THE VEGETATION AND FLORA OF

NAURU – 2007

Current Status, Cultural Importance and Suggestions

for Conservation, Restoration, Rehabilitation,
Agroforestry and Food, Health and Economic Security

Report prepared for the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and

Resources and the Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation, Republic of
Nauru

R. R. Thaman1, D. C. Hassall2 and Shingo Takeda3

Secretariat of the Pacific Community

Land Resources Division
Suva, Fiji Islands
January 2009

1
Professor of Pacific Islands Biogeography, Faculty of Islands and Oceans, The University of the South
Pacific, Suva, Fiji Islands.
2
Director, Yurrah Integrated Landscape Solutions, Windsor, Queensland, Australia.
3
GIS Consultant, School of Geography, Faculty of Islands and Oceans, The University of the South
Pacific, Suva, Fiji Islands.
 © Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) 2009

Original text: English

Secretariat of the Pacific Community Cataloguing-in-publication data

Thaman, R. R.

The vegetation and flora of Nauru – 2007: current status, cultural importance and
suggestions for conservation, restoration, rehabilitation, agroforestry and food, health
and economic security / R. R. Thaman, D. C. Hassall and Shingo Takeda

1. Plant ecology – Nauru. 2. Botany – Nauru.

I. Hassal, D. C. II. Takeda, Shingo. III. Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

581.509685 AACR2

ISBN 978-982-00-0314-9

Secretariat of the Pacific Community

Suva Sub-regional Office
Private Mail Bag
Suva
FIJI ISLANDS
Tel: +679 337 0733
Fax: +679 337 0021
Email: spc@[Link]

Printed by Quality Print Limited,

Suva, Fiji Islands
 DEDICATION

We dedicate this report to the late Joseph Detsimea

Audoa, former Minister of Health and Education and
Minister of Justice in the Government of Nauru, who,
because of his vision and commitment to the culture
and environment of Nauru, initiated and provided the
financial support for the 1980s study of the flora of
Nauru, and to the people of the Republic of Nauru who
have had their precious island and its vegetation and
flora destroyed and degraded as a result of wars and
exploitation beyond their control.

iii
 FOREWORD

The rehabilitation of phosphate-mined areas is considered top priority under the Nauru
National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS) 2005-2025. This is further
recognized in the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Government of
Nauru Joint Country Strategy (JCS) 2008-2010, identifying the activity as requiring the
assistance of SPC

In response to the above, the Land Resources Division (LRD) of SPC, through its Forests
and Trees Group, commissioned a survey of the vegetation and flora of Nauru as part of
its support to the Government of Nauru towards the rehabilitation of the phosphate-mined
areas. The survey is an update of a similar one undertaken in 1980-81 by Thaman, Hassal
and Manner (Thaman et al. 1994).

This publication documents the results of the survey, which among other things, include:
• A discussion of the current state of the flora and vegetation of Nauru highlighting
the most important changes that have taken place over the past quarter of century
since the last in-depth survey in the early 1980s;
• An updated account of culturally useful plants of, and weeds of potential danger
to, Nauru;
• Changes that have occurred and actions that need to be taken to protect the
remaining indigenous plants and vegetation and associated Nauruan knowledge ;
and
• Identification of those species and areas of vegetation of cultural and ecological
importance that are rare or threatened and in need of some form of conservation
as part of the pre-planning for re-mining and continued human settlement on
Nauru.

In addition to this publication, a companion document, Plants of Nauru: Guide to the

Indigenous and Introduced Plants of Particular Importance and Weeds of Pontential
Threat to Nauru” providing illustrations, background information and pictures of some
180 species or groups of species within the the existing flora of Nauru, has also been
published (Thaman, Hassall and Takeda 2008).

It is hoped that both of these publications will be useful not only to the Government of
Nauru in the planning and implementation of its rehabilitation programme of the island’s
mined areas, but also to scientists, researchers, students and the ordinary Nauruans who
may wish to further study the Nauru vegetation and flora.

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to Dr. Randy Thaman and his colleagues,
Dr. David Hassall and Shingo Takeda for their tremendous contribution in undertaking
the survey and documenting the results in an excellent document that will form the basis
for Nauruans to protect and conserve their native plant species and effectively use them
in the rehabilitation of their mined areas.

iv
Lastly, we would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Government of
Nauru for giving SPC the opportunity to contribute to its efforts towards the
rehabilitation of its mined areas, and also for the permission to publish the report for
greater distribution.

Aleki Sisifa
Director, Land Resources Division
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Suva, Fiji Islands

v
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Over the past quarter century there have been countless people who have assisted in many
ways in the study of Nauru’s plants. Special thanks are given to our original local informants
in relation to the cultural uses and Nauruan names of plants during the 1980s, all of whom
are now deceased. They include the Reverend James Aingimea, Henry Michael Heine,
Daphne Fotu, Jacob Gabwinare, Katarina Satto, Kenia Raidinen, Reynold Capelle, Eda
Adam and Montiba Star. Others who have worked closely with us and supported us over
much of this period include Leo Keke, Nelson Tamakin, Julie Olsson and Pene Agadio.
Others who provided support and assistance include Joseph Cain, Anton Jimwereiy,
Andrew Pitcher, Lagamot Harris, Bernard Dowiyigo, Lisle Newby, Felix Kun, Lawrence
Stephen, Braro Detudamo, Obera Menke, Robert Kaierua, Dennis Ketner, Sio Fotu, Pine
Harrison, John Brechtefeld, Rene Harris, Porthos Bop, Jacob Aroi, Delilah Capelle, Eddie
Borak, John Healy, Gary Bailey, Leon Thompson, Benjamin Morgan, Tyrone Deiye, Alan
Debao, Peter Jacob, Charleston Deiye, Dr. Ludwig and Ann Keke, Dr. Kiki Thoma, Dr.
Edgar Rapisora, Alan Jordan, J. S. Aluwhalia, Khurshid Kasba, Philomena Dick, Pamela
Scriven, Terry Amram, Edwin Tsitsi, Joseph Hiram, David Westover, Vollmer Api,
Maggie Jacob, Rhonda Kinsela, Iosefa Elisala and Teaora Tabanou. Their support,
friendship and hospitality over the past quarter century have made our work on Nauru
extremely rewarding and enjoyable.

Thanks are also owing to the organizations that have supported our work over the years.
They include The University of the South Pacific (USP), Secretariat of the Pacific
Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the Secretariat of the Pacific Community
(SPC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and AusAID. Special
thanks also go to the former Department of Island Development and Industry (IDI), the
Nauru Phosphate Corporation (NPC), the Nauru Island Council and, during the most
recent trip, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Resources (MCIR) and the Nauru
Rehabilitation Corporation (NRC).

Our thanks also go to our co-authors on the Flora of Nauru, the late Emeritus Professor
of Botany of the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, whose
knowledge of the Micronesian environment was unparalleled, and Dr. Harley Manner of
the University of Guam, who played such an important role in the studies of the
regeneration of vegetation of the mined areas of Topside. Thanks is also due to those
people, who over the past 100 years, have collected and identified plants on Nauru; and to
the late Saula Vodonaivalu of USP’s South Pacific Regional Herbarium of The University
of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji who identified, preserved and curated the herbarium
specimens collected by Thaman, Manner and Hassall. Without their efforts, this work would
have been impossible. Similarly, we would like to thank The University of the South Pacific
for the support it has provided throughout the duration of the study, both as the institution
where the study was initiated and completed and as Nauru's own university of which it is
one of twelve regional member countries.

We also wish to thank Cenon Padolina and Sairusi Bulai of the SPC Forests and Trees
Programme and Aleki Sisifa Director of the SPC Land Resources Division who

vi
commissioned the 2007 resurvey of Nauru’s flora and vegetation; Warea Orapa, of the
Land Resources Division of the SPC who carried out a survey of weedy and potentially
seedy species on Nauru in January 2007 and provided us with his lists; and Vinci
Clodumar of the NRC and Bryan Star of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and
Resources, who were our main contacts and provided support during 2007. We wish to
also thank Creedance Fritz, Lillibet Utenas, the manager of the Meneng Hotel, and the
Nauru Police force for their assistance and kindness.

To all of you we are very grateful. To others who helped in any way during our study, we
also give thanks, and sincerely apologize for failing to mention you by name.

Finally, we wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the people of Nauru whose warmth and
hospitality made our work on their beautiful but damaged island so enjoyable and
worthwhile. We hope that this report does justice to you and will provide valuable
information on the plants of Nauru, the understanding and appreciation of which, are
critical as a foundation for sustainable living on your beautiful island.

To all of you, TUBWA KOR,

Randy Thaman, Dave Hassall and Shingo Takeda

Suva, Fiji
December 2008

vii
 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Despite the extremely limited and degraded status of the vegetation and flora of Nauru,
plants will remain one of the most important foundations for sustainable living and the
survival of the rich Nauruan culture on the island of Nauru. This is particularly true given
the recent economic crisis, increasing climatic variability and the need for the island to
become more self-reliant in food and other products and services that can be provided by
plants. The 2007 survey and mapping of the vegetation and flora of the island further
stress the threatened status and importance of the protection and restoration of the
island’s natural and cultural plants and vegetation as one of the most cost-effective and
culturally and environmentally appropriate ways of promoting a sustainable future in
Nauru.

To do so will require a combination of the conservation of what still exists in Nauru’s

inland, escarpment and coastal forest forests and vegetation; the protection and
enrichment of existing food and other multipurpose gardens in houseyards and other
inhabited or developed areas; and the rehabilitation and reforestation of the mined-out
phosphate lands. To do so, however, requires that Nauruan get to “re-know” and regain
an appreciation for the critical importance of plants to their fragile island existence.

This report attempts to provide some of the information required by Nauruans to rekindle
and reclaim this knowledge. This includes: 1) an up-dated assessment on the current state
of the vegetation and flora of Nauru; 2) maps and descriptions of the vegetation and
plants, with particular emphasis on the mapping, location and description of those areas
of vegetation and plants that are in most serious need of protection, rehabilitation and
replanting; 3) a simple guide to some of the most important plants that need protection,
control (in the case of weeds) and rehabilitation or replanting as part of the protection and
restoration of the island; and, 4) DVDs of over 3000 photos of the plants and vegetation
that can be used by government and non-government entities, schools and other parties.

The actual technical guidelines on how the island should be restored, the soils developed
and the propagation and nursery production of priority plants is dealt with in very great
detail in a number of previous studies on Nauru.

The main purpose of this report is to suggest some of the most important species and
areas that can be protected, rehabilitated and replanted to provide a foundation for
environmentally, economically, nutritionally and culturally sustainable future occupation
of the island by Nauruans. It is stressed that the protection , rehabilitation and replanting
of trees, must start now, and should happen at all levels, from the individual household
garden level through district and national levels, the latter which must deal with the
formal rehabilitation and revegetation of the mined-out phosphate land. In short, the
resources are there in terms of the vegetation and plants that already exist on island.

viii
 CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 1

2 CURRENT STATE OF THE FLORA AND VEGETATION 3

2.1 Changes in the Flora 4
2.2 Summary of Current State of Flora 5
2.2 Changes in the Vegetation and Mapping 7

3 PHOTOS OF NAURU (Figures 1-67) 23

3 CULTURALLY IMPORTANT PLANTS OF NAURU 37

4 SIGNIFICANT CHANGES OF THE FLORA AND VEGETATION 32

4.1 Almost Total Clearance of Remaining Topside Calophyllum Forest 38
4.2 Threatened Status or Loss of Important Indigenous and Culturally
Important Species 38
4.3 Expansion and Increased Dominance of Non-native Invasive Species 45
4.4 Presence of New Weedy Species 46
4.5 Decline in Food Gardening Among Non-Nauruans and Increase in
Nauruan Food Gardening 47
4.6 New Ornamental Species and Changing on Ornamental Cultivation 48
4.8 Passing Away of the Older Generation 49

5 CONSERVATION, REPLANTING AND REHABILITATION 49

5.1 Coastal and Inland Forest Protection and Conservation 49
5.1.1 Priority Sites 50
5.1.2 Actions to Support Protection 51
5.2 Coastal Planting and Household Agroforestry 52
5.2.1 Coastal Planting 52
5.2.2 Agroforestry Development 54
5.3 Topside Rehabilitation and Agroforestry Development 60
5.3.1 Restoration Agroforestry Development 61
5.3.2 Residential Agroforestry 64

6 CONCLUSION 67

BIBLIOGRAPHY 68

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Enumeration of species of ferns, gymnosperms and monocotyledon and

dicotyledon flowering plants reported present on Nauru prior to the 1980s, in the
1980s and 1990s, and during the recent surveys in 2007 by Orapa and Thaman,
Hassall and Takeda 4

Table 2. Mapping units or vegetation categories used in the compilation of the

Vegetation Map of Nauru 2007 10

Table 3. Estimated areas of the vegetation categories (mapping units) on the Nauru
Vegetation Map 2007 15

Table 4. Frequency of use for specified purposes of plant species present in Nauru 35

Table 5. Indigenous vascular plant species (ferns, herbs, shrubs and trees) reported
present in Nauru prior to 1980 and their abundance status in the 1980s and in 2007
and comments on their conservation status and occurrence 38

Table 6. Current status, locations of some of the remaining populations and notes
On the cultural utility of some endangered indigenous Nauruan plants 43

Table 7. Indigenous tree and shrub species that could receive priority as target
species for coastal and inland conservation and rehabilitation programs on Nauru 53

Table 8. Fruit, nut and multipurpose tree or shrub species or plants that could be
protected and planted to maintain or strengthen household agroforestry in Nauru 55

Table 9. Food species that could form the basis household or houseyard garden
development for a national food, nutrition, health and self-reliance program to
address the current serious nutritional, health and economic crisis 57

Table 10. Main tree species proposed for reforestation and rehabilitation
planting on Topside 62

