Tree, can grow up to 60 m (!), buttressed trunk, glossy green leaves. Fruit is a “syconium”, meaning that the fruit is an inverted inflorescence with the flowers lining an internal cavity. Pollinated by two species of fig wasps (Pleistodontes greenwoodi, P. xanthocephallus).

Many bird species eat the fruit. Commonly grown as shade tree in parks and is well-suited as indoor-plant or bonsai.

Native to Eastern Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia and southwestern Pacific islands

All parts of the tree has been used in traditional medicine in Fiji.

Ficus obliqua is a so called “strangler fig”. This means, that it starts his life as an epiphyte (living on another plant) when its seed germinates in a crack or a crevice of a host tree. They grow roots down toward the ground and consequently may envelop part of the host tree. In the meantime, the host tree keeps growing and strangles himself within the root-net of the fig tree.

Evergreen shrub or herbaceous plant up to 1 m tall. Leaves oval, 3-9 cm long and 1-3 cm broad, glossy green, hairless, opposite. Flowers white to dark-pink with a darker red center and a basal tube. Corolla 2-5 cm with 5 petal-like lobes.

Native and endemic to Madagascar but cultivated and naturalised elsewhere in subtropical and tropical areas in the world as an ornamental and medicinal plant (source of the drugs vincristine and vinblastine, used to treat cancer).

Madagascar periwinkle has long been used as a traditional medicine. Tests by pharmaceutical companies in the 1950’s showed the presence of a number of medically active alkaloids, especially the compound vincristine, which has been shown to have activity against leukaemia.The alkaloids, when isolated from the plant, are highly toxic but have also been shown to reduce the numbers of white blood cells, leading to applications which have revolutionized conventional cancer therapy.The plant is cultivated as a source of these alkaloids, a number of which are extracted and used allopathically.The isolated alkaloids are used to treat and other cancers. The alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine are prescribed in anticancer therapy, particularly in cases of acute leukaemia (especially in children) and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. They are usually part of a complex chemotherapy protocol. Used in isolation, they have a number of side-effects, including alopecia, nausea and bone marrow depression. The dried root is an industrial source of ajmalicine, which increases the blood flow in the brain and peripheral parts of the body. Preparations of ajmalicine are used to treat the psychological and behavioural problems of senility, sensory problems (dizziness, tinnitus), cranial traumas and their neurological complications. Ajmalicine, and another alkaloid serpentine, are prescribed in the treatment of hypertension. The leaves and aerial parts of the plant have a wide range of traditional uses. Well known as an oral hypoglycaemic agent, the plant is also considered to be depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, purgative and vermifuge. A decoction is taken to treat hypertension, asthma, menstrual irregularities, chronic constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, dyspepsis, malaria, dengue fever, diabetes, cancer and skin diseases. Extracts prepared from the leaves have been applied externally as antiseptic agents for the healing of wounds; to relieve the effects of wasp stings; against haemorrhage, skin rash and as a mouthwash to treat toothache. The leaves are harvested when the plant is flowering and can be dried for later use. An infusion of the flowers is used to treat mild diabetes. A decoction of the roots is taken to treat dysmenorrhoea.

In the wild, Madagascar periwinkle is an endangered plant. The main cause of decline is habitat destruction by slash and burn agriculture. Madagascar periwinkle can be extremely poisonous if consumed orally by humans.

It is closely related to “Dwarf periwinkle” (Vinca minor).

The cultivar “Dwarf Cavendish” is due to its shortness more stable, wind-resistant and easier to manage than other banana plants. This, in addition to its fast growth rate, makes it ideal for plantation cultivation. The fruits range from 15 to 25 cm in length and are thin skinned. Each plant can bear up to 90 fingers.

Musa acuminata is native to Southeast Asia and first cultivated by humans around 10’000 years ago. The variety “Cavendish” was first cultivated in Europe in the 19^th century and shipped to various places in the Pacific and the Canary Islands. In 1888, bananas from the Canary Islands were imported into England and are known to belong to the “Dwarf Cavendish” cultivar.

No known.

