CURIEUSE 
MICHAEL J. HILL', TERENCE M. VEL', STEVEN J. P A R R ~  and NIRMAL J.  SHAH 
GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE OF CURIEUSE 
Curieuse has an area of 286 ha and is the fifth largest of the granitic Seychelles 
Islands. It is situated little over 1 km from Praslin, the second largest of the islands. At its 
highest point (Curieuse Peak), it reaches 172 m above sea level. The island consists of 
two ranges of high ground enclosing a shallow bay (Baie La Raie). Most of the land is 
sloping ground between 10 and 100 m above sea level (Table 1). The periphery of the 
island has low-lying coastal areas. There are four main areas of low-lying ground: 
1. North (Anse Badamier) 
2. Centre-east plateau (around National Park HQ) 
3. Central (Baie La Raie mangrove, partially inundated) 
4. South (Leper colonies) 
Geologically, the island is similar to the nearby island of Praslin. The central hills 
are made up of reddish-grey granite (Braithwaite, 1984). Surrounding lowland areas 
consist of weathering products of granite, together with more recent calcareous deposits. 
The soils of Curieuse are mainly lateritic red earths. On the central range of hills, these 
have been severely eroded (Piggott, 1968), reduced to bare sub-soil and quartz gravel 
(Baker, 1963). In some flatter areas (for example, the northern plain) tlizse soils have 
been less eroded. Some areas of the hill have river valley soils. The soils of the coastal 
lowlands include red earths (northern plain), marsh and mangrove deposits (central 
mangrove area, parts of centre-east plateau), and soils of the Shioya series (parts of 
centre-east plateau, south) (D.O.S., 1966). 
The island has a large number of marsh areas in the coastal lowlands, most with a 
marine influence, but there are at least two freshwater wetlands, one at the Doctor's 
House (at the eastern end of the leprosarium plateau) and one at the western end of the 
leprosarium plateau. There are five permanent freshwater streams (IUCN, 1993). 
The Seychelles islands experience a seasonal humid tropical climate (Walsh, 
1984). While no weather data exist for Curieuse, it could be predicted that the climate of 
the island follows a similar pattern to that of nearby Praslin. Praslin is one of the driest of 
the large granitic islands with mean annual rainfall of 1,842.8 mm for the periods 1946- 
58 and 1977-99 (records from Praslin Grand Anse and Airstrip; unpublished data, 
National Meteorological Services, Seychelles). 
' Nature Seychelles, PO Box 1310, MahC, Seychelles. Email: birdlife@seychelles.net 
2 Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, UK. 
@Coastal plateau areas - - -  
500 metres 
Figure 1. Curieuse Island: physical, with locations of vegetation plots. 
8.3% of individuals). Cockroaches (a favoured food item of magpie-robins) were found 
on both hill and plateau; only two individuals (0.5% of total individuals) were trapped on 
the hill, while 14 (1.4% of total individuals) were trapped in plateau plots. 
Table 4. Pitfall assemblages from Curieuse. 
Only invertebrates of body length >2 mm included. 
(Number in parentheses = number of invertebrates excluding ants). 
mean NI per plot 
45 , 
Habitat 
Curieuse Plateau woodland 
Low hill woodland 
Mean for all granitic islands 
Hill Plateau 
Mean no. individuals per 5 traps 
SE season NW season 
38.4 (10.7) 42.1 (22.5) 
17.0 (1.0) 32.2 (5.6) 
6 1.8 (9.4) 61.1 (16.0) 
others 
I Blattodea 
N Crustacea 
Coleoptera 
i 
I Dermaptera i 
ants 
Figure 3. Total pitfall assemblages from Curieuse. 
Leaf-insect Counts 
Leaf-insect counts were carried out for 1 1 tree and shrub species, eight of these in 
both seasons (Table 5). In both seasons, the highest densities of invertebrates (both in 
terms of individuals per leaf and individuals per square metre of leaf) were on native 
plant species. Terminalia catappa and Paragenipa wrightii had particularly high 
invertebrate densities. However, the introduced Cinnamomum verutn also had high 
invertebrate counts. Most invertebrates on cinnamon were soft bugs (Hemiptera: 
Sternorrhyncha) or ants (together these groups comprised 94% of invertebrates on 
cinnamon in August, 88% in Janualy). In general, mangrove species (Avicennia marina 
and Rhizophora mucronata) had a low density of invertebrates but that for A. marina in 
August was particularly high. For five species, leaf counts were higher in January than in 
August. Three species had higher leaf counts in January. 
Table 5. Density of invertebrates on foliage, Curieuse. 
n = no. of leaves counted; NI = number of individual invertebrates. 
Native species 
Avicennia tnarina 
Culopl~yllur~~ inopl~yllun~ 
Ca~lthiutn bibracfeatum 
Hibiscus tiliaceus 
Memecylon elaeagni 
Parager~ipa wrightii 
Rkizophora mucronata 
Terrtlinalia catappa 
Mean value: native 
Species 
Introduced species 
Awacardium occiden~ale 
Cl~rysobalanus icaco 
Cint~arnonl~m verum 
Mean value: introduced 
Malaise Trapping 
Malaise trapping was carried out in plateau and hill woodland habitats, during 
both seasons (Table 6). Invertebrate assemblages were greater in January (wet season) 
than in August (dry season). Assemblages were larger in hill woodland than plateau 
woodland, probably due to the greater air movement in hill plots where trees are more 
well-spaced, and herb and shrub layers less dense. The most abundant invertebrates in 
traps were the Diptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera (wasps and ants); the relative 
importance of these groups varied between habitats and seasons. The majority of taxa 
collected have yet to be identified to species level. 