Table 11. List of shrub species proposed for Topside reforestation planting 62

Table 12. Flowering Times and Suggested Propagation Method for Indigenous
Nauruan Plants 63

Table 13. List of Ornamental Species Useful for Screening for planting
in Topside rehabilitation residential agroforestry 64

x
 LIST OF MAPS

Map of Nauru 16

Vegetation Map of Nauru 1994 by Hassall 17

Vegetation Map of Nauru 2007 by Takeda, Hassall and Thaman 18

Distribution of Endangered Species 19

Vegetation Map of Anabar Lagoons 20

Vegetation Map of Old Golf Course, Location and NPC Settlement 21

Distribution of Leucaena leucocephala on Topside 22

APPENDICES

Appendix I. Vascular Flora of Nauru, 2007 73

Appendix II. Enumeration, by family, of plants reported present on Nauru prior

to the 1980s, in the 1980s and 1990s and during the recent surveys
in 2007 by Orapa and Thaman, Hassall and Takeda 160

Appendix III. Descriptions of vegetation types and mapping used for the 1994
vegetation map by Hassall, which were adapted and updated during the
surveys and production of the Vegetation Map of Nauru 2007 165

Appendix IV. Listing of weedy or potentially weedy species reported on Nauru

based on studies over the past 25 years and a recent study by Orapa of the SPC
Land Resources Division in early 2007 169

xi
1 INTRODUCTION

From 14 to 21 September 2007 the authors carried out a survey of the flora and
vegetation of Nauru. The work was carried out in consultation with Sairusi Bulai, the
SPC Forests and Trees Advisor; Cenon Padolina the SPC Forests and Trees Regional
Forest Genetic Resources Officer; Bryan Star, Secretary to the Ministry of Commerce,
Industry and Resources (MCIR) of the Republic of Nauru; and Vinci Clodumar, Chief
Executive Officer of the Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation. Cenon Padolina accompanied
the team during the second half of the week. The main objectives of this consultancy
were:

1. Carry out a survey of the flora and vegetation of Nauru and compare this with the
survey of the flora and vegetation carried out in collaboration with Nauruan
informants, over a quarter of a century ago (1980-1981) out by Thaman, Hassall,
Manner and Fosberg;

2. Involve as many local community and members of Ministry of Commerce,

Industry and Resources of the Republic of Nauru and the Chief Executive Officer
of the Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation in the surveys as possible in an effort to
enhance knowledge of the vegetation to build capacity in terms of the
conservation and restoration of the vegetation and training in plant identification.

3. Identify those species and areas of vegetation of cultural and ecological

importance that are rare or threatened and in need of some form of conservation
(either in situ or ex situ) as part of the pre-planning for re-mining and continued
human settlement on the island. This would include those plants that could be
deliberately propagated for planting for ecological or conservation purposes or
due to their cultural or economic importance as a basis for sustainable living and
the preservation of the Nauruan culture;

4. Prepare a GIS (Geographical Information Systems) map of major vegetation types

and land use zones and the location of threatened species and trees or plants of
particular conservation or cultural importance to the people of Nauru.

5. Prepare a report on the changes that have occurred and actions that need to be
taken to protect the remaining indigenous plants and associated Nauruan
knowledge of the vegetation;

6. Prepare an identification guide with plant descriptions and associated digital

photos of for use by government and non-government entities and students. This
will include information on both indigenous and introduced plants of particular
environmental and cultural importance, including threatened species and invasive
species that could pose a problem to the people of Nauru.

1
 7. Up-dated account of the culturally-useful plants of Nauru based on the findings
during the 1980-81 and subsequent surveys, plus any additional knowledge
obtained in 2007.

8. Liaise with entities responsible for rehabilitation and mining and make
recommendations on how local indigenous and appropriate non-indigenous plants
can be used to promote the post-re-mining restoration of the island for the benefit
of future generations of Nauruan.

9. Help in designing a target coastal reforestation and houseyard forestry program as

a basis for re-establishing seabird nesting and breeding habitats (particularly
noddies) on the island as a basis for cultural preservation and insurance against
climate change.

With these goals in mind, from 14-21 November 2007, the consultancy team of Thaman,
Hassall and Takeda, accompanied by Cenon Padolina of SPC conducted a resurvey of
vegetation and flora of Nauru to compare the current state for the flora and vegetation
with what it was during the 1980-81 survey conducted by Thaman, Hassall and Manner
(Thaman, Fosberg, Hassall and Manner 1994). Fieldwork was concurrently carried out to
produce a detailed GIS map of the 2007 vegetation of Nauru and the locations of
threatened and culturally important species. During this period over 4000 digital photos
were taken to verify and document the existing flora, provided illustrative and
educational support for this report and to link with the GIS of the Nauru vegetation.
Additional data collected on invasive and potentially invasive species conducted by
Warea Orapa of the SPC Land Resources Division has also been included and used in the
analysis. The balance of this report and associated materials consists of:

1. A discussion of the current state of the flora and vegetation of Nauru

highlighting the most important changes that have taken place over the past
quarter century since the last in-depth survey in the early 1980s;

2. An up-dated account of the culturally-useful plants of Nauru;

3. Changes that have occurred and actions that need to be taken to protect the
remaining indigenous plants and associated Nauruan knowledge of the
vegetation;

4. Identification of those species and areas of vegetation of cultural and

ecological importance that are rare or threatened and in need of some form of
conservation (either in situ or ex situ) as part of the pre-planning for re-mining
and continued human settlement on the island. This would include those
plants that could be deliberately propagated for planting for ecological or
conservation purposes or due to their cultural or economic importance as a
basis for sustainable living and the preservation of the Nauruan culture.

5. A target coastal reforestation and houseyard forestry program as a basis for re-

2
 establishing seabird nesting and breeding habitats (particularly noddies)on the
island as a basis for cultural preservation and insurance against climate
change.

6. An identification guide with plant descriptions and associated digital photos of

for use by government and non-government entities and students. This was
produced with the assistance of Emily Naidike of the SPC Media Unit and
Teddy Fong a USP graduate student and researcher who helped in the
formatting and production. It includes information on both indigenous and
introduced plants of particular environmental and cultural importance,
including threatened species and invasive species that could pose a problem to
the people of Nauru.

7. The separate provision of a GIS (Geographical Information Systems) map and

computerized version (on DVDs) of major vegetation types and land use
zones and the locations of threatened species and trees or plants of particular
conservation or cultural importance to the people of Nauru. The GIS also
includes electronic linkages to over 2000 ground photos.

8. The provision on CDs of over 3000 annotated photos of the vegetation and
flora of Nauru that can be used by government and non-government entities,
schools and other interested parties.

9. Also provided (immediately below) is a selection of general photographs of

the landscapes, ecosystems and developments on Nauru, plus a number of
photos of the members of the 2007 Nauru survey team, to help the reader
visualize the reality of the Nauruan environment and vegetation today.

2 CURRENT STATE OF THE FLORA AND VEGETATION

As stressed after the studies in the 1980s (Thaman 1992; Thaman et al. 1994) and 1990s,
the indigenous flora and the vegetation of Nauru are among the most limited on earth.
Because of Nauru's small size, limited habitat diversity, and its physical isolation from
the Asian continent and other island sources of colonizing plants, just over 60 indigenous
species of vascular plants (i.e. ferns, gymnosperms and flowering plants, and excluding
non-vascular plants, such as mosses, lichens, etc.) have been recorded from the island
(These are listed in Appendix 1. Vascular Flora of Nauru, 2007). Table 1 shows the
comparative figures for the species of vascular plants reported present prior to the 1980s,
in the 1980s and 1990s and during the most recent survey in 2007. Appendix II contains a
breakdown by family of these figures.

Table 1. Enumeration of species of ferns, gymnosperms and monocotyledon and

dicotyledon flowering plants reported present on Nauru prior to the 1980s, in the 1980s
and 1990s, and during the recent surveys in 2007 by Orapa and Thaman, Hassall and

3
Takeda (See Appendix II for a detailed breakdown of this numbers by family).
GROUP Pre-1980 1980-90s 2007 Subtotals Total
Indg Intro Indg Intro Indg Intro Indg Intro Species
Ferns 2 - 7 3 6 (1) 2 (1) 8 4 12
Gymnosperms - - - 2 - 5 - 5 5
Monocotyledons 3 3 (1) 6 136 7 (1) 84 (27) 7 164 171
Dicotyledons 28 (2) 37 (7) 43 281 40 (3) 225 (49) 48 337 385
TOTAL 33 (2) 40 (8) 56 422 53 (5) 316 (77) 63 510 573

Prior to the 2007 study, the only relatively comprehensive studies of the flora were by
Fosberg (1980), in the more settled areas, and Thaman, Hassall and Manner in 1980 and
1981. Other studies have been opportunistic studies or studies focusing on weedy plants,
e.g., Swarbrick (1987) and Orapa (2007).

2.1 Changes in the Flora

As can be seen from Table 1, the total of indigenous plants now reported present at one
time or another in Nauru stands at 63, some of which are rare, ephemeral or species that
are now extirpated (locally extinct on Nauru). There are no endemic plants (plants unique
to Nauru). Moreover, long settlement, widespread destruction during World War II,
monocultural expansion of coconut palms, and over 100 years of open-cast phosphate
mining have led to serious vegetation degradation, disturbance, and displacement.

The total number of vascular plants reported as having been present or introduced to
Nauru as of the 1980s was just under 500. It now stands at about 573. The number of
reported introduced species has increased from 424 to 510, many of which are new and
many, although reported in the past, are either no longer present on Nauru or are species
that are periodically replanted or reintroduced. The introduced species consist mainly of
ornamentals, weed species, food plants, and a number of other useful cultivated plants.
Many of the ornamentals reported during the 1980s, even though not sighted and
photographed in 2007, are possibly still present, although ornamentals seem to come and
go with some that were seen in the 1980s were not seen in 2007 and some new species
recorded in 2007 not seen in the 1980s. However, because of the economic downturn, the
severely reduced frequency in flights to Nauru and the cessation of the national
ornamental gardening competitions that were run in the early and mid-1990s, there are
almost certainly some ornamentals that are not longer present.

Although greatly outnumbered by exotics, the indigenous species still constitute the most
culturally-useful and ecologically-important species. Due to the unique adaptability of
indigenous Pacific island plants to the harsh conditions of coastal and small-island
environments, and their cultural and ecological utility, their protection and enhancement
are crucial as a basis for sustainable development on Nauru.

As can be seen from the figures in Table 1 there has been a slight decrease from the
1980s to 2007 in the indigenous species from 43 to 40 and an even larger drop in the

4
numbers of introduced species, despite the fact there was a significant number of new
species seen in 2007 that had not been reported present previously. The actual nature of
these species and the discussion of the changes in composition over this period are
discussed in more detail in section 2.2 below and in Appendices I. Vascular Flora of
Nauru and Appendix II, an enumeration, by family, of plants that have been reported
present on Nauru in 2007 and before.

2.2 Summary of Current State of Flora

Of the 63 indigenous species that have been reported present in Nauru's flora, eight are
widespread tropical ferns or pteridophytes, and among the flowering plants, there are
seven monocotyledons and 48 dicotyledons (Table 2.1).

The 8 indigenous ferns include the scented fern, dageang or dageang ini Makin
(Microsorium grossum), Nephrolepis biserrata and/or Nephrolepis hirsutula, all of which
are common, and Pteris tripartita and Pteris vittata, both of which are occasional. They
are all collectively referred to as dageang. The small terrestrial fern, the reed fern,
ibiribir (Psilotum nudum), is rare an only found in some unmined remnants, and the
bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidum) is probably extinct on the island and the very small
adder’s tongue fern (Ophioglossum petiolatum) is probably either very rare or absent and
only seen in moist sandy disturbed places or in the shady pits between pinnacles in
recently mined areas.

There are no culturally important or abundant gymnosperms, although cycads (Cycas

circinalis) and araucaria pines (Araucaria spp.) are seen planted around some residences.

Indigenous monocotyledons are restricted to pandanus, epo (epuh) (Pandanus tectorius)

and the coconut palm, ini (Cocos nucifera), cultivars of both which are undoubtedly
aboriginal and more recent introductions, and a small range of sedges and grasses
(Cyperaceae and Poaceae), some of which might be aboriginal or recent introductions.
These include the sedges, Fimbristylis cymosa, referred to by the general name
ibugibugi, and marsh cypress, reyenbangabang (Mariscus javanicus). The grass
Stenotaphrum micranthrum (ibugibugi) is considered to be rare and endangered and
found only in pockets on the escarpment or in relatively undisturbed sites near the base of
pinnacles at a distance from the coast.

The indigenous dicotyledons consist almost exclusively of salt-tolerant, widely-dispersed,

pantropical coastal species. Of the 48 herbaceous and woody dicotyledons, half (23) are
endangered, rare or possibly locally extinct (See section 4.2. below). Species such as
Boerhavia repens, Laportia ruderalis, Triumfetta procumbens, Abutilon asiaticum,
Cordia subcordata, Euphorbia chamissonis, Sida fallax, Suriana maritima, Aidia
racemosa, Barringtonia asiatica, Cerbera manghas, Hernandia nymphaeifolia,
Neisosperma oppositifolium, Rhizophora stylosa, Thespesia populnea and Vitex trifolia
are represented by only a few remaining individuals, often in houseyard gardens, or by
localized relict communities, or are already extinct or short-lived ephemeral species. Prior

5
to widespread disturbance, other species such as Caesalpinia bonduc, Erythrina
variegata, Ochrosia elliptica and Pisonia grandis, would have been more widespread and
Nauru would have undoubtedly had more species than it has at present. Indigenous
species reported present by in 1888, but never reported since included Achyranthes
cansecens, Fagraea berteroana and Tarenna sambucina.

