THE FLORA OF RAROTONGA. 265 
above, the wealth of varied foliage and exuberant vigour of growth which constitute the 
chief attraction of the Rarotongan flora. 
Examining the vegetation in detail, it will be seen that it is naturally divisible into 
three zones :—(1) the plants of the sea-shore ; (2) those of the level strip of land which 
everywhere fringes the coast ; and (3) those of the hilly and mountainous interior. 
The first vegetation seen on the shore is usually one of three plants :—Jpomea biloba, 
with its prostrate stems often 30 feet or more in length, broad fleshy leaves, and purplish 
flowers; Triumfetta procumbens; and Thuarea sarmentosa, a creeping grass with much 
of the habit of the buffalo-grass (Stenotaphrum americanum). Heliotropium anomalum 
and a few other species sometimes accompany them. All of these grow vigorously in 
pure coral sand, and in situations where they must be often drenched with salt spray. 
In open places they are followed by Vigna retusa and Canavalia sericea; but usually 
they are backed by shrubs or trees. On the northern and western coasts Scevola 
Kenigii is the first shrubby plant to appear, usually forming a close-growing belt a few 
yards wide and from 4 to 8 feet high. On the eastern shore it is replaced by Pandanus 
odoratissimus or Hibiscus tiliaceus. Immediately behind these are Casuarina equiseti- 
Jolia, Hernandia peltata, cocoa-nut palms, Leucena Forsteri, Morinda citrifolia, Barring- 
tonia Butonica, and a tall tree called Pukatea by the natives, but which, in the absence 
of flowers or fruit, I have been unable to determine. Of less common occurrence are 
Calophyllum Inophyllum, Thespesia populnea, Cerbera Odollam, and Tournefortia argentea. 
Growing under the shade of the trees are Lepidium piscidium, Sophora tomentosa, 
Huphorbia Chamissonis, Wedelia aristata, Stenotaphrum subulatum, Polypodium 
Phymatodes, Nephrolepis acuta, and Asplenium Nidus. In the few muddy places there 
is usually plenty of Vitex trifolia, with Sesuvium Portulacastrum lower down on the 
beach. À 
Leaving the vicinity of the shore, we next enter upon the fringe of almost level land 
which surrounds the whole island, curving round the foot of the hills and penetrating 
far up some of the valleys. At one time or another the whole of this has been under 
cultivation, but the portion at present tilled is small. The vegetation is thus more or 
less a second growth, and in places that have been recently cultivated is often largely 
composed of naturalized plants, including in the term not only introduced weeds, but 
also many economic or ornamental species now perfectly well established and spreading 
without man’s assistance. The chief of these are the Papaw, Mango, Alligator-Pear, 
Custard-Apple, Orange, Lime, Guava, Grenadilla, Coffee, Cotton, Manioc, Melia 
Azedarach, Bombax malabaricum, Ae Of indigenous trees Hibiscus tiliaceus is by 
far the most abundant, often constituting the greater part of the vegetation; but 
the following are all plentiful:—Hernandia peltata, Barringtonia Butonica, Aleurites 
moluccana, Cocos nucifera, Pandanus odoratissimus, Inocarpus edulis, Artocarpus 
incisa, Cananga odorata, Eleocarpus rarotongensis, Homalium acuminatum, Macaranga 
Harveyana, Pipturus velutinus, and many others. The Polynesian Banyan (Ficus 
prolixa) is not common, but there are several fine specimens, one of which must 
extend over more than one acre of ground. 
Of climbing plants the most conspicuous are Colubrina asiatica, Canavalia ensiformis, 
