Flora, Christmas Island

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source: http://www.christmas.net.au

There are about 200 species of native flowering plants on Christmas Island. Some 16 plant species are endemic. The distribution of plants on the island can be related to soil depth, moisture retention & exposure to and distance from the sea. The island environment may be classified into the following broad habitats; these are the marine environment, shoreline platforms, beaches, sea cliff zone, terrace forest on the poorer soils of the lower terraces, shallow soil rainforest on the higher terraces, simple rainforest on the deeper plateau and terrace soils, limestone scree slopes and pinnacles, mangrove forest, perennially wet areas, caves, sinkholes and various habitats resulting from clearance and other disturbances.

A dense rainforest has evolved in the deep soils of the plateau & on some terraces. The forests are dominated by 25 tree species. Ferns orchids & vines flourish on the branches in the humid atmosphere beneath the canopy. The 135 species of flora include 16 which can only be found on Christmas Island. There are fewer vines & understorey shrub plants than in the related neighbouring Indo-Malaysian rainforests. Red Crabs eat the leaf litter, abundant tree fruits & seedlings lying on the forest floor.

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General Tips about Christmas Island

» Information for Visiting Yachts
» Christmas Island Territory Week Community
» Useful information - Australian currency
» Useful information - TV/Radio
» Useful information - Telephones
» Useful information - Water
» Useful information - Electricity
» Useful information - Education
» Useful information - Postal services
» Useful information - Quarantine
» Useful information - Customs
» Useful information - Police
» Useful information - Health
» Useful information - TAXIS
» The Christmas Island Marathon
» Activities - Snorkelling
» Activities - Golf
» Places to see - Winifred Beach
» Places to see - West White Beach
» Places to see - LB4 Lookout
» Places to see - The Pink House
» Places to see - Territory Day Park
» Places to see - South Point
» Places to see - Blowholes
» Places to see - Martin Point
» Places to see - Hugh’s Waterfall
» Places to see - The Dales
» Places to see - Margaret Knoll
» Places to see - Dolly Beach
» Places to see - Greta Beach
» Places to see - Ethel Beach
» Places to see - Lily Beach
» Places to see - The Grotto
» Places to see - Tai Jin House
» Christmas Island Flight Services
» Fishing
» Local Dive Operators
» Scuba Diving Trips
» Scuba Diving - Did you know?
» Fauna
» Fauna
» Flora
» National Park
» Flying Fish Cove
» Culture, language and religion
» Flora and fauna
» History
» Geography
» Climate
» Christmas Island - National Park

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