Exotic (introduced) species, which constitute 89% (510 out of a total of 573 reported
species) of the flora of Nauru, dominate ruderal, houseyard and urban vegetation, and
include a wide range of ornamentals, weedy species, food plants and a number of other
useful species.

Ornamentals, which are normally confined to houseyard and village gardens, comprise an
estimated 65% (372 of the 573) exotic species. On Nauru, introductions by travelers from
Australia, Fiji and other areas with highly developed ornamental gardening traditions; the
absence of quarantine restrictions; and the almost total breakdown in the subsistence
economy in the 1980s and 1990, the strong focus on ornamental gardening competitions
in the early and mid-1990s seem to be the main reasons for the disproportionate
importance of ornamental plants. Some of these ornamentals, of course, have other uses
such as living fencing or for the preparation of medicines or garlands.

The proportions of the exotic flora composed of weedy species is about 17% (97 of 573
species), an indication of both the poverty of the indigenous flora and the highly
disturbed nature of the vegetation.

Although food plants represent 15% of the exotic flora, due to the harsh environment,
limited land area and limited focus on food production in Nauru, many of these species
are restricted in numbers or utility and are often represented by experimental attempts to
diversify food production or by individual, often immature specimens of a given species.

Food plants of particular importance on Nauru include numerous edible pandanus and
coconut cultivars, some of which are undoubtedly aboriginal introductions, and breadfruit
and bananas. Recent introductions of more localized importance, or of particular
importance to contract worker communities on Nauru include: the vegetables, hibiscus
spinach (Hibiscus manihot), Chinese cabbage cultivars (Brassica spp.), long beans (Vigna
sesquipedalis), amaranth spinach (Amaranthus spp.) and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo); the
staple root crops, taro (Colocasia esculenta), tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), sweet
potato (Ipomoea batatas) and cassava (Manihot esculenta); a range of banana and
plantain cultivars (Musa cultivars); and the tree crops, lime (Citrus aurantifolia), guava
(Psidium guajava), mango (Mangifera indica), soursop (Annona muricata), sweetsop and
the horseradish or drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera), all of which seem to do well in
Nauru's harsh environment. Important emergency or pig foods include Polynesian
arrowroot (Tacca leontopetaloides) and purslane (Portulaca oleracea), both of which are
found occasionally as naturalized plants in the coastal vegetation or in ruderal sites.

Of particular interest are the Polynesian plum (Spondias dulcis) and the related species,
the hog plum (S. mombin). S. dulcis, which was reported present in 1935 by Burges,

6
known as dagimdere, was considered to be the ancestral tree of Igigu, who became
Nauru’s “woman in the moon” after climbing up dagimdere.

Food plants that have been successfully introduced since the 1980s by the Pacific
Regional Agricultural Project (PRAP) in the early 1990s include chaya (Cnidosculus
chayamansa) and Brazil spinach (Alternanthera sissoo).

Other useful exotic species include kapok (Ceiba pentandra), cotton (Gossypium
barbadense), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), and bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris), which were
all reportedly more abundant in the past. As suggested above, some larger weedy exotics,
such as Adenanthera pavonina, Annona spp., Casuarina equisetifolia, Lantana camara,
Leucaena leucocephala, Mangifera indica, Muntingia calabura and Psidium guajava
have become naturalized and competitive with the indigenous species in some disturbed
and relatively undisturbed sites. Of particular concern has been the rapid spread of water
hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) over much of Buada Lagoon, an important area for
traditional aquacultural production of milkfish, ibija (Chanos chanos). Other recently
introduced weedy species that seem to be spreading away from settlements and disturbed
sites sisal hemp (Agave sisalana) and bowstring hemp (Sanseviera trifasciata), both of
which are seen spreading into the mined out lands inland from the main settlement on
Command Ridge.

The porcupine flower (Barleria prionitis) and firecracker plant (Russelia equistiformis)
are also seen as spreading and sparingly naturalized. Of particular concern are the trailing
daisy or wedelia (Sphagneticola trilobata), which is currently invasive around Buada
Lagoon and has the potential to become one of Nauru’s worst invasive species. A number
of new weeds first seen in 2007 include Ruellia prostrata, now one of the most abundant
weeds spreading into Leucaena leucocephala thickets and other open, relatively shady
sites on the escarpment; mile-a-minute (Mikania macrantha), which was seen spreading
at Buada .

A couple of older ornamentals or weeds that have Nauruan names, but seem to be rare or
now absent in clued milkweed, dupaimdupaim (Asclepias currasavica), goatweed,
bwiyat tsige (Ageratum conyzoides), and cobbler’s peg, kauen oe (Bidens alba).

2.3 Changes in the Vegetation and Mapping

As of the 1980s and 1990s the main primary or relatively natural vegetation types were
classified as
1. coastal strand vegetation
2. mangroves and coastal marsh vegetation
3. inland forest
4. limestone escarpment or pinnacle vegetation.

In most cases these have all been reduced in size or degraded.

7
The secondary (highly modified) vegetation types included:

1. coconut lands under various degrees of maintenance

2. urban and food gardens
3. ruderal vegetation along roadsides and in open lots and other disturbed areas on
Bottomside, and
4. a mosaic of various stages of natural regeneration in the mined areas on Topside.

Although it is true that the majority of Nauru is covered with vegetation of some kind,
only about 364 ha or about 16.5% of the island's vegetation was dominated by primary or
relatively undisturbed vegetation types in the early 1980s. It should be noted that
although indigenous Topside Calophyllum (iyo) forest accounted for about 37 ha of this,
most of this has been mined over the past quarter century. The most extensive areas of
indigenous vegetation are now found on some of the steeper areas of the escarpment
surrounding the island, although increasingly extensive areas of the escarpment have
been invaded by introduced species, most notably Adenanthera pavonina. Other
indigenous, primary vegetation, such as small areas of mangroves and coastal vegetation,
occupy only very small areas, or are represented by individual plants, and are in urgent
need of conservation.

Out of Nauru's total area of 2,159 ha in the early 1990s, 1,366 ha (63%) of the vegetation
cover comprised regeneration after mining. At the time this was divided into the 211 ha
that were mined more than 50 years ago, and the 1155 ha mined over the past 50 years.
The latter areas were those mined by mechanical means, and which are now regarded as
prospective areas for "secondary" mining (re-mining) of residual phosphate deposits. The
1994 vegetation map by Hassall shows these areas. Appendix III contains the descriptions
of vegetation types used for the 1994 Vegetation Map by Hassall that were adapted and
updated during the surveys and production of the Vegetation Map of Nauru 2007.

During the re-mapping of the vegetation in 2007, although the mapping units or
vegetation categories follow those of the 1994 vegetation map, new categories have been
added and refined to reflect changes in vegetation cover over the past 13 years, improved
knowledge of the vegetation, and more detailed ground-truthing using high quality large-
scale aerial photos carried out during the 2007 survey (See the following 1994 Vegetation
Map by Hassall; the Vegetation Map of Nauru 2007, or the larger scale map provided
with this report, and the computerized GIS of the Vegetation of Nauru, which includes
locations of all threatened and important species, links to ground photos and allows for
the enlargement of sections of different portions of the island. See also the following
examples of maps of the locations of some rare or endangered plants, and some enlarged
maps of selected parts of the island). It is stressed that these are provided as examples and
the actual GIS presentation provided on the provided must be used to enlarge selected
portions of the map, view locations of individual species and to view the linked digital
photos.

The new mapping units used in the map key are shown in Table 2. According to the
“minimum mapping unit rule”, the mapping units listed below include only those

8
vegetation types, the aerial extent of which is large enough to be visible on a pdf map at a
scale small enough to cover the entire island of Nauru.

9
Table 2. Mapping units or vegetation categories used in the compilation of the Vegetation
Map of Nauru 2007.

Disturbed Areas 1a Ruderal

1b Regeneration <15years
1c Regeneration <50years
1d Regeneration >=50years
1e Leucaena leucocephala
Horticulture / Agriculture 2a Houseyard and Institutional Gardens
2b Food Gardens
Wetland Vegetation 3a Eichhornia crassipes – Ipomoea aquatica –
Ipomoea pes-caprae
3b Bruguiera gymnorrhiza – Rhizophora stylosa
3c Thespesia populnea – Bruguiera gymnorrhiza
Very Tall Closed Forest 4a Adenanthera pavonina – Mangifera indica –
Calophyllum inophyllum
Tall Closed Forest 5a Calophyllum inophyllum – Phymatosorus
grossus
5a+5b Complex
5b Ficus prolixa – Terminalia catappa – Hibiscus
tiliaceus
5c Adenanthera pavonina – Ficus prolixa –
Hibiscus tiliaceus
5d Adenanthera pavonina
Tall Open Forest / Woodland 6a Cocos nucifera
Mid-high Closed Forest 7a Hibiscus tiliaceus
Closed Shrubland 8a Scaevola taccada – Ipomoea pes-caprae
8b Clerodendrum inerme
8c Colubrina asiatica
Others Lagoon / Pond
Sandy beach / Rocky shore
Runway
Paved road

The following section is a discussion of each of these mapping units (For more complete
descriptions of the analogous mapping units used in 1994, see Appendix III).

DISTURBED AREAS

1a Ruderal

Vegetation composed mostly of fast-growing herbs, grasses and some small subshrubs or
shrubs, found around the airstrip, large open fields or lots and in the open flat grounds of
topside where artificial structures are located, which are currently used for transport and
where mining is in operation.

10
Apart from the area around the airstrip, most areas on the coastal plain (bottomside) that
can be classified as ruderal, such as roadsides, paths, open lots, playing fields and other
currently disturbed sites, are mapped as parts of the larger mapping unit of Houseyard
and Institutional Gardens according to the minimum mapping unit rule.

1b Regeneration <15years

Vegetation on areas of topside that have been either mined or cleared and left to
regenerate for less than 15 years.

Most of the areas mapped as Regeneration <15years on the 2007 map are parts of the area
mapped as Regeneration <50 years on the 1994 map. On the 2007 map, the areas of
Regeneration <10years are separated from the areas of Regeneration <50years by
examining a given area at two different points of time. An overlaid shapefile of 1m-
contour line that was created 15 years ago shows that it was undisturbed at the time,
whereas the 2005 satellite image shows that it has now been mined.

1c Regeneration <50years

Vegetation on areas of topside that have been mined and left to regenerate for less than
50 years.

1d Regeneration >=50years

Vegetation on areas of topside that have been mined and left to regenerate for 50 years or
more.

1e Leucaena leucocephala

Vegetation composed of large relatively contiguous monospecific populations of

Leucaena leucocephala observed on the both Topside and on the coastal plain.

The 2007 map overlaid over the 1994 map reveals that well-established populations of
Leucaena are now located in areas that were mapped as Soil on the 1994 map. Analysis
of the high-resolution satellite image (captured in May 2005) shows that the species
appears to have been dispersing along the road system, which has served as a dispersal
corridor. This may need to be taken into consideration for any future development and
rehabilitation plans for Topside.

HORTICULTURE / AGRICULTURE

2a Houseyard and Institutional Gardens

A vegetation type that includes landscaping, ornamental gardening, small-scale food

gardening and other vegetation around residences, government buildings and other non-

11
government buildings.

Areas mapped as Houseyard and Institutional Gardens also contains areas of roadsides,
paths, open lots, playing fields and other currently disturbed sites, the vegetation of which
can be classified as ruderal. As mentioned earlier, these areas are mapped as parts of the
larger mapping unit of Houseyard and Institutional Gardens according to the minimum
mapping unit rule.

2b Food Gardens

Short-term food and vegetable gardens established on the more gently sloping coastal
escarpment, in the fertile soils around Buada Lagoon and in a number of sites near the
Topside Workshops and Refugee centers.

Some of these gardens, such as those immediately behind the Topside Workshops are too
small in area to be included in the 2007 map according to the minimum mapping unit
rule.

WETLAND VEGETATION

3a Eichhornia crassipes – Ipomoea aquatica – Ipomoea pes-caprae

An extensive population of Eichhornia crassipes that is found over extensive areas

around the margins and extending toward the center of Buada Lagoon. There are some
areas along the western margins of the lagoon where introduced species, Ipomoea
aquatica and/or indigenous species, Ipomoea pes-caprae is also common.

3b Bruguiera gymnorrhiza – Rhizophora stylosa

Vegetation found in association with the back-beach-basin system of lagoons and ponds,
mainly found in the northeast of the island, the upper canopies of which are dominated by
Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, with a small population of Rhizophora stylosa in one area.
There are remnants of this vegetation type in a small low-lying area just north of Buada
Lagoon, in Meneng and other areas, although other areas that would have originally been
under this vegetation cover have undoubtedly been reclaimed for human settlement or
converted to milkfish ponds or other uses.

3c Thespesia populnea – Bruguiera gymnorrhiza

Vegetation found in association with the back-beach basin system of lagoons and ponds,
only found in the northeast of the main ponds of Anabar Lagoons, the upper canopies of
which are dominated by Thespesia populnea and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza.

VERY TALL CLOSED FOREST

4a Adenanthera pavonina – Calophyllum inophyllum – Mangifera indica

12
Vegetation observed in the relatively rich, deeper and moister soils behind the settled
areas around Buada Lagoon, the upper canopies of which are dominated by Adenanthera
pavonina along with Mangifera indica in the north and by Calophyllum inophyllum in the
south.

TALL CLOSED FOREST

5a Calophyllum inophyllum – Phymatosorus grossus

Remnant Topside vegetation, the upper canopies of which are dominated by
Calophyllum inophyllum and the understorey dominated by Phymatosorus grossus and
occasionally Nephrolepis hirsutula. The most extensive areas of this are found in the area
around Command Ridge.

5a+5b Complex

Remnant Topside vegetation, often found on scattered remnant unmined limestone

pinnacles, the upper canopies of which are dominated by mixed populations of
Calophyllum inophyllum and Ficus prolixa, with subdominant species including
Terminalia catappa, Guettarda speciosa and Ochrosia elliptica.

