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Thursday, November 6, 2008

the bearded fig tree






Barbados was discovered by the Portuguese around 1605. They named the island Los Barbados after the bearded fig tree found on the island. The tree is really a banyan with large aerial roots that resembles a mans beard. In the portuguese language the beard is barbado or barbaudo. These gigantic trees cover a very large area. Their aerial roots hang down towards the ground from trunk like forms. Eventually they meet the ground and the trunk- like form develops as an extended part of the tree. Barbados was later claimed and settled by the British in 1625.

6 comments:

  1. Lovely pics. You are lucky to have so much lush and mature flora at your place.

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  2. Beautiful lush photos! And interesting history of the name Barbados. Do you grow any fruit and vegetables? I've just found your blog through the Mediterranean garden blog.

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  3. I have many fruit trees check out my older posts in August

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  4. Nicole the property didn't have many trees when we came here. This one, the coconuts, two limes and an old tamarind tree were here, most of the others we planted

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  5. I found your blog by accident but I have to say Helen, your garden looks like total paradise! The plants are all lovely, you are so lucky to live in this beautiful place.

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  6. Thank you Emma, we have been getting lots of rain so everything looks lush.

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