Papaya is a fruit-bearing plant that originates from Central America. The fruits are edible and sweet and juicy when ripe. An enzyme collected from the milky sap is used as a meat softener, which if ingested may be toxic. Keeping a papaya plant in your garden will welcome many birds to your landscape.

It may surprise you to know that cashew (Anacardium occidentale) is related to poison ivy, pistachio, and even mango! It is a tropical evergreen native to Brazil and produces a wood used to build shipping crates, boats, and charcoal. The resin in the shells of the fruits are used to make insecticides and plastics, so the nuts must be separated from the shells before being sold as food. Explorers from Portugal are responsible for introducing cashews to the outside world.

The peacock flower, Barbados' national flower, is a striking ornamental plant commonly grown in public and private gardens. Although the seeds of this flower are toxic if consumed, the fruits are edible. Some parts of this plant are used as medicine by Indonesians and West Indians. This plant is toxic to dogs and cats but provides food for butterflies and bees.

Although the yellow trumpetbush have beautiful and bright flowers that can be pleasing to look at, this plant is considered an invasive weed in multiple countries. A native of the southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Peru and Ecuador, this plant is often found on roadsides, riparian areas, disturbed sites, and other wasteland areas.

The malay apple (Syzygium malaccense) is a common sight as a shorter-growing tree in tropical rainforests. Although its lumber is prone to warping, it is quite hard and used for handicrafts, beams, and occasionally railroad ties. The bark of the malay apple tree has a rich color and is often used to create brown dye.

Jaboticaba tree (Plinia cauliflora) is native to Brazil and related species are found throughout South American countries. In its native range, the fruit is often cultivated for culinary purposes. The tree’s flowers grow directly from the trunk where they then develop into purplish-black berries that can be eaten raw, used in jams, or fermented into wine and liqueurs.

Brazilian prickly pear (Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis) is a tree-like cactus that will grow to 20 m tall when planted in the ground. It will not grow nearly that large if grown in a container. Flowers are pale yellow to bright orange. Fruits are pear-shaped and range in color from yellow to red to purple. Plant in full sun if you live in a warm, humid climate and little maintenance is required. If growing in a container, make sure it gets plenty of bright light and dry, well-drained soil.

Guava (*Psidium guajava*) is a fruit-producing evergreen shrub that grows natively in the Caribbean region and South America. Guava attracts the honey bee and other insects, and guava fruit is edible. Additionally, guava wood is used for smoking meat.

Coral plant (*Jatropha multifida*) is a tough plant that you will encounter in many gardens. It is grown for its attractive sprays of red-pink flowers, which rise above the leaves on long stems. This plant has an added garden bonus, since it is a great attractor of butterflies. Care should be taken with coral plant, since it is slightly toxic, and should never be eaten.

The chinaberry tree is considered an invasive species in many areas because of its tendency to grow into impassable thickets and crowd out other plants. The entire chinaberry tree is poisonous to humans and many other animals, although cows and some birds have no problems eating the fruit.

Floss silk tree (Ceiba speciosa) is a tree species native to South America. Floss silk tree may reach more than 25 m in height. The floss silk tree attracts hummingbirds. Other animals tend to stay away from this tree because the trunk is studded with thick, sharp thorns.

Acerola cherry (Malpighia emarginata) is an evergreen shrub native to southern Mexico, Central America, and South America. This species is also called the West Indian cherry. This species bears edible fruit with a large amount of vitamin C. Acerola cherry can also be planted as a bonsai species for ornamental purposes.

The fruit of the surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora) is edible, but only after it has ripened to a deep, blood-red color. The seeds, however, should be avoided. Surinam cherry is cultivated ornamentally around the world, in both shrub and tree form.

Mango tree is a large tree native to the Indian subcontinent. It is most well-known for the tropical fruit it produces, and mango is the national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Mango tree can also be used for wood after the tree’s fruit production is over. This type of wood is highly prized for making musical instruments.

Upland Cotton (*Gossypium hirsutum*) is the most commonly planted agricultural cotton. An annual to perennial shrub whose large yellow to white cup-shaped flowers bloom in summer. Flowers are replaced by the cotton boll which contains the cotton fiber and about 36 seeds. Grows best in full sun and in clay sandy or loamy well-drained soil.

Kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra) is a rain forest plant that can shoot up to as much as 61 m. It towers over every other plant in its native habitat. The trunk can get as wide as 3 m in diameter. Its nooks and crannies are hosts to a staggering array of both plant and animal species, including birds and frogs.

Autograph tree (Clusia rosea) is indigenous to tropical regions of America. It has a nasty tendency to grow on top of and strangle other plants. Unlike most other plants, it can absorb carbon dioxide during nighttime hours, as pineapples and jade plants do. It’s called the autograph tree because its leaves are so hard, you can carve into them.

Royal mahogany is commonly found in damp forests and is harvested for its wood in the West Indies. The lumber is resistant to insects and is used for flooring, heavy construction, furniture, and making paper. However, royal mahogany is commonly cultivated for its ornamental value and makes for a great shade tree. It is often called the "coral snake tree" for the open, hanging red and black seed pods that look like snakes.

Tropical almond is grown commonly as an ornamental tree. It is prized for its ability to provide shade with its large leaves. These leaves are commonly used in aquariums by fish breeders for their ability to lower the pH and heavy metal content of the water. Although the fruit of the tropical almond is edible, the taste is slightly acidic.

Barbados gooseberry (Pereskia aculeata) is a deciduous vine that can grow to be 10 m long. Barbados gooseberry is native to tropical North America. It grows best in dry conditions and will flourish even when neglected. This species blooms in summer and has both flowers and berries. Its leaves and fruit are edible and nutritious.