Like other islands of Polynesia, the Cook Islands have an abundance of bright, tropical flowers and other plants. While the gardens around villages in the Cook Islands are not quite up to the magnificent standard of those in Samoa, the flowers are still beautiful.
The following photos are from Rarotonga and Aitutaki, principally taken in the Maire Nui Tropical Garden, around the Edgewater Resort and in the private garden of Dan Kelly, all on Rarotonga, and around Aitutaki.
I have noted the common names as well as the Polynesian name where I have been able to identify the flower or plant.
Click on the flowers to start a slide show and see the pictures full size.
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- Glossy Frangipani – Tipani Vai’i
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- Frangipani – Tipani
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- Red Hibiscus – Kaute
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- Hanging Heliconia – Tiare Parata’ito
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- Red Ginger – Kopi Muramura
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- Red Ginger – Kopi Muramura
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- Red Ginger – Kopi Muramura
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- Pink Mussaenda
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- Golden Shower
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- Tiare Parata’ito
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- Red Hibiscus – Kaute
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- Tropical Yellow Water Lily
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- Crepe Ginger
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- Red Mussaenda
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- Tahitian Gardenia – Tiare Maori
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- Redbird Cactus
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- Red Hibiscus – Kaute
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- Pomegranate
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- Giant Red Ixora – Atitora
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- Red Ginger – Kopi Muramura
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- Hibiscus Black Dream
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- Fringed Hibiscus – Kaute Verevere
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- Tahitian Gardenia – Tiare Maori
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- Coconut palm
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- Breadfruit – Kuru
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- Flame Tree “Flamboyant”- Patai
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- Lilies on a pond
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- Tree Hibiscus – Au
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- Yellow Bells – Tekoma
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- Cream Hibiscus – Kaute
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- Pink Hibiscus – Kaute
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- Tree Marigold – Pua Renga
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- Jackfruit