Our exploration of the tropical islands of the world has brought us into contact with some amazing plant species. Some are heavily cultivated for their wood, bark, fruits or flowers, some are just fantastic examples of adaptability and surviva, others are important cultural symbols. Whatever the reason, here are some brilliant botanical wonders in Island Excursions that we thought deserved a closer look!
The Cananga Tree
The cananga tree is cultivated for its highly scented flowers, which are processed to make the essential oil ylang-ylang. The tree grows very rapidly in the hot climate and acidic soil of it's rainforest home, and has symbolic meanings in the countries of it's origin. In Indonesia the yellow, or rarely pink, flowers are spread on the bed of newlyweds, and in the Philippines they are strung onto necklaces worn by women.
The Rafflesia arnoldii Plant
The Rafflesia arnoldii is a species of mysterious rainforest plants, commonly called the "corpse flower" as they emit a scent reminiscent of rotting flesh and attract swarms of flies, which act as pollinating agents. The Rafflesia arnoldii produces the largest individual flower on the planet, reaching a diameter of nearly a meter. As Rafflesia require undisturbed rainforest to successfully grow and pollinate, they are severely threatened and faced with extinction.
The Giant Clam
Giant clams are not really plants, but for the purposes of Zoo Tycoon 2 they work in the same way! Giant clams are the largest bivalve molluscs alive today, and can easily weigh over two hundred kilograms and live for more than a hundred years. Although tales are told of "killer clams", giant clams actually close their shells very slowly, and certainly pose no threat to passing divers!
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The Sampaguita Plant
The sampaguita is a species of jasmine native to islands all over southern Asia. Its scented flowers have encouraged its popularity, and it is also the national flower of the Philippines and Indonesia. The flowers are used in leis and garlands in the Philippines and Hawaii, as well as ingredients in Chinese jasmine tea, and symbolises the beauty of a girl.
The Staghorn Coral
Staghorn coral is a branching coral, and again is not a plant but really a collection of thousands of identical polyps. Staghorn coral is a foundational coral in the Caribbean, where it provides structure for reefs and homes for fish, and is one of the fastest growing corals in the Atlantic ocean, growing at a staggering (well...for a coral...) rate of ten - twenty centimetres a year! However, like many corals, it is suffering from bleaching, changes in local temperature and outbreaks of disease, which are threatening its survival.
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