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5 plants worth knowing

Comoros

The Comoros are three volcanic islands in the Mozambique Channel, known as the “Perfume Islands” for the scent of their flowering ylang-ylang plantations. The lowlands are taken up by coconut groves and spice crops, higher up remnants of humid montane forest survive, and on the summit of the active Karthala volcano on Grande Comore grows heathland with an endemic heath.

Hover over a plant to see on the map where it grows.

where it grows

  1. Ylang-ylang 1

    tree

    Ylang-ylang

    Cananga odorata

    The Comoros are one of the world’s largest producers of ylang-ylang oil – its flowers are why they are called the “Perfume Islands”.
  2. Vanilla 2

    orchid

    Vanilla

    Vanilla planifolia

    Comorian vanilla, pollinated by hand flower by flower, has competed with Madagascar’s on world markets for over a hundred years.
  3. Coconut palm 3

    palm

    Coconut palm

    Cocos nucifera

    Coconut palms leaning over black volcanic beaches give Comorians coconut milk – the basis of almost every dish.
  4. African baobab 4

    tree

    African baobab

    Adansonia digitata

    Mighty baobabs grow on the dry coasts of Mohéli and Grande Comore – they are among the largest trees in the islands’ landscape.
  5. Erica comorensis 5

    shrub

    Erica comorensis

    Erica comorensis

    On the slopes of the active Karthala volcano, above the clouds, grows a scrub of heath found nowhere outside the Comoros.