17. Trees of Little Caribbean at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Signage for the Trees of Little Caribbean exhibit. Photo by Michael Stewart 
Shelley Worrell of I Am CaribBEING and Meera Jagroop and Chelsea Forgenie of Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Photo by Michael Stewart. 
Coffea arabica (coffee) in the Tropical pavilion. Photo by Michael Stewart 
Averrhoa carambola (carambola) fruiting in the Tropical Pavilion. Photo by Michael Stewart
Trees of Little Caribbean, on display at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, celebrates the trees and treelike plants cherished by Caribbean peoples. Located at Steinhardt Conservatory until December 2023, Trees of Little Caribbean includes a variety of species like papaya, guava, allspice, and soursop, in addition to nonnative plants brought from Europe during the era of colonialism. The display also includes educational material on “stories of rebellion, resilience, spirituality, and joy.”
Trees of Little Caribbean was a collaboration between Chelsea Forgenie, School Workshops Coordinator; Meera Jagroop, Director of Youth Programs; Shelley Worrell, Cofounder of I AM CaribBEING; Mimi Jorling, Gardener, Entry House Collection; and Kate Murphy, Gardener, Tropical Collection. The Gardens’ website features recipes for dishes that center these trees, including cassava dumplings, breadfruit oildown, and tamarind balls. Check out more Little Carbbean spots in the photo gallery below!
Next, check out 10 Hidden Gems in Crown Heights!