Water lilies are aquatic, rhizomatous, perennial herbs. Leaves grow from the rhizome on long petioles. Most of the leaves float on the surface of the water. Flowers are pollinated by insects, often beetles. Plant reproduce by root tubers and seeds.

The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution. Many species are cultivated as ornamental plants and many cultivars have been bred.

The Water Lilly has a long history of traditional medicinal use and modern research has shown the presence of several medically active compounds in the plant.
The alkaloid nymphaeum is found in all parts of the plant, other than the seed, whilst coclaurine has been found in the leaves and stem.
The plant contains several flavonoids such as kaempferols, quercetins and myricetins – these are found especially in the flowers.
The plant also contains a glycoside, nymphalid, which has a digitalis-like action upon the heart.
Alcoholic extracts of the rhizome, containing the alkaloid nymphaeum, have a mild sedative and spasmolytic action. They do not significantly depress the heart; in large doses though, they have a paralysing effect on the medulla.
The rhizomes are astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient and tonic.
A decoction is given in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, stomach-ache, colic and dyspepsia.
An infusion of the fresh rhizomes is used for treating blennorrhagia and infections of the urinary tract.
The powdered rhizome is used as a demulcent for treating piles.
The slightly bitter juice of the leaves and petioles is used in the treatment of gonorrhoea.
The juice possesses mildly narcotic properties and is rubbed on the forehead and temples to produce sleep.
The juice from the leaves, or the macerated leaves, are an ingredient of a lotion applied to the skin for fever.The flowers are taken as a cardiotonic because of their astringent properties.

Water lilies have several edible parts. The young leaves and unopened flower buds can be boiled and served as a vegetable.

Perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Leaf base formed pseudobulb. Leaves lanceolate, up to 1 m long and 7-12 cm wide. Aromatic, white inflorescence.

Native to Indian Ocean Islands, East Asia, Tropical Asia, Australia and Pacific Islands. It is regarded as naturalized in Mexico, Florida and Madagascar. It is widely planted in many warmer regions as an ornamental.

No known.

All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested, especially the bulb. Eaten by mistake can cause various symptoms like vomiting, abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, nervous system paralysis and death.

Evergreen shrub or tree, 3-7 m tall, spreading crown. Grows in dry forests, ridge forests, pastures and along roadsides, at elevations up to 900 meters. The plant flowers and produces fruits all year round.

.Endemic to Fiji.

No known.

This species is noteworthy for its pollination mechanism, which involves a symbiotic relationship with moths of the genus Epicephala. This closely parallels that found in Yucca species.

Tree, up to 25 m, wide-canopied with large, symmetrical, umbrella-shaped crown. Pinkish flowers with white and red stamens, set on heads with around 12-25 flowers per head. These heads may number in the thousands, covering the whole tree. Large branches of the tree tend to break off, particularly during rainstorms. This can be hazardous as the tree is very commonly used for avenue plantation.

Native to Central and South America, but has been widely introduced to South and Southeast Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands, including Hawaii.

The leaves and seeds are used in the treatment of eye problems such as ophthalmia.
The bark is astringent. It is taken internally to treat diarrhoea, dysentery and piles.
The bark is used externally to treat boils.
The flowers are applied locally to maturate boils and alleviate skin eruptions.
The powdered seeds are used to treat scrofula.
Saponin from the pods and roots has spermicidal activity.
Studies have shown that a methanol extraction of the plant is a very effective treatment for diabetes.

The Fijian name “Vaivai” means “watery” (in allusion to the tree’s “rain”).

Perennial, creeping vine. Grows on the upper parts of beaches, often covering large areas, and endures salted air. It is a primary sand stabilizer, being one of the first plants to colonize the dune (pioneer plant). The stems are often several meters in length, rooting at the nodes, glabrous. It has pink petals with a darker center.

Pantropical: Found on the sandy shores of the tropical Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

No known.

It is one of the most common and most widely distributed salt tolerant plants and provides one of the best-known examples of oceanic dispersal. Its seeds float and are unaffected by saltwater.

