Outlying Islands

Plants found in Outlying Islands

A total of 10 plants in the Brahma Database are found in Outlying Islands.

Species name	Common name	Common hindi name	Habitat details
Acrostichum aureum	Golden leatherfern, Mangrove fern		The plants usually prefer brackish and saline marshes, in mangrove forests. Sunderbans is thus a perfect habitat for them. However they cannot tolerate flooding (Naturia) They are occasionally found in freshwater swamps, marshes and around lakes. However, it is only the sporophyte that can grow in high soil salinity, the gametophyte cannot tolerate as much salt.(Li) Among the first large low-growing plants to grow on the landward side of the mangrove, the fern provides shade for other plants and trees to take root. But on cleared mangroves, it can form impenetrable thickets which prevents other plants from taking root. Thus it is often considered a weed. For animals, these thickets provide safety and shelter. Birds such as the Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) make their nests in these thickets. (Naturia)
Cocos nucifera	Coconut	नारियल Naariyal	The coconut palm thrives on sandy soils and is highly tolerant of salinity. It prefers areas with abundant sunlight and regular rainfall (150 cm to 250 cm annually), which makes colonizing shorelines of the tropics relatively straightforward.Coconuts also need high humidity (70–80%+) for optimum growth
Hiptage benghalensis	Hiptage, Helicopter flower	माधवी लता Madhavi Lata, अतिमुक्त Atimukta	The plant is naturalized and cultivated in some regions. It grows in damp places. Needs presence of other trees in vicinity.
Mangifera indica	Mango	आम Am
Marsilea minuta	Dwarf waterclover, Small waterclover	चौपतिरा Chaupatira	Shallow pools, river edges, Canals, ditches, rice fields. Most abundant in temporarily flooded places where it may form large and dense colonies which can become locally dominant. TOLERATES CONSIDERABLE ORGANIC POLLUTION. Sporocarps develop as water recedes.
Mesua ferrea	Cobra saffron, Ceylon ironwood, Indian rose chestnut	नाग चम्पा Nag champa, नागकेसर Nagkesar
Mimusops elengi	Spanish cherry, Bullet wood	बकुल Bakul, मौलसरी Maulsari	Mimusops elengi is found often near the coast, but is also found inland, upto 600m altitude. It doesnt require a lot of water and can grow where here is slightly seasonal rainfall. Usually found in dry habitats, but requires fertile soil to mature. It can stand waterlogging for up to 2 months. It is tolerant of light frost.
Murraya exotica	Chinese box, Orange Jasmine	Kamini कामिनी	The native range is China, India, Sri Lanka and other regions in South East Asia. It is a tropical species and has also been naturalized in many locations such as Puerto Rico. Some authors consider M. paniculata and M. exotica as separate species, but they have been identified in the Species 2000 list as synonyms. The plant is highly adapted to many environments and can grow from sea level to 1300m. Grows on soils derived from both sedimentary and igneous rocks, although it may prefer limestone areas. Plants are hardy and survive at temperatures upto -4C.
Ocimum tenuiflorum	Holy Basil, Indian Basil	तुलसी Tulsi	This plant is found all across India in a wide range of habitats. In the Himalayas, it is found upto 1800m altitude. Tulsi generally prefers moist soils.
Rauvolfia serpentina	Indian snakeroot, Serpentine wood	सर्पगंधा Sarpagandha	Forests, Evergreen and deciduous forests, slopes of ghats, open areas, undergrowth in semi-evergreen forests, cultivated fields and plains.