SE season (August) 
N mean NI mean NI 
leaf m-2 
5 0 0.18 24.2 1 
300 0.08 2 1.06 
650 0.59 85.23 
0.42 62.93 
Table 6. Malaise trap assemblages, Curieuse. 
NI = number of individuals. 
NW season (January) 
n mean NI mean NI 
leaf m-2 
100 0.1 1 20.73 
800 0.04 11.58 
960 0.22 34.03 
0.14 23.66 
Mean NI  traps' 
No. traps 
Mean NI  Diptera 
Mean N I  Hymenoptera 
Mean N I  Lepidoptera 
SE (August) 
Hill Plateau 
1 4 
N W  (January) 
Hill Plateau 
3 3 
Observation 
Many of the invertebrates observed were introduced or cosn~opolitan species 
(Table 7). However, given the number of endemic plants present on the island, Curieuse 
probably also supports a number of endemic invertebrates. A more complete survey 
would be necessary to identify endemic taxa; microhabitats that could harbour endemic 
insects, not collected in the current survey, include the leaf bases of endemic palms and 
Pandanus species. Seventy-five species of insect in Seychelles are associated with the 
leaf bases of native palms and Pandanus, and half the beetle fauna of Praslin are 
associated with Lodoicea (Stoddart, 1984). Curieuse probably shares many or most of 
these species. 
While many of the marshes of the plateaux showed a marine influence, that by the 
Doctor's House was entirely fresh and appeared permanently wet. Several species of 
Odonata were observed around this pool and collections in January included several 
species of water beetle, water bugs (Gerridae and Veliidae), ostracods and tadpoles of the 
Mascarene frog Ptychadaena nzascareniensis. This marsh area and surrounding takamaka 
woodland was surveyed by Stevenson et al. (1 997) who recommended it as a potential 
site for black paradise flycatchers on Curieuse. 
Table 7. Invertebrates observed and collected. Curieuse. 
Order Family Species Notes 
Arachnida: 
Araneae Tetragnathidae Nephila inaurita (Walckenaer, 184 1) 
Crustacea: 
Decapoda Coenobitidae Coenobita brevitnanus Dana, 1852 Land hermit crab 
Coenobita sp. 2 Mangrove hermit 
crab 
Gecarcinidae Cardisoma carnfex (Herbst, 1784) I n  mangrove 
Grapsidae Grapsus tenuicrustatus (Herbst, 1783) On coastal rccks 
Neosartnatium ?tneinerti (De Man, 1887) In mangrove 
Ocypodidae Ocypode ceratophthaltnus (Pallas, 1772) Beach ghost crab 
Ocypode corditnana Desmarest, 1825 Beach crest ghost 
crab 
Palaemonidae Macrobrachium sp. Crayfish; in stream 
above leprosarium 
plateau 
Mollusca Achatinidae Achatinu fulica (Bowditch, 1822) In pitfall traps 
Achatina ?panthers Ferrusac, 1822 In pitfall traps 
Cyclophoridae Cyathopotna blatlfordi Adam,  1868 In pitfall traps 
Littorinidae Littoraria ?scabra (L., 1758) Mangrove periwinkle 
Subulinidae Subulina octona Bruguiere, 1792 In pitfall traps 
Myriapoda: 
Chilopoda Scolopendridae Scolopendra subspinipes (Leach, 19 18) 
Diplopoda Paradoxosomatidae Oxidus (Orthomorpha) gracilis (K. In pitfall traps 
Koch, 1847) 
Spirostreptidae Seychelleptus seychellarutn (Desjardins, Giant ~nillipede 
1834) 
Trigoniulidae Spiromanes ?braueri (Attems, 1900) In pitfall traps 
Spiromanes seychellarutn Saussure & In pitfall traps 
Zehntner, 1902 
Table 7 (cont.) 
Order Family Species Notes 
Insecta: 
Coleoptera Curculionidae 
Dytiscidae 
Scarabaeidae 
Hemiptera Gerridae 
?Veliidae 
Hymenoptera Anthophoridae 
Apidae 
Formicidae 
Vespidae 
Lepidoptera Hesperiidae 
Lycaenidae 
Odonata Agrionidae 
Coenagrionidae 
Libellulidae 
Cratopus sp. 
Sp. Indet 
Oryctes rnonoceros (Olivier, 1789) 
Perissosoma uenescens Waterhouse, 
1875 
Pondskater sp. 
Water bug 
X))locopa cafra (Linnaeus, 1767) 
Apis mell$era adansoni Latreille, 1804 
Campoilotus grandidieri Forel, 1886 
Camponotus hova Forel, 189 1 
Catnponotus ?thotnasetti Forel, 19 12 
Cardiocondyla etneryi Forel, 188 1 
Odontomachus troglodytes Santschi, 
1914 
Paratrechina sp. 
