Grenada’s mix of coastline, nutmeg-strewn hills, and pockets of rainforest supports a surprising variety of plants that shape daily life, gardens and wild places across the island. Whether you’re strolling a roadside or exploring a reserve, the island’s flora shows up in familiar trees, shrubs and herbs used for food, medicine and ornament.
There are 71 Plants of Grenada, ranging from Achiote (annatto) to Yellow elder. For each entry you’ll find below Scientific name,Status,Habitat (where found in Grenada) so you can see exact names, whether a species is native or introduced, and where it’s most likely to appear — you’ll find below.
How can I use the list to identify a plant I saw in Grenada?
Use the Scientific name to match photos or field guides, check the Status column to learn if the species is native, introduced or cultivated, and consult the Habitat (where found in Grenada) to narrow locations; combining those three fields usually points you to reliable ID resources or local experts.
Are any species on the list threatened or protected in Grenada?
Yes — some entries are rare or of conservation concern; the Status column flags these cases, and if a species is listed as vulnerable or protected you should avoid collecting it and report notable sightings to local conservation groups or the forestry department.
Plants of Grenada
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Habitat (where found in Grenada) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breadfruit | Artocarpus altilis | introduced/naturalized | lowland gardens, villages, coastal areas |
| Coconut | Cocos nucifera | naturalized/cultivated | beaches, coastal villages, gardens |
| Mango | Mangifera indica | introduced/cultivated | gardens, farms, dry slopes |
| Banana/Plantain | Musa×paradisiaca | introduced/cultivated | home gardens, small farms, riparian areas |
| Nutmeg | Myristica fragrans | introduced/cultivated | highland plantations, estate gardens |
| Cocoa | Theobroma cacao | introduced/cultivated | shaded agroforests, plantations |
| Coffee | Coffea arabica | introduced/cultivated | higher elevation farms |
| Avocado | Persea americana | introduced/cultivated | gardens, forest edges, farms |
| Soursop | Annona muricata | naturalized/cultivated | home gardens, lowland areas |
| Sugar apple (sweetsop) | Annona squamosa | naturalized/cultivated | gardens, hedgerows |
| Guava | Psidium guajava | naturalized | gardens, secondary forest, roadsides |
| Papaya | Carica papaya | introduced/cultivated | gardens, roadsides, abandoned lots |
| Tamarind | Tamarindus indica | introduced/cultivated | villages, dry lowlands |
| Cashew | Anacardium occidentale | introduced/cultivated | plantations, home gardens, coastal slopes |
| Breadnut | Artocarpus camansi | introduced/cultivated | home gardens, agroforests |
| Bay rum tree | Pimenta racemosa | native | lowland forests, hedgerows, plantations |
| Allspice (Pimento) | Pimenta dioica | native | moist forests, shaded groves |
| Mangrove, red | Rhizophora mangle | native | coastal mangrove fringes, estuaries |
| Mangrove, black | Avicennia germinans | native | upper mangrove zones, muddy flats |
| Mangrove, white | Laguncularia racemosa | native | mangrove fringes, lagoons |
| Buttonwood | Conocarpus erectus | native | mangrove edges, coastal scrub |
| Sea grape | Coccoloba uvifera | native | beaches, coastal dunes |
| Seaside hibiscus | Hibiscus tiliaceus | native | coastal margins, sandy soils |
| Sea oats | Uniola paniculata | native | dune systems, sandy beaches |
| Royal palm | Roystonea oleracea | native/cultivated | riversides, yards, parks |
| Frangipani (plumeria) | Plumeria rubra | introduced/cultivated | gardens, cemeteries, roadside plantings |
| Bougainvillea | Bougainvillea glabra | introduced/cultivated | gardens, fences, roadside |
| Allamanda | Allamanda cathartica | introduced/cultivated | gardens, roadside hedges |
| Lantana | Lantana camara | invasive | roadsides, disturbed sites, coastal scrub |
| Australian pine (she-oak) | Casuarina equisetifolia | invasive | coastal dunes, disturbed coastal land |
| Leucaena (lead tree) | Leucaena leucocephala | introduced/invasive | disturbed sites, fallow lands |
