Flora Endangered flora
There are 42 plants endemic to Rodrigues and, of these, seven are down to two or three specimens each. These include the Rodrigues hibiscus, saved from extinction after specimens were located in faraway collections. This was done after only two were found to remain on Rodrigues itself. One of the world's rarest plants, 'Cafe Marron' (Ramosmania heterophylla), is Rodriguan. A lone specimen remains on the island, just off the road near Citronelle. It is crudely fenced in, to protect it from goats. In 1986 cuttings were sent to Kew, where one took root. Many of the island's indigenous plants are shared with the other Mascarenes, where they are usually more numerous. Two such orchids are Angraecum Mauritiaum and the much smaller Apectinactum, which lacks the long spur common to many Angraeicod orchids. A threated liana distributed throughout the Mascarenes, Liane savanna has tiny star-shaped blooms.
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The critically endangered shrub, Bois d'ortie obetia ficifolia is shared only with Reunion where it is known to be pollinated by a single, endangered species of butterfly. Another rare shrub shared with the other Mascarenes is the Bois de chennile, which bears small clusters of white flowers. The hardwood Boise jaune tree, more common on the other Mascarenes, bears white flowers reminiscent of - but smaller than - those of the frangipian.
Flora and Fauna
Since the island's colonization in the 17th century, its thick forest cover has been destroyed by felling and intensive grazing. The secondary growth with which this has been replaced consists mostlyAbout Rodrigues Island
The island is entirely surrounded by reefs, which offer some of the best beach underwater experiences available in the Indian Ocean. A vast lagoon (200sqkm) shelters some of the best beach and reefBlack River Gorges National Park (BRGNP)
Most people head for the reserve Forestiere Macchabee Forest Reserve, or Black River Gorges National Park (BRGNP). This mountainous area provides the bulk of the wild walks on the island. TheDomaine du Chasseur
This is a south East Coast large estate covering 900 hectares of forested slopes. Visitors have a choice of activities, including hiking, birdwatching and accompanied mini safaris. The forestEndangered Species
The best known representative of Mauritius birdlife was the dodo - a large, plump, flightless dove which found its docility rewarded with extinction in the late 17th century. Although the dodo hasAttractions Beaches
Pointe Coton, on the east coast, has the best beach on the island. There are other nice beaches at St François, Trou d'Argent and Petit Gravier. Rodrigues is a volcanic island rising from a ridgemauritius-islander.com (General Info site)
Mauritius is situated in the south-west of the Indian Ocean about 800 km east of Madagascar. Together with Réunion and Rodrigues it belongs to the Mascarene Islands. It has an area of 1.865 km ² and