This post is dedicated to one of my favorite fruit, mangoes. The mango tree is topical at the moment, not only because mango season is just coming to an end here but also because recently there was much publicity in Dominica about a 150 year old mango tree which was cut down in Roseau on the site of the historic Jean Rhys house. I was present when the last chainsaw cut ripped through the thick trunk and the tree came crashing to the ground. As the deep roots were wrenched out of the earth, the streets of Roseau shook. I stood watching this process and shed a silent tear for the loss of age old roots. What’s in a tree?...some would say. I stayed to watch it carved up into little pieces and some beautiful slabs, no doubt to be sold off to furniture makers. I even rescued a wedge as a memento, maybe one day it will be transformed into a piece of artwork.

The mango is seen as a symbol of good luck, prosperity, eroticism, fertility and knowledge in some cultures. In some parts of India mango leaves are strung up over the front doors of homes. The tree itself is considered a connection to “love,” known as the “king” of all fruits and written about in many poems and literature.

This fleshy fruit, eaten ripe or used green for pickles, salads and chutneys is said to be one of the most widely cultivated fruits of the tropical world with over 500 varieties. Rich in antioxidants, the mango is known for its amazing nutritional value and health benefits.This  juicy ripe fruit is a rich source of Vitamins A, B, B6, C, D and essential minerals such as copper, potassium and magnesium. It has antiviral, anti parasitic and antiseptic properties. The stem, bark, leaves, roots and fruit can be used for different purposes. The skin of the fruit is firm and leathery ranging in colour from green, deep yellow, yellowish-red to apricot with a crimson blush on one cheek. Inside is a hairy central seed covered with a juicy aromatic pulp. The texture and amount of hair varies depending on the variety.
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Mango is a tree of the cashew family found in tropical and sub tropical Asia, Africa, Americas and West Indies. Trees have a deep tap root and flowers grow in white clusters, growing into fruit which hang in bunches. Leaves are a purplish colour when young and dark green, shiny and elongated when mature. This fruit grows in abundance and of real economic importance in the local economy of some Caribbean villages. In Dominica I have been amazed to see as many as  five mango varieties grafted onto one single tree, each section bearing a different variety.
 
How did mangoes get to the Caribbean?
Mangoes are not native to the Caribbean.  They have become so much a part of our culture it is easy to assume they have always been here. There are records of trees being planted in Barbados in 1742. British plantation owner Joseph Senhouse in his journal dated 1772 relating to his estate in Castle Bruce, Dominica mentions mangoes as one of the fruits he saw on the island on his visit. Fossil evidence traces the mango tree back to India and Bangladesh over 25 million years ago. They are believed to have been introduced to China and Malaysia around 4th century B.C. and then to East Africa by Persians and to West Africa and Brazil by the Portuguese, who then  introduced them to the West Indies. 

o season our grafted mango tree (known by some as Julie mango) has gifted in abundance, allowing us to share with many family and friends for almost two months. It is so good to be able to share produce. In Dominica sharing what the land provides is very much part of Island Culture. These mangoes are sweat, firm and milky in texture, perfect for cutting into cubes for a fresh fruit salad. In order to avoid the fruit being contaminated by the fruit fly, I have been vigilant in picking up any fallen fruit to avoid rot under the tree. Mango picking is a game of patience often in competetion with birds who now exactly when the fruit are ripening. Watching patiently as bunches of fruit grow to maturity until ready to be plucked, leaving some for the birds of course.
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It has been a mission this year to re live childhood memories and taste as many mango varieties as possible. Growing up on the island we had the whole of St. Aroment as our playground before the houses were built.  There were mango tree of all kinds, along with guavas, limes and the occasional mangosteen tree. Each mango had a different aroma, texture and flavour. These are just a few varieties common to Dominica. Grafted mango or mango Julie, mango licka, mango belly full, mango barbe, mango long, mango woz, mango cherie, mango Bitter skin ……..

How many mangoes can you name?                                     
 
I am saddened to see how much fruit goes to waste on this island these days. Mango trees laden with fruit which fall and are left to rot. Have our taste and ways of living changed so much that we prefer to fill shopping baskets with boxed juices full of sugar, artificial flavours and preservatives? It always makes me smile when I see someone sit by the roadside and bite into a fresh fruit. 

