Broadleaved forests

Littoral Forest

The rather low, tangled vegetation in this formation is restricted to the lower terrace (15 to 25 m elevation), where it is subjected to salt spray and strong winds. Soil accumulates mostly in pockets in the limestone. The overstory is dominated by tree species widespread in the Pacific, such as Barringtonia asiatica, Calophyllum inophyllum, Cordia subcordata, Guettarda speciosa, Hernandia nymphaeifolia, Neisosperma oppositifolia, Terminalia catappa, Thespesia populnea and Tournefortia argentea. On cliff faces and among large rocks grow scrub plants of Bikkia tetrandra, Capparis cordifolia, Clerodendrum inerme, Hedyotis foetida and Pemphis acidula. Common understory elements include the scandent Colubrina asiatica, the low shrub Timonius polygamus, various herbs and tree saplings.

Plateau Forest

This taller forest occurs on the upper terrace (61 m elevation), where there is less exposure to wind and salt. As in the littoral forest, the soil is discontinuous, interspersed with limestone outcrops. Overstory elements include Adenanthera pavonina, Aglaia samoensis, Alphitonia zyzyphoides, Baccaurea seemannii, Canarium harveyi, Diospyros samoensis, Dysoxylum mollissimum ssp. molle, Elaeocarpus tonganus, Fagraea berteroana, Ficus spp., Inocarpus fagifer, Macaranga harveyana, Pittosporum brackenridgei, Pisonia grandis, Pometia pinnata, Rhus taitensis and Syzygium spp. The vines Flagellaria gigantea and Merremia peltata are common in the canopy, and there are many epiphytic and ground ferns.

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last updated: Monday, January 12, 2004