Valuable Woods in the Garden 1785-c.1806

In 1785 Alexander Anderson inherited a botanical garden that had 9 species of trees in it that he later classed as 'Valuable Wood', by 1806 the garden had 64 species of trees listed a Valuable Wood. Today the botanical garden has a list of 47 tree species; this includes fruit trees and I will explore fruits in another post.

Chrysophyllum glabrum is one of the valuable woods that is listed in both the 1785 and c.1806 catalogues. Anderson says that the tree is known locally as Nisberry and was 'very hard and heavy' and made a good shade for cattle. He states that the tree was common in all the Caribbean islands, but gives no details about what it was used for.

Swietenia mahogany is another lasting tree species. Anderson got the seeds from Barbados in 1787 where it was cultivated as it was not a native tree to any of the Windward islands. In the c.1806 catalogue Anderson notes that the trees were now 20 to 30 feet high but that it had no yet flowered. This entry is interesting as it provides information on the growth of the tree over time as well as telling us when he visited Barbados - I have written a blog about Anderson's natural history of Barbados so do check that out if you are interested.

Cytharexylon cenesium, known as Fiddlewood was a much esteemed wood but Anderson gives no use for it. Kew's POWO database notes it was used as a medicine. The Singapore Botanical Garden notes it wa traditionally used to make musical instruments; hence its name. Anderson doesn't say the wood was used to make instruments on the island but in a diary entry by his nephew, it seems Anderson liked to dance so there must have been instruments on the island.

Begonia pentaphylla Anderson notes was used for mill timber, and a tree he brought from Trinidad in 1787. He gives this wonderful description 'the tree is covered with large clusters of yellow flowers, and at a distance appears like a flame of fire'. The phrase 'flame of fire' Anderson uses a few times to describe plants and for a Scot familiar only with British trees, the colours of flowers in the Tropics must have been quite a sight.

Robinia violacea, Anderson notes is called Green Hart and is a 'most valuable wood'. Interesting he states that 'It is very common in the Island of Saint Vincent, but scarce in any of the others, it is rarely found in bad soil. I had severall plants of Robina Bonduacacia from North America, which flourished for a time, but gradually sickened and died'. This entry is interesting as it shows that Anderson was receiving plants from North America, and that not all his imported plants thrived in the garden.

Theobroma guaxuma he notes was known as 'Bastard Cedar'. This tree was not native of the Windward Islands and 'seeds of it were sent to the Garden in 1794 by Sir George Young from which these are trees 15 foot high producing fruit.' These fruit, he says, tasted like honey; Young was the first Superintendent of the garden and this entry shows he maintained an interest in its development. Young has an entry in the UCL Legacies of British Slavery database. This plant has the accepted name of Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. and the illustration to this blog is of the plant. It has a large number of medicinal uses according to Plants for a Future

Mimosa fagifolia is listed in the 1785 plant catalogue but does not appear in the c.1806 one, and Hymenia curbaril only has the information 'Locust tree French Courbanil' in the latter catalogue.

Image of Guazuma ulmifolia from earthpedia.com