Lord Howe plants

Rare and endangered

Lord Howe is of intense interest to the biologist. Due to long isolation Lord Howe is an outstanding example of insular biota, where many of its plants are endemic to the island, and at least 16 of these species are considered rare, endangered or vulnerable.

There are 241 vascular plants native on Lord Howe, including 105 endemics. There are 5 endemic plant genera: Negria, Lordhowea, and the palms Hedyscepe, Howea, and Lepidorrhachis (Rodd and Pickard 1983).

There is strong diversity that corresponds to the full range of Lord Howe Island habitats – lowlands, montane, valleys, ridges and areas exposed to marine influences. Here wind and salt are key factors of vegetation occurrence, plant structure and floristics. Almost unique among Pacific islands, Lord Howe’s mountain summits are high enough to sustain true mist forests – upon the very humid plateau on Gower and the summit ridge on Lidgbird. Here is structurally distinct gnarled mossy forest with a luxuriance and wealth of plant-life unknown on the drier habitats at lower altitudes.

Lord Howe has become world famous for its beautiful Kentia Palm - Howea Forsteriana - that here on the island can grow up to 20 metres high. The Kentia is one of four endemic palm species on Lord Howe in three endemic genera. Other endemic species are widely scattered among families. Endemism is particularly noticeable among ferns; there are 19 endemic ferns in total. Strong endemism exists in the families Asteraceae, Myrsinaceae, Myrtaceae and Rubiaceae.

Lord Howe’s vegetation has affinities with sub-tropical and temperate rainforests. 129 of its plant genera are shared with Australia, 102 with New Caledonia and only 75 with New Zealand. There are 218 introduced plant species, mostly, but not exclusively, in the lowland settlement area. 18 introduced species have been declared Noxious and pose a threat to natural vegetation. *

See Map – Lord Howe Island Walking Trails - click here

* Based on information contained in the AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL PERIODIC REPORT, SECTION II , “Report on the State of Conservation of Lord Howe Island”