Tiare Apetahi, emblem of the island of Raiatea, a rare and delicate flower, which petals form the fingers of the legend of its appearance. This endemic and indigenous flower only blooms on the te mehani avaeari’i and ura mountains.
Endangered, it must be preserved from flower picking, development of invading plants, rats destroying the plants and pigs destroying its environment.
Associations are currently trying to preserve this precious element of the Polynesian natural heritage.
Written by Jean-marc SALDUCCI (member of the TUIHANA association) |
