A good read for plant enthusiasts, botanists

BOOK: A Guide to Plants in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica

AUTHOR: Susan Iremonger
PUBLISHERS: University of the West Indies Press
REVIEWER: Balford Henry

HIKES TO the Blue Mountains used to be a favourite pastime of high school boys up to the early
1970s, when extensive crime and violence seeped into our culture, making it a security risk.
Now the exhilarating experience of walking through the mountains and enjoying the tranquillity
and lush vegetation has become a victim of fear. But, the loss of the opportunity to enjoy the
fullness of the Blue Mountains is a severe hindrance to the development of ecotourism, one of
the most promising resort interests of the new millennium, as well as the recreation of native
Jamaicans and is a matter that ought to be addressed, expeditiously.
Due to the richness of their biological diversity, the Blue Mountains were included in the first
terrestrial National Park established in Jamaica in 1990. It is still a favourite of undaunted hikers
and the highest peak, Middle Peak or Blue Mountain Peak at 2,256 metres (7,402 feet), still
provides a magnificent view and is relatively easily accessed.
So extensive is the range of vegetation clothing the slopes, that Susan Iremonger's well put
together and very easy-to-use book, A Guide to the Plants in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica,
will certainly be useful in this era when we try to recover this virtually lost source of pleasure.
The guide contains over 160 colour photos and 250 line drawings illustrating the plants.
The text is designed to give both botanists and casual observers an opportunity to discover the
botanical secrets of the Blue Mountain Range.
Ms. Iremonger is senior research fellow in the Department of Botany, Trinity College, Dublin
and a former lecturer in the Department of Botany, the University of the West Indies, Mona
(1986-1990). Since 1986, she has been involved in ecological assessments to aid planning for
the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park and the national parks and protected areas
system in Jamaica.

The guide confirms her deep understanding of the unique beauty and diversity of the mountain
forest. She reveals that more than half the plants described by her are unique to Jamaica and
many are only found in the Blue Mountains.
The book also points out that the forest of the Blue Mountains is currently threatened by
agricultural activities, particularly on the southern slopes, and that many of the unique species
are threatened with extinction. However, the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park,
established in 1988, remains a preserve for the natural history of the range.
In her preface, she refers us to other sources of information including Fawcett and
Rendle's Flora of Jamaica, published in 1910 and 1936, which provided detailed species
descriptions.
AMATEUR NATURALIST
There is also Adams' Flowering Plants of Jamaica, which is familiar to most Jamaican naturalists
and which provides a textual description of the flowering plants. However, non-botanists find
the book difficult to read because of the many technical terms and the absence of illustrations.
Two other general texts dealing specifically with Jamaican flora are Adams' The Blue Mahoe
and Other Bush and Hawkes and Sutton's Wild Flowers of Jamaica. Both are considered
suitable for the amateur naturalist, technical terms are limited and there is extensive us of
illustrations. But, both are out of print and are becoming very scarce.
Gloudon and Tobisch's Field guide to Jamaican orchids, published in 1995, is considered a
useful volume but mainly for wild orchid enthusiasts.
Ms. Iremonger's new guide is designed to give people who are not botanical taxonomists an
opportunity to become familiar with the plants that grow in the Blue Mountain Range, as well
as foster the opportunity for a deeper understanding of the beauty and diversity of the
mountain forests.
The guide offers the reader a system to aid identification. In order to find out about the plant,
you simply turn to the page with the description. Alternatively, the reader can refer to the
drawings and photographs.
The book is useful to both naturalists and hikers interested in knowing the names of plants they
may encounter in the range, above approximately 1,000 metres (3,500 feet). More than 400
species are described in detail and some less common or difficult plant groups are briefly
introduced.
Grasses and sedges are generally excluded, unless they are particularly noticeable or have a
climbing habit. Flowering plants, such as orchids and bromeliads, which are generally epiphytic,

are briefly described in the last chapter, as are the lower plant groups: ferns, mosses and
lichens.
The guide is assembled to reduce the difficulty in identifying the plants. Identification keys to
all, but the most uncommon trees, shrubs and climbing plants, are included and, wherever
possible, leaf or bark characteristics are used to distinguish species. This enables the reader to
identify plants when flowers or fruits are absent or inaccessible.
Technical terms are kept to a minimum. Drawings are provided. Unfamiliar words are explained
and a centimetre scale is provided at the back of the book to facilitate measurements.
This is certainly recommendable reading for hikers and botanists but, if you are one of those
Jamaicans who just want to learn about your country's rich natural botanical heritage, this is
also good, informative reading for you.

Source: Henry, Balford, (December 15, 2002). A good read for plant enthusiasts, botanists, The
Jamaica Gleaner, http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20021215/arts/arts2.html