Flora and Fauna

Flora
		Hosting around 700 species of indigenous plants, Mauritius boast some of the unique and endangered species of Flora. In collaboration with the National Parks along with Conservation and Forestry Services, The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) is working to protect these species and the forest for future generations. Example of their extraordinary work towards conservation of these Flora and Fauna and their on going accomplishment can be observed in Ile Aux Aigrettes. Mauritius is the second largest supplier of plants and cut flowers after Netherlands. With over 60 different species of orchid itself.
Trochetia Boutoniana ((Boucle d'Oreille)
Declared the National Flower on March 12, 1992, when Mauritius gained the status of Republic. It is named after the famous French botanist, Louis Bouton. It is found only in one particular locality in the wilderness. These are the magnificent shrubs reaching about 2 to 3 metres in height, with reddish-orange flowers. Adapts to dry conditions and commonly flowers from June to October.

Red Anthurium
The exotic red Anthurium plants are trademarks of the island and are widely exported; and they happen to be favorite take back gifts among returning visitors. One can get adequately pre-packed Anthurium arrangements.

Tropical Fruits
		Fruits are also grown in abundance for export as well as for local consumption. Comes December and the bright red colored leeches spreads hues of animation with its vibrant red color spreading its exotic sense.

Goyave de Chine
		Between March and June, the drive to Plaigne De Champagne area adds another dimension to the excitement, as the endemic plant of “Goyave De Chine” (Chinese Guava) in those bright red colors and yellow sunshine teases ones taste buds, with several cars halt on the sides of street to pluck the fruits. During the season, plucking the guava is a popular and favorite getaway among the locals, Goyave De Chine also reaches the local market; it is sold with added seasonings, Many Mauritian families relish its pickles and jams.

Pineapple Pineapple is another fruit, which one never misses in Mauritius; it is widely sold with different seasoning of choice as well as pickled pineapples popularly called, as “zanana comfit” is a quite famous street side bite.
Bilimbi
		Other local fruits one can find in Mauritius are “bilimbi rond” which resembles small star shaped berries in light green color while the “bilimbi long” is long version of the fruits, which is comparatively darker shade of green. The fruits happen to be very sour, and the long variety also happens to be extremely acidic; these fruits are consumed in forms of pickles, and compotes.

Fruicitere
		The fruicitere, another exotic variety of pickle fruit, fruicitaire are green plus slightly sour when not ripped, and turns bright yellow, sweet and aromatic when ripped; these have somewhat fibrous huge grain in the center. These are equally consumed in form of pickles, compote and plain…

Star fruits or Carambole
		Star fruits or Carambole is another variety of exotic fruits one can find in Mauritius, it is consumed pickled, seasoned, or straight, also many people make juice out of it or it is used as food décor in gastronomic cuisine and different local cocktails… Apart from that mango, papaya, and bananas are regular produce.
For more captivating species, one can visit Ssr Botanical Garden
A Talipot palm, which seems to bloom once approximately, between every 30 to 100 years, thus became to known as centenary plant. Fascinatingly it dies down after bearing one of the largest blossoms almost measuring 6 to 8 m long, a stalk bearing millions of tiny flowers. In addition, more enchanting flora species and endemic plants can be seen here…

Fauna
		As afore-mentioned, Mauritius fauna also features some of the unique and endangered species like its Flora, But once more thanks to the consecrated efforts of organization like MWF that today some of the endangered species like Mauritius Kestrel and Pink Pigeon have been saved from extinction unlike their famous counterpart Dodos. Most interestingly, the avifauna of Mauritius includes 119 species, of which eight are endemic, 21 man-introduced species, and 30 are rare or accidental, 16 species are globally endangered while species such as Abbott's Booby (Sula abbotti) is extirpated in Mauritius. Few among the species found: Pink Pigeon (endangered species) Echo Parakeet (endangered species) Mauritius Kestrel (endangered species) Mauritius Grey White Eye- Pic Pic (endangered species) Mauritian Fody (endangered species) Mauritius Bulbul (endangered species) Mauritius Cuckoo Shrike (endangered species) Telfair Skink Aldabra tortoises Ornated Day Gecko Wild boars and deer introduced by man Madagascar buttonquail (introduced species) Rodrigues Brush-Warbler (Endangered species) Reserves of the flora and fauna of Mauritius can be found in the regions of Corps de Garde Mountain, Le Pouce and Savannes Mountains. Macchabee-Bel Ombre is the largest natural reserve in the country, which is also listed on the United Nations List of National Parks and Protected Areas at Category 1.

MARINE FAUNA

Mauritius is almost wholly surrounded by one of the world's premium coral reefs. In the course of ages, these stunning clusters of calciferous polyps have built a wobbly traction on the seabed near the shore to form a significant underwater world - a vast world in which several of marine species proliferate. Thus, Mauritian marine fauna is extremely rich in variety and comprises a large number of fish, shells, sea urchins, mollusks, and crustaceans. There is a wide range of marine fauna such as rays, eels, game fish, dolphins, and variety of shark.