Flora
Flora
Aruba has many wind-shaped trees that are mistakenly referred to as divi-divis, but the only true dividivi is the watapana. In fact, the famous tree on Eagle Beach featured in Aruba promotional material is not actually a divi-divi (watapana) as many believe, but a fofoti, more commonly known as a buttonwood. Local horticulture expert Roy Maduro, owner of Aruba’s Fantastic Gardens, says, “You can differentiate
Wonderful Watapanas
watapanas from similar wind-swept trees by their leaves. Watapana leaves are feathery fingers resembling small palm fronds whereas the other trees have squat, broad leaves.” Wherever you go on Aruba, locals will tell you that you will never get lost if you simply follow the bend of the watapanas. They act as a natural compass pointing you toward the main hotel strip on the island’s leeward side! 쮿
Fofoti tree
by Susan Campbell The gnarly, serpentine boughs of Aruba’s watapana trees don’t break when the wind blows, instead they point to the southwest, acting as Mother Nature’s constant compass.
Though most commonly referred to as a divi-divi tree off-island, locals call this leguminous shrub a watapana from the original Arawak Indian name. Its Latin name is Caesalpinia coriaria and it’s a hardy, indigenous breed of ancient origin. In February, it blooms with tiny, fragrant flowers, which turn into pods. In the 19th century, these pods were a highly valued Aruban export thanks to the tannin they contain, which was used in Europe’s leather tanneries. 44 Nights
If ever a tree resembled an enchanted character from a children’s fairy tale, the watapana is that tree. It takes little imagination to picture it uprooting itself to lumber off after the constant trade winds responsible for its misshapen form. Aruba’s trade wind clips along at a constant 15 miles per hour – a force that over time always wins over a watapana’s will. When not wind-warped, watapanas retain a canopied umbrella shape.
Watapana leaves and pods
Top photo by Miralex. Bottom photo by L. Shyamal
Fofoti leaves
Top right photo by Roman Gitis. Bottom photos courtesy of Roy Maduro
Watapana tree
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