Page 27 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

A POR TR AIT OF CUBA  25

Flora
The Cuban landscape is characterized by the many varieties of palm tree
(see p177), together with the pine in the mountainous areas,
and the ceibas in the plains. The yagruma, with large
dark green and silvery leaves, is also widespread. A flamboyán
Three important hardwoods are mahogany, cedar (royal poinciana)
and majagua. Splashes of colour are added to
the luxuriant green vegetation by flowering
hibiscus, bougainvillea and flamboyán
(royal poinciana). Numerous species
of orchid grow here, as well as mari­
posa, Cuba’s national flower.
The ceiba tree, sacred to The mariposa, the
Pre-Columbian peoples national flower

Marshlands Tropical Forest
The southern part of the island in particular The Sagüa­Baracoa mountain range in Eastern
has many lagoons and marshlands, often Cuba, under the influence of northeast trade
distinguished by mangrove swamps, and is winds, is one of the most biologically diverse
rich in birdlife. The most important area is the areas in the Caribbean. Here, the heavy rainfall
Ciénaga (swamp) de Zapata, in the province produces thick vegetation.
of Matanzas (see p170).
The tiny zunzuncito,
the smallest hummingbird
in the world, lives in
protected or wooded
areas like the Península
de Zapata.

Pink flamingoes live Buteogallus
in areas of brackish anthracinus gundlachi The black anolis lizard,
water from Cayo is an endemic hawk that a forest reptile, reacts to
Coco to Zapata. feeds on crabs. disturbance by inflating
the white part under
Mangroves its throat.
develop an
intricate root
system under The Polymita picta, an endemic
water. This habi tat species of snail that lives only
suits a diverse in the Baracoa area, has a
range of birds brightly coloured shell and
and fish. feeds on plant parasites.

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