Avicennia marinaFamily Name: Acanthaceae
IUCN Status: Least Concern Commonly known as the Grey/White Mangrove, Avicennia marina is a native plant to the Seychelles. You will find this species most often in the inter-tidal zone of estuaries, usually surrounded by mud or sand. As can be seen from the picture, the species has aerial roots that assist in anchoring the tree and protecting it against ocean swells. |
Campnosperma seychellarum
Family Name: Anacardiaceae
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered This species is endemic solely to the island of Mahé, one of the major islands of the Seychelles. This tree grows mostly out of rocky crevices and prefers to grow in the relative altitude of 300-600 meters. The species has fallen to a total population of less than one-thousand individuals due too it being heavily used for firewood for cinnamon oil production over the last one-hundred years. The tree has had trouble repopulating due to rate predation of its seeds. At the rate it is declining, it may be completely gone within another one-hundred years. |
Cerbera manghas
Family Name: Apocynaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Commonly known as the Sea Mango, Cerbera manghas is native to the Seychelles and is found in coastal and lowland habitats. The species is often found intertwined with mangrove forests. The fruits and leaves are extremely poisonous and were once used as poison to assist in animal hunting. The leaves are simple and alternate and the tree is evergreen. |
Tabernaemontana coffeoides
Family Name: Apocynaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Native to the Seychelles, Tabernaemontana coffeoides is most often found in dry forests, sometimes even growing out of limestone. The tree is found at up to 1300 meters in elevation and is used medicinally to fight cardiovascular disease as well as to assist in losing weight. Sometimes the bark is even added to acohol due to its bitterness. |
Polyscias crassa
Family name: Araliaceae
IUCN Status: Vulnerable Endemic to five locations of the Seychelles, this species is considered vulnerable due to limitations in range as well as susceptibility to invasive species. It is most often found in moist forests growing beneath the canopy. The species tends to grow at an intermediate altitude between 400 and 700 meters. |
Polyscias sechellarum
Family name: Araliaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Endemic to six islands of the Seychelles, this species is found most often at intermediate and lowland altitudes. It is thought that there are less than 2500 mature trees due to the destruction of their habitat by invasive species. Similar to the Polyscias crassa, it is most often found in moist forests growing beneath the canopy. |
Cococs nucifera
Family name: Arecaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Commonly known as the Coconut Palm, Cocos nucifera is native to the Seychelles . A monocot species, the Coconut Palm is most famous for the coconut fruit it produces which is consumed by billions across the globe every year. The leaves and husks are often used to produce furniture and the coconut itself is even used medicinally to treat colds, tumors, and ulcers. |
Deckenia nobilis
Family name: Arecaceae
IUCN Status: Vulnerable Commonly known as the Cabbage Palm, Deckenia nobilis is endemic to the Seychelles. Growing up to forty meters tall, the species is considered vulnerable due to invasive species and humans settling in their habitat. The palm hearts were once taken for Millionaire's Salad, thought to make one feel like a millionaire due to the luxurious ingredients. The species is now protected and the explotation of the hearts has been prohibited. |
Lodoicea maldivica
Family name: Arecaceae
IUCN Status: Endangered Commonly known as the Double Coconut Palm, the Lodoicea maldivica is endemic to the Seychelles. With only a little over 8000 mature individuals left, the species is considered endangered. The population size has declined by 30% over the last three generations and studies predict it to decline another 30% in the next one-hundred years. Fires, parasites, pathogens, and poachers have all led to such a quick decline in numbers. The species is protected, but poachers illegally take the nuts which are worth thousands on the black market. It is the largest nut in the world and the tree is even found on the Seychelles Islands coat of arms. |
Nephrosperma van-houtteanum
Family name: Arecaceae
IUCN Status: Least Concern Commonly known as the Van Houtten's Palm, , Nephrosperma van-houtteanum is endemic to at least ten islands of the Seychelles. It is believed that the species exceeds 10,000 mature individuals and is not declining. It is most often found in rocky habitats or near running water. The species resides most often at low or intermediate altitudes and is a protected tree in the Seychelles. |
Phoenicophorium borsigianum
Family name: Arecaceae
