Visiting The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve on Eleuthera
Last weekend, my good friend Shelby White, extended an invitation to our mutual friends, Memrie Lewis, Judy and Michael Steinhardt, Rob Wynne and to me to join her at her home on Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Shelby had a really fun weekend planned for us and I would like to share a special tour we were given at the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve. The Preserve was conceived and developed by Shelby, trustee of the Leon Levy Foundation, in honor of her late husband. The park is a true representation of their love and devotion for Eleuthera and the Bahamas. Operated by the Bahamas National Trust, this 25-acre national park is the first of its kind on Eleuthera and represents many years of planning and construction. The Levy Preserve features 1.25 miles of walking trails where visitors can see medicinal plants, beautiful orchids and hardwood trees that are integral to Eleuthera’s botanical history.
1 The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve protects 25 acres of coppice and red mangrove forest. The Preserve is dedicated to the conservation of native species and to the research and documentation of Bahamian bush medicine.
2 The symbol of the Preserve - Tabebuia bahamensis - Common name: Five Finger - This tree has been used on all islands for a number of bush medicine remedies including strengthening (aches and pains) and aphrodisiac teas, gastrointestinal issues, circulatory problems and respiratory troubles. It is also used in the horticultural trade.
3 This is my good friend, Shelby White, an author, collector, and philanthropist. The Preserve is operated by the Bahamas National Trust and funded by the Leon Levy Foundation. It was developed by Shelby White, trustee of the Foundation, in honour of her late husband, Leon Levy.
4 We started out at the Welcome Center. Long time residents of the Bahamas, Leon and Shelby loved the natural environment and way of life on Eleuthera.
5 After Leon's death in 2003, Shelby wanted to celebrate her husband’s devotion to the island, while contributing to a better future for all Eleutherans.
6 The Preserve has been designed as a research center for traditional bush medicine. These are extracts of Psidium longipes - Sweet Margaret and Kalanchoe pinnata - Life Leaf/Leaf of Life to make healing teas.
7 Mark Daniels, Site Manager was very lively and informative.
8 There are plenty of coconut palms in the Bahamas.
9 Encyclia rufa - Common Name: Rufous Orchid, Butterfly Orchid - This plant produces beautiful greenish-yellow flowers in the spring.
10 The islands of The Bahamas do not have rivers or freshwater lakes. Their sole source of fresh water is rainfall, captured in underground layers. Often less than 5 feet from the surface, these lens-shaped, freshwater bodies float on top of salty water.
11 The boundary between the fresh water and salt water is called the halocline. Fresh water is drawn from the top of the lens. The lens can become contaminated by salt water when too much water is removed. Inundation by storm surges can also leave it vulnerable.
12 This is the Eleuthera Plant Sanctuary Waterfall. This spectacular open water wetland feature is enhanced with a man-made waterfall and inhabited by the endemic Cat Island Slider, a species of fresh water turtles.
13 There are sink holes in the wetlands, which are directly connected to the sea, as the water level in them rises and falls daily with the tides.
14 Though geographically considered part of the Carribean, The Bahamas is actually located in the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of Florida. The island of Eleuthera is just 90 miles long and rarely more than 3 miles wide.
15 Zamia pumila - Common Names: Coontie, Bay Rush - Zamia pumila stems have been collected and used as a food source but are not used medicinally in the Bahamas.
16 Conocarpus erectus - Common Name: Buttonwood - It's used in the horticultural trade for its silvery leaves. The dense wood has been used for charcoal production, as well as in boat construction because of its durability in saline environments. It's also used for smoking fish and barbequing because of its unique flavor. It's been used medicinally to treat sores and cuts as well as to cause vomiting.
17 Pluchea odorata - Common name: Pluchea odorata - This herb is used to make a tea to remedy colds, coughs, pneumonia, tuberculosis, rheumatism, bronchitis, high blood pressure, toothache, fainting, fever, and various women's complaints.
18 Bucida spinosa - Common Names: Ming Tree, Brier-tree, Prickly tree, Spiny Black Olive - This shrub is used in the horticultural industry for its unique branching pattern, as well as for creating bonsai.
