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Western Polynesian Tropical Moist Forests
The Western Polynesian tropical moist forests is a tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests ecoregion in Polynesia. It includes Tuvalu, the Phoenix Islands in Kiribati, Tokelau, and Howland and Baker islands, which are possessions of the United States. Geography The islands are mostly atolls, low islands of coralline sand ringing a central lagoon, or raised platforms of coralline limestone. The ecoregion includes three archipelagos along with some scattered islands. Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, includes nine atolls between 6º to 9º S latitude and 176º to 180º E longitude. The Phoenix Islands include eight atolls between 2º to 5º S latitude and 171º to 175º W longitude. They are part of Kiribati, and mostly uninhabited. Tokelau includes three inhabited atolls, Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo, and uninhabited Swain's Island, which is disputed with American Samoa. Tokelau lies between 8º to 12º S latitude and 170º to 173º W longitude. Howland a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Funafuti
Funafuti is the capital of the island nation of Tuvalu. It has a population of 6,320 people (2017 census), and so it has more people than the rest of Tuvalu combined, with approximately 60% of the population. It consists of a narrow sweep of land between wide, encircling a large lagoon (''Te Namo'') long and wide. The average depth of the Funafuti lagoon is about 20 fathoms (36.5 metres or 120 feet). With a surface area of , it is by far the largest lagoon in Tuvalu. The land area of the 33 islets around the atoll of Funafuti totals ; taken together, they constitute less than one percent of the total area of the atoll. Cargo ships can enter Funafuti's lagoon and dock at the port facilities on Fongafale. The capital of Tuvalu is sometimes said to be Fongafale or Vaiaku, but, officially, the entire atoll of Funafuti is its capital, since it has a single government that is responsible for the whole atoll. Fongafale The largest island is Fongafale. The island houses four villag ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tournefortia Argentea
''Heliotropium arboreum'' is a species of flowering plant in the borage family, Boraginaceae. It is native to tropical Asia including southern China, Madagascar, northern Australia, and most of the atolls and high islands of Micronesia and Polynesia. Common names include velvetleaf soldierbush, tree heliotrope, veloutier, and octopus bush. It is a shrub or small tree typical of littoral zones reaching a height of , with a spread of about . Taxonomy Originally published as ''Tournefortia argentea'', it was transferred to ''Argusia argentea'', and remained under that name until recently. It was subsequently restored to the genus '' Tournefortia'' before being transferred into the genus ''Heliotropium'' under a new name in 2003. Uses Historically in the Maldives the leaves were often used as famine food. Wood The wood of ''H. arboreum'' is commonly used to make handicrafts, tools, and, in Polynesia, frames for swim goggles. Due to its availability, ''H. arboreum'' is used as fir ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Portulaca
''Portulaca'' (, is the type genus of the flowering plant family Portulacaceae, with over 100 species, found in the tropics and warm temperate regions. They are known as the purslanes. Common purslane (''Portulaca oleracea'') is widely consumed as an edible plant, and in some areas it is invasive. ''Portulaca grandiflora'' is a well-known ornamental garden plant. Purslanes are relished by chickens. Some ''Portulaca'' species are used as food plants by the Caterpillar, larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the Nutmeg (moth), nutmeg moth (''Hadula trifolii''). Species The following species are accepted: *''Portulaca africana'' (Danin & H.G.Baker) Danin – Western Africa to south China *''Portulaca almeviae'' Ocampo – Mexico *''Portulaca amilis'' Speg. – Paraguayan purslane – Peru to Brazil and N. Argentina *''Portulaca anceps'' A.Rich. – Ethiopia *''Portulaca argentinensis'' Speg. – Argentina *''Portulaca aurantiaca'' Proctor – Jamaica *''Portulaca australis' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lepturus Repens
''Lepturus'' (common name thintail) is a genus of plants in the grass family, native to Asia, Africa, Australia, and various islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. ; Species * '' Lepturus anadabolavensis'' A.Camus - Madagascar * '' Lepturus androyensis'' A.Camus - Madagascar * '' Lepturus boinensis'' A.Camus - Madagascar * '' Lepturus calcareus'' Cope - Socotra * '' Lepturus copeanus'' B.K.Simon - Australia * '' Lepturus geminatus'' C.E.Hubb. - Australia * '' Lepturus humbertianus'' A.Camus - Madagascar * '' Lepturus minutus'' B.K.Simon - Queensland * '' Lepturus nesiotes'' Cope - Socotra * '' Lepturus perrieri'' A.Camus - Madagascar * '' Lepturus pulchellus'' (Balf.f.) Clayton - Socotra * '' Lepturus radicans'' (Steud.) A.Camus - Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles, India * '' Lepturus repens'' (J.R.Forst.) R.Br. - Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, KwaZulu-Natal, Madagascar, Chagos Is, Mauritius, Rodrigues I, Aldabra ... [...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] |
Scaevola Taccada
