Mamelle de Pigeon

While it is believed that the Mamelles were formed only relatively recently, between around 1-2 million years ago, the northern chain of which they are a part include the island's ancient volcanoes.

Prestaea montana is a member of the Arecaceae family. Despite its height, the Sierran palm is not a tree. Much like ferns, it does not have a trunk but a stipe. It can live in both hygrophilous forest, where it can reach a height of ten meters, and at altitude, where it grows no taller than two metres.

Native to the Lesser Antilles, Clusia mangle belongs to the Clusiaceae family. It thrives at 800 metres above sea level, with strong winds and constant humidity. It is a shrub with leathery, fleshy and shiny leaves. The fruits (between 10-20mm) resemble large yellow-greenish olives.

A member of the Podocarpaceae family, Podocarpus coriaceus is also known as the Yucca Plum Pine. Closely related to conifers, it is an average-sized tree, measuring around 10-16 metres. It has leathery leaves that resemble an oleander's: they are dark green on top, span between 6 and 15 cm and have virtually no petiole. While its flowers are discreet, its brown-coloured seeds in their floral buds are particularly eye-catching. It has a thin layer of bark. This species is found throughout the West Indies and flowers mainly in December and January.

Utricularia alpina is a terrestrial or epiphytic plant. It is found amid the upper layers of hygrophilous or transitional forests, or on formations at altitude. It is a carnivorous plant with small snares - stomach-like contraptions - hidden amongst its roots which help it to digest all kinds of tiny insects. Flowering mainly occurs between January and August.

A member of the Cyclantaceae family, the French common name of Asplundia rigida translates literally as "fly wings" on account of its similarity with the insect. A typical plant of hygrophilous (moisture-loving) forest undergrowth, there are three species of Asplundia: two terrestrial and one epiphytic and lianescent (vines climbing from aerial routes).

Pleasant open views of the north of Basse Terre.

The Giant Philodendron (Philodendron giganteum) is an epiphytic or terrestrial species that flourishes in humid or shady areas.
It grows equally well from the earth as it does on rock or in trees. It develops many very long aerial routes, which are used in basketry. It has large, dark green leaves that are fleshy and shiny to the eye. Each leaf is supported by a large petiole (between 0.6 and 1.5 metres), which grows from a large, yet short stem resting on trunks or rocks.

Miconia mirabilis features a fluted trunk and white bark. As it is a light-loving tree, this pioneer has hard wood that is distinctive of open areas. It is often found on paths alongside tree ferns or trumpet trees.

Viewpoint

Commonly known in Creole as "Zanana mawon", Glomeropitcairnia penduliflora is a member of the Bromeliaceae family. It is a tropical grass, epiphyte on tree branches, or terrestrial. It has straight, tough and thick leaves which, arranged in the format of rosettes, take in substantial levels of water and are even home to some frogs. It features a floral scape in the middle.

There are numerous species in the Lycopodium genus. Botanically speaking, they are similar to ferns and spikemosses. As pioneer plants, the clubmosses are the first to develop after volcanic eruptions. Thanks to the abundant spores that are produced in their small and densely-packed refracted ears, found at the ends of the branches, they can multiply freely.

The Antillean crested hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus), also known as "Foufou" in Créole, is a small bird of around 8 cm, with iridescent green plumage and a blackish breast. This hummingbird is sexually dimorphic, a trait that can be witnessed by the crest on the male's head. Feeding mainly on nectar, it helps to pollinate plants by moving from flower to flower.

Richeria grandis belongs to the Phyllanthaceae family. It is a large variety, distinctive for its tough leaves and reddish-brown bark that so often falls victim to rogue extraction. Also known as "bwa bandé" in Créole, it is renowned for its aphrodisiac qualities. Its wood is used as timber or in carpentry. It has very distinctive, green, grape-like fruits which form small pods and form copiously on its branches.

Charianthus alpinus is a member of the Melastomataceae family and endemic to the Lesser Antilles. Ranging from 1-2 metres tall, its leaves - made up of five basal veins - are particularly eye-catching, while its flowers regularly attract hummingbirds.

A member of the Rubiaceae family, Palicourea crocea is a shrub that can grow between 2-4 metres tall but that only reaches 50cm at altitude. The common local name for this plant, Foufou, derives from the name of the hummingbirds that are attracted to its large and colourful inflorescences.

Dicranopteris pectinata belongs to the Gleicheniaceae family. It is a pioneer species that thrives in an open and sunny environment. It tends to colonise landslide areas, the edges of forest roads and rivers and, more generally, any surfaces that have been severely stripped back in wet areas. Its network of underground roots plays a key role in consolidating the topsoil.

Courtesy of the landscaped promontory, the summit offers some extensive views of the area.
The earth is carpeted with ferns (Dicranopteris pectinata).