I was so grateful this year to be given some mango barbe. My favorite. A long thin mango and a rare treat. The smell evoked memories of a wild and free childhood growing up in the St. Aroment area of Dominica before it became a residential area it is today. To re-live the experience through the unique aroma, peel back the skin and bite into the flesh and pull up the juice with my teeth along its long hairy fibers. There is a ritualistic order of mango eating......relaxed, in peace and alone. Picking fibers stuck between the teeth afterwards is part of that ritual. To truly enjoy a good mango I believe is one of the simple pleasures of life. As a child, I remember after pealing the fruit, I would  then rub the fleshy part all over my face, letting it dry like a face mask before washing it off. I would suck the last drop of juice from fibrous seed, wash the seed carefully, style the hair. This was a common childhood past time in the 70's and dolls heads would be made, decorated with madras head dress, neck wear and used to decorate the tops of pencils. Here in Dominica we do not utilize mangos to their full potential when they are in season and in surplus. They have many uses in other countries especially in Eastern medicine.              
                               
This season I have been creatively experimenting and researching ways of preserving and using mangoes. I made: Mango chutney, mango jam, mango cheesecake, mango upside down cake, mango and ginger juice and mango leather. My favorite and most successful have been mango leather which is quite addictive, especially with a dash of cayenne.
 
Mango Leather recipe
4 very ripe mangos pealed and seeded
Pulp flesh in blender and sieve when blended
Add spices as required, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg.
Place in pan and boil for ten minutes stirring constantly
Line flat baking tray with grease proof paper and oil lightly
Pour mixture and spread out evenly approx. 5 mm thick
Place trays in hot sun to dry for 3 days
Peel off and cut into thin strips
 
 
Mango Leaf Tea
A tea can be made by boiling the leaves in water for five minutes. Leaves are also known to be used in powdered form and mixed with hot water as a tea to treat diabetes, hypertension, coughs, respiratory problems, voice loss, and earache

* It is important to note as with all herbal medicines to do additional research as individual health conditions need to be considered and consult your doctor if you are on prescribed medication. 



ALTERNATIVE USES
Timber - The tree also produces good quality timber
Skincare - Butter from the seed.
Textile Dye - As part of my research into natural plant dyes for textiles, I am interested in the tannin content of this tree. I have done some simple experiments by boiling mango leaves which I feel are quite successful.


​Successful Dye Experiment using a boil and sun print technique

​In this sharing I will highlight two plants located in the Botanic Gardens, Roseau, Dominica. Both plants have been introduced to Dominica from other parts of the world. They are  very rare in Dominica and each bring with them a unique story, as all plants have buried in their roots. Most of all they bring a vibrancy of colour through their amazing flowers. 

Last week, on my shopping trip to Roseau, I drove through the Botanic gardens, my usual scenic route. Driving slowly through. I was struck by the majesty of two trees in particular, both ablaze with colour at this time of year.
 
As I set out on my journey, armed with mask and sanitizer, I was aware of rising anxiety going into Roseau after a period of time in 'Covid Lock down'. My spirit was immediately lifted and calmed by the sight of these two trees in full bloom and sporting my favorite shades of sunshine yellow and orange. A decision was made to stop on my way back from town to breathe in the fresh air and soak in the unbelievable colour spectacle before returning home.
 
The trees of focus today are both rare in Dominica and survivors in our Botanical treasure trove which was established in 1889. So many specimens have been lost over the years, most recently after   hurricane Maria in 2017.

​1. Buttercup Tree ( Cochlospermum regium ) also known as yellow cotton tree.

​The Buttercup tree is a small flowering tree endemic to Tropical America. It is also common in Southeast Asia. The tree is deciduous and grows to about 8 meters high. It starts blooming late in the year, shedding its leaves in spring and leaving a canopy of bright sunshine yellow flowers.
 
An online plant identifier was used to identify the name of this tree using photographs taken on my visit to the gardens. Some say it is a Brazilian Rose, which is Cochlospermum vitifolium, but in pictures I have seen the bloom appears much less complex. The English name Buttercup tree is also a bit confusing, because it is used for a few trees including Cochlospermum religiosum which also has much simpler flowers. 
 