19 An amazing variety of wildlife lives in the tangled roots of the red mangrove. Crabs scramble over the roots jutting above the water, while juvenile fish and other creatures find cover in the water below. Gray kingbird, yellow warbler, and green heron are spotted frequently.
20 The mangrove wetland at Leon Levy Preserve is home to all four mangrove species: red, black, white, and buttonwood.
21 The long prop roots of red mangrove help to anchor it in the mud. This hardy tree expels salt through its leaves which, when dead, drop into the water and decompose. They form nutrient-rich food for small organisms which, in turn, become food for fish and other animals.
22 Laguncularia racemosa - Common Name: White Mangrove - All mangrove species are builders of land by trapping organic debris in their root systems and building up humus. They protect shorelines during hurricanes and the flowers are an important source for honey production. Historically the bark was used in tanning leather as well as an antiseptic.
23 We walked along the Mangrove Boardwalk and learned so much about this fascinating and important plant.
24 Rustic signs point the way throughout the Preserve.
25 An invasive exotic plant is a species that has been introduced into an area where it is not native. Growing without natural pests and diseases, it can spread rapidly, outcompeting and displacing native species and becoming a serious problem. The Preserve has a zero-tolerance policy for non-native invasive plants!
26 Stachytarpheta jamaicensis - Common Names: Blue Flower or Rat Tail - This woody herb to treat issues of circulation (high blood pressure), the gastrointestinal tract (worms, constipation), the respiratory system, blisters/boils, chills, and fevers.
27 Thrinax morrisii - Common Names: Thatch Palm or Buffalo top - This tree is used medicinally in the Bahamas for general strengthening teas as well as to treat pain.
28 Gundlachia corymbosa - Common Names: Horse Bush - This semi-woody herb/shrub is used in the Bahamas to treat pain, dermatological problems (blisters from Poison wood and Manchineel), as well as for colds and flu.
29 We were introduced to Bush Teas & Tonics.
30 And to Infant Care
31 We were told about bush remedies for Obstetrics & Gynecology.
32 And Respiratory
33 As well as Circulation
34 Kalanchoe pinnata - Common Names: Life Leaf, Leaf of Life, Life Plant - While not native to the Bahamas, this succulent herb is used widely for medicinal purposes including respiratory illnesses (asthma, coughing, tuberculosis) and pain (headaches strains, painful urination/kidney infections).
35 Phyllanthus epiphyllanthus - Common Names: Rock Bush and Hard Head Bush - This shrub is used to treat colds, fevers, coughing, dermatological issues, headaches, hemorrhaging, stomach pains, sore throats, mouth sores, tooth aches, as well as general therapeutic teas. The leaves are also boiled to produce a tonic that can be used to stop vomiting.
36 We were also told about uses for Poisonous Plants.
37 Ricinus communis - Common Names: Castor Bean, Castor Oil Plant - This annual is used to treat gastrointestinal problems (constipation) and pain (headaches). The seeds are poisonous but they are used to produce machine oil. Deadly Ricin is produced from Ricinus communis.
38 Hippomane mancinella - Common Names: Manchineel - Elsewhere in the Caribbean this tree has been used to treat ulcers (although some say it can cause them) and used as a poison for arrow tips. Sitting under this tree during rainfall can cause extreme blistering of the skin.
39 Lantana bahamensis Britton, or wild sage - The leaves are often boiled for use in strengthening and aphrodisiac teas as well as to treat types of dermatitis, when added to bath water. This is a popular plant in the horticultural trade as a landscape plant because of their beautiful flowers and pleasant smelling leaves.
40 This is the Educational Pavillion, where the Preserve strives to provide an exceptional educational experience for all its visitors. They offer several learning workshops.
41 This tree is Bursera simaruba - Common Names: Gumbo-Limbo - Its trunk is a reddish brown that peels off in thin layers. Within the Bahamas it's used medicinally to treat circulatory problems, as well as in strengthening and aphrodisiac teas.
42 Another example of this magnificent tree - Because of its peeling red bark, it's also called the tourist tree, resembling a sunburned tourist.