5b Ficus prolixa – Terminalia catappa – Hibiscus tiliaceus

Vegetation found on the escarpments surrounding the island and on remnant vegetation
of topside, the upper canopies of which are dominated by Ficus prolixa along with
Terminalia catappa and Hibiscus tiliaceus.

5c Adenanthera pavonina – Ficus prolixa – Hibiscus tiliaceus

Vegetation observed on escarpments inland from the runway, the upper canopies of
which are dominated by Adenanthera pavonina and Ficus prolixa along with Hibiscus
tiliaceus.

5d Adenanthera pavonina

Almost mono-specific stands of Adenanthera pavonina found on inland, western edge of

the escarpment in Anibare District and in some areas to the north of Buada Lagoon.

TALL OPEN FOREST/ WOODLAND

6a Cocos nucifera

Cocos nucifera woodlands or remnant coconut plantations found in a number of

undeveloped locations on the coastal plain where there is limited human settlement, often
on more well-drained land near lagoons and ponds.

13
MID-HIGH CLOSED FOREST

7a Hibiscus tiliaceus

Vegetation dominated by almost mono-specific stands of Hibiscus tiliaceus, found

mostly on the lower slopes of escarpment inland from the coastal strip in Anibare and
Meneng Districts and in a number of other sites.

This vegetation type is limited only to the populations that were observed and
photographed in the course of field survey which could have helped exercising visual
interpretation of a satellite image for separating the dense Hibiscus populations from
other more mixed populations. There are also dense almost monospecific stands of
Hibiscus on the inland margins of the Bruguiera wetland vegetation, most of which were
too small to be mapped separately due to the minimum mapping unit rule.

CLOSED SHRUBLAND

8a Scaevola taccada – Ipomoea pes-caprae

Vegetation found along the inner margins of beaches and on undeveloped land on the
coastal strip throughout the island, which is dominated by either Scaevola taccada or
Ipomoea pes-caprae, or the both, along with other herbs, grasses and subshrubs.

Some of the areas mapped areas as Scaevola taccada – Ipomoea pes-caprae include some
areas of herbaceous strand dominated by Ipomoea pes-caprae with only limited or no
Scaevola taccada. This is the reason for including the name of the herbaceous species
Ipomoea –pes-caprae in the vegetation type name to indicate its variable, but very
important, level of dominance. This is despite the fact that large portions of this
vegetation class are dominated almost entirely by monospecific stands of Scaevola
taccada, the most abundant shrub on the island.

8b Clerodendrum inerme

Extensive populations of Clerodendrum inerme smothering Scaevola taccada or

festooning limestone pinnacles and outcrops that are observed around Anabar and Ijuw
Lagoons and on inland coastal limestone outcrops on the coastal strip.

In areas where Clerodendrum inerme is the dominant species bordering mangroves, these
are mapped as part of the Bruguiera gymnorrhiza – Rhizophora stylosa association
according to the minimum mapping unit rule.

8c Colubrina asiatica

Limited areas of vegetation dominated by Colubrina asiatica, mainly in disturbed areas

along the crest and back slope of the escarpment.

14
The detailed mapping this vegetation type is limited only to the populations that were
observed and photographed in the course of field survey which could have helped
exercising visual interpretation of a satellite image for separating the populations of this
species from others

Table 3 shows the estimated areas in 2007 of these mapping units.

Table 3. Estimated areas of the vegetation categories (mapping units) on the Nauru Vegetation Map 2007.

Structural types Categories Area (h)

Disturbed Areas Ruderal 2.6 54.8
Regeneration <=15years 6.8 146.0
Regeneration <50years 44.6 952.3
Regeneration >=50years 6.8 146.1
Leucaena leucocephala 0.6 11.8
Horticulture/Agriculture Houseyard and Institutional Gardens 13.3 283.5
Food Gardens >0.1 0.7
Wetland Vegetation Eichhornia crassipes – Ipomoea aquatica – >0.1 3.2
Ipomoea pes-caprae
Bruguiera gymnorrhiza – Rhizophora stylosa >0.1 1.9
Thespesia populnea – Bruguiera gymnorrhiza >0.1 0.3
Very Tall Closed Forest Adenanthera pavonina - Mangifera indica - 4.5 95.1
Calophyllum inophyllum
Tall Closed Forest Calophyllum inophyllum – Microsorium grossum 0.9 18.7
Complex 1.3 27.2
Ficus prolixa – Terminalia catappa – Hibiscus 14.6 310.9
tiliaceus
Adenanthera pavonina – Ficus prolixa – Hibiscus 1.5 32.5
tiliaceus
Adenanthera pavonina 0.4 9.3
Calophyllum inophyllum >0.1 0.6
Tall Open Cocos nucifera 0.2 5.1
Forest/Woodland
Casuarina equisetifolia >0.1 1.2
Mid-high Closed Forest Hibiscus tiliaceus 0.3 6.9
Closed Shrubland Scaevola taccada – Ipomoea pes-caprae 1.1 22.8
Clerodendrum inerme >0.1 0.9
Colubrina asiatica 0.1 2.1
Others Ficus benghalensis – Ficus prolixa >0.1 1.4
2135 ha

As can be seen from Table 3 the total area mapped of 2135 ha is slightly less than the
total of 2159 ha mapped area in the 1990s by Hassall, and the total area classified as
mined and regenerating is for some reason less. The totals do, however, reflect the current
state of the vegetation, and the mapping exercise along with the vegetation and floristic
surveys highlighted those changes that have occurred over the past quarter century.

15
 MAP OF NAURU

Source: http//[Link]/maps/[Link]

16
17
 Vegetation Map of Nauru 2007
(Prepared by S. Takeda, 2008)

18
19
20
21
22
PHOTOS OF NAURU (Thaman, September 2007, unless otherwise stated)

Figures 1 – 3. 1) Aerial view of Nauru looking south; 2) view of the southwest portion of the island, showing
the airstrip and main settlement; 3) southern half of Nauru viewed from the northwest (Thaman, 10 October
2004).

23
Figures 4 – 6. 4) view of phosphate loading cantilevers in Aiwo District in the southwest of the island; 5)
view looking across the island from the west; 6) northern half of Nauru viewed from the northwest (Thaman, 10
October 2004).

24
Figures 7 – 12. Clockwise from upper left: 7) Nauruan family making brooms from the midribs of coconut
leaflets; 8) Hassall, Takeda and Thaman, SPC Nauru survey team 2007; 9) Cenon Padolina, SPC Advisor,
2007 Nauru survey; 10) Hassall, Thaman and Takeda in Topside Vegetation (photo: C. Padolina); 11) Julie
Olsson with threatened native plant, enga (Aidia racemosa) on the Anibare escarpment; 12) Nauruan gardener
at Location Settlement 2007.

25
Figures 13 – 18. Clockwise from upper left: 13) looking north along the east coast toward Anibare Bay
just north of Meneng Hotel; 14) erekogo, beach morning-glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae) and herbaceous coastal
vegetation on east coast north of Meneng Hotel; 15) limestone pinnacles on intertidal flat, North Anibare
Bay; 16) looking north along the west coast toward the phosphate loading cantilevers in Aiwo district; 17)
looking south from the Anibare boat Harbour toward the Meneng Hotel; 15) beach heliotrope, irin (Tournefortia
argentea) and fringing reef flat, Anibare Bay.

26
Figures 19 – 25. Clockwise from upper left: 19) view from escarpment cliffs looking southeast along Anibare
Bay; 20) eteta, tropical almond (Terminalia catappa) stand on upper escarpment above Anibare Bay; 21) stand
of red-bead trees, bin (Adenanthera pavonina) on unmined area inland from Anibare escarpment; 22) large
limestone pinnacle in Adenanthera pavonina forest in unmined backslope of escarpment inland from Anibare
Bay; 23) large strangler fig or banyan, eyayo (Ficus prolixa), limestone escarpment inland from Anibare Bay;
24) yangis (Pisonia grandis) trees (the most important rookery trees for noddy birds) on the crest of the limestone
escarpment above Anibare Bay; 25) stand of white-barked yangis (Pisonia grandis) trees along the crest of the
escarpment cliffs inland from Anibare Bay .

27
Figures 26 – 31. Clockwise from upper left: 26) dadongo (Rhizophora stylosa) mangrove swamp,
Anabar District; 27) eamwiye (Clerodendrum inerme) thicket bordering mangrove swamp Anabar District;
28) Clerodenrum inerme covering limestone surrounding Anabar Ponds, with a mangrove, etam (Bruguiera
gymnorrhiza)(left foreground); 29) water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and swamp spinach, Lorenzo (Ipomoea
aquatica), Buada Lagoon; 30) water hyacinth infestation, Buada Lagoon; 31) itirya (Thespesia populnea) trees
bordering Anabar Ponds.

28
Figures 32 – 37. Clockwise from upper left: 32) irin, beach heliotrope (Tournefortia argentea), Ijuw District;
33) epö, pandanus (Pandanus tectorius) stand, houseyard garden, Anabare District; 34) view looking north
across coconut plantings and forest around Buada Lagoon; 35) remnant iyo (Calophyllum inophyllum) forest in
Aiwo District; 36) saltbush, emet (Scaevola taccada) scrub in regenerating mined area; 37) irin (Tournefortia
argentea)(left), bin or Panama cherry (Muntingia calabura)(center-right) and emet (Scaevola taccada (right
foreground) on Topside, Ewa District.

29
Figures 38 – 43. Clockwise from upper left: 38) Nauruan reed warbler or Nauru canary, itsirir
(Acrocephalus rehsei), an endemic threatened bird; 39) pet frigate birds, itsi (Fregata minor) on roosts; 40)
sweet potato garden, Buada Lagoon; 41) eongo (Cordia subcordata), a threatened cultural tree; 42) vegetable
garden with Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis) at Buada Lagoon; 43) dorot, hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-
sinensis) hedge in churchyard garden, Aiwo.

30
Figures 44 – 49. Clockwise from upper left: 44) Nauruan residence with houseyard garden, Meneng
District; 45) Churchyard with escarpment in background, Nibok District; 46) NPC Staff quarters, Location
Settlement; 47) abandoned contract worker quarters, Location Settlement; 48) houseyard garden, Location
Settlement; 49) contract worker quarters, Location Settlement (photos: R. Thaman).

31
Figures 50 – 55. Clockwise from upper left: 50) Nauru Phosphate Corporation main office, Location;
51) former NPC House (abandoned), NPC settlement, Command Ridge; 52) Nauru International Airport
with escarpment in background; 53) seaside view of the Meneng Hotel; 54) Nauru Parliament Building
and government building complex with airstrip in foreground; 55) Anibare Boat Harbour, Anibare Bay with
escarpment in background.

32
Figures 56 – 61. Clockwise from upper left: 56) active phosphate mining, September 2007; 57) limestone
pit-and-pinnacle topography in freshly mined area; 58) weathered pit and pinnacle terrain in area mined
within the past ten years; 59) ) old mined areas with regenerating vegetation and unmined iyo (Calophyllum
inophyllum groves (the original Topside vegetation of the island) in the distance; 60) trial rehabilitation site
near the Topside Oval in an effort to prepare the area for development; 61) slowly regenerating vegetation on
pinnacles with pinnacles with banyan trees, eyayo (Ficus prolixa) in the distance.

33
Figures 62 – 67. Clockwise from upper left: 62) phosphate train and naturalized casuarina trees (Casuarina
equisetifolia) near Topside workshops; 63) truck delivering phosphate to stockpile, Topside; 64) Japanese
World War II anti-aircraft guns, Military Ridge area, Topside; 65) abandoned clubhouse and golf course, Aiwo
District; 66) bin (Leucaena leucocephala) scrub vegetation, northeast of Topside Workshops, 67) phosphate
loading cantilevers, Aiwo District.

34
3 CULTURALLY IMPORTANT PLANTS OF NAURU

As stressed above, although highly disturbed, outnumbered and, in some ways,

"enriched" by introduced exotics, the vegetation and flora of Nauru still constitute a
critical ecological and cultural resource to the people of Nauru. This is particularly true
for the indigenous species, virtually all of which had wide cultural utility within the
traditional subsistence economy. With current economic downturns and the need for
increased food, health and subsistence security, the value of the goods and services
provided by plants to takes on greater importance. This importance can be measured in
terms of: 1) the ecological functions or services they provide and 2) their uses or more
strictly cultural value.

The most important ecological functions of Nauru's plant resources include the provision
of shade to humans and animals, animal and plant habitats, protection from wind, erosion,
flood and saltwater incursion, land stabilization, protection from the desiccating effects of
salt spray, soil improvement and mulching. All of these functions are seen as critical to
the sustainable habitation of Nauru. Shade, for example, will be of increasing importance
given the predicted increases in cancer-causing ultraviolet light due to the breakdown in
the Earth's protective ozone layer. Similarly, if forests and trees are not protected, noddy
bird hunting may become a thing of the past, and coastal erosion may render some coastal
sites uninhabitable.

In terms of more strictly cultural utility, analyses in the 1980s showed that there were 174
purposes or use categories for 40 indigenous species, an average of over four uses per
species (Thaman et al. 1993). There were 434 uses for 354 exotic species, an average of
1.2 uses per species (Table 4). This gives a combined total of 608 use/purpose categories
for 394 species (1.5 uses per species). Twenty (20) indigenous and 80 exotic species had
no reported uses. Some of these were, of course, rare or extirpated species that had not
been present on or known to the people for a long time. The relative importance of the
indigenous flora would undoubtedly be much more pronounced if: 1) a more systematic
in-depth survey of the cultural utility of each indigenous species had been conducted in
the past; 2) Nauru had not experienced such widespread devastation of its population,
traditional economy, traditional education system and its indigenous flora (and associated
ethnobotanical knowledge) over the past 100 years; and 3) planted ornamentals, by far
the most widespread use of exotic species, were excluded from the analysis of indigenous
species (Thaman et al. 1994).

