Life's a Coast Video Blog

Butterfly Garden on Surf Road

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This five foot high plant growing wild in the sea grapes is thought to be a form of "agave", from which tequila is made...

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Followup note: we have to agree with the tip that the flowers are edible, as we have observed that about the time these plants bloom at this stage, that the tops will be chopped off, at least those tops that can be easily reached without being in danger of the spiked leaves (these plants may be "spanish bayonets" -- anyone know?).

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Why the sea-grape "tree" was named that. In spring at the start of the rainy season, the seagrape blooms with small flowers and the blooms turn into these bundles of fruit similar in look to grapes. Although the fruit of seagrape is edible, the seed remains somewhat hard, never approaching the edibility of the normal grape. It is rumored that wine and jams can be made from the seagrape. Note that the seagrape is salt resistant and consequently thrives in the beach dunes, but usually only as dense vegetation -- it will only grow to the size of a tree if given ample space to do so (as you will see them in parks along the beach).

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This is another bushy beach dune plant with edible fruit that grows in with the seagrapes. Although this plant is smaller with smaller leaves and slightly different shaped fruit, it has been speculated that it is a cousin to the seagrape. Whatever this plant is, the seed is somewhat more like a fruit and is more palatable, softer than the seagrape, although there is very little flavor, kind of like eating soft spongy styrofoam. Nevertheless, when the fruit ripens, there is a big demand for it and many come out just to gather it. We have heard that it does make a fairly good wine (which surely tastes like styrofoam?)...

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Aloe plant, about five months after "sprouting" began, finally flowering, pollinating, going to seed, whatever it is they do. Note that the bottom sprouts bloomed first and the process moved up the stalk over about a two month period of time, during which the blooms were continually visited by honey bees. There are over 400 types of aloe and we are not sure what this type is called but will try to find out...anyone know?

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