The Chagos Archipelago had been part of the British colony of Mauritius, but was detached in 1965 to create the British Indian Ocean Territory; Mauritius became independent in 1968. Diego Garcia, at less than 30 square kilometers, is the largest atoll of the Chargos chain and serves as a United States military base.
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Premna serratifolia - Coastal premnas are part of the lavender family. It is a common plant distributed from Eastern Africa, across the Indian Ocean, into Southeastern Asia, along Northern Australia, and to the islands of the Pacific. It is a small shrub growing to heights ranging from 2 to 6 meters. Moist forest settings and low altitude areas with seasonal rain or standing water serve as ideal habitats. The flowers have a light creamish-green color and produce an unpleasant aroma, but the leaves, shoots, and seeds are edible.
