Vanuatu’s islands mix volcanic ridges, coastal forests, and village gardens, giving rise to a wide variety of flowering plants. Locals rely on blooms for scent, decoration, and medicine, and many species are tied to specific islands or habitats.
There are 20 Flowers of Vanuatu, ranging from Allamanda to Ylang-ylang. For each species I list the Scientific name,Local name (Bislama),Habitat & islands — details you’ll find below.
How can I tell these Vanuatu flowers apart when I’m visiting an island?
Look at a combination of features: flower shape and color, leaf arrangement, scent, and where the plant is growing (coastal scrub, montane forest, garden). The Scientific name plus the Local name (Bislama) in the list helps match what locals call a plant, while the Habitat & islands column points to where you’re most likely to spot it.
Are any of these species used traditionally or legally protected?
Yes—several are important in traditional medicine, weaving, or perfumery (for example, Ylang-ylang oil). Protection varies by species and island; consult local guidelines or conservation lists before collecting, and respect customary rules about plant use.
Flowers of Vanuatu
| Name | Scientific name | Local name (Bislama) | Habitat & islands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coconut | Cocos nucifera | kokonas | coastal villages, widespread across Vanuatu |
| Breadfruit | Artocarpus altilis | ut (breadfruit) | home gardens, cultivated islands |
| Pandanus | Pandanus tectorius | various local names | coastal scrub, littoral forests, widespread |
| Beach hibiscus | Hibiscus tiliaceus | veta/various names | coastal shores, mangroves, widespread |
| Portia tree | Thespesia populnea | various local names | beaches, coastal groves across islands |
| Frangipani | Plumeria rubra | frangipani | village gardens, temples, widespread |
| Tiare (Tahitian gardenia) | Gardenia taitensis | tiare/tiaré | gardens, coastal areas, used island-wide |
| Chinese hibiscus | Hibiscus rosa-sinensis | hibiscus | garden hedges, roadsides, widespread |
| Bougainvillea | Bougainvillea glabra | bougainvillea | fences, gardens, urban areas |
| Ixora | Ixora coccinea | ixora | garden shrub, village compounds |
| Allamanda | Allamanda cathartica | allamanda | gardens, disturbed sites, coastal villages |
| Red ginger | Alpinia purpurata | red ginger | shaded gardens, lowland to mid-elevation |
| Heliconia | Heliconia rostrata | heliconia | humid gardens, near streams and settlements |
| Bird-of-paradise | Strelitzia reginae | bird-of-paradise | gardens, larger estates on main islands |
| Ylang-ylang | Cananga odorata | ylang-ylang | village gardens, lowland forest margins |
| Coral tree | Erythrina variegata | coral tree | roadsides, village shade trees, coasts |
| Lantana | Lantana camara | lantana | disturbed sites, roadsides, widespread naturalized |
| Periwinkle | Catharanthus roseus | periwinkle | garden beds, roadsides, widely cultivated |
| Canna lily | Canna indica | canna | wet sites, pond edges, village gardens |
| Mussaenda | Mussaenda philippica | mussaenda | garden hedges, village gardens |
Images and Descriptions
Coconut
Iconic palm with upright inflorescences producing coconuts; common on beaches and village gardens. Flowers are small but vital for coconut production and culture, providing food, drink, thatch and shade across most islands.
Breadfruit
Large tree with inconspicuous flowers that form the starchy breadfruit. Staple food and culturally important, grown in village gardens and agroforests; fruiting trees are central to local diets and traditional agriculture.
Pandanus
Screw-pine with spiky leaves and bright compound fruits; flowers are fragrant and attract pollinators. Leaves and fruit are used for weaving, food and shelter, making it a practical and recognizable coastal plant.
Beach hibiscus
Low tree with large yellow hibiscus-like blooms; valued for timber, cordage and shade. Often planted near villages and beaches, its broad leaves and showy flowers are key coastal markers throughout Vanuatu.
Portia tree
Small to medium coastal tree with large yellow to orange flowers; used traditionally for carving, medicine and shade. Its durable wood and attractive blooms make it a common seaside species.
Frangipani
Beloved ornamental with fragrant, waxy five-petaled flowers in white, pink or red. Plumeria blooms are used in leis and local adornment, commonly planted around homes and graveyards for scent and beauty.
Tiare (Tahitian gardenia)
Small shrub with intensely fragrant white flowers used in traditional floral necklaces. Tiare flowers are culturally prized for scent in ceremonies and personal adornment across Vanuatu.
Chinese hibiscus
Showy single or double flowers in many colors, commonly used as hedges and ornamental shrubs. Hibiscus blooms are instantly recognizable and popular in home gardens for vibrant color and easy care.
Bougainvillea
Vigorous, thorny vine with papery colorful bracts; widely used as fences and ornamental walls. Bougainvillea brightens yards and roadsides and tolerates dry, coastal conditions well.
Ixora
Dense shrub forming clusters of small tubular flowers in reds and oranges. Ixora is a common garden evergreen prized for long-lasting blooms and use near homes, churches and community areas.
Allamanda
Fast-growing vine or shrub with large golden trumpet flowers. Allamanda is a popular ornamental near homes, offering bold color and cascading growth on trellises or walls.
Red ginger
Tropical perennial with striking red bracts and hidden tubular flowers; common in village gardens and floral arrangements. Red ginger is grown for cut flowers and adds bold vertical color to plantings.
Heliconia
Tropical plant with dramatic hanging “lobster-claw” bracts and small flowers inside. Heliconias are grown as ornamentals and attract birds and insects, adding lush, tropical texture to gardens.
Bird-of-paradise
Architectural plant with orange and blue beak-like flowers resembling birds. Grown as a striking ornamental in gardens and public plantings, its blossoms are prized for dramatic floral displays.
Ylang-ylang
Fragrant tree producing drooping clusters of strongly perfumed yellow-green flowers used for scent and traditional perfumes. Ylang-ylang oil has been produced regionally and the tree is a valued garden and roadside species.
Coral tree
Deciduous tree with brilliant red pea-like flowers that attract birds. Commonly planted as a shade and ornamental tree along roads and village greens for striking seasonal color.
Lantana
Hardy shrub with clustered multicolored flowers that change hue as they age. Widely naturalized and often invasive, lantana provides nectar for insects but can dominate disturbed habitats if unchecked.
Periwinkle
Low, mat-forming plant with glossy leaves and pink to white five-petaled flowers. Popular as a tough bedding plant around homes; it tolerates heat and poor soils and naturalizes in some areas.
Canna lily
Bold perennial with large foliage and bright red, orange or yellow blooms. Cannas are grown near water and in yards for dramatic tropical color and easy propagation from rhizomes.
Mussaenda
Showy shrub with striking petaloid bracts that look like oversized petals, usually pink or white. Often used as a decorative hedge or specimen plant around homes and public spaces for long-lasting blooms.