Banana plants are evergreen perennials, not trees! The trunk (known as the pseudostem) is made of tightly packed layers of leaf sheaths emerging from completely or partially buried corms. The name “Dwarf Cavendish” is in reference to the height of the plant, not the fruit.

Botanically, bananas are berries.

Large deciduous tree, up to 35 m tall, with horizontal branches. Large, glossy dark green, leathery leaves (15-25 cm long, 10-15 cm broad). Corky light fruits (drupe), dispersed by water. Seed within the fruit is edible when fully ripe, tasting almost like almond (name: Sea almond). The trees are monoecious with distinct male and female flowers on the same tree.

The tree has been spread widely by humans and the native region is uncertain. It is grown in tropical regions of the world as an ornamental tree, providing deep shade with its large leaves.

No known.

During dry-season, Sea almond trees lose their leaves (dry-season deciduous). Before falling, they turn pinkish-reddish or yellow-brown, due to pigments such as violaxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin.

Trees or shrubs 6-10 m tall. Stem (20 cm diameter) with leaf scars helically arranged, bark green to brown. Leaf blade 20-60 cm. Berries hanging from trunk near summit, green to orange. Edible.

Papayas are grown throughout the tropics of the world, chiefly at low elevations, and tend to become escapes everywhere. Its natural origin is in the tropics of America, probably from southern Mexico

The skin of the unripe fruit, the leaves, sap and seeds of the papaya are all a source of the enzyme papain, a digestive stimulant that facilitates the digestion of protein. The unripe fruit is an especially good source. Papain can be used internally, especially in the form of the extracted enzyme, to treat digestive disorders. It is also applied externally to aid the healing of deep or slow-healing wounds. An infusion of the young, latex-filled, green fruit is used as a children’s vermifuge. The juice of the fruit is used to treat diabetes and hypertension. The immature fruit, sometimes combined with aspirin, is used as an abortifacient. The fruit pulp is mixed with fat in a pomade to remedy abscesses. The juice of the fruit is used to dissolve warts. The leaves and the fruit, especially the unripe fruit, are taken internally in the treatment of a range of digestive disorders, diarrhoea, high blood pressure and painful womb. The green leaves are cooked as a treatment for Dengue fever, tertiary malaria and for irregular bowel movement in children. Externally, the leaves are applied to wounds as a dressing that helps to speed the healing process. The leaves and seeds are used locally to rid the body of threadworms and roundworms. The seeds are used as a gentle purgative to rid the body of worms. Immature seeds are swallowed to treat diarrhoea. The seed is eaten as a children’s vermifuge, and also to increase visual acuity. The latex from the trunk of the tree has a strong purgative action when taken internally and is sometimes used to rid the body of worms. The latex is applied externally to wounds, boils, ulcers, warts and cancerous tumours in order to speed their healing. It is also applied to the gums to treat toothache. The ripe fruit is a mild laxative. A decoction of the ripe fruit is used to treat persistent diarrhoea and dysentery in children. An infusion of the flowers is drunk in order to induce menstruation, and also to treat laryngitis, bronchitis and venereal diseases. The flowers are used in combination with milk and butter as an appetite stimulant. The bark is used to treat diarrhoea. The inner bark is used to treat toothache. The root is aphrodisiac, astringent and vermifuge. The macerated root is used in the treatment of gonorrhoea. An infusion of the root in alcohol is used to treat bladder and kidney problems. A decoction is drunk to treat abdominal stricture, diarrhoea, malaria and intestinal worms. Applied externally, an infusion of the root in alcohol is rubbed on the limbs to treat rickets. A decoction of the root is used externally to treat abdominal stricture. The latex contains the protein-degrading (proteolytic) and mucolytic enzymes papain and chymopapain. The plant contains hydrocyanic acid, carpaine, terpene hydrocarbons, terpene alcohols, cyanogenic glycosides.

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 flowets contain both male stamens and female ovaries. Almost all commercial papaya orchards contain only hermaphrodites.

