Anguilla Honeymoon Planner Ideas for a romantic getaway on this Caribbean island

Anguilla's Tropical Beauty

With its dry climate, Anguilla doesn't enjoy the lush tropical vegetation of some Caribbean islands. Most natural flora and fauna is low-growing and tolerant of the salty air, strong sun, and drought periods. Look for plants such as:

•beach maho or sea cotton
•green agave
•aloe vera
•organ pipe cactus
•buttonwood, a tree that grows in saltwater and brackish water
•beach morning glory
•cordia, a shade tree with orange blooms
•beach or spider lily
•tabe boua, the national plant of Anguilla. With pink blooms, the plant is wind and salt tolerant.
•calypso oleander
•domestic scavola, a dune stabilizer that grows in salt water
•giant milkweed, used by locals in past years in the treatment of hypertension
•silver buttonwood
•thevita peruviana
•pomegranite flower
•mahogany tree
•Natel plum, with star-shaped flowers that smell like gardenias

At present, Anguilla has no botanical garden or place to go see identified plants. The best look at the island's flora and fauna is aboard a weekly horticultural tour conducted at Cap Juluca resort at 10:30 a.m. on Friday mornings. Participation is easy; just show up at the front desk and ask to take part in the free tour.

Over 500 species of plants have now been identified as part of the Flora Project by the Anguilla National Trust. This ongoing project has been compiled by a local naturalist and a visiting botanist working to photograph and press plant specimens.

Much of Anguilla's flora and fauna was severely damaged by Hurricane Luis in September 1995. However, the island has bounced back from the devastation remarkably. While trees may be smaller than those of past years, the island is green and dotted with vegetation appropriate for its climate.

Preservation of the trees following the hurricane has largely been credited to the efforts of the Anguilla Beautification Club (ABC). This volunteer group broadcast over Radio Anguilla advising islanders on tree saving procedures. Before the retirement of Governor Alan Shave, he presented ABC with $3,000 to import new trees. The Club has arranged to import citrus trees for islanders who wish to replace those lost in the storm; ABC has also imported shade trees for the island beaches.

Related Pages about Anguilla:

> Honeymoons, Destination Weddings, and Romantic Getaways in Anguilla
> Anguilla chapter of "Romantic Escapes in the Caribbean"