We are in the month of May and the tree is almost bare of leaves now. Tall thin branches are topped with clusters of large yellow flowers, each about 15 cm in diameter. A trail of flowers on the grass leads me to the tree and I look up in wonder. The canopy of yellow set against the clear blue Dominican sky is a sight to behold. An equal amount of fallen a flowers lie on the green grass below making the sight even more spectacular at this time of year.
 
As far as I am aware this tree is not utilized in Dominica and is purely ornamental. There are two specimens in the Botanic gardens at the moment and I also spotted one as I drove past State House today, all are in full bloom.
 
In Brazil this tree is used in herbal medicine to treat various infections and research is still being done into its medicinal benefits. In Thailand this tree is called Fai Kha and was introduced to Northern Thailand about 50 years ago, where it became a very popular ornamental plant.
 
In colour psychology, yellow resonates with the left side of the brain which deals with logic. It is also said to be a colour which stimulates the brain and brings about mental clarity. Because of its association with sunshine, yellow is an excellent colour to uplift the spirits and has associations with  hope, joy, optimism, cheerfulness, courage and confidence,
 
A perfect colour for me on a day which required a boost in courage and spirit. I was even inspired to do a quick painting when I got home.

​2. Bengal kino (Butea monosperma) also known as Flame of the forest, Parrot tree, Velvet leaf, Bastard teak, Paladha

​This plant is important in the Hindu traditional celebrations for the festival of Holi which marks the birth of spring, a festival of bidding goodbye to the old and preparing for new beginnings. It is also used in Hindu culture to celebrate Shiva the deity associated with creation, protection and transformation of the universe. 
   
As far as I know, this plant it is not utilized in Dominica. In other countries it has many uses, with each part from flowers, leaves, bark, seed, stem and gum having a purpose. The tree has been used extensively homeopathy and Ayurveda medicines for both internal, external and spiritual purposes.
 
Ink from gum was used in Asian cultures in the past. Fibre can be extracted from inner bark and roots. The flowers yield a yellow dye also used to colour textiles in some cultures.
 
​As part of my ongoing natural dye research, I tried a simple experiment by boiling a few of the flowers to test dye potential. I treated some silk and cotton fabric samples with alum and iron mordants and then soaked the pre treated samples to test the dye quality.. I was very happy with the vibrancy and range of colours being acieved. Further testing will have to take place to determine stability of this dye.

All photographs taken by Carol Sorhaindo and copyright of the artist.

Memories of plants and site

Our connection to place and culture is impacted on by the plants we associate with in our landscapes, many of which are imprinted in our memory. In this post I will highlight two trees in the Dominica Botanic Gardens which bring a smile as I reflect on a fun childhood growing up in Dominica and walking through the gardens after school. These two trees are the Velvet Tamarind Tree and the Cannon Ball tree. The history of the plants found in botanical store houses such as the Dominica Botanic Gardens should be valued and documented as an important part of our heritage. Memory and human stories give a voice and life to the history of a place.
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Dominica played an important role in the economic expansion of Britain even after slavery was abolished and well into the 20th century. The Dominica Botanic Gardens established in 1889 is sited on a former sugar plantation. It was a satellite station of Kew Gardens in London and was an important testing ground for tropical plants brought in from all over the world. Many of these specimens have been destroyed over the years by hurricanes and other circumstances.

With trade and global exploration came the increasing fascination with the new and exotic botanical species, “Gardens became like precious jewel boxes in which each gem was laid out side by side in order to be inspected and admired."  (Wulf A. 2008) 
 
The title of this post ‘Cannon Balls and Velvet Hearts’ reflects Dominica’s turbulent Colonial history, a history full of invasions, battles. To this day our landscape is littered with evidence of this. Today  cannons can be seen strategically sited at many of our heritage locations.

Black velvet hearts for me symbolize the African souls taken from their homes and transplanted into Dominican soil as a result of The Transatlantic slave trade. Tamarind, a tree which makes me reflect on the sourness of this part of our African history, a tree connected with the hangings of our African ancestors on the plantations. 

