Flowers
are an important part of Polynesian culture.
They are used as body jewellery as well as ornaments.
Bougainvillea can be seen everywhere ...
... and beautiful orchids are common.
The
vanilla plant (vanilla planifolia) - one of Tahiti's important
export products - is the only orchid to produce edible fruit.
Pollination requires manual manipulation,
and the pods must be blanched before drying.
Pretty trumpet vines can be seen everywhere.
Hibiscus
flowers are large and come
in many colors.
Plumeria (frangipani plumeria) grows on trees,
... and its blossoms are often used for leis.
Tahiti's
most important flower, however,
in undoubtedly the "holy flower", Tiare (Gardenia Taitensis).
