Rice Fern (Asparagus aethiopicus)

Rice Fern (as we call it) is also commonly known as Asparagus Fern, and can be found growing all over Barbados, mainly in gardens. It spreads rapidly and can become a very large cluster of plants quite quickly.

Rice Fern is not actually a fern, and it has tiny little slender leaves about half an inch long that are attached to a long frond that gives the plant a slightly soft and frothy appearance. The plant does not have prickles, but as it ages and dries, the remaining stalks become quite hard, so trimming and thinning them can be a delicate process.

As can be seen in the first photo, Rice Fern produces very delicate little white flowers that transform into green berries that turn red as they ripen. When these berries drop off, they rapidly grow into new plants. If you dig down amongst the roots or are re-potting, you will see many of these berries still attached to the roots.

Rice Fern does well in pots, hanging baskets and in the ground. Due to the hanging nature of the fronds, they are popular in baskets and large pots as they can fill a space beautifully with their lush green foliage.

Aloes (Aloe vera)

Aloes (as we call it) grows all over Barbados almost like a weed. It is hardy so is perfect for salty or windswept environments, and will thrive in a pot. Due to the serrated edge of each “leaf”, Aloes needs to be handled with care.

If Aloes is in a location that it likes, it will spread quite quickly (and outgrow it’s pot). Each plant puts out tall flower stalks, some of which are shown here - the stalk with the still growing flower buds and a stalk with flowers that are fully open.

If you come across any Aloe plants on your travels, pull up a chair and get out your camera, as it won’t be long before you see the hummingbirds and banaquits coming to feed on the nectar. 

I am not aware of Aloe vera being grown commercially in Barbados, but you can find locally made products that contain it, and sometimes the raw product can be found selling on the beach as a treatment for sunburn.

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra)

Everybody knows Bougainvillea, even if not by name but by sight. When a bush is covered in flowers, it is spectacular and can be seen from quite a distance. Some of the different colours are pictured here, including one that is white and pink all in one. 

It should be noted that the actual flower is that tiny white thing in the middle of the very large and colourful sepals. Generally there is no fragrance attached to Bougainvillea, at least not to humans, and the leaves are a very ordinary darkish green. However, what is memorable besides the vibrant colours are the long and very painful thorns, some of which are shown in the photos.

Due to it’s thorny nature, Bougainvillea makes a great hedge. If trimmed regularly it can get quite thick and live for a very long time. Most of the colours are very hardy, but some do take a bit more TLC to get a solid footing, and once established, will live for many years. Bougainvillea is also very easy to propagate using cuttings first placed in water until some roots appear, and then bagged or potted until a bit stronger before putting in the ground. 

Bougainvillea in every colour can be see growing around Barbados, neatly trimmed ones and wild spreading ones that become a mass of colour, as shown in one of the photographs. If you are inspecting one at close quarters, beware of the thorns. Bougainvillea stems get harder with age, and when trimmed pieces dry out, they get very hard indeed. Should you step on one of the thorns you will remember it for a very long time. Not only is it painful due to its size and length, but it tends to burn as it penetrates the skin and takes quite a long time to heal. So the moral of the story is, go with care, they are so worth it.