Small tree, up to 15 m tall. Dioecious (trees either male or female). Pollinators such as bees commonly visit the flowers. Fruit is a small dark capsule.

Common in mangrove swamps from Bangladesh, India, Australia as well as on the shores of the Philippine and Pacific Islands.

No known.

The milky latex is very poisonous and powerfully irritant, which is not unusual in milky species of plant in the family Euphorbiaceae. Contact with skin causes irritation and rapid blistering; slight contact with eyes can cause temporary blindness. Even the smoke from the burning wood is poisonous and can harm the eyes.

Native probably to East Asia, widely grown as an ornamental plant in the tropics and subtropics. It is not known in the wild, so that its native distribution is uncertain, an origin in some part of tropical east Asia is likely.

Chinese hibiscus is a sweet, astringent, cooling herb that checks bleeding, soothes irritated tissues and relaxes spasms.
The flowers are aphrodisiac, demulcent, emmenagogue, emollient and refrigerant.
They are used internally in the treatment of excessive and painful menstruation, cystitis, venereal diseases, feverish illnesses, bronchial catarrh, coughs and to promote hair growth.
An infusion of the flowers is given as a cooling drink to ill people.
The leaves are anodyne, aperient, emollient and laxative.
A decoction is used as a lotion in the treatment of fevers.
A preparation from the leaves is used to treat postpartum relapse sickness, to treat boils, sores and inflammations.
The leaves and flowers are beaten into a paste and poulticed onto cancerous swellings and mumps.
The flowers are used in the treatment of carbuncles, mumps, fever and sores.
The root is a good source of mucilage and is used as a substitute for Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) in the treatment of coughs and colds.
A decoction of the root is used to treat sore eyes.
A paste made from the root is used in the treatment of venereal diseases.

The flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are edible and are used in salads in the Pacific Islands.

Small, evergreen tree. Seeds edible, sold in local markets, eaten raw or cooked, with a flavor like raw peanuts. Sometimes cultivated in home gardens and around villages.

Native to Fiji.

No known.

Cut nut is related (same family) to the cannonball tree (Couroupita guianensis).

Rhizophora species generally live in intertidal zones which are inundated daily by the ocean. They exhibit a number of adaptations to this environments, including “pneumatophores” that elevate the plants above the water and allow them to respire oxygen even while their lower roots are submerged, and a cytological molecular “pump-mechanism” that allows them to remove excess salts from their cells.

Mangroves are found in subtropical and tropical areas in both hemispheres. They thrive on coastlines in brackish water and in swampy salt marshes.

No known.

The generic name is derived from the Greek words “rhiza” (meaning “root”) and “phoros” (meaning “bearing”), referring to the stilt-roots.

Small tree, growing up to 6 m. Aromatic leaves, pinnate, with 11-21 leaflets, each leaflet 2-4 cm long. Small white flowers which can self-pollinate. Fruit is a small, black drupe containing a single, large seed. The pulp is edible, with a sweet flavor.

Native to the Indian subcontinent. It can be found growing wild throughout the country, in Sri Lanka and Thailand. Commercial plantations have been established in India and more recently in Australia

Curry leaf contains several medically active constituents including a glycoside called koenigin, an essential oil and tannins.
It is a warming, strongly aromatic herb that improves appetite and digestion.
The leaves, roots and bark can all be used internally in the treatment of digestive problems.
It has been shown that the leaves increase digestive secretions and relieve nausea, indigestion and vomiting.
The leaves can be used internally in treating constipation, colic and diarrhoea.
The leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery.
The leaves can be applied externally as a poultice to treat burns and wounds.
The leaves are harvested as required and used fresh.
The roots and bark are harvested as required and can be used fresh or dried.
The juice of the fruit mixed with lime juice (Citrus aurantiifolia) is applied to soothe insect bites and stings.
A paste made from the bark is applied to the bites of poisonous insects and other animals.

The leaves of the Curry tree are used in many dishes in the Indian subcontinent and in SE-Asia, especially in curries.