Tobacco plants, Nicotiana tabacum are occasionally seen around the island. It is member of the very large Solanaceae family which includes edible plants such as tomato and potato as well as those that will do humans harm such as deadly nightshade and the daturas. Possibly introduced by early shipwrecked sailors the first records date back to 1610 when Sir George Somers labelled Tobacco Bay on his 1610 chart. It became an important export crop early in the development of the Islands with rents and salaries being paid with tobacco.

Works are progressing on a building at the Botanical Gardens in Paget.

The Cacti and Succulent building was torn down after the Government called on companies to put forward bids to rebuild the structure.

In a request for proposals in March last year, the Ministry of Public Works said the timber-framed rebuild will be a new ‘like-for-like’ structure.

The the new roof of the structure will be pitched rather than flat and it will include a hutch. The roof will be covered with corrugated roof panels, the notice said.

Something to read on this wet and windy Sunday - great articles and the opportunity to register for free Healing Power of Plants webinar.