Table 4. Frequency of use for specified purposes of plant species present in Nauru (Note: Introduced
includes both aboriginal introductions such as coconut and recent post-European-contact introductions).

Purpose/Use Indigenous Introduced Total

x/60 x/434 x/494

Cultivated Ornamentals 9 257 266

Food Plants 2 64 66
Body Ornamentation 16 23 39

35
Medicinal/Health 18 13 31
Staple Foods 1 13 14
General Construction 12 2 14
Scenting Oil/Perfumery 6 7 13
Firewood/Fuel 7 4 11
Emergency/Famine Foods 3 6 9
Tools/Utensils 8 1 9
Boat/Canoe Building 8 - 8
Handicrafts 7 1 8
Games/Toys 6 1 7
Food Parcelisation 5 2 7
Living Fences/Hedges 1 6 7
Cordage/Fibre 3 3 6
Hair Conditioner 6 - 6
Woodcarving 5 - 5
Adhesive/Glue/Caulking 1 4 5
Earth Oven Cover 5 - 5
Magic/Sorcery 4 - 4
Drinks/Beverage - 4 4
Fishing Equipment 3 2 5
Clothing 3 1 4
Animal Feed 2 2 4
Plaited Ware 3 1 4
Legends/Mythology 2 1 3
Furniture 3 - 3
Animal Cages/Roosts 1 2 3
Fish Poisons 2 - 2
Fire by Friction 1 1 2
Strainers/Filters 1 1 2
Thatching/Roofing 1 1 2
Dyes/Pigments 2 - 2
Nets/Traps 2 - 2
Fans 1 1 2
Chewing Gum/Masticants - 2 2
Oils/Lubricants 1 1 2
Corks/Stoppers 1 1 2
Other Uses* 12 6 18

TOTAL 174 434 608

NO USES 20 80 100

* Other uses include aphrodisiacs, appetite stimulants, brushes, toilet paper, illumination, soap/shampoo,
containers, deodorants/air fresheners, fishnet floats, green manure, groundcover, meat tenderizer, insect
repellents/fumigants, love potions, wild animal food, fishing bait, cigarette wrappers and tobacco.

Moreover, if distinct uses within use/purpose categories (e.g., tools with distinct
functions, different types of fishing equipment, foods or ornamentation for different
occasions or purposes, medicines for different ailments, or plants used for specific parts

36
of boats or houses) are counted, the economic and cultural utility of plants becomes even
more pronounced. The coconut palm, ini (Cocos nucifera), for example, has 33 reported
uses in Nauru, almost undoubtedly a gross underestimate, in light of at least 128 reported
uses (many of which are almost ubiquitous) for the coconut palm throughout the Pacific
Islands (Thaman 1992ab). Next in order of importance, are 19 species, all with 5 or more
reported uses. These include, in order of importance, ekwane (Hibiscus tiliaceus), epo
(Pandanus tectorius), emet (Scaevola taccada), deneno (Morinda citrifolia), yut
(Guettarda speciosa), iyo (Calophyllum inophyllum), bongo (Cordia subcordata), etetah
(Terminalia catappa), deme (Artocarpus altilis), itirya (Thespesia populnea), irin
(Tournefortia argentea), idibinerr (Premna serratifolia), ikiow (Triumfetta
procumbens), dagaidu (Vitex trifolia), eorara (Ochrosia elliptica), denuwanini
(Cassytha filiformis), dabanana (Musa cultivars), ebarabaratu (Bambusa vulgaris) and
dababaia (Carica papaya). Of these 20 species, Artocarpus altilis, Musa ABB Group,
Bambusa vulgaris and Carica papaya, are aboriginal or recent introductions.

Another 13 species, 7 of which are indigenous, eteweau (Dodonaea viscosa), etsiu or

yetiu (Hernandia nymphaeifolia), demeria (Plumeria rubra), kuwawa (Psidium
guajava), yoreh (Erythrina variegata), etum or etam (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza),
kwenababai (Barringtonia asiatica), erekogo (Vigna marina), eyamwiye
(Clerodendrum inerme), tiare (Gardenia taitensis), rimone (Jasminum sambac),
dagiebu (Crinum asiaticum) and darot (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), have at least 3 uses
each. Although, there is some usage overlap between categories, such as supplementary
and emergency foods, medicinal, magical, ceremonial and body ornamentation plants, or
plants used for handicrafts, woodcarving, cordage and clothing. Conversely, the
categories could be further broken down to yield an even greater list of uses. Moreover,
the list does not include the more strictly ecological functions of coastal plants, such as
shade, protection from wind, sand and salt spray, erosion and flood control, coastal
reclamation, animal and plant habitats, and soil improvement, all of importance,
particularly on an ecologically devastated post-mining Nauru.

4 SIGNIFICANT CHANGES OF THE FLORA AND VEGETATION

The most significant changes in the vegetation and flora of Nauru since the 1980s and
1990s are related to:

1. The almost total clearance of the remaining Topside Calophyllum forest and
woodland between the early 1980s and 2007;

2. The threatened status or loss of some important indigenous and culturally

important species;

3. The expansion and increased dominance of some non-native invasive species;

4. The presence of new weedy species and the disappearance or declining

abundance of some long-established species;

37
 5. The decline in food gardening among non-Nauruans and increase in Nauruan
and Chinese food gardening;

6. The presence of new, or changes in, ornamental species and changing

emphasis on ornamental cultivation in houseyard gardens; and

7. The passing away of most of the older generation who had knowledge of
Nauru’s plants and their cultural importance.

4.1 Almost Total Clearance of Remaining Topside Calophyllum Forest

The almost total clearance of the areas of Calophyllum inophyllym (ijo or iyo) forest that
remained in the early 1980s is the most dramatic change that has taken place in the
vegetation of Nauru. As a result the overall abundance of Calophyllum has declined from
being abundant to very abundant. The abundance of associated species such as Ficus
prolixa (eyayo), Terminalia catappa (etetah), Guettarda speciosa (yut), and Ochrosia
elliptica (eorara) has also declined on Topside, although these species still exist in
various levels of abundance in remaining remnant areas of Topside and escarpment
vegetation.

4.2 Threatened Status or Loss of Important Indigenous and Culturally

Important Species

Table 5 lists the indigenous fern, herbaceous, shrub and tree species that have been
recorded present in Nauru over the past century and before and an assessment of the
conservation status of these species along with some background comments.

Table 5. Indigenous vascular plant species (ferns, herbs, shrubs and trees) reported present in Nauru prior
to 1980 and their abundance status in the 1980s and in 2007 and comments on their conservation status and
occurrence (Under Abundance: V = very abundance, A = abundant, C = common, O = occasional, U =
uncommon, R = rare, E = possibly extirpated (locally extinct), ? = unsure as to the actual identity and/or
abundance status, + = reported present in pre-1980s surveys with no information on abundance, - not
reported present during a given time period; * indicates new species not previously reported before 2007.

Abundance Conservation Status

Scientific name Nauruan name Pre- 1980s 2007 and Comments
1980s
FERNS
Asplenium nidus ? + R* -E? Extinct. Found only as
an ornamental in the
1980s. Not seen in 2007
Nephrolepis biserrata Dageang - C O? Probably occasional,
but previously mistaken
for the more common
N. hirsutula.
Nephrolepis hirsutula Dageang - C? A Abundant in open and

38
 closed forest remnants
and old regrowth areas.
Ophioglossum ? R - Rare and Threatened,
petiolatum possibly extirpated or
ephemeral.
Microsorium grossum dageang, dageang + V A Original understory
ini Makin vegetation in
Calophyllum forest on
Topside
Psilotum nudum Ibiribir + O R Rare and Threatened.
Found in some remnant
forest stands
Pteris tripartita Dageang U O Occasional near bases
of limestone pinnacles
and the lower
escarpment; occasional
in pits between mined
pinnacles
*Pteris vittata Dageang - - O Occasional in mined
areas and in disturbed
sites near base of
escarpment
HERBS, GRASSES AND SEDGES
Achyranthes canescens ? + - - Extirpated. Reported
in 1888 and 1935, but
not since
*Boerhavia repens ? - U U Found in ruderal sites
on coastal plain
Laportea ruderalis ? R Rare and threatened.
Seen only on limestone
cliff in Anibare in 2007.
Mariscus javanicus Reyenbangabang - A C More common in the
1980s than now.
Digitaria setigera Ibugibugi + O O Possibly indigenous,
but more probably and
early introduction.
Lepturus repens ibugibugi - C C Common indigenous
grass in coastal
vegetation and in
disturbed sites
Stenotaphrum Ibugibugi R U Threatened.
micranthrum Uncommon grass on
escarpment and base of
pinnacles on inner
coastal plain
Canavalia cathartica erokogo, irekogo + U O Vulnerable. Climbing
vine in coastal thickets
and on the escarpment
Canavalia rosea erekogo - R - Rare or ephemeral.
Seen only as a single
drift seedling in the
1980s
Capparis quiniflora Ekaretsit - U O Vulnerable. Thorny
vine in undisturbed
limestone escarpment

39
 vegetation
Cassytha filiformis Denuwanini - A A Common leafless
parasite
Derris trifoliata ? - R R? Rare, possibly extinct
Ipomoea littoralis ? - R R? Rare, Possibly present
Ipomoea macrantha erekogo, irekogo - O O Coastal and escarpment
vine
Ipomoea pes-caprae erekogo, irekogo + A A Abundant coastal vine
also found in disturbed
sites
Vigna marina erekogo, irekogo + C C Creeping and climbing
coastal vine
SHRUBS
Abutilon asiaticum Enenkaura + U O Threatened. Shrub in
disturbed inner coastal
and escarpment
vegetation
Caesalpinia bonduc Dogiennae - U O Increasingly invasive
thorny shrubby vine
Capparis cordifolia Ekabobwiya + O C Vulnerable. Shrub on
limestone coastal cliffs
and escarpment
limestone
Clerodendrum inerme Eamwiye + C C On coastal limestone
and bordering
mangroves
Colubrina asiatica Ewongup + C C In thickets from the
base to the top of
escarpment
Dodonaea viscosa eteweo, eteweau + C C Shrub in regenerating
mined areas
Chamaesyce atoto Emai + R E? Rare. Probably and
ephemeral littoral beach
plant
Phyllanthus societatis Ewemangemang O O Vulnerable. Small
subshrub in open
indigenous forest, on
escarpment and
disturbed coastal sites
Scaevola taccada Emet, emed + V V Shrub on coast, topside
and in regenerating
mined areas
Sida fallax ekaura, idibinkaura + U E? Extirpated. Small
subshrub in disturbed
open sites on
Bottomside and
Topside. Not seen in
2007
Triumfetta procumbens Ikiau, igiaow + U R? Rare or Extirpated in
houseyard garden in
1990s
Suriana maritima ? - R E? Extirpate. Seen once as
a drift seedling on
beach
TREES

40
Aidia racemosa Enga + R R Rare, highly
Threatened. tree in
escarpment forest; fruit
eaten
Barringtonia asiatica Kwenababai + O O Vulnerable. Rare in
escarpment and coastal
areas and uncommon in
houseyard gardens
Bruguiera gymnorrhiza Etum, etam + O O Vulnerable. Dominant
in back-beach basin
ponds
Calophyllum inophyllum Iyo + V C Vulnerable. Dominant
in original Topside
forest
Cerbera manghas Dereiyongo - U O Vulnerable. Tree in
settled areas
Cordia subcordata eongo, eoongo - O R Rare and Seriously
Endangered. Seen only
in four sites; in need of
replanting.
Erythrina variegata yoreh, yora - U O Vulnerable. Seen in
settled areas
Fagraea berteroana + - - Extirpated. Not seen or
reported since 1910
Ficus prolixa eyayo, eaeo + V A Dominant on limestone
pinnacles on Topside
and escarpment.
Guettarda speciosa Iut + C O Component of
escarpment and Topside
forest ; occasional in
older regenerating
vegetation.
Hernandia etiu, yetiu - U U Threatened. Seen in
nymphaeifolia only three sites near
base of escarpment and
once near coast.
Hibiscus tiliaceus Ekwane + A A Abundant tree near base
of escarpment
Morinda citrifolia deneno + C C Common understory
tree in disturbed sites,
occasional in mined out
lands, and in houseyard
gardens
Ochrosia elliptica eorara, oerara + C O Threatened.
Understorey tree in
Topside and escarpment
forest
Pandanus tectorius epo, epuh + C O Threatened.
Uncommon in coastal
vegetation, common to
occasional in houseyard
gardens and rare in
planted groves. Many
traditional named
cultivars are now lost or

41
 rare.
Pisonia grandis yangiys, yangits - U O Vulnerable. One main
grove on the crest of the
escarpment above the
north end of Anibare
Bay, uncommon in
houseyard gardens. One
of the main rookery and
nesting trees for noddy
birds
Premna serratifolia Idibener + C C Tree in disturbed open
sites and thickets
Rhizophora stylosa Dadongo - R R Rare and Threatened.
Found in only one
population near ponds
in Ijuw District in the
1990s
Tarenna sambucina ? + - - Extirpated. Reported
in 1935, but not seen
since
Terminalia catappa Eteto, etetah - C C Tree in escarpment and
Topside forest,
sometimes in mined-out
lands ; occasional in
houseyard gardens
Terminalia samoensis Deukin - U O Vulnerable. Possibly
an original coastal tree
of Nauru, but possibly
an introduction. Planted
in houseyard gardens as
an important medicinal
plant.
Thespesia populnea itira, itirya + O O Vulnerable. Rare along
the coast ; occasional in
houseyard gardens and
on the golf course
Tournefortia argentea Irin - C O Threatened. Tree in
degraded coastal littoral
vegetation; some
planted on Topside in
Ewa District
Vitex trifolia Dogaidu + O O Vulnerable. Tree near
base of escarpment and
inner coastal
vegetation.

