Included here are the Seychelles situated in the equatorial regions of the Indian Ocean. These are the only mid-oceanic granitic islands in the world and because they have been isolated for some 75 million years they now host unique vegetation types.

Seychellean Riverine Vegetation

Many of the mountain ravines are humid boulder strewn areas with little soil due to the action of flowing water. This factor together the relatively low light levels make many of these ideal for bryophytes and ferns. On Mahé these include the giant fern Angiopteris erecta and the endemic tree fern Cyathea sechellarum (Cyatheaceae). Begonias are also well represented including the endemic Begonia seychellensis (Begoniaceae). However, in less shady areas the endemic groundsel Gynura seychellensis (Asteraceae) becomes more conspicuous. The scattered trees and shrubs are mainly those of the neighbouring forests but may also include the endemic Pandanus hornei (Pandanaceae). At lower elevations where ravines fan out there two species, Heritiera littoralis and the endemic Barringtonia racemosa (Lecythidaceae), that are virtually confined to this habitat. 

Seychellean Freshwater Swamps

Among the many reeds, sedges and grasses of freshwater swamps are Typha javanica, Cyperus articulatus, Eleocharis dulcis, Mariscus pennatus, Echinocloa colonum and Paspalum geminatum - while trees include Barringtonia racemosa.  Water plants include Eichhornia crassipes, Ipomoea aquatica, Polygonum senegalense, and the two water ferns Acrostichum aureum and Ceratopteris cornuta are locally common.

References

Baker, J. G. 1999. Flora of Mauritius and the Seychelles. (reprint of 1877 edition). Asian Educational Services, India.

Hemsley, W. B. 1916. Flora of Seychelles and Aldabra. Journal of Botany, 54: 1-24.

Hemsley, W. B. & Turrill, W. B. 1917. Plants of Seychelles and Aldabra. Journal of Botany, 55: 285-288.

Hill, M. & Currie, D. Wildlife of Seychelles. Collins Traveler’s Guide. Collins.

Jeffrey, C. 1968. Seychelles. In: Conservation of Vegetation in Africa south of the Sahara. Eds. I. Hedberg & O. Hedberg. Acta Phytogeogrraphica Suecica, 54: 275-279.

Matatiken, D. & Dogley, D. 2005. Guide to Endemic Palms and Screw Pines of the Seychelles Granitic Islands. Plant Conservation Action Group, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles.

Procter, J. 1973. National Parks in Seychelles. Biological Conservation, 5: 153-155.

Procter, J. 1974. The endemic flowering plants of the Seychelles - an annotated list. Candollea, 29: 345-387.

Procter, J. 1984a. Vegetation of the granitic islands of the Seychelles. In: Biogeography and Ecology of the Seychelles Islands. Ed. D. R. Stoddart. Dr W. Junk Publishers.

Procter, J. 1984b. Floristics of the granitic islands of the Seychelles. In: Biogeography and Ecology of the Seychelles Islands. Ed. D. R. Stoddart. Dr W. Junk Publishers.

Swabey, C. 1970. The endemic flora of the Seychelle Islands and its conservation. Biological Conservation, 2: 171-177.

Vesey-Fitzgerald, D. 1940. On the vegetation of Seychelles. Journal of Ecology, 28: 465-483.