Flora of the Chatham Islands facts for kids

The Chatham Islands are a small group of islands located far out in the Pacific Ocean, to the east of New Zealand. Even though they are small, these islands are home to a truly special collection of plants, known as their flora. The flora of the Chatham Islands includes about 388 different kinds of land plants. What's really amazing is that 47 of these plants are endemic. This means they are found naturally only on the Chatham Islands and nowhere else in the world! The islands are so unique that they have their own special plant region, called the Chatham floristic province.

Discover the Unique Plants of the Chatham Islands

The Chatham Islands are like a natural treasure chest for plants. Because they are so isolated, many plants have evolved there over thousands of years. These plants have adapted perfectly to the island's unique environment. This is why so many of them are endemic, meaning they are found only in this one special place. Protecting these plants is super important because if they disappear from the Chatham Islands, they are gone from the whole world!

Why Are These Plants Found Only Here?

Imagine a plant seed floating across the ocean and landing on a new island. Over a very long time, this plant might change and adapt to its new home. It might become so different from its original relatives that it becomes a completely new species. This is how many endemic plants come to be. The Chatham Islands have been isolated for millions of years. This long isolation has given plants plenty of time to evolve into unique species not found anywhere else.

Meet Some Unique Chatham Island Plants

The Chatham Islands are home to many fascinating plants. Here are just a few examples of the special species that grow there:

The Chatham Island Forget-Me-Not

The Myosotidium hortensia, or Chatham Island forget-me-not, is one of the most famous plants from these islands. It's known for its huge, glossy green leaves and beautiful blue flowers. These flowers grow in large clusters. This plant is much bigger than the forget-me-nots you might see in a garden. It prefers to grow in damp, shady spots, often near the coast.

Giant Sowthistle

Another unique plant is the Embergeria grandifolia, also called the giant sowthistle. Unlike the small weeds you might see, this plant can grow very tall. It has large, impressive leaves and bright yellow flowers. It's a striking plant that stands out in the island's landscape.

Chatham Island Flax

The Phormium chathams, or Chatham Island flax, is a type of flax that is special to the islands. It has strong, sword-like leaves. Like other flax plants, it was traditionally used by Māori people for weaving and making ropes. This plant is an important part of the island's ecosystem.

Chatham Island Tree Daisy

The Olearia traversiorum, also known as the Chatham Island akeake or Chatham Island tree daisy, is a sturdy tree that can grow quite large. It has tough, leathery leaves and produces many small flowers. This tree is often used in planting projects to help restore native forests on the islands.

Soft Speargrass

Aciphylla dieffenbachii, or soft speargrass, is another interesting endemic plant. Unlike some spiky speargrass plants, this one is described as "soft." It has long, narrow leaves that form a clump. It's an important part of the island's plant communities.

Rautini

The Brachyglottis huntii, or rautini, is a small tree or shrub. It has attractive flowers and is part of the diverse plant life on the islands. Many of these plants play a role in supporting the local wildlife.

Tarahinau

Dracophyllum arboreum, known as tarahinau, is a type of grass tree. It can grow into a small tree with a distinctive shape. These trees add to the unique look of the Chatham Islands' forests and shrublands.

Swamp Heath

Dracophyllum scoparium, or swamp heath, is a smaller shrub that prefers wet, swampy areas. It's a good example of how different plants are adapted to specific parts of the island's environment.

Fork-Leaved Sundew

The Drosera binata, or fork-leaved sundew, is a fascinating carnivorous plant. It has sticky leaves that trap insects. This plant gets extra nutrients from the insects it catches, which helps it survive in poor soils.

Chatham Islands Geranium

Geranium traversii is a type of geranium unique to the Chatham Islands. It's a smaller plant with delicate flowers, adding beauty to the island's undergrowth.

Cook's Scurvy Grass

Lepidium oleraceum, or Cook's scurvy grass, is a plant that was historically important. Sailors, like Captain Cook's crew, would eat it to prevent scurvy, a disease caused by lack of vitamin C.

Button Daisy

Leptinella featherstonii, or button daisy, is a small, low-growing plant. It forms a mat of tiny leaves and flowers, often found in coastal areas.

Linen Flax

Linum monogynum var. chathamicum is a variety of linen flax specific to the Chatham Islands. It's related to the flax used to make linen fabric.

Tree Koromiko

Hebe barkeri, or tree koromiko, is a type of hebe that grows into a small tree. Hebes are a common group of plants in New Zealand, but this one is special to the Chatham Islands. Other unique hebes include Hebe chathamica and Hebe dieffenbachii.

Keketerehe

Olearia chathamica, known as keketerehe, is another type of Olearia or tree daisy found only on the islands.

Swamp Aster

Olearia semidentata, or swamp aster, is a beautiful plant with purple flowers. It prefers wet, swampy areas, just like its name suggests.

Kowhai

Sophora chathamica is a species of kowhai tree. Kowhai trees are famous for their bright yellow, pea-like flowers. This specific type is found on the Chatham Islands.

Bladderwort

Utricularia delicatula is a type of bladderwort. These are also carnivorous plants, often found in wet environments. They have tiny "bladders" that suck in small aquatic creatures.