Flora and nature reserves
Because of the tropical climate, the vegetation is very lush, with about 4,500 species of plants, ranging from cheese trees to water lilies, orchids and hibiscus. The plants and trees you will discover here are extraordinarily diverse due to the wide variety of environments: savannahs, swampy areas, small rivers and large estuaries, not to mention the immense tropical forest. A flight over the canopy allows to quickly probe this richness: some trees reach 60 m high! In the Brownsberg Nature Park alone, more than 1,450 species of plants have been recorded, including amazing mosses and ferns. Of this variety of plants, 138 species are considered rare and 12 are endemic to this mountain. The Central Suriname Nature Reserve displays an equally impressive variety: among the 3,000 species of plants listed, about 50 are rare and endemic to the area.
Among the Surinamese plant species of note is the neem tree(Azadirachta indicata), which originated in India. This tree, also called "village pharmacy", has many medicinal virtues. Anti-malarial, it also acts against fever, thirst, skin diseases or scorpion and snake bites.
Palms are also an important species in Suriname: oil palms (Elaeis guieensis) or Tallipot palms(Corypha umbaculiferaa), they are everywhere and render many services to man. Some of these plants (considered as such, because they have a stipe as a trunk) even produce edible seeds and very good for health, and that many animals like the toucan come to taste. To discover them all, it is best to go to the Peruvia Nature Reserve, known for its important collection, including the famous tarpaulin palm(Mauritia flexuosa). In Paramaribo, you will appreciate the shade provided by the magnificent royal palms(Roystonea regia) of the Palmentuin: originally from Venezuela, they can measure up to 50 m high! In the capital, one should not miss the majestic Mahogany(Swietenia mahagoni) or mahogany trees from America or the West Indies, known for their resistance to fire. Long exploited for the production of furniture and quality housing, they are now endangered. Also in the capital, every Sunday morning at Cultuurtuin, orchid lovers are sure to find something to their liking at the orchid market, with species ranging from the most common to the most exceptional. Finally, among the aquatic plants, the magnificent and rare blue lotus is worth mentioning: in the wetlands, notably at Fort Nieuw Amsterdam, it was imported by the Indonesians and can even be tasted in certain dishes.
