Strelitzia Plants and Access to Playa Chacalilla

Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

There are two plants here in Chacala that I never would have guessed are in the same family. The Traveller's Palm (Strelitzia ravenala) and the Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) are closely related. Probably everyone else in the plant world knew this interesting tidbit. Oh well. Live and learn.

(Below is an unpaid political message, not about gardening.
Feel free to skip it, but be sure to look at the photos below)

This red stucco wall with the wooden gate is a symbol for me of all that's wrong with the class systems both in the U.S. and Mexico. This wall, surrounding the Marina Chacala (mis-named, no marina exists) development is symbolic of the "I got mine, you keep out" way of thinking.

Although all the beaches in Mexico are open to the public, those with the cash and the political clout were allowed to fence this public beach off from public use. Only the wealthy Mexican and Gringo residents can access the lovely little Chacallila beach by land. Of course, you can take a cheap boat ride there.

Oddly enough, this beach has many, many, many mala aguas, jelly fish, particularly during the warmer months. Piles of them end up on the sand after a high tide. There are also more sting rays there. Maybe it's nature's little joke on the wealthy.

All three of the shots below are the same Traveller's Palm (Strelitzia ravenala)

Traveller's Palm