French Cotton grows to approximately 6 m (usually 2.5–4 m) in height and has a deep root system. Before reaching maturity the stems are grayish-green in color and smooth, whereas the mature stems have a deeply textured bark.

Fun fact: French Cotton grows green fruit which contain a toxic milky sap that is extremely bitter and turns into a gluey coating which is resistant to soap.

Celosia Painted Ostrich is an annual ornamental plant. It grows well in humid areas and requires little tending.

Fun fact: The leaves, young stems and flowers are used for stew, as they soften up readily in cooking. The leaves also have a soft texture and a mild spinach-like taste.

The Flamboyant is a best grown in well drained soil while exposed to full sunlight, the tree is very low maintenance and only requires watering one to two times a week while young. It grows to approximately 9-12 m (30-40ft) with a large green canopy; which blooms into red orange flowers with burgundy and yellow markings in the Spring.

Fun fact: The Flamboyant is known as the ‘Flame Tree’ because of the fiery color of the flowers once it is in bloom.

Jatropha is a flowering plant that is commonly grown as an ornamental in Barbados.  These plants have been used in basketmaking, tanning and dye production.  Members of this genus tend to contain several toxic compounds.

Commonly known as Vetiver, khus khus is a grass that is widely grown throughout Walkers Reserve.  This plant is grown by many to stabilize soil and protect against erosion. The culms which grow close together, help to reduce surface water runoff which increases the amount absorbed by the soil.  The mulch increases water infiltration and reduces evaporation, thus protecting soil moisture under hot and dry conditions.  The mulch also assists in protecting against splash erosion.

Fun Fact: Oil is extracted from the roots of the plant and is used for cosmetics.