''Scaevola taccada'', also known as beach cabbage, sea lettuce, or beach naupaka, is a flowering plant in the family Goodeniaceae found in coastal locations in the tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific. It is a common beach shrub throughout the Arabian Sea, the tropical Indian Ocean and the tropical islands of the Pacific Ocean. There has long been confusion over the correct scientific name for this species. It is also known by the synonym ''Scaevola sericea''. Description ''Scaevola taccada'' is a large bush reaching up to about 4 m in height typical of littoral zones where it grows very close to the sea exposed to the salt spray, usually on sandy or pebbly soils. Leaves are slightly succulent, about 20 cm long, closely alternate and crowded at the stem tips. They are glabrous with a fleshy-looking yellowish green color. The fruits and flowers are white. ''Scaevola taccada'' blooms the whole year round and the flowers have a fan-like shape which gives them the name ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ipomoea Tuba
''Ipomoea'' () is the largest genus in the plant family Convolvulaceae, with over 600 species. It is a large and diverse group, with common names including morning glory, water convolvulus or water spinach, sweet potato, bindweed, moonflower, etc. The genus occurs throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and comprises annual and perennial herbaceous plants, lianas, shrubs, and small trees; most of the species are twining climbing plants. Their most widespread common name is morning glory, but some species in related genera bear that same common name and some ''Ipomoea'' species are known by different common names. Those formerly separated in ''Calonyction'' (Greek "good" and , , , "night") are called moonflowers. The name ''Ipomoea'' is derived from the Greek , (, ), meaning "woodworm", and (), meaning "resembling". It refers to their twining habit. Uses and ecology Human uses of ''Ipomoea'' include: *Most species have spectacular, colorf ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Asplenium Nidus
:''See bird's-nest fern for other plants with this common name.'' ''Asplenium nidus'' is an epiphytic species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae, native to tropical southeastern Asia, eastern Australia, Hawaii (''ʻēkaha'' in Hawaiian), Polynesia,MacDonald, Elvin "The World Book of House Plants" pp.264 Popular Books Christmas Island, India, and eastern Africa. It is known by the common names bird's-nest fern (a name shared by some other aspleniums) or simply nest fern. Description ''Asplenium nidus'' forms large simple fronds visually similar to banana leaves, with the fronds growing to long and broad, with occasional individuals up to 6.6 feet (two meters) in length by up to two feet (61 centimeters) width They are light green, often crinkled, with a black midrib, and exhibit circinate vernation. Spores develop in sori on the underside of the fronds. These sori form long rows extending out from the midrib on the back of the outer part of the lamina (frond). The fronds ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pemphis Acidula
''Pemphis acidula'', commonly known as bantigue (pron. ) or mentigi, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lythraceae. It is a mangrove found throughout most of the tropical Indo-Pacific growing on rocky shores. The genus ''Pemphis'', to which it belongs, was until recently thought to have only this single species, first described in 1775 and long considered the type species, but is now believed to have at least one other. Distribution and habitat ''Pemphis acidula'' is a halophyte bush found in coastal locations in the tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific. It is one of the types of shrubs growing in sandy and calcareous soils of the littoral zones of the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean. It is also found in mangroves. Uses The wood of this species has been traditionally valued in many cultures for it is hard and heavy, as well as resistant to rot and warping. It also has naturally a fine finish and may be fashioned into walking canes, fence posts, t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Suriana Maritima
''Suriana'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants containing only ''Suriana maritima'', which is commonly known as bay cedar. Distribution It has a pantropical distribution and can be found on coasts in the New and Old World tropics. Description Bay cedar is an evergreen shrub or small tree, usually reaching a height of and sometimes reaching . The leaves are alternate, simple, long and wide. The grey-green, succulent foliage yields an aroma similar to that of cedar when crushed, hence the common name. Its yellow flowers are solitary or in short cymes among the leaves. Flowers have a diameter of when open, with petals long and sepals long. Bay cedar flowers throughout the year. After fertilisation, the flowers form clusters of five dry, hard drupes in diameter. The drupes are buoyant and can maintain the viability of the seeds during long periods in seawater, allowing the seeds to be dispersed by the ocean The ocean (also the sea or the world ocean) is the ... [...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] |
Ficus Tinctoria
''Ficus tinctoria'', also known as dye fig, or humped fig is a hemiepiphytic tree of genus ''Ficus''. It is also one of the species known as '' strangler fig''. It is found in Asia, Malesia, northern Australia, and the South Pacific islands. It grows in moist valleys. Palms are favorable host species. Root systems of dye fig can come together to be self sustaining but the epiphyte usually falls if the host tree dies or rots away. In Australia it is recorded as a medium-sized tree with smooth, oval green leaves. It is found often growing in rocky areas or over boulders. The leaves are asymmetrical. The small rust brown fruit of the dye fig are the source of a red dye used in traditional fabric making in parts of Oceania and Indonesia. The fruit is also edible and constitute as a major food source in the low-lying atolls of Micronesia and Polynesia. Subspecies ''Ficus tinctoria'' subsp. ''gibbosa'' is an accepted subspecies. References External links Cook Islands Biod ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
