Flora of Ashmore and Cartier Islands facts for kids
The Flora of Ashmore and Cartier Islands is all about the plants that grow on these small, special islands. "Flora" is just a fancy word for all the plant life in a particular area. These islands are home to 16 different plant families, with 23 types of plants (called genera) and 27 specific kinds of plants (called species).
Most of the plants you'll find here are shrubs, grasses, and creepers. Many of these plants have seeds that can travel easily. They might be carried by the wind, by birds, or even by the ocean currents, helping them spread across the islands.
Plants of Ashmore Reef
Ashmore Reef is a beautiful coral reef system with several small islands. These islands are home to a variety of plants. Scientists have recorded the following plant types on the islands of Ashmore Reef:
| Plant Name (Taxon) | Common Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amaranthus interruptus | ||
| Heliotropium foertherianum | ||
| Boerhavia albiflora | ||
| Boerhavia burbidgeana | ||
| Boerhavia glabrata | ||
| Boerhavia repens | ||
| Cassytha filiformis | ||
| Cenchrus brownii | This plant was introduced and now grows naturally. | |
| Cenchrus ciliaris | This plant was introduced and now grows naturally. | |
| Cleome gynandra | ||
| Cordia subcordata | Tou | |
| Digitaria mariannensis | ||
| Eragrostis elongata | ||
| Guettarda speciosa | ||
| Ipomoea macrantha | ||
| Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis | ||
| Lepturus repens | ||
| Portulaca oleracea | Common Purslane | This plant was introduced and now grows naturally. |
| Portulaca tuberosa | ||
| Scaevola taccada | ||
| Sesbania cannabina var. cannabina | This plant was introduced and now grows naturally. | |
| Sida pusilla | ||
| Spinifex littoreus | ||
| Sporobulus virginicus | ||
| Suriana maritima | ||
| Thalassia hemprichii | ||
| Tribulus cistoides |
Introduced Plants on Ashmore Reef
Besides the plants listed above, two other plants have been brought to Ashmore Reef. These are Zea mays (which we know as Maize or Corn) and Cocos nucifera (the Coconut tree). Indonesian fishermen who visit the area sometimes bring these plants as food sources. However, these plants haven't started growing and spreading on their own yet, so they are not considered "naturalised."
Plants of Cartier Island
Cartier Island is a very small island that doesn't have much plant life growing on its land. The only plant that has been officially recorded there is a type of seagrass called Thallassia hemprichii. This seagrass grows underwater, forming green meadows in sandy spots around the reef.
