Flora
Ice Plant, Carpobrotus glaucescens
Plants needed to cross vast distances over water to colonise Norfolk Island and nearby Nepean and Phillip Islands. Because of this the island group had just 178 native plant species at the time of settlement in 1788 whereas an area of the same size in coastal Australia would have had about 400.
Those plants that did manage to establish themselves were able to exploit Norfolk's favourable environment without many of their previous competitors. In time some evolved features which better suited their changed circumstances and so forms that are unique (endemic) to the island have developed.
Norfolk Island is the home of the majestic Norfolk Island Pine and some 40 other endemic plants. These are a source of considerable interest to scientists and botanists in that they can be found nowhere else occurring naturally. From a cultural point of view some of the plants used in weaving plaiting broom-making and other craft activities can be seen here.
The fauna of Norfolk Island has many characteristics typical of island faunas. Since Norfolk has never been joined to any major landmass the species living there have had to survive both a transoceanic journey and the hazards of colonisation in a new environment. As a result some faunal groups are under-represented on the Island. Whilst only a small number of native species are present, many are endemic forms.
Prior to European settlement, the island was almost entirely covered by rainforest. Much of the land fauna of the island is therefore adapted to living in rainforest habitat. As most of Norfolk Island has now been cleared of its native vegetation, the remaining natural areas with relatively intact rainforest are therefore a vital refuge for the Islands endemic fauna.
The rainforest is strung with sinewy lianas and some creepers that had become very rare throughout the island have spontaneously reappeared in the short time since cattle were excluded from this area. Seedlings of the Bloodwood (Baloghia inophylla) and Bastard Ironwood (Pouteria costata previously Planchonella costata ) are evident along the track sides and across the forest floor.
Phillip Island
Phillip Island possesses a vascular flora of about 68 species including 5 species endemic to the Norfolk Group, 32 native species and 31 exotic species. A further 4 endemic and 7 native species have been recorded. Of these 6 are trees presently occurring on Norfolk Island, 3 are creepers or herbs presently occurring on Norfolk and one is thought extinct.
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