Included here is the sub-tropical, volcanic island of Lord Howe situated in the Tasman Sea.

Lord Howean Hill Forest

The endemic Acicalyptus fullagari (Myrtaceae) and Howea belmoreana (Arecaceae) are two of the main characteristic trees of these forests. Other endemic trees include Guioa coriacea (Sapindaceae) and Notelaea quadristaminea (Oleaceae) but most of the smaller trees found here such as Bubbia howeana are also found in the lowland forest. One exception, occurring mainly in the valleys, is the strange endemic Negria rhabdothamnoides (family?), which is representative of one of the island’s endemic genera. Tree ferns are uncommon but the two endemics Alsophila robusta (Cyathaceae) are fairly common with Flagellaria indica and Malaisa scandens frequent and conspicuous. The shrub layer includes the endemic Metrsideros nervulosa, while damp banks support a variety of ferns including the endemic Dryopteris apiculis and Polystichum whiteleggei (Dryopteridaceae). Another endemic Polystichum (Polystichum moorei) occurs beneath overhangs and in caves. At elevations above 300 m, palms of the endemic genus Howea are replaced by the endemic palm Hedyscepe canterburgana (Arecaceae). Trees in this part of the forest also include the endemic Alyxia squamulosa (Apocynaceae), Evodia polybotrya (Rutaceae) and Olearia ballii (Asteraceae), whilst in among the damp rocks can be found the endemic fern Asplenium howeanum (Aspleniaceae) and Brachycoma segmentosa (Asteraceae).

Lord Howean Mountain Moss Forest

Above altitudes of about 600 m these forests are often enveloped in clouds, and more or less permanently saturated. They are largely composed of small trees, shrubs, palms and tree ferns most of which are endemic. Dracophyllum fitzgeraldi (Ericaceae), the palms Clinostigma mooreanum and Hedyscepe canterburyana (Arecaceae), the tree ferns Cyathea brevipinna, C. macarthuri (Cyatheaceae) and Hemitelia moorei (Cyatheaceae) are some of the more conspicuous endemics. Many of the endemic shrubs found here can also be found in the lower forests, but Cryptocarya gregsoni (Lauraceae)and Olearia mooneyi (Asteraceae)are possibly more closely associated with these mountain forests. For the most part, the forest floor is covered with moss, but also various endemic ferns such as Asplenium pteridoides (Aspleniaceae), Blechnum fullagari (Blechnaceae) and Diplazium melanochlamys (Athyriaceae). Flowering plants are less common but may include the endemic Brachycome segmentosa (Asteraceae) and Plantago hedleyi (Plantaginaceae).  Much more conspicuous are the many epiphytes. On branches the ancient Tmesipteris tannensis may be accompanied by the endemic tree orchid Dendrobium gracilicaule (Orchidaceae) and the endemic ferns Polypodium diminutum and P. pulchellum (Polypodiaceae). The lower parts of tree trunks usually support the climbing fern Blechnum attenuata and the moss Spiridens muelleri, while higher up the fern Hymenophyllum multifidum, the moss Barbella enervis and the foliaceous lichen Sticta freycinetti are often the main species.  In some of the more exposed locations where scrub cover is less dense, the undergrowth may be almost impenetrable due to the presence of various tussock species such as Gahnia xanthocarpa and the endemic Cladium insulare (Cyperaceae) and Moraea robinsoniana (Iridaceae). The endemic scrub species found here including Cassinia tenuifolia (Asteraceae), Olearia ballii (Asteraceae)and Senecio insularis (Asteraceae).  In some of the highest forests on the island grows the rare and vulnerable Red Data Book species Carmichaelia exsul a shrubby member of the Fabaceae. Other endemics found in the moss forest for which more information is required include Alyxia lindii (Apocynaceae), Luzula longifolia (Juncaceae) and the ferns Hemitelia moorei (Cyatheaceae) and Leptopteris moori (Osmundaceae). The latter species can be found on the island’s summit. The endemic Melicope contermina (Rutaceae) and Nothopanax cissodendron (Araliaceae)are also found in parts of this forest and the endemic Cleistoma erectum (Orchidaceae) is found on rocks and trees, but the exact habitat of the endemic Dryopteris nephrodioides (Dryopteridaceae), Rapanea myrtillina (family?) and Symplocos candelabrium (Symplocaceae)is unknown.

References

Green, P. S. 1979. Observations on the phytogeography of the New Hebrides, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. In: Plants and Islands. Ed. D, Bramwell. Academic Press.

Mueller-Dombois, D. & Fosberg, F. R. 1998. Vegetation of the Tropical Pacific Islands. Springer.

Oliver, W. R. B. 1911. The Vegetation and flora of the Lord Howe Island. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute, 49: 94-161.

Oliver, W. R. B. 1925. Biogeographical Relations of the New Zealand Region. Journal of the Linnean Society, London, 47: 99-140.

Paramonov, S. J. 1963. Lord Howe Island, A Riddle of the Pacific, Part III. Pacific Science, 17: 361-373.

Pickard, J. 1983. Rare and Threatened Vascular Plants of Lord Howe Island. Biological Conservation, 27: 125-139.

Smith, A. C. 1958. Corokia  A. Cunn. - an addition to the Australian genera of Saxifragaceae. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland, 69: 53-55.