What is Suriname's vegetation?

Answer 1

Around 80 percent of Suriname is pristine tropical rainforest, which covers the central and southern parts of the country.

In northern Suriname there are four life form types: forest, woodland, scrub, and grassy vegetation. All four occur in the three habitat types in the north: dry land, marshland [poor drainage], and swamp [very poor drainage].

Matakki [Symphonia globulifera] is widespread in the dry land forest. Mangrove [Avicennaand Rhizophora] mainly are found in swamps along the coast and lower courses of rivers. Sedges [Cyperaceae] are widespread in the extensive coastal swamps which are called grass or 'open' swamps.

Brantimakka [Machaeium lunatum] is scrub that favors brackish swamps. Brantimakka with their crisscrossing branches covered with strong prickles was described by Dr. J.C. Lindeman in his book, 'Vegetation of the Coastal Region of Surinam', as one of the most 'dreadful' plants to encounter.

With few exceptions the Attalea maripa species of palm tree is found in marshland, not in swamps.

Two types of savannahs occur in dry land and marshland. Grass or 'open' savannahs are mainly covered with sedges[Cyperaceae] and grasses.

Scrub savannahs are covered with dense scrub. Savannah mangro [Clusia nemorosa and C.fockeana] and blakkaberi [Humiriafloribunda and H. balsamifera] are widespread in the scrub savannahs.