Flora of Cuba facts for kids

Cuba is a beautiful island with many amazing plants! This article is about the plants that naturally grow in Cuba, meaning they are either native (they have always lived there) or endemic (they are found only in Cuba and nowhere else in the world).

We won't be talking about plants that people brought to Cuba, like crops or garden flowers, or plants that spread on their own and cause problems, like weeds. This list focuses on Cuba's special, wild plant life, including big trees, smaller shrubs, climbing vines, and tiny herbs.

You'll see a star (*) next to some plant names. This star means that plant is endemic to Cuba, making it extra special because it can only be found there! The plants are listed by their scientific names, which are like their unique first and last names in the plant world. Sometimes, you'll also see their common names in parentheses.

Amazing Plants of Cuba (A-Z)

A

Acrocomia crispa, a unique palm tree.

• Acacia belairioides*
• Acacia bucheri*
• Acrocomia crispa* (This is a type of palm tree, also known as Corojo palm.)
• Agave anomala* (Agave plants are known for their thick, spiky leaves.)
• Amyris cubensis*
• Annona cristalensis*
• Avicennia germinans (This is a Black Mangrove, often found in coastal areas.)

B

Begonia cubensis, a beautiful Cuban flower.

• Bactris cubensis*
• Begonia cubensis* (A type of Begonia flower, known for its pretty blooms.)
• Brya ebenus (This tree is famous for its very hard, dark wood.)
• Bursera simaruba (Also called Gumbo Limbo, it has reddish, peeling bark.)
• Byrsonima crassifolia (Nance) (This tree produces small, yellow, edible fruits.)

C

• Calyptranthes arenicola*
• Calyptronoma plumeriana (A type of palm tree.)
• Cameraria microphylla*
• Capparis cynophallophora (Also known as Jamaican Caper, it has interesting flowers.)
• Cedrela odorata (This is a Spanish Cedar, a large tree often used for wood.)
• Clusia rosea (Known as Autograph Tree, you can scratch messages on its leaves.)
• Coccothrinax acunana* (One of many unique palm trees found in Cuba.)
• Coccothrinax crinita* (This palm is called the Old Man Palm because of its shaggy trunk.)
• Colpothrinax wrightii* (Another Cuban palm, sometimes called the Barrel Palm.)
• Copernicia baileyana* (A large, impressive palm tree.)
• Copernicia gigas* (This palm is known for its huge leaves.)
• Cordia sebestena (Also called Geiger Tree, it has bright orange flowers.)
• Crescentia cujete (The Calabash Tree, its fruits are used to make bowls.)
• Cynometra cubensis*

D

• Dorstenia crenulata*
• Dorstenia petraea*
• Dorstenia roigii*

E

• Encyclia tampensis (A type of orchid, known for its beautiful flowers.)
• Erythrina elenae*
• Eugenia aceitillo*

F

• Ficus meizonochlamys* (A type of fig tree.)

G

• Garcinia aristata*
• Gaussia princeps* (A tall, slender palm tree.)
• Gordonia curtyana*

H

• Harpalyce maisiana*
• Hemithrinax compacta* (Another unique Cuban palm.)
• Hernandia cubensis*
• Hibiscus elatus (Blue Mahoe) (This tree has beautiful flowers that change color.)
• Hildegardia cubensis*
• Hymenaea torrei*

I

• Illicium cubense*

J

• Jacaranda arborea* (A tree known for its stunning purple flowers.)
• Jatropha integerrima (A plant with bright red flowers.)
• Juglans insularis* (A type of walnut tree.)

K

• Krokia pilotoana*

L

• Licaria cubensis*
• Lunania cubensis*
• Lyonia elliptica*

M

• Magnolia minor* (A smaller type of Magnolia tree.)
• Manilkara mayarensis*
• Melocactus matanzanus* (A type of cactus with a unique shape.)
• Microcycas calocoma* (This is a very old type of plant, like a living fossil!)

N

• Nectandra coriacea
• Nectandra minima*
• Neea ekmanii*

P

• Pachyanthus pedicellatus*
• Phyla dulcis (A sweet-tasting plant, sometimes called Aztec Sweet Herb.)
• Picrodendron baccatum (Jamaica walnut)
• Pimenta adenoclada* (A type of allspice plant.)
• Pinguicula lithophytica* (A carnivorous plant that traps insects.)
• Pinus caribaea (Caribbean Pine)
• Pinus cubensis* (Cuban Pine) (This pine tree is endemic to Cuba.)
• Pinus tropicalis* (Tropical Pine)
• Pisonia ekmani*
• Podocarpus aristulatus (A type of conifer tree.)
• Pouteria aristata*
• Pseudosamanea cubana*

Q

• Quercus sagrana* (A type of oak tree found in Cuba.)

R

(No plants listed in this section in the original text that are not "see also" references.)

S

• Sabal palmetto (Also known as Cabbage Palm, a common palm tree.)
• Sabal yapa (Another type of palm tree.)
• Sarcomphalus havanensis*
• Senna domingensis
• Sideroxylon acunae*
• Sideroxylon cubense
• Spirotecoma apiculata*

T

• Tabebuia anafensis* (Many Tabebuia species are known for their beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers.)
• Tabebuia bibracteolata*
• Tabebuia shaferi*
• Terminalia eriostachya
• Tetrazygia elegans*
• Thrinax ekmaniana* (A type of fan palm.)
• Trichilia pungens*
• Turbina corymbosa (Also known as Christmas Vine, it has white flowers.)

U

• Utricularia breviscapa (A type of bladderwort, another carnivorous plant.)
• Utricularia incisa*
• Utricularia purpurea

V

• Vaccinium bissei* (A type of blueberry plant.)
• Vitex acunae*
• Vitis tiliifolia (A wild grape vine.)

X

• Ximenia roigii*
• Xylopia ekmanii*

Z

• Zamia integrifolia (A type of cycad, an ancient group of plants.)
• Zamia kickxii*
• Zamia pygmaea* (This is the smallest cycad in the world!)

See also

• Cuban cactus scrub (Areas with many cacti and dry plants)
• Cuban dry forests (Forests that don't get much rain)
• Cuban moist forests (Forests that get a lot of rain)
• Cuban pine forests (Forests mainly made up of pine trees)