Maho a Maho
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:29 pm
Years ago, savoring a Big G at Joe's Rum Hut, I was struck by the gorgeous yellow flowers in the trees along the Cruz Bay beach. My server had no idea what those trees were, nor did I at the time, but I looked them up. Mahos, every one.
We spent a number of pleasant days at Maho Bay during this visit, and earlier this week, during a stroll along the shore there, I noticed lots of buds in the Mahos, and one early flower, the harbinger of more to come:
Here's a close-up of that flower:
and a more macro view of a Maho tree at Maho Bay:
These beautiful flowers only last for a couple of days, turning from yellow to maroon, and eventually a green pod grows where the flower had been. By the time the pods are ready to drop, and disperse their seeds, they will be a leathery brown (and black after they fall). The seed pods float, and ocean currents help disperse them along near and distant shores. Mahos (technically Thespesia populnea) are very well adapted to saline environments, and are often found in association with mangroves.
All the best,
Kevin
We spent a number of pleasant days at Maho Bay during this visit, and earlier this week, during a stroll along the shore there, I noticed lots of buds in the Mahos, and one early flower, the harbinger of more to come:
Here's a close-up of that flower:
and a more macro view of a Maho tree at Maho Bay:
These beautiful flowers only last for a couple of days, turning from yellow to maroon, and eventually a green pod grows where the flower had been. By the time the pods are ready to drop, and disperse their seeds, they will be a leathery brown (and black after they fall). The seed pods float, and ocean currents help disperse them along near and distant shores. Mahos (technically Thespesia populnea) are very well adapted to saline environments, and are often found in association with mangroves.
All the best,
Kevin