pretty soon. Turned out, I was more interested in PR's plants.

There is a lack of heliconia books on the market. I hope Brunner finds the perfect publisher.

[edbrown_III]

the place is heaven on earth--- I worked down there 10 years and visited many of the places listed. I have visted El Yunque perhaps 50 times --- Jardin Botnico in Rio Piedras as many times.

I hope you have a good holiday

Best wishes,

Ed