43 This is Tillandsia utriculata - Common Names: Wild Pine, Swollen Wild Pine - It's been used in the Bahamas medicinally to treat thrush and sexual impotence in men.
44 While walking along the Epiphyte Trail, we saw many fine examples of orchids and bromeliads. Epiphytes are non-parasitic, but grow upon other plants and sometimes objects.
45 This is a very unusual tree growth. Notice the natural bridges joining the several trunks of the tree.
46 We saw many bromeliads.
47 And many orchids
48 This is one of the several benches made from Island wood made by workers at the preserve.
49 This is a poison wood tree. Just touching the tree will cause a rash or an irritation. The bark looks like skin of a reptile.
50 We walked along the Tower Loop, which took us to the highest point on the Preserve. It was quite overcast, but you can see the ocean in the distance.
51 From the tower, there's a spectacular 360 degree view of the surrounding area, including a 120 degree ocean view. The Tower is about 75 feet above sea level.
52 Here I am in the tower with my dear friend, Memrie.
53 With Judy and Michael Steinhardt, Shelby, Rob Wynne, and Memrie
54 This is one of the few areas being cleared in the preserve for the planting of more native species. Notice the very red, fertile soil.
55 A former quarry in the property is now being used as a place to deposit all excavated materials and organic debris.
56 This is an old cistern from an old property that is going to be turned into a wet garden for plants requiring extreme moisture. On an island like Eleuthera, cisterns are used to collect rain water for drinking and irrigation.
57 This area is being excavated for a lath house, which is a structure made of wooden slats which shades the plants inside. This structure spans 36 square and 10 ft tall. The limestone wall will be carved into a sitting bench.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
That is a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | March 7th, 2013 at 12:17 am
Martha,
Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | March 7th, 2013 at 12:40 am
Wonderful pictures of you in Bahamas. GREAT TESTIMONY of your stamina in teaching living when my thoughts are glad that have been there and I can remember the good times but just don't want to travel right now. everything still free in Freeport?
Posted by: ann | March 7th, 2013 at 5:54 am
I'm having my breakfast right now, and enjoying this lovely vacation, too!
Eleuthera is being cared for in the best way possible, and will live on for generations as guided by this continued activity. Wonderful people can accomplish important works for our earth. My thanks to these devoted souls!
That tree with bridging trunks is a strange one...what is it called?
It reminds me of a daydream that I had about forming living vines and trees into fencing, small structures, and outdoor furniture. My imagination is refreshed again!
Thank you, Martha
Posted by: Barbara Mayer | March 7th, 2013 at 7:23 am
Dear Martha,
(Maybe my previous comment didn't send?)
Nice in the Bahamas! Love the term "bush medicine", and love what your friend Ms. White did with the Preserve - another good story. Thanks so much for all you share with us. So much appreciated! Cheerin' you on, Martha!
Posted by: Tina Y. | March 7th, 2013 at 8:01 am
Martha, I think it's admirable your friend Shelby has developed this beautiful preserve in honor of her late husband representing such love and respect for Eleuthera.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful tour, I like the shoes you're wearing in picture #53, would you mind sharing the brand and where can we find them? Thanks Martha!
Posted by: Cindy F | March 7th, 2013 at 8:13 am
Dear Martha,
I like Barbara Mayer's comment.
Posted by: Tina Y. | March 7th, 2013 at 8:18 am
Hi Martha,
You sure do get around! Thanks for a very informative tour of this preserve. I would not know half of what is going on in the world if it wasn't for your blog. Blessings to Shelby for her wonderful dedication to her husband and I'm sure he is watching from somewhere and smiling. I've heard of some of these plants and trees but not all of course. I didn't know the Gumbo-Limbo tree had the nickname Tourist Tree which makes me smile. We see a lot of tourists with skin as red as that and just know they are going to start peeling once their vacation is over. I was a tourist once and also enjoyed the beach but now I know better than to get in the hot sun. It would be interesting to see exactly how some of these plants are used for their intended purpose but 'm assuming they don't sell bottles filled with their healing concoctions. Thanks again for an interesting blog which I will read again in hopes of retaining more than just a smidgen. I don't know why plants have to have such difficult names! Trish
~
P. S. I watched a video yesterday when Kevin accidentally stepped on your foot as he stepped back away from a photographer, which must have hurt but I was actually impressed with the way he can clear a pathway for you when those same photographers are hounding you. He takes good care of you - thanks Kevin!
