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.

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.

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.

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.

The poinsettia is a common sight in the United States during Christmastime. It was popularized by Albert Ecke after he emigrated to California from Germany. Today, 70 million poinsettias are sold in a 6-week period.

Cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao) is the plant used to make chocolate. Its seeds, called cocoa beans, are processed into all kinds of chocolate products. The plant is native to tropical parts of the Americas and has been introduced as a cash crop around the world. Part of its scientific name comes from Greek and means "food of the gods."

Lipstick tree gets its common name from the red dye that is often made from its flowers. In the Amazon, the lipstick tree was also used for cosmetics. The seeds of this tree are known as annatto, and are made into the food dye E160b.

Yellow oleander is extremely toxic and many cases of accidental poisonings have been recorded. The toxic oils found in this plant are sometimes used in pest control measures. However, the Cascabela thevetia does have significance in some religious ceremonies, specifically the worshiping of Shiva, a Hindu deity.

Spiked pepper can be found throughout most of Central and South America. It is known for its intense peppery fragrance. It is quick to colonize clearings and grazing land, but livestock will not eat it, so spiked pepper is often considered a weed.

A popular tropical fruit tree found in Brazil, the flesh of the theobroma fruit is edible and the flesh is commonly consumed plain or made into ice cream or jam. The seeds are used to make cacao butter and powder. The wood of the tree is also harvested for making cabinets and the internal structure of walls.

Soursop (*Annona muricata*) is a tropical, evergreen tree that can grow up to 9 m tall. It produces the guanabana fruit, which ripens from mid-summer to mid-winter. The fruit is a spiky green pod with an aroma that smells like pineapple and tastes like a combination of strawberries and apples. The sweet yet sour fruit has a texture similar to that of a banana. The fruit can be eaten ripe or used to make juices and smoothies.

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.

Cannonball tree (Couroupita guianensis) is a tropical tree known for its large, unique, fragrant blossoms and cannonball-shaped fruit. As the fruits ripen, they may fall onto unsuspecting people below.

Apple of Sodom, or Calotropis procera, is an extremely poisonous plant. The fruit of this plant ripens and bursts, causing the seeds to scatter. In Jamaica, the fibers inside of the fruit are collected and used to stuff pillows.

The pink trumpet tree is a striking pink flowering tree. It drops its foliage immediately before bursting into bloom, leaving the gorgeous blossoms as the focal point. This tree is easily pruned to keep its moderate size, and its root system is not aggressive, making it a great tree to plant near patios or driveways to provide shade and beauty.

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.

Neem tree (*Azadirachta indica*) is a flowering tree species related to mahogany and with an appearance similar to that of the chinaberry tree. For centuries, it has played an important role in Indian culture. Commercially, the neem tree is used to produce neem oil, pesticides, and cosmetics.

Bridal bouquet (Plumeria pudica) is an evergreen tropical tree that features unusual spoon-shaped leaves and is known for its flowers. Unlike other plumerias, these blooms do not have any fragrance. This tropical tree grows in full sunlight and requires well-drained soil.

Mandacaru is a spiny flowering succulent tree that has no leaves. In spring, the blossoms bloom at dusk and wither by the morning. In the past, it has been used for timber and construction or feed for livestock at times of drought; now, it can be used as a living fence or as an ornamental.

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.