Aruba is the smallest, driest and windiest of the three Leeward Islands of the Dutch Caribbean. Despite this, it has a surprisingly varied landscape. The islandās connection, via the continental shelf, to the South American mainland means that Arubaās flora and fauna are quite different from her sister islands ā Bonaire and CuraƧao. Arubaās stunning geological features include grottos, caves and giant rocks (tonalites) fashioned by the elements. Aruba is famous for long sandy beaches and strong trade winds, which make the island a paradise for beach lovers and windsurfers but a challenging environment for plants and animals.
Coastal lagoons with mangrove forests and extensive and well-developed seagrass beds at the southern part of the island are a magnet for sea turtles, as well as an important base in the marine food chain.
Covering almost one fifth of the total land area of Aruba, theĀ Parke Nacional ArikokĀ includes the islandās highest hill, Mount Jamanota. Located on the islandās windward shore, the park gives access to the rough lava hills and limestone rock formations typical of this arid island. With its fragile dry cactus forest and extensive scrublands the park is home to over 50 species of native trees and is the last protected refuge for Arubaās endemic rattlesnake, the Cascabel, and their irresistible burrowing owl,Ā the Shoco. The park not only contains outstanding nature but also a rich cultural history. This includes a renovated farm area (cunucu) and early Arawak cave paintings, which were used as the inspiration for the parkās iconic logo.
Popeās Head Cactus
Our spotlight moves to one of the Caribbeanās most personable succulents, the Popeās Head Cactus (Melocactus intortus). Its genus name isĀ Melocactus, meaning āmelon cactusā, referring to its short, round, watermelon-like base. The most interesting part of this plant however, is the strange, red, bristly ācapā (called a cephalium), which grows out the top of the green base and can reach heights of up to 1 m (~3.3 ft)! Using your imagination, one can really see a green āheadā topped with a tall, red, clergical āhatā. This cactus can be found clinging to rocks in some of the drier, less hospitable climes throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America. Itās quite a common sight while hiking in the scrublands of both the Windward and Leeward islands, though different species inhabit the northern and southern ranges. This particular specimen comes to us from St. Maarten. As if its spiny hat was not enough, the popeās head cactus also sprouts tiny, fuchsia flowers from its cephalium. These flowers give way to bright pink, waxy, cone-shaped fruits. The fruits are edible and have the seedy consistency of a crunchy kiwi, though their flavor is quite light. Lovely to look at and delightful to taste, but do remember to mind their sharp spines and leave enough fruit for the plants to procreate.
The next time you are having a wander through our starkly beautiful sub-tropical dry forests, donāt forget to look down and admire the quirky and stout popeās head cactus. Source: DCNA.
