Hi everyone,

I have taken to hiking up Sera Largu a few late afternoons each week. If anyone wants a challenging power walk go for it. Leave by 5:30 and you catch the sunset. STELLAR.

Anyway, the road is line with incredible trees with maroon colored round fruits. Inside they are bright orange. They look like Jamaican Ackee but are VERY orange. Does anyone know what they are, please?

Ann

Hi Ann, We used to hike up Seru Largo in the mornings about 5:30 AM and you're right, there are lots of things to see. We, Connie, my wife and myself walked with the TWR pastor's wife, Jennette Ludlam and Sue Felix and her 3 dogs. Indeed it was a total power walk (unless you let the dogs pull you up), using uphill muscles and then downhill muscles. We especially liked the Kibrahacha that come out yellow as all get-out in June I think it is. We were on Bonaire from 1968 to 2000 and never tired of seeing yellow all over Bonaire during that season. No I don't know what those fruits are. Unless they are the small gourds that grow several places on Bonaire. They are brown with hard shells.
I'll never forget the first time we celebrated New Years up on Seru Largo. We had the whole mountain to ourselves and hung a long ribbon of firecrackers on one of the Deevee Deevee trees there, and almost burned it down. Didn't do that again. Now you're lucky if you can find a spot up there on New Years. It's really gotten crowded.
I take it you are a resident of Bonaire. Nice talking to you. And have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. - Dan

Annie, Sounds like a Mango Tree, mangifera indica L. The Lora usually eat them in the wild along with the immature fruits of the Almond Tree (you have one across the street from your house). Sorry I couldn't find a good picture and fruit ID.

Hey Dara,

Could be a mango but not like one I have ever seen. The fruit is perfectly round About the size of a small crabapple and when immature is maroon. When it bursts (and it remains intact with the skin) the fruit inside is similiar to Ackee..very ripply and bright orange vs the Jamaican Ackee which is yellow. I asked a man walking in the area and he also was intrigued but had no clue.

West Indian Cherry? Check out www.plantcreations.com/prunus_myrtifolia.htm

Ha, I wouldn't have thought Mango if I realized they were so tiny. I have seen what you describe on the side of the road on my rides to Karpata also. I don't have my tree books anymore, they are at Ann Johnson's house :-(

The book "Our Plants and Trees" shows a few close but not quite examples of what Annie has described. As near as I can tell, it may be the Pali di Boneiru (Bonaire Tree) and the fruit is toxic....

Annie,

Have you asked Jerry Ligon about 'your' tree??? Shown him a pic??

The fruit is about the size of a crabapple or apricot. They burst open and stay intact exhibiting a BRIGHT orange wrinkly textured inside.

Glen, I rarely see Jerry. Do you have his email? Thanks.

Ann

Jerry was the one who said it was the Pali di Boneiru...he is my first source

If not Palu di Boneiru, then perhaps Gujaba baster, tambe sa yama Guyaba shimaron:
/image{guyaba}

I found a good site from CUR for on-line reference (Naturacao), but it is all in Papiamentu. I will post it in the nature section for those who wish to ID flora/fauna.

Okay, too long since I posted and image :-)

Dara wins the prize...GOOD INVESTIGATORY SKILLS..so if I understand this, Dara, it is very poisionous eh??

Dara, you have to claim the prize in Bonaire..tee hee..dinner on me at my fav place, Bistro de Paris.

HUGS..Bonaire MISSES u

Well, blast-it! I can't figure out the problem with the picture.....I sent itto you just fine (grumble-grumble), so I'll just post the link:

http://naturacao.100megsdns.com/Gplus/gplus93.html

I miss Dushi Boneiru too!!!

I'll take you up on that if I ever make it back! The last time I won a prize, Ellen fed me a delicacy (Dorado Roe Soup :-O )I don't like it cooked anymore than I liked it fried as a kid :-)

/image{gujaba}

Well, the online translator located here:
http://www.donamaro.nl/papiamentu/index.php3?pAction=tradusi
while not very clear doesn't leave much doubt that you had best stay away from those trees.
Mick

Michael et al,

How does the Papiamento in Bonaire compare to Curacao and Bonaire? I'm guessing the Papiamento translator listed above is not "Aruban Papiamento" and I don't know how different it is between Curacao and Bonaire. Even on Aruba, there was variation in spelling of commonly used words.