Trees, 10-40 m tall. Leaves 10-30 cm long, 2-7cm wide, leathery, margin entire. Juicy, large and edible stone fruits (drupes). Depending on the cultivar, mango fruits vary in size, shape, sweetness, skin color and flesh color which may be pale yellow, gold or orange

Although “Common Mango” is a native of the Indian Peninsula, it is cultivated throughout the tropics of the world in more than 500 varieties. In many regions, it has become a significant naturalized element of the flora..

The inner bark of the stem of Maqo (Fijian name) is used to treat dysentery and bacterial disease thrush.

“Common Mango” is the national tree of Bangladesh and related (same family) to the Cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) and the Pistachio tree (Pistacia vera). Allergic Urushiols are present in the peel of the mango fruit and can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals.

A clumping shrub with growth up to 2.5 meters tall, Kava thrives In loose well drained soils where plenty of air reaches the roots, needing high rainfall and humidity, It Is an understory plant, sensitive to sunlight and not salt tolerant. It cannot reproduce sexually with female flowers being extremely rare, they do not produce fruit even when hand pollinated.

Thought to have originated from Vanuatu and descended from Papua New Guinea, Kava Is found In Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesian Islands.

Used to treat anxiety it is also excellent for improving the quality of sleep and as a mild euphoric. Known as “Yaqona”, it has been used for centuries as a sacred offering in traditional ceremonies. Only the non-aerial parts of the plants are consumed after being dried and pounded.

Clinical randomized controlled trials have proven the anxiolytic properties of kavalactones as psychoactive compounds for the treatment of generalised anxiety. the name Piper methysticum means “intoxicating pepper”.

Closely related (same genus) to “Black Pepper” (Piper nigrum).

Dense, multi-branched, evergreen shrub, mostly 1-2 m tall. Leathery leaves, about 10 cm long, opposite, margins entire. Tubular flowers in dense rounded clusters, produced almost all year long.

Native to Southern India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Today widespread as famous ornamental plant in many tropical and subtropical gardens.

The Jungle Flame is related (same family) to Coffee (Coffea arabica). It is the national flower of Suriname.

Perennial vine. Fast-growing (up to 7m per year). Short-lived (max. 7 years). Flowers 5-8 cm wide, at each node of the climbing plant. 5 green sepals and 5 white/purple petals. Fruit (botanically a berry) entirely fleshy, outside colour from dark-purple with fine white specks to light yellow, 4-8 cm in diameter. Within the berry, typically 250 black edible seeds, each of them surrounded by a membranous sac filled with pulpy juice. Flavour slightly acidic. Edible.

Native to Southern Brazil, Paraguay and Northern Argentinia. Today cultivated commercially in tropical and subtropical areas.

The pulp of the fruit is stimulant and tonic.

The flower is a sedative when made into a tea.

The flower of the Passion fruit was known by Spanish missionaries as the “Flor de las cinco lagas” (Flower of the five wounds) because it illustrated the crucifixion of Christ. Hence, the name “Passion fruit” was originated. In Portugese, Passion fruit is called “maracujà”, after a Native American word which is not so pleasant 😉

Small deciduous tree, up to 10 m tall, short trunk with many branches. Leaves 15-25 cm long (5-10 ovate leaflets). Small lilac flowers. Orange-yellow fruit with a thin, waxy pericarp. Yellow flesh with juice when ripe. Fruit 5-15cm long. The entire fruit is edible (careful if you have kidney problems.

Native to tropical Southeast Asia. Today, cultivated throughout tropical areas.

The fruit can be a laxative on account of the oxalic acid it contains. It is also used in traditional medicine for skin disorders and fevers. It is valued by Chinese communities as a remedy for high blood pressure, whilst it is also said to reduce blood sugar levels and so is of help to diabetics. The flowers are used to relieve coughs.The leaves are used to treat rheumatism. The seed is emmenagogue, galactagogue and abortifacient.

The powdered seed is a good anodyne for treating asthma, colic and jaundice.

The fruit has distinctive ridges running down its sides (usually 5-6). When cut in cross-section, it resembles a star, giving its name as “Star fruit”. The Star fruit is related (same family) to “Wood sorrel” (Oxalis sp.), a common edible wild plant.

Star fruits contain Caramboxin and Oxalic acid (see name of the family) and are therefore harmful to individuals suffering from kidney problems.