Most of the official descriptions of the flora of Cuba appear to be copied from Robert T. Hill’s book, published in 1898.  As nothing better is available, it may be used here.  He says:  “The surface of the island is clad in a voluptuous floral mantle, which, from its abundance and beauty, first caused Cuba to be designated the Pearl of the Antilles.  In addition to those introduced from abroad, over 3,350 native plants have been catalogued.  The flora includes nearly all characteristic forms of the other West Indies, the southern part of Florida, and the Central American seaboard.  Nearly all the large trees of the Mexican Tierra Caliente, so remarkable for their size, foliage, and fragrance, reappear in western Cuba.  Numerous species of palm, including the famous royal palm, occur, while the pine trees, elsewhere characteristic of the temperate zone and the high altitudes of the tropics, are found associated with palms and mahoganies in the province of Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Pines, both of which take their name from this tree.  Among other woods are the lignum-vitae, granadilla, the coco-wood, and the Cedrela Odorata (fragrant cedar) which is used for cigar boxes and the lining of cabinet work.”

In quoting the number of native plants, Mr. Hill uses a report somewhat antiquated.  Later estimates place the number as between five and six thousand.  Flowers are abundant, flowers on vines, plants, shrubs, and trees, tall stalks with massive heads, and dainty little blossoms by the wayside.  Brilliant flowering trees are planted to line the roadsides.  Among all the tree-growths, the royal palm is notable.  Scoffers have likened it to “a feather duster stood on end,” but it is the prominent feature in most of Cuba’s landscape, and it serves many purposes other than that of mere decoration.  From its stem the Cuban peasant builds his little cottage which he roofs with its leaves.  Medicinal qualities are claimed for its roots.  From different parts of the tree, a wide variety of useful articles is made, plates, buckets, basins, and even a kettle in which water may be boiled.  The huge clusters of seeds are excellent food for animals, and I have heard it said, though without proper confirmation, that “a royal palm will keep a hog.”  Almost invariably, its presence indicates a rich soil, as it rarely grows in areas of poor land.  The forest area of the island is not known with exactness, and is variously estimated at from about six thousand square miles to about sixteen thousand.  The difference probably represents the opinion of individual investigators as to what is forest.  About one-third of the total is reported as in Oriente, another third in Camaguey, and the remainder scattered through the four remaining provinces.  A part of it is “public land,” that is, owned by the central government, but a greater part is of private ownership under old Spanish grants.  Much of it is dense jungle through which a way can be made only by hacking, almost foot by foot.  A good deal of it has already been cut over for its most valuable timber.  Most of the woods bear names entirely unfamiliar to us.  Some are used as cabinet woods, and some for tanning, for oils, dyes, gums, or fibres.