kids encyclopedia robot

Flora of the Houtman Abrolhos facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Houtman Abrolhos is a group of islands off the coast of Western Australia. It's a special place with many different kinds of plants, also known as flora. This article will tell you about the amazing vascular plants found there. These are plants with special tissues to carry water and nutrients, like trees, shrubs, and grasses. We won't be looking at tiny plants like mosses or lichens here, as not much information has been published about them in the Abrolhos.

Scientists keep track of where each plant species grows. For plants found on only a few islands, they list the exact islands. If a plant grows on many islands (ten or more in a group), they just count how many islands it's on. Sometimes, islands don't have official names, so they are called by informal names in quotation marks.

You'll notice that some plants are highlighted with a grey background in the original list. This means they are naturalised species. This means they weren't originally from the Abrolhos but were brought there by people and now grow on their own. Some of these naturalised plants can even become weeds and cause problems for the native plants.

Discovering the Plants of Houtman Abrolhos

The Houtman Abrolhos islands are home to a wide variety of plants, each adapted to the island environment. Let's explore some of the interesting plant families and species you might find there.

Coastal Survivors: Aizoaceae and Amaranthaceae

Many plants in the Abrolhos are tough survivors, able to handle salty air and sandy soils.

  • Coastal Pigface (Carpobrotus virescens) is a common sight. It spreads across 13 islands in the Wallabi Group, 25 in the Easter Group, and 23 in the Pelsaert Group.
  • The Round-leaved Pigface is found on Pigeon Island, Leo Island, and Rat Island.
  • A naturalised plant called Iceplant is very common, growing on 40 islands in the Wallabi Group, 18 in the Easter Group, and 30 in the Pelsaert Group.
  • In the Amaranthaceae family, you'll find different types of Mulla Mulla plants (Ptilotus species) like Ptilotus divaricatus on East Wallabi Island and Ptilotus eriotrichus on East and West Wallabi Islands.

Apiaceae: The Carrot Family

Even the carrot family has representatives here!

  • Apium annuum grows on East and West Wallabi Islands, and also on Alexander, Campbell, and Serventy Islands.
  • Sea Celery (Apium prostratum) is found on Tattler Island and Middle Island.
  • The Australian Carrot (Daucus glochidiatus) is quite widespread, appearing on many islands across all three groups.
  • A naturalised plant, Petroselinum crispum, is found on Little Rat, Rat, and Roma Islands.

Tough Shrubs and Salt-Loving Plants

The islands feature many hardy shrubs and plants that thrive in salty conditions.

  • The Dysentery Bush (Alyxia buxifolia) is a native shrub found on East Wallabi, Seagull, and West Wallabi Islands.
  • The Leek Lily (Bulbine semibarbata) grows on several islands, including East Wallabi and Rat Island.
  • The Coastal Daisybush (Olearia axillaris) is another common native shrub, seen on many islands like East Wallabi and North Island.
  • The White Mangrove (Avicennia marina) is an important plant that grows in salty coastal areas. It's found on many islands in all three groups, helping to stabilise the shorelines.

Saltbushes and Samphires: Chenopodiaceae Family

The Chenopodiaceae family (now part of Amaranthaceae) is very important in the Abrolhos, as many of its members are salt-tolerant.

  • The Grey Saltbush (Atriplex cinerea) is one of the most common plants, found on 27 islands in the Wallabi Group, 21 in the Easter Group, and 22 in the Pelsaert Group.
  • The Marsh Saltbush (Atriplex paludosa) is also widespread, especially in the Wallabi Group.
  • The Barrier Saltbush (Enchylaena tomentosa) is found on 26 islands in the Wallabi Group, 11 in the Easter Group, and 17 in the Pelsaert Group.
  • Beaded Samphire (Sarcocornia quinqueflora) is another very common salt-loving plant, found on 17 islands in the Wallabi Group, 19 in the Easter Group, and 15 in the Pelsaert Group.
  • The Coast Bonefruit (Threlkeldia diffusa) is incredibly widespread, growing on 33 islands in the Wallabi Group, 19 in the Easter Group, and 20 in the Pelsaert Group.
  • Some naturalised plants from this family include Fat Hen and Nettle-leaf Goosefoot.

