The Ceiba Tree

There is a large, beautiful ceiba tree (Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.) growing in a park on the northern coast of Vieques near the airport. It is reported to be over 300 years old. I was unable to find out anything about the origin or local significance of this tree, although everyone said we should go see it. What I do know is that Ceiba pentandra is a unique species that occurs in all three tropical regions of the world, i.e. neotropics, tropical Asia, tropical Africa, is culturally important to many ethnic groups, e.g. the Maya, and produces fluffy seed fibers ("kapok") that are used to stuff pillows and wrap around blowgun darts - among other things. 

Azaleas

It's that time of the year again, and the azaleas (Rhododendron spp) are exploding at The New York Botanical Garden. The walk to my office has gotten progressively more beautiful during the last week. [NOTE: Don't know which variety is shown in the image above (there are over 10,000 cultivars), but this is definitely my favorite color of azalea.]