Posted by: Trish | March 7th, 2013 at 9:01 am
Hi Martha, It was so great to see you on The Today Show two times yesterday! You handled Matt's interview with you very well and I sure hope Macy's will cooperate much better! Also loved seeing you make your Mom's delicious meat loaf and I love having the vegetables in it! Sure hope little Truman had a great birthday yesterday! Was also fun to hear you on Sirius 107 with Kevin! This is another fantastic blog about a weekend trip you took to the Bahamas with your dear friends Memrie Lewis, and Judy and Michael Steinhardt to visit another great friend, Shelby White at her wonderful Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve on Eleuthera at the Bahamas! What a fascinating place to visit and all of your photos are once again some of the best that you share! I am amazed at so many medicinal plants growing there! Are any of those used here in the United States! All of your information was wonderful to read! I love photo #52 of you and Memrie and #53 of all 5 of you! You all looked so happy being together! Sure hope all is going positive at that court and that you have a great day! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | March 7th, 2013 at 9:30 am
This is wonderful! 32 years ago we honeymooned at the Cotton Bay Club on the southern end of Eleuthera and it will always have a special place in our hearts. We look forward to seeing the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve when we are able to come back! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful adventure!
Posted by: Bev | March 7th, 2013 at 10:20 am
Good Morning Martha,
People do need to be careful about some lantanas. Many are poisonous. The leaves, flowers, stems, all of the plant actually can cause commas and death. The Bahamian lantana must be different from the type that are common here in Texas. Anyway, on to a happier subject, the plant preserve looks to be very well done. I especially like the rustic signage and benches. p.s. I agree with what you have said regarding your court case, people will go to the stores that they feel comfortable going to. Having items at JCPenney would not take away from what you have at Macy's. Designers have different lines that they sell at different price points and at different sites all the time. We are all familiar with couture and ready to wear. It doesn't diminish the designer of retailer as long as the items are of quality.
Posted by: Cindy M | March 7th, 2013 at 11:35 am
Hi Martha,
Coconuts, rainwater, medicinal plants and the entire Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve is such treasure to know about the Bahamas. I've never been so thank you for opening my eyes to one of the many beautiful treasures of the Bahamas. I will take a trip to Eleuthera one day soon. And it love the name of the island. It derived from Greek and stands for "free" according to Wikipedia. How lovely.
xo
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Gordon-Miller | March 7th, 2013 at 12:41 pm
Hi Martha,
Good news about plants. I loved it. <3
Posted by: Maria Lúcia | March 7th, 2013 at 2:13 pm
hello Martha,thank you for this informative post on the wonderful plants on Eleuthera.i's fun to learn about other plants in regions we rarely see.i was really interested in the tree that if you touch it you will blister!what an amazing defense mechanism!thanks again.
Posted by: maria | March 7th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
Hi Martha! Do you ever get to Hopetown in the Abacos? I got married there by the local grocer! He bakes bread and pies for his store and marries people on the side! it is truly a magical place!
Posted by: Nancy | March 7th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
My son won a vacation when he wasin 2nd grade from Hills department store then, half of it included a Cruise on Disney's Boat to the Bahama Islands We enjoyed it very much Your photo's I enjoyed even more the educational descriptions The peeling trees reminded me of our Sycamore trees One of the trees looked like Ginger I am also for preserving Gardens
Posted by: Bonnie Ford | March 7th, 2013 at 3:07 pm
How kind your posters are, Martha!
Thank you, Tina Y.
Your compliment reflects the good nature of Martha's admirers, and the positive
spirit of Martha's work, in my opinion.
