She looks innocent enough. Rosy, climbing, blooming like there’s no tomorrow. Originally brought to Statia as an ornamental — and fair enough, she is beautiful. But now she’s everywhere.

What used to grow mainly along the roads now covers entire trucks, fences, and gardens — and is even making its slow but steady way up the slopes of the Quill.

This fast-spreading vine grows before your eyes. It winds, clings, and doesn’t take no for an answer. Except maybe from a machete. Or a goat with good taste.

Still, this invader has a sweet side: bees love it. The honey produced on Statia by CelBee comes largely from coralita — and honestly, it’s delicious.

So yes, coralita is a pest.
But a pest with a golden aftertaste.