| French Polynesia is thought of as a real floral paradise, | | | | The mountainous volcanic islands are densely covered |
| because of the huge number of species due to the | | | | in vegetation, dominated by Coconut Palms. There are |
| diversity of the climate and physical conditions of | | | | a number of other interesting trees including the |
| islands and atolls. There are nearly one thousand | | | | famous 'Mutiny on the Bounty' breadfruit. In |
| native species augmented by the hundreds of species | | | | additionpapaya, banana, grapefruit, avocado, orange, |
| imported by Europeans during the last few centuries. | | | | mandarin, lime and lemon abound, which accounts for |
| Polynesian people wear at least one flower behind the | | | | the huge amount of fruit that appears at meal times. |
| ear, or stuck in their hair. They frequently wear a | | | | The Fauna of French Polynesia in the main is |
| crown of flowers and a garland as well around their | | | | underwater, where the coral, constructed by living |
| neck, called the "Tiare Tahiti" the Tahitian Gardenia, | | | | creatures is a multitude of colours, from bright yellow |
| which is snowy white in colour. This is the threaded | | | | to deep purple and reds, taking in neon green and |
| and plaited garland you may well be given on arrival at | | | | turquoise. The biggest accumulation of fauna is in the |
| Papeete, entwined with the "Maire", a fern which | | | | lagoons, and not the ocean outside the reefs. |
| symbolises Tahiti. | | | | What you will find in the lagoons at night are |
| In addition the following flowers are very popular and | | | | tiger-sharks, but Gray sharks are very common and |
| can be used on garlands, and flower arrangements. | | | | Manta rays and giant turtles are not uncommon at all. |
| The Hibiscus, the Helconias, red ginger and red torch | | | | The richest area is the passes where the tide rushes |
| ginger, flamingo flowers, paper flowers, and of course | | | | in and out, and the number of fish who spend all their |
| the many orchid varieties. Finally the Temple flower | | | | lives living in the lagoons make snorkelling here very |
| which is actually a little tree. | | | | attractive. |
| Additional flowering plants of course includes | | | | All in all the huge variety of flora and fauna are what |
| bougainvillea, oleander, frangipani, pointsettia, and many | | | | makes French Polynesia the simply beautiful place it is. |
| others. | | | | |