**Rabbits Foot Fern See The "F" Page, FERNS

**Radishes Raphanus sativus
In Mexico there are many varieties of radishes, not just the red ball variety so popular in the States. In Oaxaca, Mexico, this vegetable is exalted at Christmas in the “radish festival” where all of the city’s groups and societies create radish scenes in small booths on the zócalo or town square. It is a sight not to be missed if you ever get to Oaxaca at Christmas.
Tropical Climate Varieties: Scarlet Globe, White Icicle, Cherry Belle, French Breakfast, Sparkler
Benefits: Radishes are said to aid digestion.
Text Copyrighted © KO 2004

**Rain Tree, Rainfall tree, Monkey Pod Albizia saman or Samanea saman
This is the lovely lacy looking small tree that gives us pink blossoms more than once a year here in Montserrat. Its branches root easily so it is often used as a border planting to break the wind by a vegetable garden or field. Though it is said to be a large tree, here it never seems to be so, growing only to about 30 feet. At night it wisely folds its leaves which might otherwise act together as an umbrella. Rain seems to come most frequently in the night here in the Caribbean so this tree has adapted well to its environment. Its effort to fold its leaves at night ensures that rainfall reaches the base of the tree.
From: Central and South America.
Text Copyrighted © KO 2004

**Rainfall Tree See Above, Rain Tree

**Ram Goat Bush See The "F" Page FITWEED

Red Manjack Tree See The "C" Page CLAMMY CHERRY TREE

**Red Sister See The "T" Page Ti Plant

Redwood Tree
In the cocoloba family.
Text Copyrighted © KO 2004

**Rheo See The "B" Page BOATLILY

**Roseapple Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston

Rhubarb Rheum
This perennial plant that is so well known as a garden staple in New England, has proved an elusive gem in my Caribbean garden wish list. Lets hope one of these years someone coming down to the island from the northern US or from Canada can bring a root for me. I will be grateful enough to make a pie!
We are hoping to get the Victoria variety. We have absolutely the best strawberry plants in Taxco, Mexico, and we’re hoping to get some of them here in Montserrat for strawberries to blend with the rhubarb in pies.
Planting and Growth: Seeds should be planted where you want the final plant grow; they do not transplant well.
Text Copyrighted © KO 2007

Road Kill Cactus Consolea rubescens
From: The Caribbean
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**Rosemary Herb Rosemarinus officinalis L.
This is a beautiful plant and a wonderful herb. Growing naturally it will reach from between 2 and 6 feet, looking like an ice green strange small pine tree. Its fragrant leaves are a wonderful addition to any fish stew and I don’t think our stuffed mushrooms would be the same without it. We have one thriving in a pot in Taxco and now have two plants growing in our herb garden here in Montserrat. See The "H" Page HERB GARDEN
Benefits: Apart from using rosemary in the kitchen, use its powdered crushed leaves as a flea and tick repellant on your pets. It’s a great alternative to toxic chemical alternatives which aren't good for you or for your pets!
From: The Mediterranean
Planting and Growth: As is true of so many plants from the Mediterranean, rosemary grows most vigorously in a reasonably dry, rocky and alkaline soil.
Text Copyrighted © KO 2008

**Royal Palm See The "P" Page FLORIDA ROYAL PALM

**Royal Poinciana See The "P" Page POINCIANA