Plagiolepis ?alluaudi Emery, 1894 
Plagiolepis ?exigua Forel, 1894 
Technon~yrtnex albipes (Smith, 186 I)  
Polistes olivaceus (De Geer, 1773) 
Borbo ?gemella Mabille, 1884 
Leptotes pirifhous Linnaeus, 1767 
Zizeeria knysna (Trimen, 1862) 
Ceriagrion glabrum (Burmeister, 1839) 
Agriocnemis pygnzaeu (Rambur, 1842) 
Diplacodes trivialis (Rambur, 1842) 
Orthetrum stenzrnale wrightii (Selys, 
1877) 
?Pantalaflavescens (Fabricius, 1798) 
Rhyothenzis sernihyalina (Desjardins, 
1832) 
Tranzea limbata Selys, 1878 
Zygonzma petiolafum Rambur, 1842 
In freshwater marsh 
In freshwater marsh 
In pitfall traps 
In pitfall traps 
In pitfall traps 
In pitfall traps 
In pitfall traps 
In pitfall traps 
In pitfall traps 
In pitfall traps 
In pitfall traps 
Around marshes 
Around marshes 
Around marshes 
Around marshes 
Around marshes 
Around marshes 
Around marshes 
Around marshes 
Phasmatodea Phasmatidae Carausius sechellensis (Bolivar, 1895) 
VERTEBRATES 
Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish 
Reptiles, amphibians and fish observed during the course of fieldwork are listed 
in Table 8. The list includes five lizards, one tortoise and one frog. None of the three 
snakes known from Seychelles (Nussbaum, 1984a) were recorded, although these are 
rarely seen and may occur there. The endemic caecilian Hypogeophis rostratus has been 
recorded on Curieuse (Nussbaum, 1984b), but was not observed in the current survey. 
Given the relatively large size of Curieuse, and its proximity to the large island of Praslin, 
i t  is possible that other endemic amphibians and reptiles survive on the island and an 
extensive survey is recommended. 
Giant tortoises were present in the late eighteenth century, but the population 
(presumably one of the endemic granitic Seychelles species) became extinct before 1875 
(Bour, 1984). 42 Aldabra giant tortoises were brought to the island from MahC in 1890- 
1902; these also became extinct. 252 tortoises were brought from Aldabra in 1978-82. 
Although the species breeds on the island, subsequent studies have revealed that the 
population is declining, probably due to poaching (Stoddart et al., 1982; Samour et al., 
1987; Hambler, 1994; IUCN, 1993). 
Table 8. Amphibians, reptiles and freshwater fish on Curieuse. 
Status: E =endemic, I = introduced, N = native (in central Seychelles). 
Family Species Status 
Amphibians 
Raniidae Ptychadaella mascareniensis (Dumeril & Bibron, 1836) Mascarene frog ?I 
Reptiles 
Gekkonidae Gehyra tnutilata (Wiegmann, 1835) Pacific house gecko I 
Phelsuma sundbergi Rendahl, 1939 day gecko E 
Phelsunia sp. (?P. astriata Tornier, 1901) day gecko E 
Urocotyledon inexpectata (Steiner, 1893) sucker-tailed gecko E 
Scincidae Mabuya sechellensis (Dumeril & Bibron, 1836) Seychelles skink E 
Pamelaescincus gardineri (Boulenger, 1909) burrowing skink E 
Testudinidae Geochelone gigantea (Schweigger, 18 12) Aldabra giant tortoise 1 
Fishes 
Anguillidae Anguilla sp. eel N 
Rivulidae Pachypanchax playfhirii Giinther, 1866 Seychelles Killifish E 
Birds 
Land birds and seabirds were identified by sight and, in addition, tape playback 
was used to give data on presence or absence of four species (black paradise flycatcher, 
Seychelles white-eye, Seychelles scops owl and barn owl). There was a positive response 
for only one of these species, the barn owl. In total, 14 land birds and waders were 
recorded (Table 10). Three of these were Seychelles endemics, but two of these endemic 
species are currently widespread and common within the granitic islands. One, the black 
parrot, is endangered. 
Perhaps because of the early introduction of predators to the island, and 
destruction of natural vegetation, few endemic species have ever been recorded on 
Curieuse; only Seychelles kestrel and Seychelles sunbird were reported by Newton 
(1867). Despite the presence of apparently suitable takamaka Calophyllum inophyllum 
woodland on the plateaux, the Seychelles black paradise flycatcher Terpsiphone cowina 
has never been recorded (Collar and Stuart, 1985). 
Only two species of seabird were recorded (Table 9); one of these (fairy tern) 
breeds on the island. 
84 
Table 9. Seabirds observed on Curieuse Island. 
Species Notes 
Sferna arraethetus bridled tern One individual seen regularly on beaches and 
flying offshore, January 
Gygis alba fairy tern Breeding birds present in trees near headquarters 
buildings (chick seen, 6/8/99) 
Table 10. Land birds and waders observed on Curieuse 
M =migrant species 
E = Seychelles endemic species; E(ss) = Seychelles endemic subspecies 
-- 
S ~ e c i e s  Notes 
Butorides striatus green-backed heron Seen regularly around the marshes and 
Arenaria inferpres M 
Plu vialis squatarola M 
Nuttlenius phaeopus M 
Streptopeha picturata ssp. 
