Sainte-Rose coastline

At the outlet of l'Anse Vinty, splendid views of le Grand-Cul-de-Sac Marin.

From Pointe Nogent, views of le Grand-Cul-de-Sac Marin and l'îlet Tête-à-l'Anglais.

A lianescent shrub with long, flexible branches, Dalbergia ecastaphyllum has alternating and pointed leaves. It boasts fragrant white flowers, with round, flattened fruits in pods that enclose a single seed. The branches of this shrub were once used to tie up barrels.

Piscidia carthaganensis has numerous medicinal properties: it is reported to be hypnotic, analgesic and anti-spasmodic.
This plant was used by fisherman to intoxicate river fish, making it easier to catch them.

The mouth of a small river at the beach forms a specific ecosystem : a coastal wetland area. The flora here is often typified by Antelope grass (Echinochloa pyramidalis), sedge marshes (Rhynchospora corymbosa) and a woody species: Icaco (Chrysobalanus icaco). The marsh serves as a water reservoir for livestock.

It was at Pointe Allère that the first French settlers arrived in 1635. Under the stewardship of captains Du Plessis and L'Olive, and with 400 committed men and four Dominican priests in tow, the travellers set out to establish a colony on the island, which had previously been inhabited by Carib Indians. Stricken by terrible hunger, most of the settlers were wiped out. The survivors decided to head south to Basse Terre, leaving behind but a few men who went on to found the parish of Sainte-Rose. Today, the site is still steeped in the cultural and historical significance of those events.

Annona glabra is also commonly known as the Swamp apple. A member of the Annonaceae family, this small tree thrives in the swampy areas of the Caribbean. Although it is not eaten very often in Guadeloupe, the fruit has a pleasant fragrance and yields a creamy juice (N.B. If you want to make the juice, do not grind the seeds as they have insecticidal qualities). This tree is also renowned for its medicinal values: the leaves are anti-diarrheal, for example. The tree's spongy roots were used by fishermen as floats for their nets. The tree was also used to make the peak of the salako hat, which was worn on Les Saintes.

From la Pointe des Iles, beautiful views of the Kahouanne and Tête-à-l'Anglais islets, in the bay of Grand-Cul-de-Sac Marin.

A typical tree of the Guadeloupe dry forest, Spiny fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum) can grow up to 15 metres tall. It can be identified by the orange petioles on its leaves and by its small, orange-black round fruits arranged in clusters. Its flowers are white, fragrant and honey-producing.

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) belongs to the Fabaceae family. Its fruits are brown and pod-like which resemble a bean in their shape. Inside, the seeds are covered in a pulp: a delicious, tangy flesh. The fruit is consumed locally in the form of a juice and fruit paste.