Mauritius is a florist's dream come true. Bright flowers flourish in the tropical weather, bringing pops of colour to the scenery. All around the island, three types of flowers are the most popular.
The first is the well-known hibiscus, whose huge, showy blooms in shades of red, pink, yellow, and white light up everything. Then there's the delicate frangipani, which adds a lovely scent to everything from private gardens to temples. And who could overlook the lotus, with its majestic pink flowers, gracefully floating across ponds and lakes?
Over 700 species of endemic flora—plants found nowhere else on the planet—exist beyond the usual blooms.
Though once widespread, many of Mauritius' indigenous plants now thrive primarily in protected pockets - remote forests, nature reserves, and carefully cultivated gardens. The delicate, pink blossomed Trochetia, Mauritius' beloved national flower, grows wild only in isolated mountain enclaves. And the island's famous ebony trees, Bois Jaune, and Bois de Bitte cling to existence in the Black River Gorges and scattered islets like Ile aux Aigrettes.
Botanical gardens across Mauritius champion native species. The SSR Garden's diverse collection features the Bois Dentelle, with its intricate lace-like bark. The Vallée d'Osterlog focuses exclusively on rare endemic varieties, from fragile ferns to brilliant bird of paradise flowers. And the Curepipe Arboretum harbors endangered trees, including giants predating human settlement.
Thanks to conservation efforts, Mauritius' endemic flora legacy endures - though often not in its original wild habitat. By supporting botanical gardens and reserves, visitors can help ensure future generations also have the privilege to enjoy the island's rarest and most spectacular indigenous blooms.
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