Tubuai Islands

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above: The Tubuai- or Austral Islands in principle are the southern extension of the Cook Islands, the flora mostly affirmes that, only Rapa is an interestingly exception. This island has some genera that are typical for Central Polynesia but also some genera that can otherwise only be found on New Zealand (e.g. Corokia and Veronica). Nobody can really answer the question why. The number of endemic species is not quite large, the more so as many islands are overgrazed by cattle and a large number of species may have disappeared for ever.

the islands of the archipelago:

Maria Marotiri Rocks Raivavae Rapa Rimatara Rurutu Tubuai