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Dominica Botanic Gardens
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Selected Trees and Shrubs
Catalpa longissima, Common name: Haitian Catalpa, French Oak, Jamaican Oak, Yokewood


Plant Family: Belongs to the Bignoniaceae or Bignonia family, a primarily tropical family which includes the Sausage Tree (Kigelia africana), African Tulip (Spathodea campanulata), and the spectacular Pouis - Pink Poui (Tabebuia rosea) and Yellow Poui (Tabebuia spectabilis).

Description: Located adjacent to Forestry office, east of Gardens main road; tall, graceful, hard-wooded tree, up to 25-30 m tall (80-100 ft), fissured, light grey bark; leaves simple, opposite, oval, tips pointed, 7-14 cm long (3-5 in), 2-5 cm wide (1-2 in); flowers white to light lilac, with purple and yellow lines inside floral tube, 25-30 mm long (about 1 in) and 30-34 mm across (about 1 in), in small, panicle inflorescences; fruit a very long, slender, almost thread-like capsule, 35-75 cm long (14-29 in), 4 mm broad (about 0.2 in), and round in cross section; flowering and fruiting throughout year.

Natural Habitat: Thrives best on well-drained, gravelly soils of tropics, at elevations up to 300 m (1000 ft); propagation by seed.

Origin and Distribution: Native to Hispaniola and some of the other islands of the West Indies; now naturalized in Dominica; introduced to the Pacific region.

Uses: Both as ornamental, for its graceful habit, and for fine timber; in Jamaica, regarded as one of the best timber woods; in West Indies, the hard wood used for boards and planks, and for furniture, floors and construction.
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References:
Anon. Official Guide to the Botanic Gardens, Dominica. Kew Gardens, London 1924?
C.D. Adams. Flowering Plants of Jamaica. University of the West Indies, Mona, Glasgow University Press 1972
Gerald D. Carr. Manoa Campus Plants, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 2005 (botany.hawaii.ed)
Robert A. De Filipps. Useful Plants of the Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 1998
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​​Gardens Introduction

​

Preface - How it Began
Introduction to Website
A Brief History
Plan of Gardens 
Contemporary Commentary​
​Trees, Shrubs, Birds

​
​
Selected Trees and Shrubs
Medicinal Plants
​
Gardens Activities
  Florida's Fairchild Garden
Parrot/Animal Sanctuary
Birds of the Gardens
Garden Views

​
​
Three Virtual Tours
Panoramic Views Today
Early Panoramic Views
 
Hurricane David's Ravages
Future Developments
Curators/Administrators
Reports and Documents
  
Getting Involved
Related Links
Sub-sites

​

Honorees
Island Scholars
Cabinet Photos
​​Treasures of the Cathedral

​Diaspora Policy Paper
​

Visit the DAAS  Website
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Copyright © -  Davison Shillingford, Clayton Shillingford and (the late) Raglan Riviere