IUCN Status: Least Concern Commonly known as the Thief Palm, Phoenicophorium borsigianum is endemic to eight islands of the Seychelles. This species is extremely resilient and can thrive in heavily degraded forests and forests overrun by invasive species. It can survive in almost any habitat, but is found more often in deep forests and rocky areas. It is drought resistant and can often be found near Lodoicea maldivica. It is illegal to harvest the tree, but it is not monitored due to its sheer resilience. |
Roscheria melanochaetes
Family name: Arecaceae
IUCN Status: Near Threatened Commonly known as the Latanier Palm, Roscheria melanochaetes is endemic to the Seychelles. It is found growing underneath the canopy in many different habitats, but is most dominant in moist forests anywhere form 500-900 meters in altitude. It is believed there are over 10,000 mature individuals, but invasive species are beginning to take over its environment. It is not believed that human expansion will harm the population of this species. |
Verschaffeltia splendidaFamily name: Arecaceae
IUCN Status: Near Threatened Commonly known as the Seychelles Stilt Palm, Verschaffeltia splendida is endemic to the Seychelles. This species is found in moist tropical forests usually on steep hillsides. It is relatively resilient and is thought to be only restricted by its limited range, not by human or invasive species development. What makes this plant so unique is the stilt roots that support the stem of the palm as can be seen to the right. |
Tabebuia heterophylla
Family name: Bignoniaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Invasive Tabebuia heterophylla is actually an invasive species to the Seychelles. The species grows and reproduces rapidly allowing it to form a canopy under which not many species can survive. Due to their beauty, they are often not removed and can end up outcompeting other species. It grows extremely well in tropical, humid conditions making the Seychelles Islands a perfect habitat. |
Cordia subcordata
Family name: Boraginaceae
IUCN Status: Least Concern Cordia subcordata is native to the Seychelles and is found most often in coastal areas. This plant serves a unique purpose on the coast in that it actually is a barrier against strong winds. As it is a coastal tree, it is not found higher than 30 meters in altitude and has extremely shallow roots. The wood of the tree is often turned into bowls and utensils. |
Casuarina equisetifolia
Family name: Casuarinaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Commonly known as the Australian Pine, this species is native to the Seychelles. The species is found most often growing in substropical areas and wet forests and grows anywhere from 30-45 meters in height and is actually quite susceptible to fire, termites, and rot. The bark is often used to treat a sore threat, headache, and swellings. |
Brexia madagascariensis subsp. microcarpa
Family name: Celestraceae
IUCN Status: Vulnerable Brexia madagascariensis subsp. microcarpa is endemic to four of the Seychelles. The species is restricted mostly to high altitudes, but it is thought that it used to be more abundant and grew amongst many altitudes. It is considered vulnerable due to deforestation in its environment. |
Calophyllum inophyllum
Family name: Clusiaceae
IUCN Status: Least Concern Commonly known as the Beach Calophyllum, Calophyllum inophyllum is native to the Seychelles. The species is found most often on sandy beaches, but can sometimes be found further inland if the soil is slightly sandy. The flowers of the tree are extremely fragrant which is useful in attracting pollinating insects. The gum taken from the tree is often used to help treat wounds and ulcers. |
Terminalia catappaFamily name: Combretaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Commonly known as the Sea Almond, Terminalia catappa is a native species to the Seychelles. This tree is especially fast growing and is most often found growing on or near sandy shores. The species has almond shaped fruits that are dispersed via water, aka hydrochory dispersal. The fruits are consumed and do actually taste like almonds. A fun fact about this species is that some species of ants will actually hollow twigs of the tree to live in fore protection; yet, in turn the ants will protect the tree from any insect predators. |
Cyathea sechellarum
Family name: Cyatheaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Cyathea sechellarum is endemic to the Seychelles. It is relatively common throughout the islands and can grow anywhere from twelve to fifteen meters tall. Other than this small bit of information, not much is known of this species due to lack of research. |
Dillenia ferrugineaFamily name: Dilleniaceae
IUCN Status: Near Threatened This endemic tree has sturdy red wood and edible fruit. It has been observed to grow up to 20 meters tall and can be found on drier areas of the islands and among exposed rocks. It was used extensively as timber, particularly for the construction of homes on the Seychelles. |