Grasses and Weeds: Poaceae and Other Families

Many types of grasses grow on the islands, both native and naturalised.

  • Native grasses like Tall feather-grass are found on many islands in the Wallabi and Pelsaert Groups.
  • Beach Spinifex (Spinifex longifolius) is a very important native grass that helps stabilise sand dunes. It's found on 15 islands in the Wallabi Group, 13 in the Easter Group, and several in the Pelsaert Group.
  • Many naturalised grasses are also present, such as Wild Oat, Great Brome, and Couch. These can sometimes outcompete native plants.

Introduced Species and Their Impact

Several plants have been introduced to the Abrolhos islands and have become naturalised. Some of these are considered weeds because they can harm the native ecosystem.

  • Mother of Millions (Bryophyllum delagoense) is a poisonous weed that was found to have taken over more than half of Rat and Pigeon Islands by 2000. This shows how quickly introduced species can spread.
  • African Boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) is another declared noxious weed. It was found on several islands, and there's an ongoing program to remove it.
  • Other naturalised plants include Wild Radish, Common Prickly Pear, and Athel Tree. While some might seem harmless, they can change the natural environment.

The Most Widespread Plant

The most common plant species in the Houtman Abrolhos is the Nitre Bush (Nitraria billardierei). It's found on an incredible 43 islands in the Wallabi Group, 30 in the Easter Group, and 34 in the Pelsaert Group! This shows how well it has adapted to the island conditions.

The flora of the Houtman Abrolhos is a fascinating mix of native survivors and introduced species. Understanding these plants helps us protect the unique environment of these special islands.

Images for kids

  • Disphyma crassifolium subsp. clavellatum

    Round-leaved Pigface

  • Unk desert flower 2

    Iceplant

  • Sesuvium p

    Sesuvium portulacastrum

  • Thysanotus patersonii

    Thysanotus patersonii

  • Apium prostratum var. filiforme2

    Sea Celery

  • Parsley Curled

    Parsley

  • Alyxia buxifolia

    Dysentery Bush

  • Conyza bonariensis

    Flaxleaf Fleabane

  • W ooaretinogiku3111

    Tall Fleabane

  • Erigeron karvinskianus2

    Erigeron karvinskianus

  • Starr 030419-0181 Gnaphalium sp.

