Broadleaved

Coastal Swamp Forest

This open to semi-closed forest type is found in coastal areas occasionally inundated by fresh or brackish water from heavy rains or high tides, such as on the north coast of Tongatapu. The tree layer includes species of mangrove, along with Ficus prolixa, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Inocarpus fagifer, Pandanus tectorius and Thespesia populnea. In semi-open areas, the ground layer includes the grasses Ischaemum murinum and Paspalum conjugatum, the sedges Eleocharis dulcis and Cyperus javanicus, the fern Acrostichum aureum, low shrubs and vines, and weedy exotics such as Indigofera suffruticosa, Lantana camara, Psidium guajava and Stachytarpheta urticifolia.

On steep cliffs, at low elevations exposed to salt spray on 'Eua, the open-canopied vegetation is dominated by Pandanus tectorius or Pritchardia pacifica. Where it is less steep, a low forest of Cycas seemannii, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Myristica hypargyraea, Neisosperma oppositifolia, Pandanus tectorius, Schleinitzia insularum and Terminalia catappa can be seen.

last updated: Wednesday, October 6, 2004