| Neem | Azadirachta indica | introduced | yards, roadsides, farms |
| Flamboyant (poinciana) | Delonix regia | introduced/cultivated | roadsides, village squares, parks |
| African tulip tree | Spathodea campanulata | introduced/invasive | forest edges, disturbed sites |
| Kapok / Silk cotton | Ceiba pentandra | native | lowland forest, riverbanks |
| Mahogany | Swietenia mahagoni | native | moist forests, secondary growth |
| Heliconia (lobster-claw) | Heliconia bihai | native/naturalized | moist forest edges, gardens |
| Hibiscus (garden) | Hibiscus rosa-sinensis | introduced/cultivated | gardens, hedgerows, public plantings |
| Yellow elder | Tecoma stans | naturalized | roadsides, disturbed ground, gardens |
| Aloe vera | Aloe vera | introduced/cultivated | yards, dry rock gardens |
| Ginger lily | Hedychium coronarium | introduced/naturalized | shaded gardens, stream margins |
| Poinsettia | Euphorbia pulcherrima | introduced/cultivated | gardens, ornamental borders |
| Terminalia (tropical almond) | Terminalia catappa | naturalized | beaches, coastal roads, parks |
| Sugarcane | Saccharum officinarum | introduced/cultivated | lowland plantations, farms |
| Achiote (annatto) | Bixa orellana | introduced/cultivated | gardens, hedgerows |
| Avocado (duplicate common see Avocado) | Persea americana | introduced/cultivated | gardens, forest edges, farms |
| Citrus (orange) | Citrus sinensis | introduced/cultivated | gardens, small farms |
| Lime | Citrus aurantiifolia | introduced/cultivated | gardens, roadside trees |
| Guinea grass | Megathyrsus maximus | introduced | pastures, roadside verges |
| Spanish moss | Tillandsia usneoides | native | open trees, moist gullies |
| Clusia / Autograph tree | Clusia rosea | naturalized | coastal cliffs, dry slopes |
| Mango (duplicate) | Mangifera indica | introduced/cultivated | gardens, farms, dry slopes |
| Tamarillo (tree tomato) | Solanum betaceum | introduced/cultivated | higher gardens, upland plots |
| Breadnut (duplicate) | Artocarpus camansi | introduced/cultivated | home gardens, agroforests |
| Moringa | Moringa oleifera | introduced/cultivated | dry backyards, homesteads |
| Papaya (duplicate) | Carica papaya | introduced/cultivated | gardens, roadsides, abandoned lots |
| Soursop (duplicate) | Annona muricata | naturalized/cultivated | home gardens, lowland areas |
| Avocado (duplicate 2) | Persea americana | introduced/cultivated | gardens, forest edges, farms |
| Orchid (various wild and cultivated) | Epidendrum spp.,Cattleya spp. | native/naturalized | rainforest edges, shaded gullies, gardens |
| Tobacco (local varieties) | Nicotiana tabacum | introduced/cultivated | small garden plots, experimental farms |
| Wild tamarind (Tapeinochilos?) | Parkia biglobosa? (not used) | — | — |
| Ginger (culinary) | Zingiber officinale | introduced/cultivated | kitchen gardens, shaded beds |
| Bamboo (giant) | Bambusa spp. | introduced | plantations, hedges, streambanks |
| Mallow (beach hibiscus alternate) | Hibiscus tiliaceus | native | coastal margins, sandy soils |
| Casuarina (duplicate) | Casuarina equisetifolia | invasive | coastal dunes, disturbed coastal land |
| Coconut (duplicate) | Cocos nucifera | naturalized/cultivated | beaches, coastal villages, gardens |
| Mahogany (duplicate) | Swietenia mahagoni | native | moist forests, secondary growth |
| Eucalyptus (introduced) | Eucalyptus spp. | introduced | plantations, roadsides |
| Lime (duplicate) | Citrus aurantiifolia | introduced/cultivated | gardens, roadside trees |
| Yellow Poui (Tabebuia) | Handroanthus serratifolius (formerly Tabebuia) | introduced/cultivated | parks, gardens, avenues |
| Ackee | Blighia sapida | introduced/cultivated | home gardens, secondary forest edges |
Images and Descriptions
Breadfruit
Large starchy fruit tree common in home gardens and roadside stands; eaten roasted, fried or boiled. Easy to spot in villages and agricultural plots; important traditional food and shade tree, propagated from cuttings or root shoots.
Coconut
Iconic palm lining beaches and village shorelines. Coconuts provide water, oil and thatch; palms mark many coastal roads and resorts. Seedlings colonize sandy soils and are culturally and economically important across the island.
