Though most commonly re-ferred to as a divi-divi tree off-island,locals call this leguminous shrub awatapana from the original ArawakIndian name. Its Latin name is Cae-salpinia coriaria and it’s a hardy,indigenous breed of ancient origin.In February, it blooms with tiny, fra-grant flowers, which turn into pods.In the 19th century, these pods were ahighly valued Aruban export thanksto the tannin they contain, which wasused in Europe’s leather tanneries.

If ever a tree resembled an en-chanted character from a children’sfairy tale, the watapana is that tree.It takes little imagination to pictureit uprooting itself to lumber off afterthe constant trade winds responsiblefor its misshapen form.Aruba’s tradewind clips along at a constant 15miles per hour – a force that overtime always wins over a watapana’swill. When not wind-warped, wata-panas retain a canopied umbrellashape.

Aruba has many wind-shapedtrees that are mistakenly referred toas divi-divis, but the only true divi-divi is the watapana. In fact, thefamous tree on Eagle Beach featuredin Aruba promotional material isnot actually a divi-divi (watapana)as many believe, but a fofoti, morecommonly known as a buttonwood.

Local horticulture expert RoyMaduro, owner of Aruba’s FantasticGardens, says,“You can differentiate

watapanas from similar wind-swepttrees by their leaves. Watapana leavesare feathery fingers resembling smallpalm fronds whereas the other treeshave squat, broad leaves.”

Wherever you go onAruba, localswill tell you that you will never getlost if you simply follow the bend ofthe watapanas. They act as a naturalcompass pointing you toward themain hotel strip on the island’s lee-ward side! �

The gnarly, serpentine boughs of Aruba’s watapana trees don’t break when the wind blows,instead they point to the southwest, acting as Mother Nature’s constant compass.

Watapana leaves and pods Fofoti leaves Watapana tree

Fofoti tree

45Nights

Flora

Top right photo by Roman Gitis. Bottom photos courtesy of Roy Maduro44 Nights

Flora

Top photo by Miralex. Bottom photo by L. Shyamal

Wonderful Watapanasby Susan Campbell