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Agriculture In Tuvalu
Agriculture in Tuvalu is based on coconut and swamp taro (''Cyrtosperma merkusii''), (known in Tuvalu as ''Pulaka''), which is similar to taro ('' Colocasia esculenta'') but "with bigger leaves and larger, coarser roots"; taro is also cultivated in Tuvalu. Crops The staple food of Tuvalu is coconut, ''pulaka'' and taro. Bananas, papaya and breadfruit are supplemental crops. The dried flesh of the coconut (copra) is the main agricultural export of Tuvalu, with other agricultural products consumed locally. Because of the young geological age of the reef islands and atolls and high level of soil salination the soil is relatively poor. Wealth and status in traditional Tuvaluan culture was determined by possession of ''pulaka'' and taro pits and coconut trees. Traditional use of broadleaf forest Charles Hedley (1896) identified the uses of plants and trees that were harvested from the native broadleaf forest as including:Hedley (1896), p. 40–41. * Food plants: Coconut; and ' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Coconut
The coconut tree (''Cocos nucifera'') is a member of the palm tree family (Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus ''Cocos''. The term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which botanically is a drupe, not a nut. The name comes from the old Portuguese word '' coco'', meaning "head" or "skull", after the three indentations on the coconut shell that resemble facial features. They are ubiquitous in coastal tropical regions and are a cultural icon of the tropics. The coconut tree provides food, fuel, cosmetics, folk medicine and building materials, among many other uses. The inner flesh of the mature seed, as well as the coconut milk extracted from it, form a regular part of the diets of many people in the tropics and subtropics. Coconuts are distinct from other fruits because their endosperm contains a large quantity of clear liquid, called ''coconut water'' or ''coconut juice''. Mature, ripe coconuts ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Coconut
The coconut tree (''Cocos nucifera'') is a member of the palm tree family (Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus ''Cocos''. The term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which botanically is a drupe, not a nut. The name comes from the old Portuguese word '' coco'', meaning "head" or "skull", after the three indentations on the coconut shell that resemble facial features. They are ubiquitous in coastal tropical regions and are a cultural icon of the tropics. The coconut tree provides food, fuel, cosmetics, folk medicine and building materials, among many other uses. The inner flesh of the mature seed, as well as the coconut milk extracted from it, form a regular part of the diets of many people in the tropics and subtropics. Coconuts are distinct from other fruits because their endosperm contains a large quantity of clear liquid, called ''coconut water'' or ''coconut juice''. Mature, ripe coconuts ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Crinum
''Crinum'' is a genus of about 180 species of perennial plants that have large showy flowers on leafless stems, and develop from bulbs. They are found in seasonally moist areas, including marshes, swamps, depressions and along the sides of streams and lakes in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Description ''Crinum'' leaves are basal, typically long and strap-shaped, with colors ranging from light green to green. Cytological studies have shown some 27 species of Crinum to be diploid with a normal chromosome count of 2n = 22. Abilio Fernandes found that the Orange River ''Crinum bulbispermum'' had a count of 2n = 66, and some desert ''Crinum macowanii'' 2n = 44. These polyploid species produce seeds that are often parthenogenetic triploid or diploids, lack vigour and seldom grow to mature plants. Taxonomy , the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families lists 105 species of ''Crinum''. Amongst these are: *'' Crinum americanum'' L. – southern swamplily, seven sister ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Guettarda Speciosa