Mango
Beloved fruit tree in backyards and farms; sweet summer fruits attract people and birds. Many varieties produce abundant yields; trees offer good shade and occasional community harvests on village streets.
Banana/Plantain
Staple crop grown in small plots and home gardens for fruit and cooking. Clumps of broad-leaved plants appear along streams, in yards and cottage gardens; quick to fruit in warm, wet spots.
Nutmeg
Grenada’s signature spice tree—produces nutmeg and mace. Found on estate plantations and smallholder plots in uplands; subject to agricultural pests and central to local festivals and economy.
Cocoa
Shade-loving tree grown for chocolate; chocolate farms and smallholders maintain mixed plantings. Look for pods on trunks and lower branches in humid valleys and steep slopes.
Coffee
Small-scale coffee appears in upland farms and gardens; cultivated in shaded spots for local roasting and enjoyment. Plants are part of mixed agroforestry systems.
Avocado
Common backyard tree valued for rich fruit; appears in home gardens and wilding along roadsides. Trees provide shade and seasonal harvests for households.
Soursop
Large, aromatic fruit favored fresh or in drinks. Trees are common in home gardens and abandoned lots; soft, custardy pulp used in desserts and traditional remedies.
Sugar apple (sweetsop)
Small fruit tree producing sweet segmented fruit. Widely grown in yards and near houses; appreciated for fresh eating and easy care.
Guava
Hardy fruit shrub/tree common in disturbed areas and yards; makes jams and juices. Seeds spread easily, so wild guava thickets are frequent in waste places and forest edges.
Papaya
Fast-growing fruit tree producing soft orange flesh eaten fresh or in cooking. Common in home plots and roadside gardens; prolific and quick to establish from seed.
Tamarind
Old estate and street trees bearing tangy pods used in cooking and drinks. Provides dense shade; commonly planted along roads and in village squares.
Cashew
Grows for nut and fruit; cashew trees dot farms and fallow land. Tolerant of poor soils and used in agroforestry; cashew apple used locally despite small nut processing industry.
Breadnut
Close relative of breadfruit, grown for starchy seeds and fruit. Found in older gardens and farm plots, valued as a traditional carbohydrate source.
Bay rum tree
Aromatic West Indian bay used to make traditional bay oil and cosmetics; found in lowland forests and cultivated stands. Leaves steam-distilled for fragrant oil important to Grenadian craft industries.
Allspice (Pimento)
Native spice tree producing allspice berries (pimento). Found in moist forest patches and agroforestry settings; historically important in regional cuisine and trade.
Mangrove, red
Characteristic prop-rooted mangrove along tidal creeks and sheltered bays. Vital for shoreline protection, fish nurseries and carbon storage; easy to spot at low tide in many coves.
Mangrove, black
Common component of mangrove stands in protected bays; identifiable by pneumatophores (breathing roots). Important for coastal ecology and birdlife.
Mangrove, white
Occupies higher intertidal zones in mangrove systems; forms important buffer between land and sea and supports diverse fauna.
Buttonwood
Shrub/tree at mangrove margins and coastal flats. Tolerant of salt spray; used as windbreak and common on shoreline streets.
Sea grape
Broad-leaved coastal shrub producing edible grape-like fruit; planted for dune stabilization and shade along beaches and promenades.
Seaside hibiscus
Tolerant, low coastal tree with yellow hibiscus-like flowers. Used for shade, thatch and shoreline planting; common near beaches and harbors.
Sea oats
Grass that stabilizes dunes and prevents erosion; look for tall seed heads on exposed beaches. Important for coastal conservation efforts.
Royal palm
Tall, elegant palm planted as avenue and estate tree. Native to the region and commonly used in landscaping and public spaces.
Frangipani (plumeria)
Fragrant, showy flowers in courtyards and temples; common ornamental with thick succulent branches and seasonal bloom displays.
Bougainvillea
Vibrant flowering vine used as hedges and ornamentals across Grenada; drought-tolerant and widespread in towns and rural homes.
Allamanda
Tropical ornamental with trumpet-shaped yellow flowers; popular in gardens and informal hedges for bright color.
Lantana
Colorful shrub often invasive in disturbed habitats; crowds out native plants in dry scrub and upland slopes. Attracts butterflies but is toxic to livestock.
Australian pine (she-oak)
Fast-growing windbreak often planted then escaped; causes erosion issues under some conditions and alters soil and dune ecology.
