Corkscrew Tree

Scientific name: Helicteres jamaicensis

POWO Status: Shrub or Tree

IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 57.94″ N, 64° 49′ 46.22″ W

20250730
20260114
20251022
20251015
20251008
20251008
20251008
20251001
20250924
20250924
20250917
20250917
20250910
20250910
20250829
20250829
20250827
20250820
20250820
20250820
20250716
20250716
20250709
20250705
20250705
20250705
20250702
20250628
20250628
20250628

Medicinal Uses

Helicteres jamaicensis, or Jamaican Corkscrew Bush, is traditionally used in Caribbean herbal medicine for strengthening teas, digestive issues (stomach aches, diarrhea, dysentery), fever, and as an astringent, with its leaves also serving for cleaning after handling seafood, while its close relative Helicteres isora shows properties like anti-diarrheal, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects, suggesting similar potential. 

Traditional Medicinal Uses

  • Strengthening Tonics: Made into teas for general body strengthening.
  • Gastrointestinal Aid: Used for diarrhea, dysentery, and abdominal pains.
  • Fever & Inflammation: Used in infusions to reduce fever.
  • Astringent Properties: Leaves can be used to clean hands after processing fish/conch, indicating cleansing or astringent qualities. 

Related Species (Helicteres isora)

  • Antimicrobial: Shows activity against bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and fungi.
  • Antioxidant: Rich in polyphenols, tannins, and antioxidants, providing protective effects.
  • Antidiarrheal & Anti-inflammatory: Used for dysentery and abdominal issues, with demonstrated anti-inflammatory actions. 

Other Uses

  • Ornamental: Grown in gardens for its attractive flowers and unique seed pods.
  • Cleaning: Leaves used as a natural hand cleaner.

Observations:

Phenological Markers – Corkscrew Tree (Helicteres jamaicensis)

Common Name: Jamaican Helicteres, Screw Pod
Scientific Name: Helicteres jamaicensis
Family: Malvaceae (formerly Sterculiaceae)
Native Range: Jamaica, Hispaniola, and other parts of the Caribbean
Habitat: Dry scrublands, forest edges, and rocky slopes

General Description:

Helicteres jamaicensis is a small, woody shrub with soft, hairy leaves and distinctive red to orange tubular flowers. It is best known for its unusual spiral-shaped seed pods, which give rise to the name “Screw Pod.” Traditionally used in Caribbean herbal medicine, this drought-tolerant plant adds both ecological and ethnobotanical value to dry tropical ecosystems.

Phenological Markers:

1. Flowering Period:

  • First Sign of Budding: Late spring (April – May)
  • Peak Bloom: Early to mid-summer (June – August)
  • End of Flowering: Late summer to early fall (September – October)
  • Flower Characteristics: Bright red or orange, tubular or bell-shaped, often nodding slightly; arranged singly or in small clusters

2. Leaf Growth and Senescence:

  • New Leaf Growth: Early spring (March – April)
  • Leaf Maturity: Late spring (May)
  • Leaf Senescence: Late fall (November – December), especially under dry conditions
  • Leaf Characteristics: Soft, ovate leaves with serrated margins; covered in fine hairs, giving a gray-green appearance

3. Fruit Production:

  • First Sign of Fruit Development: Mid to late summer (July – August)
  • Fruit Maturity: Fall (September – October)
  • End of Fruiting: Late fall (November)
  • Fruit Characteristics: Distinctive spiral-shaped capsules, turning brown as they mature; dry and woody when fully developed

4. Dormancy Period:

  • Dormancy Begins: Late fall (November – December), during the dry season or in cooler conditions
  • Dormancy Ends: Early spring (February – March)
  • Dormancy Characteristics: Reduced leaf cover, no flowering or fruiting, possible full dieback of above-ground stems in extreme drought

Ecological Notes:

  • Pollinators: Likely bees and small insects, though specific data is limited
  • Wildlife Interaction: Seed pods are not known to be eaten; the plant is more important as a nectar source
  • Soil Preferences: Dry, rocky, or sandy soils; thrives in open sun or light shade
  • Growth Habit: Low, shrubby, often sprawling or ascending; may reach 2–5 feet in height

Observational Guidelines:

  • Best Time for Observation: June through October for flowering and fruiting
  • Photography Tips:
    • Capture the unusual spiral fruits from multiple angles
    • Track flower color and leaf development throughout the dry season
    • Record early signs of dormancy, including stem dieback or leaf loss
  • Environmental Triggers: Rainfall patterns heavily influence flowering and fruiting; drought accelerates senescence
Scroll to Top