''Guettarda speciosa'', with common names sea randa, or zebra wood, is a species of shrub in the family Rubiaceae found in coastal habitats in tropical areas around the Pacific Ocean, including the coastline of central and northern Queensland and Northern Territory in Australia, and Pacific Islands, including Micronesia, French Polynesia and Fiji, Malaysia and Indonesia, Maldives and the east coast of Africa. It reaches 6 m in height, has fragrant white flowers, and large green prominently-veined leaves. It grows in sand above the high tide mark. Taxonomy and naming ''Guettarda speciosa'' was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in volume two of his ''Species Plantarum'' in 1753, citing Java as its origin. The genus was named in honour of the 18th century French naturalist Jean-Étienne Guettard, while the specific epithet is derived from the Latin ''speciosus'' 'showy'. It is the type species of the genus. Its closest relatives are all native to the neotropics, yet it has dispe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gardenia Taitensis
''Gardenia taitensis'', also called Tahitian gardenia or tiaré flower, is a species of plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is an evergreen tropical shrub that grows to tall and has glossy dark green leaves that are long and are oppositely arranged along the stem. The flower is creamy white and pinwheel-shaped with 5–9 lobes, each long and fragrant. Native to the highland shores of the South Pacific, it has the distinction of being one of the few cultivated plants native to Polynesia. It is the national flower of French Polynesia and the Cook Islands. The name Tahitian gardenia is somewhat a misnomer because it is neither native nor naturalized in Tahiti. The first acceptable scientific name for the plant was based on Tahitian specimens collected by Jules Dumont d'Urville in 1824. Hence the scientific name of ''Gardenia taitensis'', and the English name of Tahitian gardenia or Tiaré flower. It was first collected in Tahiti, by the Forsters on Captain Cook's first Pacific voy ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Calophyllum Inophyllum
''Calophyllum inophyllum'' is a large evergreen plant, commonly called tamanu, oil-nut, mastwood, beach calophyllum or beautyleaf. It is native to tropical Asia and Wallacea. Due to its importance as a source of timber for the traditional shipbuilding of large outrigger ships, it has been spread in prehistoric times by the migrations of the Austronesian peoples to the islands of Oceania and Madagascar, along with other members of the genus ''Calophyllum''. It has since been naturalized in regions in the East African coast. It is also a source of the culturally important tamanu oil. Names ''Calophyllum inophyllum'' is also known as Alexandrian laurel balltree, beach touriga, Borneo-mahogany, Indian doomba oiltree, Indian-laurel, laurelwood, red poon, satin touriga, and tacamahac-tree. In Island Southeast Asia and Oceania, they are also commonly known as bintangur, bitaog, tamanu, or kamani. In India it is known as Polanga (ପୋଲାଙ୍ଗ) in Odia, Punnag (पुन ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Morinda Citrifolia
''Morinda citrifolia'' is a fruit-bearing tree in the coffee family, Rubiaceae. Its native range extends across Southeast Asia and Australasia, and was spread across the Pacific by Polynesian sailors. The species is now cultivated throughout the tropics and widely naturalized. Among some 100 names for the fruit across different regions are the more common English names of great morinda, Indian mulberry, noni, beach mulberry, vomit fruit and cheese fruit. The fresh fruit's strong, vomit-like odor has made it a famine food in most regions, but it remains a staple food among some cultures, and has been used in traditional medicine. In the consumer market, it has been introduced as a supplement in various formats, such as capsules, skin products, and juices. Growing habitats ''Morinda citrifolia'' grows in shady forests, as well as on open rocky or sandy shores. It reaches maturity in about 18 months, then yields between of fruit every month throughout the year. It is tol ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Premna Tahitensis
''Premna tahitensis'' is a species of plant in the family Lamiaceae The Lamiaceae ( ) or Labiatae are a family of flowering plants commonly known as the mint, deadnettle or sage family. Many of the plants are aromatic in all parts and include widely used culinary herbs like basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory .... It is Native species, native to the Bismarck Archipelago in Papuasia and some islands of the south Pacific Ocean, Pacific: Fiji, the Marquesas Islands, Niue, the Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, the Society Islands, Tonga, the Tuamotus, Tuamotu Islands, the Austral Islands, Tubuai Islands, and Wallis and Futuna. References Premna, tahitensis Flora of the Bismarck Archipelago Flora of Fiji Flora of the Marquesas Islands Flora of Niue Flora of the Pitcairn Islands Flora of Samoa Flora of the Society Islands Flora of Tonga Flora of the Tuamotus Flora of the Tubuai Islands Flora of Wallis and Futuna Least concern plants Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Plants descri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rhizophora Mucronata
