Key West Botanical Forest and Garden

The Key West Botanical Forest and Garden 11 acres (4.5 hectares) is a frost-free arboretum and botanical garden containing a fine collection of trees, shrubs, and palms, including several "champion tree" specimens. It is located at 5210 College Road, Key West, Florida, USA. It is open daily, and admission is free.

The Garden includes seven trees that are either champions or challengers, and one with an honorable mention. (Champions are determined by a point system based on height, circumference of the trunk, crown spread, and physical condition. The best tree in a species is designated Champion; the second best is Challenger. Naming of a National Champion Tree is made by "American Forests"; Florida champions are named by the Florida Division of Forestry).

* Locust-berry (Byrsonima lucida) - National Champion
* Wild Dilly (Manilkara bahamensis) - National Champion
* Barringtonia (Barringtonia asiatica) - Florida Champion
* Cuban Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum officinale) - Florida Champion
* Arjan Almond (Terminilis arjuna) - Florida Challenger
* Black Olive (Bucida buceras) - Florida Challenger
* Pongam (Pongamia pinnata) - Florida Challenger
* Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia) - Honorable Mention

Other native and imported trees and shrubs in the Garden include: Poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum), Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera), Black Ironwood (Krugiodendron ferreum), Spanish Stopper (Eugenia foetida), Pigeon Plum (Coccoloba diversifolia), Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), Milk Bark ( Drypetes diversifolia), Cinnamon Bark (Canella winterana), Gumbo Limbo (Bursera simaruba), Woman's Tongue (Albizia lebbeck), Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum sanctum), Blolly (Guapira discolor), Purge Nut Thicket (Ximenia americana), Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix Canariensis), Senegal Date Palm (Phoenix reclinata), Florida Thatch Palm (Thrinax radiata), Shortleaf Fig (Ficus citrifolia), Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides), Silver Palm (Coccothrinax argentata), Red Stopper (Eugenia rhombea), Key Thatch Palm (Thrinax morrisii), Jamaica Dogwood (Piscidia piscipula), Wild Tamarind (Lysiloma bahamensis), Bay Cedar (Suriana maritima), Wild Coffee (Colubrina arborescens), Cinnecord ( Acacia choriophylla), Pond Apple (Annona glabra), Limber Caper (Capparis flexuosa), Satin Leaf (Chrysophyllum oliviforme), Paradise Tree (Simarouba glauca), Coral Bean (Erythrina herbacea), Sabal Palm (Sabal palmetto), Buccaneer Palm (Pseudophoenix sargentii), Lime Prickly-ash (Zanthoxylum fagara), Joewood (Jacquinia keyensis), Lancewood ( Nectandra coriacea), Green Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus), Washington Palm (Washingtonia robusta), Varnish Leaf (Dodonaea viscosa).

See also

* List of botanical gardens in the United States [http://www.keywestbotanicalgarden.org The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden Website]