Vateriopsis seychellumFamily name: Dipterocarpaceae
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered Vateriopsis seychellum is an endemic tree species that has become increasingly rare. It is a canopy tree that almost went extinct due to its use as timber. The tree's gravity-dispersed seeds have a high mortality rate resulting in slow restoration. |
Excoecaria benthamianaFamily name: Euphorbiaceae
IUCN Status: Vulnerable An endemic glabrous small tree, with milky sap. It grows on exposed rocky outcrops and in open forest. It disperses only very locally by dehiscing capsules. The species grows mainly at altitudes between 300 m and 650 m and reaches 5m in height. |
Acacia farnesiana
Family name: Fabaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Invasive Acacia farnesiana, sometimes called Sweet Acacia or Needle Bush, contains thorny branches and is invasive in the Seychelles. It is deciduous in some areas, but evergreen in most. The flowers are used to create a perfume called Cassie and the bark is used for dye production. It can grow up to 8m in height. |
Hernandia nymphaeifoliaFamily name: Hernandiaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Referred to as the Lantern Tree, its leaves are narrowly or broadly ovate or subcircular. The flowers are white or greenish, hermaphrodite with male and female separated. It has either red or white fruits and grows to 5-22m in height. |
Barringtonia racemosaFamily name: Lecythidaceae
IUCN Status: Least Concern Also called the Powderpuff Tree, this tree has bark that is greyish brown and flowers that are pink and red, with a strong scent. It produces fruits that can float and uses hydrochory distribution. It reaches 5-15m in height. |
Medusagyne oppositifoliaFamily name: Medusagynaceae
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered Commonly referred to as the Jellyfish Tree, it has dense rounded crown of foliage and dark bark, shiny, leathery red leaves. The tree produces the small white flowers and small green fruits that turn brown and distribute the seed via wind dispersal. It grows up to 10m in height. |
Ficus bojeriFamily name: Moraceae
IUCN Status: Vulnerable This is a smaller fig tree with small branches, oval-shaped leaves and greyish-brown in color. The fruit hangs directly from the trunk of the tree on centimeter long twigs. It can only be pollinated by a tiny fig wasp. It can grow up to 15m in height. |
Trilepisium gymnandrum
Family name: Moraceae
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered Commonly known as the Urnfigs, this species is endemic to the Seychelles. Therefore, little information is available about the plant, but there is a suspected extirpation on the main island of Mahé, with smaller populations on Silhouette Island. |
Psidium cattleianum
Family name: Myrtaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Invasive Commonly referred to as the Strawberry Guava, this species is a small, invasive fruit bearing tree with grey bark and long, dark green leaves that are shiny/waxy in texture. The fruits are either yellow or red, and can be eaten or used in teas. |
Syzygium jambosFamily name: Myrtaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Invasive The Syzygium jumbos is a large shrub or small-to-medium-sized invasive tree that is invasive to the Seychelles. The leaves and twigs of this tree are glabrous and the bark is dark brown with smooth texture. The flowers are white or greenish white, and the fruit is edible and resembles a guava so closely that many people initially mistake it for a guava. |
Pisonia grandis
Family name: Nyctaginaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Commonly known as the Grand Devil's-Claws, this is a native plant to the Seychelles. It is able to grow up to 20m in height with broad, thin leaves, and smooth bark. It has clusters of green sweet-smelling flowers that become sticky barbed seeds. |
Martellidendron hornei
Family name: Pandanaceae
IUCN Status: Vulnerable Commonly known as Horne's Pandanus, this endemic tree has a smooth trunk which branches into threes, forming an umbrella-shaped crown of leaves. The leaves can grow up to 3 meters long, and the large fruits hang on stalks from the tree, packed tightly together in bunches. |
Pandanus multispicatus
Family name: Pandanaceae
IUCN Status: Near Threatened Pandanus multispicatus is an endemic tree which can be found on six of the Seychelles. It is only found in rocky outcrops meaning it has a very specific habitat. It is believed that there are over 10,000 mature individuals surviving today as they thrive and are highly abundant in the rocky outcrops. The species is not currently threatened, but there is fear that invasive species may soon outcompete it. |
Pandanus balfourii
Family name: Pandanaceae
IUCN Status: Vulnerable Commonly Known as Balfour's Pandanus, Pandanus balfouri is an endemic species to the Seychelles. It is characterized by drooping, leathery leaves which can be up to 1.5 metres long. The tree roduces large fruits that resemble pineapples and are about 25cm long. |