As can be seen from Table 5, 33 out of 60 species of indigenous Nauruan plants are
regarded as extirpated (locally extinct on Nauru), rare, threatened or vulnerable. If
nothing is done many of these species will ultimately be lost or will be in such low
numbers to be of little future value to Nauruans.

42
Many of these species have been used in traditional ways in the past and are still used
when presently available. The current status and locations of some of the remaining
populations and some of these uses are summarized in Table 6. More detailed
descriptions are found in Appendix I and the actual locations can be displayed and
printed out in map form from the GIS Vegetation Map o f Nauru 2007.

Table 6. Current status, locations of some of the remaining populations and notes on
cultural utility of some endangered indigenous Nauruan plants.

*Abutilon asiaticum - Known from only five or six populations, this shrub has potential
use as a decorative garden plant and making garlands, and may be saved through
propagation in this way.

*Aidia racemosa - An extremely rare species of small tree with edible fruit known from
only two localities on Nauru, possibly now from only one, on e the escarpment above
Anibare Bay. A population size, now very small indicates this species is close to
extinction, and requires urgent conservation measures. Fruits reportedly eaten by children

*Barringtonia asiatica - At first site this species appears not to be too endangered, but
once a count is made of existing trees, it becomes apparent that the population size has
diminished to not more than thirty observed trees in the wild, most of which are in house
yard gardens. A further search may reveal more individuals, but saplings appear to be
rare, and this species needs care to ensure its regeneration and survival. At least it is
widespread on Nauru, being recorded from eight Districts. It is an important candidate for
coastal replanting.

* Bruguiera gymnorrhiza - This mangrove species is extremely important throughout the

Pacific as a source of timber and fuel, and as a habitat for birds and animals The
seedlings (or pre-germinated fruits) were used traditionally to make a cake or bread
(etam) in Nauru for special occasions. The habitat is restricted to a few permanent land-
locked ponds and soaks in Buada, Meneng, Ijuw, Anetan and Anabar. These areas are
used to raise milkfish in the past and now contain large populations of Tilapia, a fish that
could serve as an important protein source. The presence of the etam tree assists by its
production of leaf litter and ability to act as a water purifying agent. The species therefore
needs to be carefully conserved and further clearing restricted in the vicinity of the ponds.

* Cerbera manghas - This small, attractive compact tree is only found in houseyard
gardens, where it is a suitable substitute for the frangipani, with large sprays of fragrant
white flowers. The species can be propagated by either seed or cutting, and is a promising
coastal ornamental. It is currently recorded from seven localities in five Districts. It is
also candidate for coastal replanting.

43
* Cordia subcordata - Recorded from seven localities in Aiwa, Buada and Nibok in the
1980s and 90s, is now found in only three or four locations, in all cases as single trees.
This medium-sized tree is a promising as a shade tree for street and garden. The orange
blooms are very attractive, and the species has been used for traditional medicine and
woodcarving. The timber is possibly the most highly prized in the Pacific for the
contrasting chocolate and blond colours of the heartwood and sapwood. There is a critical
need to replant this culturally-important and relatively easy to propagate tree.

* Erythrina variegata - This tree is less restricted now than it was in the 1990s, but is still
threatened, and needs to be protected to survive in Nauru. It can be easily propagated
from cuttings.

* Hernandia nymphaeifolia - The etiu tree has been recorded in only four localities on
Nauru, where it grows naturally in the forests near the base of the escarpment. It is an
extremely useful and highly ornamental shade tree for coastal situations. The timber was
formerly prized for canoe hulls. It is a tree that can be planted in sandy sites on the coast
and in coastal houseyard gardens where it can provide coastal protection.

* Ochrosia elliptica - This small, attractive tree with bright red fruit can also be planted
as a shade tree in coastal situations. It is currently restricted to five to seven localities in
five Districts. It is also found as an understorey species in relict forest on topside and on
the more gradually sloping parts of the escarpment.

* Pisonia grandis - The yangits or yangish (the Nauruan word seems to mean 'place
where noddy birds nest' ) is severely restricted in the wild to four to five sites at present,
three of which are on the escarpment, and two in relictual areas on topside. This tree
occurs as an emergent in the forest dominated by Calophyllum inophyllum and Ficus
prolixa, and is known throughout the Pacific to be a favorite nesting site for noddy birds
(as the name would imply!). An examination of each locality indicates that the species is
not regenerating naturally through seedlings. This situation is observed elsewhere where
reproduction occurs through the rooting of fallen branches. In the Nauruan situation
however, the presence of large numbers of Adenanthera pavonina seedlings in the
understorey suggests that this species may possibly interfere with the competitive ability
of the Pisonia to regenerate, and this needs further clarification. Propagation is readily
achieved through cuttings, and elsewhere in the Pacific is used as a living fence for pig
pens. The tree is also occasionally planted in houseyard gardens.

* Rhizophora stylosa - This mangrove species was a new record for Nauru in the 1990s,
and has been observed at two localities on the edge of the ponds at Ijuw and Anabar. As
such, its distribution is extremely restricted by availability of the right habitat, which
makes it all the more important to conserve these mangrove areas.

*Sida fallax - Previously thought to be extinct on Nauru, was seen in only one site near
the Topside Workshops in 1996 and in only two roadside locations in the 1980s. It was
not seen in 2007 despite visits to areas where it previously existed. This species was
traditionally used for wrestlers' garlands, and is grown commercially in Hawaii for the

44
making of leis. There is need to locate any remaining populations and protect them or,
alternately, reintroduce it, with appropriate quarantine and phytosanitary safeguards, from
Kiribati where it is still common and a very important cultural plant.

* Tournefortia argentea - A very important component of the strand flora throughout the
Pacific, this medium-sized tree species has become rare through the clearing of
vegetation from the coastline of Nauru and through coastal erosion and salt spray. The
irin is one of the few tree species that can grow right at the outpost zone of the high tide
mark, and its canopy will cast shade on the beach itself. At the same time, its roots help
to protect the fore-dune against the apparently accelerating coastal erosion.
Unfortunately, wandering pigs enjoy eating the seedlings that do germinate, and unless
this species is propagated and cultivated, its future on Nauru will not be assured. As a
traditionally important pig feed, it could well be propagated for this purpose. It should be
seen as of highest priority for propagation and coastal replanting and for planting in
houseyard gardens and in Topside rehabilitation.

* Thespesia populnea - The itirya tree has been recorded from over 12 localities, but was
apparently more widespread in the past. It too is a useful species to plant in coastal
situations, and will help to protect against erosion. Traditionally prized for carving timber
and medicine, this is an attractive tree to cultivate for shade in the gardens of Nauru. It is
currently most common in the vicinity of the golf course.

* Vitex trifolia - The dorado is only occasional. In the 1990s, it was only recorded from
two sites. In 2007 it was seen in a number of sites. It has horticultural potential as a hedge
or screen plant, and will need to be propagated vegetatively as a matter of urgency to
ensure its survival in the near future. It has well known insecticidal properties and
selected Vitex varieties are planted and pruned elsewhere in Micronesia as mosquito-
repellant hedges.

The balance of species classified as rare or endangered are ferns, grasses, herbs or sedges
that are not the focus of this report. Their distributions have, in most cases, been mapped
and plans need to be made for their urgent conservation. In addition, as suggested below
in the agroforestry section, varieties of Cocos and Pandanus should also be studied for
their rehabilitation and propagation, even though the species themselves are not regarded
as rare or endangered. If this is not carried out, valuable genetic diversity of these
culturally and nutritionally valuable plants will be lost.

4.3 Expansion and Increased Dominance of Non-native Invasive Species

The expansion and increased dominance of some non-native invasive species, such as
Adenanthera pavonina and Leucaena leucocephala (both bin) have been quite dramatic
since the 1980s. Although both species were present and well-known in the past, they
have both spread and become more dominant in a number of areas. Adenanthera now
forms almost monospecific stands in the area to the south of Buada Lagoon and in some

45
remaining unmined areas just on the landward edge of the escarpment in the northern part
of Anibare District. These areas can be seen on the 2007 GIS Vegetation Map of Nauru
2007.

Leucaena has spread in many areas of Topside, especially along roads and cleared,
unmined areas, such as the area to the northwest of the Topside Workshops.

Casuarina, tanenbaum or Christmas tree (Casuarina equisetifolia) and Panama cherry,

bin (Muntingia calabura) are also adventive and actively spreading on some of the
regenerating mined sites, particularly around the Topside Workshops, in the case of
casuarina. The former is a nitrogen fixing plant that provides good firewood and the latter
has a fruit that is eaten by small children and birds.

In these cases, particularly with Adenanthera and Leucaena, the spread of these species
has undoubtedly inhibited the dispersal and regrowth of, and taken over habitats that
could have been colonized by, indigenous trees and other species that are important
culturally, ecologically and as habitats for local birds and smaller plants.

Other introduced species that have become adventive or naturalized, such as guava,
kuawa (Psidium guajava), Lantana camara (magiroa) and soursop (Annona muricata)
and sweet sop (A. squamosa), and that have become dominant in some areas, have not
significantly spread over the past quarter century. In the case of guava, it is an important
snack food and medicinal plant and a good source of firewood.

4.4 Presence of New Weedy Species

There are a number of other introduced species that are now invasive or adventive
(escaped into the wild) or that have the potential for invasiveness. Appendix IV is a
listing of these species based on studies over the past 25 years and a recent study by
Orapa of the SPC Land Resources Division in early 2007. The most worrisome species
include:

1. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), which that has now taken over most of
the landward areas of Buada Lagoon and is the target of an SPC biological
control initiative.

2. Trailing daisy or Wedelia (Sphagneticola trilobata, formerly Wedelia

trilobata), which is spreading in some disturbed coastal sites near the Anibare
boat harbour and around the margins of Buada Lagoon. Wedelia has become
extremely invasive in Fiji, Samoa, Niue, Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Marshall
Islands and has the ability to successfully outcompete local indigenous plants
in coastal sandy areas, roadside and wetlands.

3. Mile-a-minute (Mikania macrantha) was seen for the first time in one very
healthy population around Buada Lagoon in 2007 and also has potential to be

46
 a very serious weed.

4. Eustachys petrea is a very aggressive grass that has taken over and
outcompeted other introduced grasses and herbs, and seedling of woody plants
on South Tarawa. It was seen present and spreading for the first time in 2007
in the area of the rehabilitation trials just north of the Topside Running Track
in 2007. This also has the proven potential to spread rapidly in dry tough
environments.

5. Mission grass (Pennisetum polystachyon) was seen in a couple of locations on

Topside and also has the ability to spread and establish itself.

6. Ivy gourd or knob vine (Coccinia grandis), a minor food plant, commonly
grown by Indians and other Asians, was seen restricted to growing on trellis
fencing bordering a vegetable garden at Buada in 2007. It has shown itself to
be a very serious weed of gardens, disturbed sites and inner coastal forests in
Fiji where it grows into a woody liana with knobs forming along the climbing
trunks.

7. One of the mint weed species (Hyptis rhomboidea) was also seen as a mature
individual in the open area just inland and above the calcination plant, an area
where a number of other new weedy species were found. This has escaped and
become a serious invasive weed in Samoa.

Although some of these invasive plants can be useful as sources of organic matter,
timber, fuelwood and to protect areas from erosion, their impact of their spread has to be
weighed carefully against the impacts that they have on important indigenous plants and
the cost and effort that their control might require.

4.5 Decline in Food Gardening Among non-Nauruans and Increase in Nauruan

Food Gardening

During the 1980s, at the height of the boom in phosphate mining, there was extensive
cultivation of small household food gardens at the Location contract workers settlement
and near the Topside Workshops by I Kiribati, Tuvaluan, Chinese, Solomon Islander and
Filipino gardeners. Most of these gardens are gone and most of the quarters are now
abandoned. Also during this time there were a number of expatriate Indian, Filipinos and
Fijians living in government quarters in Meneng, Command Ridge and other higher
quality residences who planted vegetables, staple food crops, tree crops and species.

Due to the recent economic downturn in Nauru and the departure of most of the contract
laborers, there has been a visible increase in food gardening by Nauruans who are now
planting an increasing range of food crops, in addition to the range of important fruit
trees, such as coconut, pandanus, breadfruit, bananas and mangoes that they planted in
the past. Of interest is the visible increase in the incidence of bananas and plantains

47
(dabanana) now found in Nauruan gardens. The increase in Nauruan gardening over this
time may also be related to the number of Nauruans who have intermarried with others,
such as Tuvaluans, I Kiribati and Fijians, who have strong gardening traditions. There are
also a limited number of Nauruans who now occupy the abandoned Location contract
workers quarters and are planting food crops.

The emphasis on local food cropping has also been strongly supported since the 1990s by
Republic of China (Taiwanese) aid programs to test and encourage the planting of local
vegetables and other food crops for local consumption and sale. These have been
reinforced by considerable immigration of Chinese over the past decade or so who have
also become involved in intensive vegetable cultivation, often in partnership with
Nauruans. The first attempt at a major commercial vegetable garden was started on the
sloping escarpment in Meneng just south of the Meneng Hotel in the 1990s. This garden
was reportedly taken over from the Taiwanese Government by independent Chinese
farmers, but abandoned in early 2007 when the gardens were shifted to the more suitable
soils bordering Buada Lagoon. This was reportedly as the result of the prolonged drought
from 2006 to 2007 that made short-term, water-dependent vegetable gardening very
difficult. There are currently a number of fairly extensive vegetable gardens on the
margins of Buada Lagoon. The Taiwanese experimental garden and nursery, from which
seedling and plants are distributed to gardeners is now also located in northeast Buada.