Geopelia striata 
Alectroet~as pulcherrirna E 
Coracopsis nigra barklyi E(ss) 
Tyfo alba 
Necfarinia dussurm'eri E 
Acridotheres tristis 
common moorhen 
chicken 
ruddy turnstone 
grey plover 
whimbrel 
turtle dove 
barred ground dove 
Seychelles blue 
pigeon 
Seychelles black 
parrot 
barn owl 
Seychelles sunbird 
common mynah 
mangrove, August and January 
A small number occur at the plateau marshes: 
not common. Heard occasionally in August, 
only once in January 
A few individuals free-ranging around houses 
on plateau 
Several birds seen in mangrove on two 
occasions (August). Many birds seen in 
mangrove areas and beaches (January) 
A few birds on beaches, January. 
One or two individuals seen regularly in 
mangrove, beaches: August and January 
Regularly seen in lowland habitats 
Mainly around inhabited areas and gardens. 
Seen regularly 
Seen regularly in woodland habitats (e.g., 
feeding on Ficus rejlexa figs, January) 
Reported by park staff: population of around six 
birds, some of which appear to fly from Praslin 
but others possibly resident 
A bird heard in lowland forest, January 
Very common in all habitats 
Common, especially in lowland habitats and 
beaches 
Foudia madagascariensis Madagascar fody Fairly common around inhabited areas 
Mammals 
Four mammal species were recorded during the course of fieldwork: Seychelles 
fruit bat Ptevopus seychellensis, feral domestic cat Felis catus, a small number of 
domestic dogs Canis familiavis, and ship rat Rattus vattus In addition, a fifth species, the 
house mouse Mus domesticus, was reported by residents. 
Rodent trapping was carried out in August 1999 and January 2000 (Table 11). 
Two traplines were established, one in plateau woodland close to the Doctor's House and 
ruins of the leper colony and one in hill scrub dominatcd by cocoplum Chrysobalanus 
icaco. Only one species of rodent, the ship rat Rattzrs rattzls, was trapped. Capture rates 
were relatively low, although higher in August (a period of food and water stress) than in 
January. Curieuse has abundant fruit trees and shrubs (including mangoes and cocoplum) 
with fruit in season on both visits. The availability of alternative food sources could 
influence the readiness of rats to enter traps. 
Table 1 1. Results of rat trapping, Curieuse 
Dates Trap-nights No. of rats Rats per 100 Rats per I00 
trap-nights trap-nights 
(uncorrected) (corrected)* 
8 - 1318199 140 3 3 23.57 30.14 
13 - 1811100 112 18 16.07 20.57 
Total (SE) 35.34 
Total (NW) 25.56 
*Corrected to account for the effect of closed traps; Cunningham and Moors, 1996. 
DISCUSSION 
Curieuse is a relatively large island with a great diversity of habitats. Today its 
central hills have very eroded red earth soils and support sparse scrub which is rich in 
endemic species (including Coco-de-Mer) and cocoplum scrub. Repeated forest fires 
have exacerbated erosion on these slopes and caused degradation of the vegetation 
(Carlstrom, 1996). The coastal plains support high forest dominated by native takamaka 
but with many introduced invasive species. Takanlaka typically forms dense stands with 
little undergrowth of shrubs or herbs but these have been invaded by cinnamon and 
cocoplunl, especially where the canopy is interrupted. Some of these invasive aliens 
support high densities of invertebrates on their foliage but the most important trees for 
invertebrate communities (and, therefore, insectivorous birds) are native species. The 
native takamaka forest is threatened by takamaka wilt disease. 
The island supports a rich endemic flora including important populations of 
several species of endemic plant (Carlstrom, 1996) and is likely to be of importance for 
conservation of endemic invertebrates. Although few species of endemic bird have been 
recorded here, the proximity of the island to Praslin suggests that several would once 
have been present before eradication by introduced predators (and, possibly, habitat 
change). 
CONSERVATION RECOMMENDATIONS 
In July-August 2000, a rat- and cat-eradication programme was undertaken on the 
island by staff of the New Zealand Department of Conservation in a project co-ordinated 
by the Seychelles Ministry of Environment and Transport. Initially, eradication appeared 
to have been achieved for rats and mice, although a single cat was caught in early 2001, 
and it is possible that further individuals remain. However, in August 200 1, ship rats 
were again trapped on the island and at this time a well-established population appeared 
to be present (M. Hill pers. obs.). It is unclear whetl~er animals survived the eradication 
attempt or have subsequently re-invaded. Like the original population, rats captured in 
200 1 all had grey underparts and were relatively small, although significantly larger than 
the rats present in 2000. Given the high costs of mammal cradications, i t  is unclear 
whether further attempts will be made to remove rats. If alien man~mals can be 
eradicated, the island has potential to support populations of several Seychelles endemic 
birds, in particular the Seychelles magpie-robin and black paradise flycatcher. Both of 
these species, but particularly the paradise flycatcher, are associated with coastal plateau 
areas. While the magpie-robin inhabits upland areas on islands such as Cousin and 
Frigate, hill territories are generally larger than coastal ones, indicating that they are less 
productive. 
In order to enhance the suitability of the island for these endemic land birds, 
actions that must be taken include the control of cocoplun~ on plateau areas. This 
spreading shrub has been widely planted on Curieuse to control erosion on the hills. 
