Lush plants on Milaidhoo Island Maldives

The vegetation at Milaidhoo is beautifully lush and green, enhancing the image of a true tropical island.

The typical emblematic tree of tropical islands is the Coconut Palm Tree (Cocos nocifera) known worldwide as the most exotic tree of a holiday destination. On Milaidhoo Island the coconut palm tree is an essential element in the “islandscape” and an integral part of the natural environment of a Maldivian island. To understand the major role played by the coconut palm in Maldivian culture, consider that in Dhivehi (the Maldivian language), there are eight different words to describe the several stages of a coconut.

All around Milaidhoo you can enjoy our lush tropical vegetation ensuring very intimate spaces and an original Maldivian atmosphere. There are not many flowering plants but those few are going to catch your attention… because of the colours of their flowers, and because of their fragrance.

An example is the Plumeria flower (Plumeria sp.), also known as Frangipani. A highly fragrant small tree, it is used in a wide variety of beauty products. Plumeria symbolises perfectly the beauty of tropical islands worldwide. Like the coconut tree flower, it’s used in several cultures to celebrate special occasions.

The bright violet flowers from the Orchid tree (Bauhinia sp.) are eye-catching when you pass by the Spa or the Chef’s garden. They are really delicate flowers and resemble the blooms of certain orchids. Their petals colour the ground when flowers lose their freshness and drop.

Beach Hibiscus, Sea Hibiscus or Cottonwood trees (Hibiscus tiliaceus) are resistant to salty water and are common close by the beach. The flower is really decorative, as are most of the Hibiscus family; it comes in a yellow colour and changes to a dark orange when it falls on the sand. This tree has a heart-shaped leaf, which makes this plant an attractive ornamental one.

There’s also beautiful greenery in the centre of the island that is not so well known for its flowers, because it doesn’t look like a conventional flower, so its appearance doesn’t make it so obvious. This is the banana tree flower. These flowers are a delicacy for the resident flying foxes that you might spot flying around or hanging on the vegetation during the day.

A more special flower, well known for its sweet, seedy fruit, is commonly called the passion fruit. The plant (Passiflora edulis) is an evergreen climber that grows in full sun and produces extraordinary edible purple and white flowers.

The majestic Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) must be mentioned among our island trees, since it is considered a holy tree in different cultures and because of its attractive appearance. Banyan trees initially grow on other plants, enveloping their hosts with the roots and extensive branching. The peculiarity is represented by the mesh of aerial roots that are hanging as “hair” from the branches. When you arrive on the island, you will see those trees greeting you at the arrival area as you relax and sip your welcome cocktail and begin your own Milaidhoo holiday story.