    Euchiton sphaericus

  • Pseudognaphalium01

    Jersey Cudweed

  • Hypochaeris glabra Sturm40

    Smooth Catsear

  • Lactuca saligna Sturm46

    Wild Lettuce

  • Olearia axillaris

    Coastal Daisybush

  • Starr 050516-1280 Reichardia tingitana

    False Sowthistle

  • 2006-11-16Sonchus oleraceus03-03

    Common Sowthistle

  • Urosperme fausse picride

    False Hawkbit

  • Avic marin 070728 020 mank

    White Mangrove

  • Echium plantagineum2

    Paterson's Curse

  • Trichodesma zeylanicum flower

    Camel Bush

  • Brassica rapa plant

    Brassica rapa

  • Cakile-maritima-(eurMeersenf) 1

    Sea Rocket

  • WildRadish1

    Wild Radish

  • Radieschen

    Radish

  • Sisymbrium irio

    London Rocket

  • Sisymbrium orientale02

    Indian Hedge Mustard

  • Opuntia12 filtered

    Common Prickly Pear

  • Starr 050817-3868 Wahlenbergia gracilis

    Wahlenbergia gracilis

  • Capparis zoharyi 4

    Coastal Caper

  • Cerastium glomeratum1

    Mouse Ear Chickweed

  • Petrorhagiadubia

    Velvet Pink

  • Polycarpon tetraphyllum

    Fourleaf Allseed

  • Silene gallica fleur

    French Catchfly

  • Rode schijnspurrie Spergularia rubra

    Sand Spurry

  • StellariaMedia001

    Chickweed

  • Atriplex amnicola

    Swamp Saltbush

  • Atriplex cinerea

    Grey Saltbush

  • Atriplex paludosa

    Marsh Saltbush

  • Chenopodium album a1

    Fat Hen

  • Starr 040125-0029 Chenopodium murale

    Nettle-leaf Goosefoot

  • Salsola kali habito

    Prickly Saltwort

  • Sarcocornia quinqueflora

    Beaded Samphire

  • Tecticornia arbuscula

    Tecticornia arbuscula

  • Threlkeldia diffusa

    Coast Bonefruit

  • Ipomoea cairica

    Ipomoea cairica

  • Kalanchoe tubiflora01

    Mother of Millions

  • Cotyledon orbiculata 01 Pengo

    Cotyledon orbiculata

  • Zuchinni 1107

    Cucurbita pepo

  • Ficinia nodosa

    Knotted Club Rush

  • Acanthocarpus preissii

    Acanthocarpus preissii

  • Centaurium erythraea 220603

    Common Centaury

  • Erodium cicutarium03

    Common Storksbill

  • Scaevola crassifolia flower close up

    Thick-leaved Fan-flower

  • Juncus bufonius

    Toad Rush

  • Malva preissiana

    Australian Hollyhock

  • Lavatere de crete

    Cretan Mallow

  • Malva parviflora small

    Marshmallow

  • Eremophila glabra Murchison Magic

    Tar Bush

  • Myoporum insulare

    Blueberry Tree

  • Orobanche minor-02 (xndr)

    Lesser Broomrape

  • Microtis media

    Tall Mignonette Orchid

  • Oxalis.corniculata.7562

    Yellow Wood Sorrel

  • Starr 030405-0074 Medicago polymorpha

    Burr Medic

  • Melilotus indicus (Flower)

    Melilotus indicus

  • Plantago coronopus rosette

    Buckshorn Plantain

  • Bromus arenarius HC-1950-1

    Sand Brome

  • AvenaFatua

    Wild Oat

  • Bromusdiandrus

    Great Brome

  • Bromus hordeaceus habitus

    Soft Brome

  • Bromus madritensis rubens in desert

    Red Brome

  • Cynodon dactylon

    Couch

  • Westerwolds raaigras Lolium multiflorum

    Italian Ryegrass

  • Lolium perenne Engels raaigras

    Perennial Ryegrass

  • Illustration Leymus arenarius and Lolium temulentum0

    Drake

  • Starr 020911-0028 Pennisetum clandestinum

    Kikuyu Grass

  • Illustration Phalaris canariensis0

    Canary Grass

  • Phleum pratense001

    Timothy

  • Poa annua

    Winter Grass

  • Polypogon monspeliensis 3881578658

    Annual Beardgrass

  • Spinifex longifolius fg01

    Beach Spinifex

  • Starr 010202-0207 Sporobolus virginicus

    Marine Couch

  • Wheat close-up

    Wheat

  • Vulpia myuros Herbar

    Rat's Tail Fescue

  • Emexaustralis

    Doublegee

  • Scarlet pimpernel 800

    Pimpernel

  • Diplolaena grandiflora

    Wild Rose

  • Dodonea viscosa flowers1

    Sticky Hopbush

  • African boxthorn fruit

    African Boxthorn

  • Tomato scanned

    Tomato

  • Nicotiana glauca

    Tree Tobacco

  • 2007 solanum laciniatum

    Kangaroo Apple

  • Solanum nigrum

    Black Berry Nightshade

  • Starr 030923-0205 Tamarix aphylla

    Athel Tree

  • Urtica urens-1

    Small Nettle

  • Nitraria billardierei

    Nitre Bush

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Flora of the Houtman Abrolhos Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.