​Velvet tamarind  (Dialium indum)

Also known as Monkey tamarind, African velvet tamarind, Yuk Lee and locally as tamawen – vlu
In Igbo it is known as Icheku, In Yoruba as Awin, and Hausa as tsamiya-kurm. It is also called licki-licki by some people

The Velvet tamarind tree was located in the ornamental section of gardens close to the Cannonball tree. Sadly it is now lost to us since the passing of hurricane Maria in 2017. This fruit-bearing evergreen tree, prefers a tropical climate and is native to S.E Asia and tropical areas such as West Africa.

It belongs to the family Leguminosae, and has small, flatish fruits with a beautiful hard shell covered in the smoothest black velvet. When cracked open there is a brown edible pulp which surrounds a single brown seed. When the pulp is sucked it has a tamarind flavour with a dry powdery texture. The tiny fruit are popular in Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal and in Asia the pulp is collected and mixed with spices and served as a sweet which sounds very much like our much loved tamarind balls.

The flowers are white and arranged in shoots and are loved by hummingbirds, bees and butterflies
In Dominica the fruit though small was loved by children walking through the gardens on  their way to and from school. Many adults who enjoyed the gardens in younger days will remember Velvet tamarind and searching in the grass for the tiny black velvet hearts which had fallen from the tree. 

The Velvet Tamarind fruit in many countries is used in traditional medicine. The leaf, bark and the fruit are valued and used in herbal applications. This fruit is also known to be mineral and vitamin rich, acts as an antioxidant and promotes digestive health. The tender leaves of velvet tamarind have been used in skin treatments to stimulate the growth of healthy skin and protecting wounds.

I find it fascinating when I look back to things we ate as children, unusual fruit and plants which unknown to us at the time, we now find that many of these have health benefits. I would love to hear from anyone who has special memories of this tree or any other unusual trees in the gardens.

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Cannonball tree – Couroupita guianensis      carrion tree

The Cannonball tree is native to the tropical forests of northern South America, especially the Amazon Basin. It is also found in India, Thailand and parts of Africa. The tree was given its species name Couroupita guianensis by the French botanist J.F. Aublet in 1755. 

This tree was severely damaged during hurricane Maria and like much of the vegetation on the island is still in recovery. This year I am pleased to see it is bearing its first fruit since the hurricane.

The Cannon ball tree is an unusual tree as most trees bear their flowers and fruits on the branches, rather than along the trunk. The large round fruit are rusty brown in colour with rough skin. The mature fruit are about the same size and resemble cannon balls, hence the name.  The ripe fruit have a white flesh with many seeds and when exposed to the air the flesh  turns blue. In some countries the fruits are eaten, but only occasionally because of the unpleasant odor. The brightly coloured flowers are zygomorphic and measure around 12 cm across. They are thick and waxy in texture with a sweet scent attractive to bees and bats which aid pollination

The extracts of some parts of the Cannonball tree are said to possess antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. In some cultures this plant is valued for its medicinal properties with extracts of different parts of the plant being used to treat hypertension, tumours, inflammation, common cold, stomach ache, skin conditions, wounds and treating toothache.  In some Asian countries it is valued as having cultural and religious significance. 

The Fruits have hard shells which are used as containers and the wood of the tree is used to manufacture boxes, toys,

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Photographs by Artist Carol Sorhaindo

Welcome to my Blog. Through these posts I will share my creative journey as an artist, one which will include botanical reflections, natural dye and fibre explorations, creative writing and musings; an ongoing unravelling, spinning and weaving threads. 

This has taken a long time to come to fruition since 2015 when I graduated from Leeds College of Art, UK (now Leeds Art University) with an MA in Creative practice. Where has 5 years gone and what have I been up to as an artist since then. I am a great believer in the saying 'every thing in its time'. 

The word 'BOTANGLED' is used as a brand name for my natural dye textile creations but it is also so much more - Botanical Entanglement sums up my creative journey and an investigation of migration and living between two worlds of contrast, England and The island of Dominica in the Caribbean.

How are these worlds woven together? What inspires me as an artist and how do I explore this in my Creative Practice as I traverse the landscape? The plants I encounter bring me constant joy by their diversity and beauty. These plants also inform culture by their very use and association, raising  lots of questions. How can I unpick this intertwined botanical web? Can this investigation contribute to a better understanding of the complexities of migration and concepts of historical entanglement?