From PA
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/Frakturcertificate.jpg
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara Mayer | March 7th, 2013 at 3:44 pm
Dear Martha,
I had to look up the word coppice...and learned something new! Also copse? This entry has so much good stuff!!! Thank you~
Posted by: Tina Y. | March 7th, 2013 at 4:05 pm
amazing & beautiful Picture ty
Posted by: yvonne t | March 7th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
This is why I read blogs... so what I travel I can see amazing things. Thank you!
Posted by: Holiday Baker Man | March 7th, 2013 at 8:42 pm
It is wonderful that this land is preserved to educate and help people realize the purposes of various plants. It so important that little pieces of this earth is kept prestine. I found this facinating. There is so much we need to learn.....Thank you for today's lesson.
Posted by: Diane P | March 7th, 2013 at 9:46 pm
Madame Martha,
Thank you! I fell in love with my country all over again, your beautiful photos, positive and interesting description of Eleuthera and The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve.
The photos brought back many childhood memories,I grew up using bush
Medicine in Long Island and still do! I grow veggie and cooking herbs in pots on my patio in Paris and The Bahamas.
I thank the Levy family, for this wonderful gift to The Bahamas and the future Bahamian generations and all the visitors who come to our shores.
Flo Miller
accessorizeit247.com
Posted by: flo Miller | March 7th, 2013 at 10:37 pm
Martha: Mark Daniels is my nephew. He is a graduate in bio-chemistry from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. We are encouraging him to pursue a doctorate because he is very bright, has a solid academic record and has really settled that he wants to pursue a career in botany. His father is an associate professor at the College of the Bahamas. We are thrilled that he had an opportunity to show-case the Preserve and that you have put it on display for your very large audience. Thank you.
Posted by: James Z Daniels | March 7th, 2013 at 11:59 pm
Martha,
A special thanks to Mark Daniels, who keeps me up to date on what to eat, drink and how to grow veggies!
You're a true Island man who loves your history and culture, botany is your passion, I'm so happy that you have an opportunity to be a part of this wonderful Preserve with the Leon Levy family, we're so proud of you!
Flo Miller
accessorizeit247.com
Posted by: flo Miller | March 8th, 2013 at 8:47 am
Dear Martha, and Barbara,
(Thanks, Barbara, for those nice words...you, too, feel the inspiration! ...and it's all Martha's fault!
The link: "From PA", from Barbara; is it a pic of embrodered marriage license from PA? (Sorry, I have dial-up. If there's a link beyond...I will never know! Ha! But...) I love what I see! Thanks!
Posted by: Tina Y. | March 8th, 2013 at 8:49 am
Martha,
Very interesting...thank you for sharing. Fun to do with friends
Posted by: @ellepiari | March 8th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
A little Sip Sip, Martha's friend, Shelby White was the wife of Leon Levy:
In 1956 he became a partner of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc, then in 1959, Levy co-founded the Oppenheimer mutual funds. There he started dozens of mutual funds that, at his death, had grown to manage more than $120 billion. In 1982, he sold both companies to the U.K.'s Mercantile House for $162 million and co-founded Odyssey Partners, a private investment partnership. It grew to be a $3 billion hedge fund before it was dissolved in 1997.
Levy's financial philosophy stressed common sense and the psychology of investors.
Posted by: Bill | March 9th, 2013 at 9:47 am
I love these posts where you show us some off-the-beaten path gem that deserves our time when we go visit that place.
By the way, Sidney Poitier's memoir of growing up in the Bahamas is absolutely fascinating because it was so unlike an American childhood and it almost sounds like a Swiss Family Robinson fantasy tale when you read about his childhood on Cat Island. His book is called "The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography."
Posted by: Karen | March 10th, 2013 at 10:17 am
Thanks for sharing, very interesting plants. I have enough problems avoiding poison ivy in my own backyard, wouldn't want to run into any of those poisonous plants! My luck I would pitch a picnic under the Manchineel.
Posted by: Nicole | March 10th, 2013 at 9:49 pm
Hello Martha,
Happy Mother's Day!
Have a rocking good time today!
Flo Miller
accessorizeit247.com
Posted by: flo Miller | May 12th, 2013 at 5:21 pm