Flora of Bali
Bali has hilly tropical rainforests covering it, much like that of Java. Teak is commonly grown on Bali, and the 'giant banyan' tree (Waringin Tree) is considered sacred by the Balinese. In Bali, there are 40000 species of flowering plants, including 5000 species of orchids and the 'Rafflesia Arnoldi,' which is the biggest flower in the world. There are also 3000 species of trees. Because of the volcanic soil, it is easy for vegetaion to grow in Bali.
Bali has a number of unique vegetations, including waringin trees (banyan), salak Bali, and a multitude of flowers from a very fragrant cempaka (Michelia champaca) to literally thousands of kinds of orchids.
Fauna of Bali
Bali is native land to the Bali Tiger, which is almost extinct; Bali cattle, a graceful animal not like other cows; bats that haunt caves like the Bat Cave near Kusamba; sea turtles of Nusa Dua; Jalak Bali or Bali Sterling (Leucopsar rothschildi) that has inspired countless number of painters and artists.
In west Bali, tigers, rhinocerous, elephant, orangutans and tapir are also found, and deer and wild pigs are numerous throught the island. Bali also has an enormous variety of insects, including the extremely rare 'giant walkingstick insect,' which grown up to 20cm in length, 'walking leaves,' 'atlas beetles,' 'luna moths' and the 'bird-wing swallowtails.'
