Pineapple - Antigua and Barbuda

In 1695, the Santiago da Cullerin was smashed against the coral reefs near the Barbuda coast. The ship, carrying 13,000 silver pesos, prompted the locals into a lucrative salvage effort. Salvaging ships unable to steer clear of the dangerous coral reefs had at one time provided a source of income to the local islanders.

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Ananas comosus - The pineapple is native to South America. It is now widely distributed throughout the tropics and can be grown in greenhouse settings in the temperate zones. It is one of over 3,100 species in the Bromeliaceae family, most being native to the tropical regions of the Americas. The fruit is a multiple organ, formed by the coalescence of the fruits of a hundred or more individual flowers. The time period from planting to maturity may take as long as 15 to 20 months.

Tillandsia Bulbosa - Antigua and Barbuda

Tillandsia bulbosa - The leaves and bulbous base of Tillandsia bulbosa give it a succulent texture and appearance, but it is in the Bromeliaceae family, a family commonly referred to as “air” plants. Tillandsia bulbosa is an epiphyte, a plant with the ability to form a non-parasitic relationship with another plant. It will use the trunk or branch of a host for support, but will derive the essentials; water and nutrients, from the air. The roots do absorb some nutrients, but are primarily used for clinging to the host.

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Archaeological evidence suggests the islands of Antigua and Barbuda having been inhabited as early as 3100 BC. The first inhabitants were the Ciboney people, followed by the Arawaks, who were then displaced by the Caribs. The first European wave in colonizing the Americas bypassed Antigua and Barbuda because of the fierce Carib resistance. England began to colonize the two islands in 1632, and retained control until 1981, when Antigua and Barbuda became independent.