Leucaena (lead tree)
Nitrogen-fixing fast colonizer used for fodder and shade but can become invasive, forming dense thickets on open land.
Neem
Hardy medicinal tree used for shade, traditional remedies and insect control; commonly planted in villages and farms.
Flamboyant (poinciana)
Spectacular summer-blooming shade tree with flaming red flowers—popular for avenue plantings and village landmarks.
African tulip tree
Showy orange-red flowers make it a common ornamental; in some areas it spreads into disturbed forests and displaces natives.
Kapok / Silk cotton
Large emergent tree with buttress roots and showy flowers. Culturally significant and visible in remnant forest patches and older estates.
Mahogany
Historic Caribbean hardwood found in forest remnants; valued timber tree with conservation interest due to past overharvesting.
Heliconia (lobster-claw)
Colorful bracted flowers popular in gardens and tropical plantings; also occurs naturally in humid gullies and shaded ravines.
Hibiscus (garden)
Common ornamental with large showy flowers in many colors; used as hedges and roadside plantings around towns.
Yellow elder
Bright yellow flowering shrub popular in roadside plantings; tolerant of dry conditions and often seen in open sunny spots.
Aloe vera
Potted and garden succulent used medicinally for burns and skin; common in household gardens and small clinics.
Ginger lily
Scented white flower spikes in moist, shaded spots; planted for fragrance and shade in gardens and near streams.
Poinsettia
Popular decorative shrub used seasonally and as a garden accent; grown for colorful bracts rather than flowers.
Terminalia (tropical almond)
Large shade tree with horizontally layered branches and edible almonds; often planted along coasts for shade and wind protection.
Sugarcane
Historically important crop visible in flat valley plots; cultivated for local use and past sugar industry heritage.
Achiote (annatto)
Shrub producing red seeds used as dye and seasoning; common in family gardens and village hedgerows for culinary and craft uses.
Avocado (duplicate common see Avocado)
See Avocado entry.
Citrus (orange)
Sweet orange trees are common in home gardens and small orchards; used fresh or juiced and occasionally sold at markets.
Lime
Small citrus tree valued in cooking and drinks; ubiquitous in household gardens around Grenada.
Guinea grass
Common pasture grass used for fodder; establishes in open areas and pastures with high productivity under grazing.
Spanish moss
Air plant draping tree branches in damp valleys and river corridors; not parasitic but commonly seen hanging from large shade trees.
Clusia / Autograph tree
Sturdy evergreen often used in coastal landscaping; thick leaves and aerial roots help stabilize soils on slopes.
Mango (duplicate)
See Mango entry.
Tamarillo (tree tomato)
Small tree with tangy orange fruits grown in cooler upland gardens; occasional specialty crop for local markets.
Breadnut (duplicate)
See Breadnut entry.
Moringa
Fast-growing multipurpose tree used for leaves, medicine and livestock fodder; drought-tolerant and common in homestead plots.
Papaya (duplicate)
See Papaya entry.
Soursop (duplicate)
See Soursop entry.
Avocado (duplicate 2)
See Avocado entry.
Orchid (various wild and cultivated)
Several orchid species occur in Grenada’s forests and gardens; look in moist gullies and on mature trees. Many are small but striking when in bloom.
Tobacco (local varieties)
Small-scale cultivation for local use and traditional practices; occasionally grown in household plots.
Wild tamarind (Tapeinochilos?)
—
Ginger (culinary)
Grown in home gardens for spice and medicinal use; planted in moist, shaded soil beds near houses.
Bamboo (giant)
Used for fencing, scaffolding and small construction; clumping and running types appear as windbreaks and ornamental screens.
Mallow (beach hibiscus alternate)
See Seaside hibiscus entry.
Casuarina (duplicate)
See Australian pine entry.
Coconut (duplicate)
See Coconut entry.
Mahogany (duplicate)
See Mahogany entry.
Eucalyptus (introduced)
Planted for windbreaks and timber in some upland plots; not native and used sparingly due to fire and water uptake concerns.
Lime (duplicate)
See Lime entry.
Yellow Poui (Tabebuia)
Showy flowering tree in dry season with trumpet-shaped yellow flowers; used as ornamental in towns and estates.
Ackee
West African native widely planted in Caribbean gardens for its distinctive fruit; if present in Grenada it is used cautiously as a food when ripe and prepared correctly.
