Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
125
The National Flower &
the National Tree
The Caymans are home to almost 30 indigenous orchid spe-
cies, but islanders selec ted the wild banana or chid as their
national flower. In different varieties, it blooms on all thr ee
islands in April and May, and is spectacular to behold.
The wild banana or chid on Grand C ayman has whit e
blossoms and purple lips , whereas those on Little C ayman
and Cayman Brac are yellow in color.
The national tree, the silver thatch palm, has even figured
into the economy of the islands. The underside of the palm
is silvery, with a lightish green upper frond. Locals call it “the
money tree.”
Islanders would go into the interior and crop the leaves
from the top of the tree. In turn, they would trade them for
goods at the local shops . Merchants then would exchange
them for goods impor ted from Jamaica. C aymanians also
used the silv er that ch palm f or r oofing, belts , r ope, and
baskets.
6
heart of George Town, the trail showcases the Mastic Reserve's natural
attractions, including a nativ e mangrove swamp, traditional agricul-
ture, and an ancient woodland ar ea, home to the largest v ariety of
native plant and animal life in the Cayman I slands.
The trail is super vised and maintained in safe and unobstr ucted
repair by a government-appointed field agent, but during periods of
heavy rain, the southern end is likely to be flooded. The government
therefore recommends that during periods of prolonged rainfall, hik-
ers approach the trail from the northern end, off Further Road, North
Side, as opposed to via the southern end, off F rank Sound Road.
Guided tours of the trail, organiz ed b y the Cayman I slands
National Trust, ar e scheduled ev ery Wednesday at 9am, and ev ery
fourth Saturday, also at 9am. Tours last 2 to 3 hours each, and ar e
limited to a maximum of 15 par ticipants. Reservations are strongly
recommended, and the cost is US$25 per person. The hike is not
recommended for childr en 5 or under , the elderly , or persons with
physical disabilities. The trail is flat, and gravelly or sandy. If you're in
relatively good shape, you should not find it particularly challenging.
Be sur e to w ear comfor table and stur dy shoes and carr y water
and insect r epellent. For tour r eservations, call
The National Trust