However, i t  has also spread to plateau areas where it  can form dense monospecific stands. 
These areas are poor in invertebrate food for most bird species, and the density of stems 
would prevent foraging by the magpie-robin. The takamaka wilt disease threatens the 
success of paradise flycatcher introduction; this bird inhabits takamaka-badamier 
woodland on La Digue's plateau (Collar and Stuart, 1985). Takamaka is common on 
Curieuse but badamier (Ternzinalia catappa) relatively rare. Extensive planting of 
badamier and other native trees should be carried out to mitigate the effects of takamaka 
wilt disease on coastal forests. 
Appendix 1 .  Plant species recorded from Curieuse (excluding seagrasses) 
Taxononly of dicotyledons as given by Friedmann ( 1  994). Of monocotyledons, as in 
Robertson (1989). Families arranged in alphabetical order. 
Status: E = Endemic; N = Native; I = Introduced. 
Abundance: A = Abundant (> 1000 individuals observed); C = Common (1 00 - 1000 
individuals observed); F = Frequent (10 - 100 individuals observed); Occasional (3 - 10 
individuals observed); R = Rare (1 or 2 individuals observed). 
Habitats: Cu = Cultivated area (including weeds and crops, and garden ornamentals); 
PG = Plateau grassland; PW = Plateau woodland; HW = Hill Woodland; HSc = Hill 
Scrub; G1= Glacis; BC = Beach Crest; Ma = Marsh; Mg = Mangrove. 
Species Status Abund. Habitats Notes 
PTERIDOPHYTA 
Adiantaceae 
1 Acrostickurii aurzwrr~ L. 
Davalliaceae 
2 Neplzrolepis biserrata (Sw.) Schott 
3 Nephrolepis cor-difolia Schott 
4 Neplzrolepis multiflor-a (Roxb.) Jarrett 
Gleicheniaceae 
5 Dicranopteris linearis Burm. 
Hyrnenophyllaceae 
6 Trichotnarzes sp. 
Lycopodiaceae 
7 Lycopodiurn cernuurn L. 
Parkeriaceae 
8 Ceratopter-is cornuta (Pal.) Lepr. 
Polypodiaceae 
9 Phymatosorus scolopendria (Bum.  f.) 
Psilotaceae 
10 Psiloturn nudutn Sw. 
Thelypteridaceae 
1 1 Thelypteris sp. 
GYMNOSPERMAE 
12 Cycas thuarsii Gaud. 
ANGIOSPERMAE: Dicotyledons 
Acanthaceae 
13 Asystasia sp. B (sensu Friedmann) 
14 Justicia gendarussa Burm. f. 
Arnaranthaceae 
15 Amaranthus viridis L. 
16 Alternanthera brasiliana (L.) 0. Kuntze. 
17 Alternanthera sessilis (L.) DC. 
Anacardiaceae 
18 Anacardium occidentale L. 
19 Mangifera indica L. 
20 Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi 
Ma, Mg 
HW 
C u 
PW 
HSc 
HW 
HSc 
Ma 
PW, HW 
PW, HW 
PW 
HW, GI, 
PG 
PW 
Cu 
Cu 
Ma 
HW, HSc 
PW, [HWI 
Cu 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
2 1 Spondias cytherea Sonn. I F PW 
88 
Species Status Abund. Habitats Notes 
Annonaceae 
22 Annona t~lrrricata L. 
23 Atlnona relicrdata L. 
24 Antlona sqrran~osa L. 
Apocynaceae 
25 Allar~~anda c tliartica L. 
26 Alsrotiia t~acropl~ylla Wall ex G. Don. 
27 Cafharanrhus i.osezrs (L.) G. Don. 
28 Cerbera tnanghas L. 
29 Neriutn oleander L. 
30 Ochr-osia opposirifblia (L . )  K. Schum. 
3 1 Pl~oneria rubra L. 
Araliaceae 
32 Gastoilia sechellarutn (Baker) Harms. 
33 Polyscias sp. 
Asclepiadaceae 
34 Sarcosretntna virninale (L.) Alton 
35 Secarnorze schitnperiana (Hernsl.) Klack. 
Avicenniaceae 
36 Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. 
Balsaminaceae 
37 Itnpatiens balsainina L. 
38 6npatiens wallerana Hook. F .  
Begoniaceae 
39 Begonia setnperforens 
40 Begonia sp. 
Bignoniaceae 
4 1 Tabebuia pallida (Lindl.) Miers. 
Boraginaceae 
42 Cordia subcordara Lam. 
43 Tourneforrrfia argentea L. f 
Caesalpiniaceae 
44 Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw. 
45 Delonix regia (Hook.) Raf. 
46 Ititsia bijuga (Coleb.) 0 .  Kuntze 
47 Senna occidentalis (L.) Link 
48 Tanlarindus indica L. 
Campanulaceae 
49 Hippobroma longlfora (L.) G. Don 
Caricaceae 
50 Carica papaya L. 
Caryophyllaceae 
5 1 Dtymaria cordata (L.) Roem. & Schult. 