There was also a Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
vegetable gardening project which had sites in Buada, on the gradually sloping
escarpment in Nibok and a number of other locations. Most of these gardens are were not
operational, semi-abandoned or, at least, or had not been replanted in September 2007.
Only the nursery, with a limited number of plants, existed in 2007.

4.6 New Ornamental Species and Changing on Ornamental Cultivation

As suggested above, many of the ornamentals reported during the 1980s, were not sighted
and photographed in 2007, although some may still be present. There were also new
species recorded in 2007 that were not seen in the 1980s. Many of these were probably
introduced during the height of popularity of houseyard flower yearly flower gardening
competitions in the late-1980s and mid-1990s during which mature plants were often
flown in from Brisbane, Fiji, Guam and other locations to enrich gardens prior to the
competition. Following Nauruan cultural traditions, after the competition, people could
take any plant they wanted from the winners’ gardens. This seemed to be the main reason
for the introduction and spread of such ornamentals, such as yellow elder (Turnera
ulmifolia, which is now widespread. However, although some of these plants and some
very good gardens still exist and seem to be doing well, because of the economic
downturn, the severely reduced frequency in flights to Nauru and the cessation of the
national ornamental gardening competitions that were run in the early and mid-1990s,
there are almost certainly some ornamentals that are not longer present, and a general
decline in the number of well-maintained ornamental gardens.

48
4.7 Passing Away of the older Generation

Although technically not a physical loss or change in the vegetation and flora, the passing
away of most of the older generation of Nauruans who had in-depth knowledge of
Nauru’s plants and their cultural importance is probably one of the most serious problems
related to the conservation and continued use of Nauru’s plants and animals. Without the
knowledge and appreciation of the ecological and cultural importance of plants and
animals, the prospects for their conservation, survival and sustainable use are limited. The
situation in Nauru is particularly serious in this regard, as almost all of the people with any
real knowledge of the uses, beliefs, cultivation systems, names and history of the vegetation
and plants of Nauru have passed away. For example, the Reverend James Aingimea, Henry
Michael Heine, Daphne Fotu, Jacob Gabwinare, Katarina Satto, Kenia Raidinen, Reynold
Capelle, Eda Adam and Montiba Star, the main informants for the studies in the 1980s, have
all passed away. Others who have worked closely with us and supported us over much of
this period have also passed away. There is, thus, a parallel need to make sure that any
knowledge related to plants is recorded so that interested member of the current and future
generations will have it as a basis for protecting this critical foundation for sustainable life
on Nauru.

5 CONSERVATION, REPLANTING AND REHABILITATION

Due to increasing threats from climate change and variability, sea-level rise, loss of
biodiversity and the current economic and health situation in Nauru there is a critical
need for a three–pronged program to ensure sustainability of the ecological services and
economic and cultural benefits provided by the natural and cultural vegetation and flora
of Nauru. This three-pronged approach has the following components:

1. Coastal and inland forest protection and conservation

2. Coastal planting and household agroforestry, and
3. Rehabilitation, replanting and resettlement of the mined out phosphate lands on
Topside.

5.1 Coastal and Inland Forest Protection and Conservation

The protection of existing stands of coastal, escarpment and inland forest and threatened
individual plant populations is seen as the highest priority, both as a source of mother
stock for propagation, and because so little remains that there is a danger of losing one
hundred percent of the original Topside forest as re-mining and rehabilitation proceeds.
The focus of protection would include not only “natural” vegetation and indigenous
plants, but also the cultural vegetation and plants found in and around settlements, which
often include some of the most important food and multi-purpose plants. Both natural and
cultural vegetation are mapped on the Vegetation Map of Nauru 2007. As stressed above,
the costs, time and risks associated with artificial regeneration and replanting are far
greater than the protection of what remains!!!

49
5.1.1 Priority Sites: Priority sites for forest protection and management should be those
showing the least level of disturbance, the highest species richness, the greatest numbers
of rare or endangered species, and the most value as wildlife habitat. Particular emphasis
should be placed on those sites and species (e.g., Pisonia grandis, yangits) that are
important as noddy bird rookeries, because of the special cultural importance of noddys
and noddy hunting in Nauru. Special consideration should also be given to those areas
containing culturally important and useful plants, such as coconut and Pandanus groves,
remaining coastal strand and escarpment forest, and mangroves. It is also important that
local communities (resource users and owners) and their representatives are involved in
the planning, implementation, monitoring and modification of the protection, planting and
maintenance of these areas. If they are not involved in the beginning, such initiatives,
many of which can be done at the community or household level, will probably not work.

Based on these criteria the priority sites identified for protection status as conservation or
sustainable-use areas, and which should be considered for formal designation as
conservation areas, include:

1. The entire Anibare Bay area from the Meneng-Anibare District boundary to the
Anibare-Ijuw District boundary, and including the Meneng Hotel and extending
up the escarpment to the edge of current mining activity (this would not preclude
normal activities of current residents, but would protect escarpment and coastal
vegetation).

2. The East and West Coast Escarpment Forests (this would include the Anibare
escarpment, which, as stressed above, has special significance) are proposed
because they are important aesthetically as green buffers to topside, as important
bird habitats, as refuges for rare and endangered species of plants, and for
potential recreational purposes.

3. The Ijuw-Anabar-Anetan mangrove and wetland area because of its unique

ecological importance, stands of mangroves and scenic beauty.

4. Buada Lagoon (a unique landlocked freshwater or slightly brackish central

lagoon) and suitable portions of the remaining forest in the Buada basin. As
stressed by Hassall (1994) the Buada lagoon forest and soils surrounding the
lagoon have the greatest potential for agroforestry and food production.

5. Selected un-mined rocky outcrops as wildlife habitats and examples of pre-mining

ecosystems. This would include the remaining forest areas behind Buada
Lagoon). There remain very few such areas, but consideration should be given to
their protection

6. Command Ridge and the railway zone of Topside as a possible focus for
historical and environmental-based ecotourism, once mining has ceased. This area
contains the deepest mining, about 20 meters deep, and the "Grand Canyon" of

50
 Nauru, and the most advanced natural regeneration in mined sites. Because it was
hand-mined at a very early stage of mining, there is probably less residual
phosphate and less reason for re-mining.

7. Selected noddy bird nesting sites (rookeries) and tree groves along the crest of the
escarpment.

8. The coastal littoral zone in which all mature coastal trees and forest remnants
within 50 m of the mean high tide line should be protected (this would include the
implementation of an active program of coastal reforestation and enrichment
planting with endangered or culturally-useful salt-tolerant trees, which is
discussed below). The locations of most of the remaining threatened trees that
should be protected are shown in the Nauru Vegetation Map 2007 GIS. These
areas and their trees should be protected immediately and, where possible,
enriched with the planting of appropriate indigenous and introduced species.

9. All trees in houseyard gardens on the coastal strip (Bottomside), on the

escarpment (e.g., Meneng Terrace and Command Ridge Settlements) and at
Buada should be protected and enriched as part of the agroforestry strategy in
already settled areas. There exists a tremendous existing resource of coconuts,
pandanus, breadfruit, bananas and plantain, papaya, limes and other fruit and
multipurpose trees in houseyard and institutional gardens and along roadsides that
should be protected as the value of their current annual production could
constitute a large percentage of the real “non-cash” income in years to come.

10. In addition, when restored and replanted, any rehabilitated areas of topside
Calophyllum or other restored forest or agroforest could supplements existing
remnant areas of Calophyllum, Pisonia or other remaining natural forest that were
not mined for one reason or another to produce a significant network of sites for
noddy bird breeding and general nature conservation.

5.1.2 Actions to Support Protection: This report has identified those species that are
rare, threatened or vulnerable and in need of protection and the locations of most individuals
or populations have been mapped and linked to the Nauru Vegetation Map 2007. There is,
thus, a need to takes these lists and locations and to implement a system so that they can be
legally protected and rehabilitated. It is recommended that:

1. A "Register of Rare and Endangered Species" be prepared and gazetted for

protection by law;

2. The owners of land on which rare and endangered species are found be
notified of their presence and encouraged to take measures to protect and
rehabilitate them; and,

5. A strategy be produced to propagate rare and endangered species and

provide specimens to interested Nauruans for cultivation in their gardens or

51
 on their lands or coastlines.

The register should be kept at Ministry of Commerce, Industry, with additional copies
lodged with MCIR, the Lands Commission, Nauru Island Council, NPC, NRC, with local
NGOs, women’s and church groups, the USP Centre and other appropriate locations. The
register could also list certain individual trees or tree species or animals as "National
Treasures" which can serve an educational purpose.

5.2 Coastal Planting and Household Agroforestry

Studies by Thaman (1990), Clarke and Thaman (1993) and Thaman and Whistler (1994)
have shown that the protection and planting of trees and tree-like plants have been central to
the maintenance of diverse forestry and agroforestry systems throughout the Pacific, even on
the smallest low-lying atolls. This will have to be increasingly true for Nauru in times of
economic stringency. It is stressed that ecosystem, economic and cultural balance can be
best maintained through the establishment of a highly diverse plant community. This is in
contrast to the monocultural (single species) and export-oriented modern Western
agricultural and forestry systems.

Because most of the coastal strip and plain is settled it is suggested that the planting of
littoral coastal species be considered as an integral component of agroforestry on the coastal
plain. In other words, people who live on the coast could be made responsible for the
protection and replanting of coastal trees as well as the planting of other useful trees and
associated plants in their houseyard areas and other surrounding land areas (e.g., adjacent
areas of the escarpment or Buada Lagoon depression, for people who live in those areas).
This plan could be based on, but should expand on NACRDFS "Forestry" plan (Hassall
1994) and suggestions for such a plan in the Nauru National Environmental Management
Strategy (NEMS)(Thaman and Hassall 1996). Support for the development of such a
program has already been initiated by MCIR with the support of the SPC Forests and Trees
Programme. Many of the tree and non-tree components have also been promoted by
Taiwanese programs over the past decade or more.

5.2.1 Coastal Planting: Because of the critical role that coastal trees play in coastal
protection and replanting of selected trees should commence immediately as part of a
comprehensive agroforestry program. A pilot program has been successfully carried out in
Tonga using almost exclusively indigenous salt-tolerant coastal tree species (Thaman et al.
1995a), and Nauru could work with the SPC Forests and Trees program to implement such a
program. Indigenous species that should be considered from such a program are listed in
Table 7.

Such a program should include the following components:

1. A program to, as suggested above, immediately protect all coastal and littoral
trees and plant selected species (e.g., irin, ini, epo, itirya, yetsiu, emed, iyo,
kwenababai, and erekogo).

52
 2. Selection of appropriate species for propagation and outplanting (Potential
species for coastal reforestation are listed in Tables 7).

3. Selection of a nursery/plant propagation site where plants can be propagated,

transplanted to, and prepared for outplanting to coastal sites (the nursery
could be combined with the nurseries suggested for rehabilitation on
Topside, to achieve economies of scale).

4. Identification of relatively undisturbed coastal and inland sites that can serve
as sources of planting materials (e.g., seeds, self-sown seedlings, cuttings,
etc.) that can be propagated or matured in the nursery in preparation for
transplanting to priority coastal sites.

5. Conduct of an in-country training program for the propagation,

transplanting, and nursery and field maintenance and protection of coastal
species (This could also include a visit to Tonga to work with Tokomololo
Forestry Division Nursery staff that have been responsible for the coastal
reforestation project there or with the Forestry Department in Guam which
has considerable experience in propagation of indigenous coastal trees.).

6. Conduct of a public awareness campaign on the importance of the protection

and replanting of coastal forests and trees as protection against coastal
erosion, loss of property and other negative effects of sea-level rise. The
campaign should also stress the cultural and economic importance of
indigenous cultural species and why they should be protected and replanted
as part of the cultural heritage of Nauru.

Table 7. Indigenous tree and shrub species that could receive priority as target species for
coastal and inland conservation and rehabilitation programs on Nauru (Notes: In terms of
where given species are currently found and/or where they should be planted or protected, C
= coastal littoral or coastal plain sites, I = Inland or escarpment forest sites, M = mangrove
sites, D= disturbed, degraded ruderal or regenerating mined sites, and R = residential,
houseyard garden or settled areas. * signifies a species that is probably and introduced
species that was not indigenous on Nauru).

HIGH PRIORITY (scarce or endangered)

dadongo (Rhizophora stylosa)(M)

ekaura, idibin kaura (Sida fallax)(D)(possibly extinct)
ekaura, inen kaura (Abutilon asiaticum)(D,I)
ekwanimwi (Aidia racemosa)(I)
eoongo (Cordia subcordata)(C,I,R)
etam (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza)(M)
irin (Tournefortia argentea)(C,I,R)

53
itirya (Thespesia populnea)(C,M,R)
kwenababai (Barringtonia asiatica)(C,I,R)
yangis, yangits (Pisonia grandis)(I,R)
yetiu (Hernandia nymphaeifolia)(C,I)
yoreh (Erythrina variegata)(C,R)
? (Neisosperma oppositifolium)(I)
dereiyongo (Cerbera manghas)(R)
*te ukin (K) (Terminalia samoensis)(R)

PRIORITY (Important, but not endangered)

*Christmas tree, tanenbaum (Casuarina equisetifolia)(D,R)

dagaidu (Vitex trifolia)(L,R)
deneno (Morinda citrifolia)(C,D,I,R)
ekwane (Hibiscus tiliaceus)(C,I,M,R)
emet (Scaevola taccada)(C,D,I,R)
eorara (Ochrosia elliptica)(I)
epo, epuh (Pandanus tectorius)(C,I,R)
etetah (Terminalia catappa)(C,I,R)
eteweau (Dodonaea viscosa)(D)
idibinerr (Premna serratifolia)(C,D,I,R)
ini (Cocos nucifera)(C,R)
iut, yut (Guettarda speciosa)(C,D,I,R)
iyo (Calophyllum inophyllum)(C,I,R)

5.2.2 Agroforestry Development: Given the present economic and food security
situation in Nauru, the main emphasis of agroforestry activities should be the strengthening
of local production systems. This is in light of the increasing costs and/or unavailability of
imported foods, beverages, medicines, body ornamentation, construction materials and other
consumer goods. Maximization of the production of local foodstuffs would help Nauru's
balance of payments and cash flow problems and protect local people (particularly poorer
people) from rapid inflation in the costs of imported goods. It would also help to produce
local foods that could lead to an improvement in nutrition-related health in Nauru.

