Plants!

One of our goals for visiting the DR was that our students from there seem to have a lot of experience with the natural world, but very little academic knowledge.  I felt that if we could use examples of plants from the DR in science that it would be a very meaningful experience for those students.  One of the most common trees on the island is the Flamboyant (Delonix regia). 

Notice that one of the petals is a different color than the others.  The green leaves are very soft and fern like.

 The tree produces huge seed pods.

Flower buds

Five petals around the outside and a smaller set on the inside

The coconut tree was also a common sight on our travels.  We saw coconuts in all the markets and always being sold on the side of the road.