Casuarinaceae 
52 Casuarina equiseffolia J .  R. & G. Foster 
Chrysobalanaceae 
53 Chrysobalatlus icaco L. 
Combretaceae 
54 Lunmifzera racemosa Willd. 
55 Quisqualis indica L. 
PW, HW 
PW 
PW 
Cu 
HW, PW 
HW, Cu 
M s  
Cu 
BC 
Cu 
HSc 
Cu 
HW 
HSc 
Mg 
Cu 
Cu 
Cu 
Cu 
HW, HSc 
BC 
MgIBC 
Cu 
PG 
Hsc, G 
PG 
PW, HW 
PGr 
PW, Cu 
Cu 
BC, HW 
HSc, HW, 
PW 
Mg 
PW 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
56 Terminalia cafappa L. ?N L PW, HW 
Species 
Conlpositae 
57 Dahlia x horfetzsis Guillaumin 
58 Detzdranfhetna sp. 
59 Ettlilia sonchifolia (L.) Wight 
60 Tagefes pafula L. 
6 1 Tridax pr-ocut~~betzs L.
62 Vertzotzia cinerea (L.) Less. 
63 Zinnia sp. cv. 
Convulvulaceae 
Ipottzoeu uquafica Forssk. 
Status Abund. Habitats Notes 
Cu 
Cu 
Cu, PG 
Cu 
PG, Cu 
PG, Cu 
Cu 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Listed in Robertson 
(1 989), not seen 
Only in gardens 64 Ipotnoea batafas (L.) Lam. 
65 Ipot~~oea nlacranfha Roeni. & Schult. 
66 Ipot7ioea obsciira (L.) Ker Gaw!. 
67 Ipotnoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br. 
Crassulaceae 
68 Kalanchoepitztmta (Lam.) Pers. 
69 Kalatzchoe sp. 
Cucurbitaceae 
70 Cucurbifa sp. 
7 1 Trichosanfhes cucutnerina L. 
Dilleniaceae 
72 Dilletzia ferruginea (Bailon) Gilg. 
Erythroxylaceae 
73 Eryfhroxylutn sechellarunl 0 .  E. Schultz 
Euphorbiaceae 
74 Acalypha itzdica L. 
75 Acalypha wilkesiatza Mull. Arg. 
76 Codiaeutn variegatum L. 
77 Euphorbia hirfa L. 
78 Euphorbia ?hypericifolia L. 
79 Euphorbia prostrafa Ait. 
80 Euphorbia pyrifolia Lam. 
8 1 Jafropha pandurifolia L. 
82 Manihof esculenfa Crantz 
Phyllan~hus acidus (L.) Skeels 
Cu 
BC, PW 
P G 
BC 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
HSc, HW 
HSc, HW 
Cu 
Cu, PW 
Cu, PW 
PG 
Cu 
Cu 
GI 
Cu 
Cu, PW 
Only in gardens 
Listed in Robertson 
(1 989); not seen 
83 Phyllanfhus amarus Schumach. & 
Thonn. 
84 Phyllanfhus pervilleanus (Baillon) Mull. 
Arg. 
Ricinus cotnmunis L. 
HSc 
Listed in Robertson 
(1 989); not seen 
Flacourtiaceae 
85 Flacourfia jangomas (Lour.) Rauschel 
Hydnocarpus pentandra (Buch.-Ham.) 
Oken. 
86 Ludia n~auritiana Gmel. Var. 
sechellet~sis F. Friedmann 
Gesneriaceae 
87 Episcia cupreata (Hook.) Hanst. 
Goodeniaceae 
88 Scaevola sericea Vahl. 
Listed in Robertson 
(1 989); not seen 
E (var.) 
Only in gardens 
Soecies Status Abund. Habitats Notes 
Guttiferae 
Hernandiaceae 
90 Hernandia nyyrnphaeifolia (Presl) 
Kubitzki 
Labiatae 
9 1 Ocitnutn ?catzirtn Sirns. 
92 Plectt-antkus utnboit~icus (Lour.) Spreng. 
Lauraceae 
93 Cassythea~filifortnis L. 
94 Citznatnottlutn verutn Presl. 
95 Persea atnericatza Mill. 
Lecythidaceae 
96 Barritzgtotzia asiatica (L.) Kurtz 
Loranthaceae 
Bakerella clavata (Desrouss.) S. Balle 
ssp. seckellensis (Baker) S. Balle 
Malvaceae 
97 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. 
98 Hibiscus schizopetalus (Mast.) Hook. 
99 Hibiscus tiliaceus L. 
100 Sida acuta B u m .  f. 
10 1 Sida cordifolia L. 
102 Thespesia popultlea (L.) Soland. ex 
Correa 
Melastomataceae 
103 Metnecylon elaeagni Blume 
Meliaceae 
104 Swietenia sp. 
105 Xylocarpus granatum Koenig 
106 Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lam.) Roern. 
Mimosaceae 
Acacia confusa Merr. 
107 Adenanthera pavonina L. 
108 Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit 
109 Mimosa pudica L. 
110 Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) Niels. 
I1 1 Pithecollobiutn unguis-cati (L.) Benth. 
Moraceae 
1 12 Artocarpus altilis (Parkins.) Fosb. 
1 13 Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. 
1 14 Ficus lutea Vahl. 
1 15 Ficus reflexa Thunb. seychellensis 
(Baker) 
1 16 Ficus rubra Vahl 
Moringaceae 
1 17 Moringa oleifera Lam. 
