Joanna James
With 1192 tiny islands strewn across the Indian Ocean the archipelago of the Maldives is blessed with dreamy beaches kissed by the frothy waves and a tropical sun. Complementing this pretty image are the plants adding hues of green whilst blooms add bursts of colour offering a feast for your senses.
Coconut palms are synonymous with the Maldives and are considered the National Tree of the archipelago. No image of a beach setting in the Maldives is complete without these quintessential palms adding that dense green foliage and the majestic brown trunk. The value of this plant does not end with its mere appearance, the nutrient-rich coconut water is a great thirst quencher ideal for the tropical climate of the Maldives and often enjoyed by visitors at beach villas in Maldives. The flesh of the coconut is used in various forms to add flavour and goodness to Maldivian cuisine which is relished by visitors. Various parts of the palm are used to build traditional Maldivian boats (dhonis), coir ropes, baskets etc.
This lovely flowering plant looks like a fantasy laden with bright pink blooms which are beautiful and delicate. Being the National Flower of the Maldives, it is revered by the locals who call it by the local name Finifenmaa and use it for various local cultural ceremonies. These plants are well-tended at many luxury resorts all over the Maldives to add a burst of colour to the picture-perfect settings near the pool and verandahs of the bungalows and villas.
Blooms with a delightful fragrance, frangipanis are versatile flowers. They are used in various beauty-related products due to their fragrance and texture. Frangipanis are often used for welcoming guests and as decorative items at most luxury resorts in the archipelago such as Ozen Reserve Bolifushi. They are also used for local rituals and these sturdy flowers keep well over a long period. The simple yet beautiful blooms come in different hues creamy white, rose pink and bright yellow.
Also called Sea Hibiscus, this enchanting wonder is seen close to the beach and is resistant to salty water. The blooms are as pretty as all blooms in the hibiscus family. The fascinating aspect of Beach Hibiscus is how they change colour. As it blooms it appears bright yellow and after some time turns deep red. Finally, when it drops creates a carpet of blooms around the bush offering a pretty picture.
This pretty plant also known as Sea Lettuce, Beach Cabbage, and Beach Naupaka, is found in tropical coastal areas and is a common beach shrub. Growing into a large bush as big as 3 metres in height, in certain cases its leaves are succulent. The flowers and fruits are white, and the flowers are seen throughout the year and are shaped like a fan or half flower while the fruit drops into the sea water gets propagated by the currents of the ocean.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