''Rhizophora mucronata'' (loop-root mangrove, red mangrove or Asiatic mangrove) is a species of mangrove found on coasts and river banks in East Africa and the Indo-Pacific region. Description ''Rhizophora mucronata'' is a small to medium size evergreen tree growing to a height of about on the banks of rivers. On the fringes of the sea is a more typical height. The tallest trees are closest to the water and shorter trees are further inland. The tree has a large number of aerial stilt roots buttressing the trunk. The leaves are elliptical and usually about long and wide. They have elongated tips but these often break off. There are corky warts on the pale undersides of the leaves. The flowers develop in axillary clusters on the twigs. Each has a hard cream-coloured calyx with four sepals and four white, hairy petals. The seeds are viviparous and start to develop whilst still attached to the tree. The root begins to elongate and may reach a length of a metre (yard) or more ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thespesia Populnea
''Thespesia populnea'', commonly known as the portia tree (), Pacific rosewood, Indian tulip tree, or milo, among other names, is a species of flowering plant belonging to the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is a tree found commonly on coasts around the world. Although it is confirmed to be native only to the Old World tropics, other authorities consider it to have a wider, possibly pantropical native distribution. It is thought to be an invasive species in Florida and Brazil. Distribution ''Thespesia populnea'' is native to tropical coastlines and is adapted for oceanic dispersal and growth in island environments. It is known from both coasts of Africa, tropical Asia, northern Australia, the Pacific Islands (including Hawaii), the tropical Pacific coast of the Americas from Mexico south to Colombia, the West Indies, and Florida in the United States. Its exact native distribution has been debated, with most authorities considering it to only be native to the Old World tropics, s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pemphis
''Pemphis'' is a genus of maritime plants in family Lythraceae. It was recently thought have only one species (the type species, described in 1775, ''Pemphis acidula'' ) but is now believed to have at least two. ''Pemphis'' are highly adaptive. Depending on environmental factors, they are densely branched, or low and spreading bushes or short trees, with main stems that can be furcated and lie nearly prone, or develop into one erect trunk. Leaves can be small, fleshy and succulent, or larger, flat and not fleshy. All surfaces are covered generally in silky, colorless trichomes. The fruits and bee-pollinated flowers are produced throughout the year. Seeds can float, and are sometimes propagated through water dispersal. Habitat Most ''Pemphis'' live either at the verges of mangrove forests, well away from the forest-ocean interface; or they colonize beaches behind the intertidal zone, taking hold on rocks, gravel or sand, laterite or limestone, and frequently on promontori ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hernandia
''Hernandia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Hernandiaceae. It was named after the Spanish botanist Francisco Hernández de Toledo. Species , ''Plants of the World Online'' accepted the following species: * ''Hernandia albiflora'' (C.T.White) Kubitzki – northeast Queensland * ''Hernandia beninensis'' Welw. ex Henriq. – São Tomé * ''Hernandia bivalvis'' Benth. – eastern Queensland * ''Hernandia catalpifolia'' Britton & Harris – Jamaica * ''Hernandia cordigera'' Vieill. – New Caledonia * ''Hernandia cubensis'' Griseb. – Cuba * ''Hernandia didymantha'' Donn.Sm. – southern Mexico (Chiapas), Central America, Colombia, and Ecuador * ''Hernandia drakeana'' Nadeaud – Society Islands (Moorea) * ''Hernandia guianensis'' Aubl. – Trinidad, Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern Brazil * '' Hernandia hammelii'' D'Arcy – Panama * '' Hernandia jamaicensis'' Britton & Harris – Jamaica * '' Hernandia kunstleri'' King ex K.Heyne * '' Hernandia labyrinthica'' Tuy ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