Myrtaceae 
1 18 Eucalyptus sp. 
1 19 Psidium guajava L. 
PW, BC, 
HW 
PW 
Cu 
PG 
B C 
PW, HW 
PW 
BC 
Cu 
Cu 
BC, PW 
PG, Cu 
G1 
PW, BC 
HW 
PW 
Mg 
Mg, BC 
PW, HW 
PW, HW 
PG 
PW, HW 
PW 
PW 
PW 
HW, G1 
PW 
PW 
PW 
HW 
PW 
Only in gardens 
Listed in Robertson 
( 1989); now possibly 
extinct 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Listed in Robertson 
(1989); not seen 
120 Syzygium malaccense (L.) Merr. & Perry I 0 PW 
Species Status Abund. Habitats Notes 
12 1 Syzygiutn satnarangense (B1.) Merr. & 
Perry 
122 Syzygiritti ~c~rightii (Baker) A. J. Scott 
Nyctaginaceae 
123 Bougainvillea cultivars 
Onagraceae 
124 Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacquin) Raven 
Oxalidaceae 
125 Averrhoa bilitnbi L. 
Papilionaceae 
1 26 Abrus pt.ecatot-ius L. 
127 Canavalia cathartica Thouars. 
128 Ct-otalaria pallida Ait. 
129 Dendrolobiunr unrbellatuttr (L.) Benth. 
130 Desmodiutti incanuni DC. 
13 1 Destnodium tr$'orutn (L.) DC. 
132 Erythrina ?variegata L. 
133 Gliricidia sepiutn (Jacq.) Walp. 
134 Pterocarplis iridicus Willd. 
135 Tephrosia noctiflot-a Bojer ex Baker 
136 Teran~nus labialis (L.) Spreng. 
137 Vigna marina (Bum.)  Merr. 
Passifloraceae 
138 Passrjlorafoetida L. 
1 39 Passrflora suberosa L. 
Plantaginaceae 
140 Plantago tnajor L. 
Portulacaceae 
14 1 Portulaca grandrflora Hook. 
142 Portulaca oleracea L. 
143 Portulaca ?pilosa L. 
Punicaceae 
144 Punica granatutn L. 
Rhamnaceae 
145 Colubrina asiatica (L.) Brogn. 
Rhizophoraceae 
146 Bruguiera gynznorrhiza (L.) Lam. 
147 Ceriops tagal (Perrotet) C. B. Robins. 
148 Rhiiophora tnucronata Lam. 
Rosaceae 
149 Rosa sp. 
Rubiaceae 
150 Canthium bibractatuni (Baker) Hiem. 
15 1 Guettarda speciosa L. 
152 Ixora coccinea L. 
153 Mitracarpus hirtus (L.) DC. 
154 Morinda citrifolia L. 
155 Tarenna sechellensis (Baker) Summerh. 
156 Paragenipa wrighfii (Baker) F .  
Friedmann 
PW 
HW, HSc 
PW, Cu 
Ma 
Cu, PW 
HW, HSc 
BC 
PG 
BC 
PW, PC, 
HSc 
P G 
P G 
P G 
HW 
GI 
PG 
BC 
PG 
PC, PW 
Cu 
Cu 
PG 
G 1 
Cu 
PG 
Mg 
Mg 
Mg 
Cu 
PW, HW, 
P C 1  
BC 
Cu 
PG 
PW 
HW 
HW, HSc 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Species Status Abund. Habitats 
- 
Notes 
Ps~~chotria pervillei Baker 
157 Tarenna secliellensis (Baker) Sununerh. 
Rutaceae 
158 Citrus reticula~a Blanco 
159 Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck 
Sapindaceae 
160 Dodonea viscosa Jacq. 
Sapotaceae 
16 1 Mitti~rsops sechellarutti ( O h . )  Hemsl. 
162 Northea hornei (M. M. Hartog) Pierre 
Scrophulariaceae 
Siriga asiatica (L.) Kuntze 
Solanaceae 
163 Capsicutti f,-~rtescens L. 
164 Solanum lycopersicum L. 
165 Solanuttz tnelongena L. 
Sterculiaceae 
166 Heritiera lifioralis Ait. 
Surianaceae 
Suriatza tnarititna L. 
Turneraceae 
167 Turnera atzgus~ifolia Miller 
Verbenaceae 
168 Prenlna serratifolia L. 
169 Stachytarpheta janzaicensis (L.) Vahl. 
170 Staclzytarphe~a urticifolia (Salisb.) Sims. 
17 1 Vifex trifolia L. 
ANGIOSPERMAE: Monotyledons 
Agavaceae 
172 Agave sisalana (Perr. ex Engelm.) Drum 
& Prain 
173 Furcraeafoetida (L.) Haw. 
Aniaryllidaceae 
Crimum amabile Ker.-Gawl. 
174 Hytnenocallis littoralis Salisb. 
Araceae 
175 Alocasia tnacrorrhiza (L.) G. Don. 
176 Anthuriutn sp. 
177 Caladiun~ bicolor (Dryand.) Vent 
178 Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. 
179 Dieffenbachia sequine (Jacq.) Schott 
180 Syngoniutn ?podophyllunz Schott. 
Bromeliaceae 
18 1 Ananas comos7is (L.) Merr. 