Rhizophora mucronataFamily name: Rhizophoraceae
IUCN Status: Least Concern Commonly known as the Loop Root Mangrove or Red Mangrove, this tree is native to the Seychelles. The tree has a large number of aerial stilt roots buttressing near its trunk. The leaves are elliptical with elongated tips, and usually have cork-like warts on the bottom of the leaves. It also has white flowers, but no fruit. |
Glionnetia sericea
Family name: Rubiaceae
IUCN Status: Endangered This is an endemic species with leathery, oval-shaped leaves, growing with red stalks. The flowers are tubular, sweetly scented, and grow in clusters that are creamy pink at first, but later beome maroon. The tree also produces small spherical fruits that split open to release its seeds. |
Ixora pudica
Family name: Rubiaceae
IUCN Status: Near Threatened This species is endemic to the three largest islands of the Seychelles. The species is considered to be stable with a hypothesized 10,000 + matura individuals in the wild. It is found most often in the humid forest at medium or high altitudes. It is predicted that the only thing that may threaten the species is the introduction of an invasive species. |
Morinda citrifoliaFamily name: Rubiaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed The Morinda citrifolia, native to the Seychelles, bears flowers and fruit all year round that smell so bad it is known as the cheese fruit or even vomit fruit, but is edible. The fruit is usually either prepared raw with salt or cooked/roasted for better taste. |
Psychotria dupontiae
Family name: Rubiaceae
IUCN Status: Vulnerable Endemic to four of the Seychelles, this species is found in wet forests at mid to high altitudes. The species is usually found growing underneath the canopy and is listed as vulnerable due to the fear of invasive species taking over its habitat. Also, this species has been exterminated on other islands by scale insects which if introduced to the current four islands, could cause complete extinction. |
Rothmannia annae
Family name: Rubiaceae
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered Commonly known as the Wright's Gardenia, this plant has smooth, greyish-green bark and pointed, long dark-green leaves. It produces white flowers speckled with deep red and have a strong scent. The fruits are olive-green rounded berries. |
Timonius flavescens
Family name: Rubiaceae
IUCN Status: Vulnerable Native to the Seychelles, Timonius flavescens is usually found growing on hillsides or ridges or near running water. The leaves simple and opposite and the tree produces a yellow flower and green-yellow berries. A fun fact about this tree is that its leaves can actually be used to treat an egg allergy. |
Mimusops sechellarum
Family name: Sapotaceae
IUCN Status: Near Threatened Endemic to the Seychelles, Mimusops sechellarum is found growing in rocky outcrops up to a height of 15 meters. The tree used to be heavily used for lumbar, but has since been protected. It is believed that there are less than 10,000 mature individuals left, but the species is considered relatively stable which is why its IUCN status is only near threatened. |
Planchonella obovata
Family name: Sapotaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Native to the Seychelles, this species can grow over thirty meters in height and is found most often on rocky or sandy shores. The pinkish-brown wood is extremely heavy and is used often for construction or carvings. The leaves are also used medicinally to help treat stomach aches. |
Trema orientalisFamily name: Ulmaceae
IUCN Status: Not Listed Native to the Seychelles, Trema orientalis grows most often in moist soils along running water. The leaves are simple, alternate, and serrated and as they mature go from rough and hairy to relatively smooth. The species germinates quickly, but the wood is extremely light so is not harvested for use very often. The flowers of the tree are actually pollinated by bees, but one might find many insects and birds residing in the tree. |
Sources
- Baker J.B.. 1877. Flora of Mauritius and the Seychelles: a description of the flowering plants and ferns of those islands. L. Reeve & co.
- "Encyclopedia of Life." Encyclopedia of Life. Biodiversity Data Journal, 2016. Web. 27 May 2016. <http://eol.org/>.
- Fern, Ken. "Useful Tropical Plants Database." Useful Tropical Plants. N.p., 2014. Web. 27 May 2016. <http://tropical.theferns.info/>.
- "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species." Red List. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Apr. 2015. Web. 27 May 2016. <http://www.iucnredlist.org/>.
- "Meet the Plants." National Tropical Botanical Garden. National Tropical Botanical Garden, 2016. Web. 27 May 2016. <http://www.ntbg.org/plants/index.php>
- "Seychelles Plant Gallery - Native Plants." Seychelles Plant Gallery. Seychelles Plant Gallery, n.d. Web. May 2016. <http://www.seychellesplantgallery.com/Native.html>.