Henderson

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left: ISS002-E-10042 Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center. http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov Henderson Henderson is a 36 km sq large makatea island, the central plateau rises anyhow up to 30 m above sea level. There is no stretch of water at all, the only available freshwater accumulates during falls of rain in the subfossil shells of large Giant Clams (Tridacna spp.) and to some extent also in the cistern-like funnel-shaped leaves of the Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus). At this time eight endemic plant species resp. -forms are known. For a long time Henderson was belived to be inviolately, but archaeological findings prove that the island was once inhabited and furthermore that the former inhabitans wiped out several native landbirds, among them at least three species of pigeons or doves. Nevertheless Henderson could preserve some of its former fauna, five of the resident bird species are endemic. Inherent is the probably most valuable bird of the island, the flightless Henderson Rail (Porzana atra). This species is the last surviving flightless rail species in the whole tropical Polynesia.

above: Henderson Island, one can see the coastal area with the ca. 15 m high makatea cliffs, the 30 m high central plateau is spreading behind it.

left: Beach vegetation on Henderson, the trees become steady 'defoliated' by native caterpillars, because of the then gleaming sunlight the groundcovering vegetation can grow very dense. In the background one can see ca. 15 m high makatea cliffs, which enclose the whole island.

Flora of Henderson (almost complete) (fat = endemic, green = pictures) Achyranthes velutina, Allophylus rhomboidalis, Alyxia stellata, Asplenium nidus, Asplenium obtusatum, Asplenium polyodon, Bidens hendersonensis, Boerhavia tetrandra, Caesalpinia bonduc, Canavalia rosea, Capparis cordifolia, Cassytha filiformis, Celtis pacifica, Chamaesyce sparrmanii, Cordia subcordata (?), Cyclophyllum barbatum, Davallia solida, Dianella adenanthera, Eugenia reinwardtiana, Fimbristylis cymosa ssp. umbellatocapitata, Geniostoma hendersonense, Glochidion pitcairnense, Guettarda speciosa, Heliotropium anomalum var. candidum, Heliotropium foertherianum, Hernandia stokesii, Ipomoea littoralis, Ipomoea macrantha, Ixora fragrans, Korthalsella platycaula, Korthalsella rubescens, Lepidium bidentatum, Lepturus repens, Lycium sandwicense, Meryta brachypoda, Microsorum grossum, Morinda myrtifolia, Myrsine hosakae, Nephrolepis biserrata, Nephrolepis hirsutula, Operculina turpethum, Pandanus tectorius, Pemphis acidula, Peperomia hendersonensis, Pisonia grandis, Pittosporum aff. arborescens, Portulaca lutea, Premna serratifolia, Procris pedunculata, Psilotum nudum, Psydrax odorata, Pyrrosia serpens, Santalum insulare var. hendersonense, Scaevola taccada, Senecio stokesii, Senna gaudichaudii, Sesbania coccinea ssp. atollensis, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Sideroxylon st.-johnianum, Suriana maritima, Thespesia populnea, Thuarea involuta, Timonius polygamus, Triumfetta procumbens, Xylosma suaveolens var. haroldii

References: - M. de L Brooke; I. Hepburn; R. J. Trevelyan: 'Henderson Island World Heritage Site; Management Plan 2004 - 2009' (2004) - M. de L. Brooke; P. J. Jones; J. A. Vickery; S. Waldren: 'Seasonal Patterns of Leaf Growth and Loss, Flowering and Fruiting on a Subtropical Central Pacific Island' (1996) - J. Florence; S. Waldren; A. J. Chepstow-Lusty: 'The flora of the Pitcairn Islands: a review' (1995) - Gustav Paulay; T. Spencer: 'Vegetation of Henderson Island' (1989)