Cannaceae 
182 Canna hybrids 
Commelinaceae 
183 Commelina sp. 
HW 
PW 
PW 
HSc 
PW 
HSc 
Cu 
Cu 
Cu 
BC 
HSc, HW 
BC 
PG, PW 
PG, PW 
PG 
PW, HSc 
PW 
PW 
PW 
Cu 
Cu 
PW 
Cu 
Cu 
PW 
Cu 
Ma 
Listed in Carlstrom 
( 1996a, b); not seen 
Listed in Robertson 
(1989); not seen 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Listed in Robertson 
(1989); not seen 
Listed in Robertson 
(1989); not seen 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
Only in gardens 
184 Tradescantia spathacea Swartz I - Cu Only in gardens 
Species Status Abund. Habitats Notes 
Cyperaceae 
185 Bulbostylis barbata (Rottb.) C. B. CI. 
186 Cyperus halpan L. 
187 Cyperus?rotundus L. 
188 Eleocharis dulcis (Burm. f.) Trin. 
1 89 Firnbristylis cynlosa R. Br. 
190 Firnbr-istylis sp. 2 (glacis sedge) 
19 1 Kyllinga polyphylla Willd. ex Kunth 
192 Kyllinga sp. 2 
193 Lophoschoenus hornei (C. B. CI.) Stapf. 
194 Mariscus dubius (Rottb.) Fischer 
195 Mariscus pennatus (Lam.) Domin. 
196 Scleria sumatrensis Retz. 
197 Scleria sp. 2 
198 Tl~oracostacl~y~irr~~oribur~d~ir~i (Nees) C. 
B. C1. 
Dioscoreaceae 
199 Dioscorea alata L. 
Flagellariaceae 
200 Flagellaria indica L. 
Gramineae 
Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. Ex Wendl. 
Brachiara urnbellata (Trin.) W. D. 
Clayton 
Cldoris barbata (L.) Sw. 
Cyrnbopogon sp. 
Dactyloctenium ctenoides (Steud.) 
Bosser 
Digitaria ?horizontalis Willd. 
Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. 
Enteropogon sechellensis (Baker) Dur. & 
Schinz 
Eragrostis tenella (L.) P. Beuv. 
Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beuv. 
Hyparrhenia rufa (Nees) Stapf. 
Ischaenurn heterotrichunl I-Iack. 
Oplisnlenus cornpositus (L.) P. Beuv. 
Panicum brevifolium L. 
Panicurn rnaxirn~irn L. 
Paspalum conjugaturn Berg 
Penniserum polystachyon (L.) Schult. 
Saccharwn officinarunl L. 
Sporobolus diander (Retz.) P. Beuv. 
Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth. 
Stenotaphrum dinlidiaturn (L.) Brogn. 
Hypoxidaceae 
222 Curculigo sechellensis Boj. 
223 Hypoxidia rhizophylla (Baker) Dur. & 
Schinz 
Lilaceae 
224 Cordylinefruticosa L. (A. Chev.) 
HSc 
Ma, HSc 
Ma 
Ma, HSc 
BC, PW, 
GI 
HSc 
PG 
PW 
HSc 
PG 
Ma 
Ma 
I' w 
HW, PW 
PG 
HW, HSc, 
PW 
PG 
Cu, PW 
PG 
BC, Mg 
G 1 
HSc, GI 
BC 
PW 
PG, PW 
PG 
PG 
G 1 
Cu Only in gardens 
G1, BC 
BC, PG 
PG 
HSc 
HW, HSc 
Cu Only in gardens 
225 Dianella sp. (varieg.) Cu Only in gardens 
Species Stat~is Abund. Habitats Notes 
226 Dracaena rejlexa Lam. var. atzgustfolia N A HW, PW 
Baker 
227 Sansevieria trifasciata Hort. ex Prain I R Cu Only in gardens 
Marantaceae 
228 Marania ar~ttdinacea L. I 0 PW 
Musaceae 
229 Musa sp. I F Cu, PW 
Orchidaceae 
230 Cynorkis ?fastigiata Thouars N R HSc 
23 1 Disperis tripetaloides (Thouars) Lindl. N F HW 
Vanilla pl~alaenopsis Reichb. f. E One 19'" century 
record (M. North; in 
Carlstrom, 1996; now 
locally extinct 
232 Vanilla planijolia Andrews I C HW, PW 
Palmae 
233 Cocos nucfera L. N C BC, PG 
234 Deckenia nobilis Wendl E F HSc 
235 Lodoicea maldivica (Gmel.) Pers E A HSc, HW, 
[HWI 
Nepkrosper-tna vanhoutteat~utn (Wend]. E Listed in Robertson 
ex van-Houtt.) Balf (1 989), Carlstrom 
(1996a, b); not seen 
236 Phoenicophoriutn bot-sigianutn (K. E A HW, PW 
Koch) Stuntz 
Pandanaceae 
237 Pandanus balfour-ii Mart. E 0 BC, PW 
238 Pandanus hornei Balf. f. E F BC, PW 
239 Pandatius nzultispicatus Balf. f. E A H Sc 
240 Pandanzrs utilis Bory I R PW 
Typhaceae 
241 Typha javanica Schnitzl. ex Zoll. N C Ma 
Zingiberaceae 
242 Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) Schuniann I 0 Cu Only in gardens