Page 55 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

Animals and Birds ❮❮ 53

TOP 10 CUBAN TREES
AND FLOWERS
1 Royal Palm
Cuba’s silver-sheathed national tree is a
beautiful palm with feather-like fronds.
Polymita
2 Mangrove
multicolored mollusks can range Five species of mangroves grow along
from simple black-and-white Cuba’s shores, rising from the waters
spirals to blazing stripes of orange, on a tangle of interlocking stilts.
yellow, and maroon. Unfortunately, 3 Ceiba
Cuba’s polymita population has This tree, with a huge limbless trunk
been undergoing a decline. topped by wide-spreading boughs,
is attributed with magical-religious
Zunzuncito
8 powers by believers of Santería.
4 Jagüey
The tiny Cuban hummingbird
is so small, it is often mistaken for Seeding atop host trees, this species
a bee; earning it the nickname drops roots to the ground and
“bee hummer.” In fact, at only one envelopes and chokes its host.
inch (2.5 cm) long, it is the world’s 5 Sea Grape
smallest bird. Nonethe less, this This hardy shrub grows along shores
feisty bird defends its territory and features broad, circular leaves and
aggressively and has even been bunches of grape-like fruit.
seen attacking vultures. 6 Orchid
Hundreds of orchid species grow in
Cuba from the plains to the mountains.
7 Creolean Pine
Native to the Caribbean, this species is
found above about 5,000 ft (1,524 m).
8 Bougainvillea
Brightening many towns, the
spec tac ular pink, purple, and bright
red “flowers” of this shrub are, in fact,
leaves surrounding tiny petals.
9 Flamboyán
Flowering flame-red, this wide-
spreading tree emblazons the
A jutía, or tree rat country in spring and summer.
Jutía
9 10 Cork Palm
The endangered cork palm grows only
A shy arboreal rat, the
endemic jutía looks like an in remote areas of the Cordillera de
Guaniguanico (see p87).
overgrown guinea pig. This rabbit-
sized herbivore is endangered by
deforestation, illegal hunting, and
predators. It inhabits many of the
wilderness regions of Cuba, but is
most likely to be seen in captivity.
Many Cubans breed jutías for food.
Jabalí
0
The Cuban wild boar is known
for its highly aggressive nature when
threatened. Covered in thick bristles,
it is common to lowland wilderness
areas. The jabalí is hunted for sport – Mangroves
its meat is a local delicacy.

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