French Polynesia is thought of as a real floral paradise, because of the huge number of species due to the diversity of the climate and physical conditions of islands and atolls. There are nearly one thousand native species augmented by the hundreds of species imported by Europeans during the last few centuries.
Polynesian people wear at least one flower behind the ear, or stuck in their hair. They frequently wear a crown of flowers and a garland as well around their neck, called the Tiare Tahiti the Tahitian Gardenia, which is snowy white in colour. This is the threaded and plaited garland you may well be given on arrival at Papeete, entwined with the Maire, a fern which symbolises Tahiti.
In addition the following flowers are very popular and can be used on garlands, and flower arrangements. The Hibiscus, the Helconias, red ginger and red torch ginger, flamingo flowers, paper flowers, and of course the many orchid varieties. Finally the Temple flower which is actually a little tree.
Additional flowering plants of course includes bougainvillea, oleander, frangipani, pointsettia, and many others.
The mountainous volcanic islands are densely covered...