Although the main emphasis should be on household food and health security, increased
production in semi-subsistence or small-scale commercial gardening, such as that being
carried out around Buada Lagoon, can all contribute to reduced dependence on imported
food for both local consumers as well as for hotels, restaurants and other entities.

The strengthening of local production should focus on plants and products that have been
environmentally proven and culturally important in the harsh Nauru environment. Table 7
(above) and Tables 8 and 9 (below) list some of the most appropriate indigenous trees,
shrubs and tree-like plants and food and multipurpose plants that should serve as a pool for
coastal replanting and houseyard agroforestry. It should also be noted that some of these
plants, although normally found in natural vegetation formations, are currently found in
houseyard or settlement gardens, sometimes as roadside trees, or, in some cases, are now
only found in settlements. They should, thus, be considered as desirable components, not
only for coastal protection and replanting and rehabilitation, but also for houseyard and

54
residential agroforestry activities. Table 9 is an attempt to assess the current abundance or
importance of a range of proven food trees and other food crops that could form the core of
a food security program in the main target locations for agroforestry development. These
target locations include:

1. Buada Lagoon and surrounding areas. These are the best and most well-protected
soils on the island. There are many plants that grow better here than in other target
sites. The area is currently to focus of most semi-commercial and commercial food
gardening in Nauru.

2. Bottomside. This includes the areas around settlements and on other areas of the
coastal plain extending from the base of the escarpment to the coast. It is possible to
grow a wide range of trees and other plants here because of the existence of the
freshwater lens, although it is harder to grown some plants here than in the richer,
more protected soils around Buada.

3. Escarpment slope. This includes the more gradually sloping areas on the
escarpment between Bottomside and Topside. Water availability is more restricted
here but there is considerable potential for tree and non-tree cropping. This was the
previous location of Taiwanese experimental garden before it moved to Buada and
the areas where many of the best current houseyard agroforestry exits, such as on
Meneng Terrace and some of the gardens in the Command Ridge area, where there
are many food trees and other food plants.

4. The planned rehabilitated lands and residential agroforestry plots on the mined
out and restored areas of Topside. This area, which is focused mainly on the Ewa
Basin, has the most limited agricultural potential although there are a range of
species that have been recommended for planting here. Agroforestry in this area is
discussed separately below. The technical aspects of planting in this area are detailed
by Hassall (1994).

Table 8. Fruit, nut and multipurpose tree or shrub species or plants that could be protected and planted to
maintain or strengthen household agroforestry in Nauru (* = non-indigenous;) Note: Some of the primarily
indigenous species listed in Table 5 should also be considered for planting in houseyard gardens and
agroforestry development.

FRUIT AND NUT TREES

*bananas and plantains, te banana (Musa banana and plantain cultivars)

*bilimbi (Averrhoa bilimbi)
*bluggoe plantain, dabanana (Musa ABB Group "Bluggoe" plantain)
*breadfruit, deme (Artocarpus altilis and A. mariannensis)
*calamondin lime/orangequat (Citrus mitis)
*carambola (Averrhoa carambola)
coconut, ini (Cocos nucifera)
*common fig te biku (K)(Ficus carica)
*guava, kuawa (Psidium guajava)

55
*hibiscus spinach, bele (Fijian)(Abelmoschus manihot)
*horseradish tree (Moringa oleifera)
*ladyfinger banana, dabanana (Musa AAB Group "Pisang Raja" banana)
*lemon (Citrus limon/hystrix?)
lettuce tree, yangis (Pisonia grandis)
*lime, te raim (Citrus aurantifolia)
*mango, damanko (Mangifera indica)
*native fig, debero (Ficus tinctoria)
*papaya, pawpaw, dababaia (Carica papaya)
pandanus, epo, epuh! (Pandanus tectorius)
*Polynesian vi-apple, dagimadere, "Eigigu's tree" (Spondias dulcis)
*sapodilla (Manilkara achras)
*spinach tree, chaya (Cnidosculus chayamansa)
*sugarcane tugage (Saccharum officinarum)
*tropical almond, etetah (Terminalia catappa)
*Volkameriana lime (Citrus volkameriana)

GENERAL PURPOSE/USEFUL TREES/ORNAMENTALS

ekaura, idibin kaura (Sida fallax)(I)

ekaura, inen kaura (Abutilon asiaticum)
*bamboo, ebarabartu (Bambusa vulgaris)
*casuarina, Christmas tree, tanenbaum (Casuarina equisetifolia)
*common hibiscus, darot (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
*cycad (Cycas circinalis)
*frangipani, demeria (Plumeria obtusa)
*frangipani, demeria, arabaneit (Plumeria rubra)
*ixora, te katuru, te kaitiru (K) (Ixora casei)
*jasmine, rimone (Jasminum sambac)
*kapok, duwoduwo (Ceiba pentandra)
*mother-of-cocoa (Gliricidia sepium)
*Pacific fan palm (Pritchardia pacifica)
*poinciana, bin, "red tree" (Delonix regia)
*sea island cotton, duwoduwo (Gossypium barbadense)
*Tahitian gardenia, te tiare (K) (Gardenia taitensis)
*yellow bells (Tecoma stans)

As suggested above Table 9 attempts to assess the appropriateness of a range of food

plants (all of which currently grow well in Nauru) for agroforestry development in
different zones on Nauru. It also makes a “ballpark” estimate of the target numbers of
individual plants of different species that a given household should try to plant. These
numbers would, of course, vary from zone to zone and from household to household
depending on the location and amount and type of land available. Suffice it to say that, if
most households were able to plant somewhere in the neighborhood of the suggested
numbers, the value of the produce would be worth more than many of their current cash
incomes and would contribute significantly to food, nutritional and health security, not to
mention self-sufficiency in a wide range of culturally useful products. Even in some of
the smaller gardens in the former Location contract laborer quarter, there are people

56
growing a significant number of useful food plants.

Table 9. Food species that could form the basis household or houseyard garden
development for a national food, nutrition, health and self-reliance program to address the
current serious nutritional, health and economic crisis (Notes: The rankings – to +++
indicate the current success or importance of a given plant in the different locations
(Buada, Bottomside, on the more gradually sloping areas of the escarpment and the
potential for planting as a component of Topside rehabilitation residential agroforestry.

Plant Scientific Name 2007 Buada Bottomside Escarpment Topside Target

Abun Slope No.
TREE CROPS
Coconuts Cocos nucifera A +++ +++ +++ ++ 6
Pandanus Pandanus tectorius C +++ +++ +++ +++ 6
Breadfruit Artocarpus altilis C ++ +++ + + 2
Marianas Artocarpus C ++ +++ + + 1
Breadfruit mariannensis
Papaya Carica papaya C +++ +++ ++ ++ 6
Lady finger Musa AB Group C +++ +++ ++ + 3
banana
Plantain Musa ABB Group O ++ +++ ++ + 2
Mango Mangifera indica C +++ + + - 1*
Limes Artocarpus O +++ ++ ++ - 2
aurantifolia
Lemon Citrus limon U + - -
Orange Citrus sinensis U + - - -
Calamondin Citrus mitis U + + ++ 1
orange
Guava Psidium guajava O + + ++ + 2
Soursop Annona muricata O + + + + 2
Sweet sop Annona squamosa O + - + + 1
Horseradish tree Moringa oleifera O - ++ - - 1
Belimbing Averrhoa belimbi U - - + - 1
STAPLE
CROPS
Cassava Manihot esculenta O + + ++ + 50
Sweet potato Ipomoea batatas O ++ + ++ - 50
Taro Colocasia esculenta U ++ - + + 20
Tannia, American Xanthosoma U + + + - 10
taro sagittifolium
Yam Dioscorea spp R - - + -
LONG-TERM
NON-STAPLE
Sugarcane Saccharum O + + + - 2
officinarum
Eggplant Solanum melongena U ++ + + - 4
Pumpkin Cucurbita pepo U + + + - 1
Water spinach Ipomoea aquatica C +++ - - - 30*
Chaya Cnidosculus C ++ ++ + + 6
chayamansa
Brazil spinach Alternanthera sissoo O + ++ + - 12
Hibiscus spinach Abelmoschus U + + ++ - 10
manihot
SHORT-TERM

57
Chinese cabbage Brassica chinensis C +++ + ++ - 100
Long beans Vigna sesquipedalis O ++ + ++ - 20
SPICES/TEAS
Annual chillies Capsicum annum O + + + - 2
vars
Perennial chillies Capsicum frutescens O + + + - 2
Curry leaf Murraya koenigii U - + - - 1
Lemon grass Cymbopogon citratus U - + - - 3
Spring onion Allium fistulosum U + - - - 50
Chinese chives Allium tuberosum U + - - - 20

There are obviously other plants that could be planted than those listed in Table 9, as well
as a selection of the plants suggested in Tables 7 and 8 that would further enhance the
economic, cultural and ecological benefits of the planting.

Associated with the selection and planting of these plants, are a number of priority
protection and planting activities, at the household level, that would strengthen the
agroforestry development process. These could include:

1. The re-establishment and rehabilitation of coconut plantations, Nauru's main

staple food and the source of toddy, fuel, fibre, mats and other plaited ware
and a wide range of other useful products. There are a number of remnant
coconut plantations that could be protected and rehabilitated that could
contribute greatly to sustainability in Nauru, given the critical importance of
coconut as a source of staple food, beverages, sources of nutrient-rich toddy
and as the “tree of life” that provides fuel, construction materials, handicrafts
and countless other useful products and services.

2. The planting of a range pandanus cultivars that produce edible fruits, fibre,
medicines and construction materials, even in times of severe drought.

3. The planting of a range or proven food trees such as breadfruit, bananas,

pawpaw, mango, soursop, guava and horseradish tree (Moringa oleifera).

4. The planting of proven vegetables such a swamp spinach or Lorenzo

(Ipomoea aquatica), hibiscus spinach or bele (Abelmoschus manihot),
Chinese cabbages (Brassica spp.), spring onions, cassava and sweet potato,
all which grow well in some areas of Nauru. Two new plants that are not
very well-established and found in numerous Nauruan food gardens are
chaya (Cnidosculus chayamansa) and Brazilian spinach (Alternanthera
sissoo), both of which were introduced as part of the Pacific Regional
Agricultural Project in the 1990s and are now growing successfully on
Nauru.

5. The encouragement of small-scale home production of pigs and chickens

based on the use of domestic and agricultural waste and foraging as food
sources (this will require better training or control of dog populations that

58
 currently devastate chicken populations). Experience elsewhere on small
islands in the Pacific have shown that large-scale pig and poultry production,
which depends on expensive inputs that are subject to inflation, has rarely
been successful, and that traditional small-livestock husbandry systems are
far more appropriate.

6. The encouragement of the production or use of a range of other appropriate

traditional or new locally produced products, including proven traditional
medicines, leis and garlands, shell necklaces, local handicrafts, firewood, etc.

Although some of these activities are already being promoted, there is a need to designate an
individual (e.g., an Agricultural Officer or officers), possibly in collaboration with the
Taiwanese AID program, who would be responsible for the systematic promotion of the
above programs by individual households and landowners. Alternatively, local community
groups or NGOs could take the lead on this and solicit funding.

Other associated priority activities of an Agroforestry Development Program could include:

1. The active discouragement of tree removal and the encouragement of

protection of trees when clearing new house sites or garden areas, protecting
tree seedlings when weeding (i.e., selective weeding), and the protection and
replanting of salt-tolerant coastal littoral species (See Tables 6 and 7 above).

2. Protection and planting of appropriate nitrogen-fixing plants, with particular

emphasis placed on the intensified planting of indigenous legumes, such as
erekogo (Vigna marina and Canavalia cathartica), and Christmas tree/
tanenbaum or casuarina (Casuarina equisetifolia), plants with which the
people of Nauru are very familiar. Also a possibility is the silverbush
(Sophora tomentosa) that was seen as drift seedlings in the beach vegetation
for the first time in 2007 and which has been introduced to Tarawa from
Onotoa, one of the outer atolls in Kiribati, for planting for nitrogen fixation
and soil improvement.

3. The designation of the coastal or Bottomside portion of Nauru as an

"Organic Farming Zone" where diversified mixed cropping is encouraged
and where the use of agrochemicals is prohibited or minimized, due to the
high costs, unavailability and ecological and health problems created by
pesticides and the use of inorganic fertilizers on low-lying islands. If
feasible, the Buada area could also be designated and organic zone.

5. Improvement or establishment of pig pens and pig fences, using traditional

fencing materials and living, preferably edible, fencing (e.g., the use of
yangis or other plants which have edible leaves).

6. Planting and improvement of living hedges/fencing around homes,

buildings, and bordering roads) to protect them from salt spray.

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 7. Planting of appropriate roadside trees, such as poinciana, casuarina and
indigenous trees (e.g., Cordia subcordata and Thespesia populnea) to
provide shade and by-products.

8. Conduct workshops, at the national and district levels, to develop appropriate

strategies for the location, development and maintenance of a system of
village-based or household nurseries to propagate, care for, and distribute the
trees seedling and plants required for tree-planting and agroforestry
programs.

10. Conduct workshops on the post-transplanting care of plants which have been
distributed or sold from the nurseries. The workshops will also focus on
agroforestry, organic farming, the dangers of chemical farming in low-lying
islands, and other environmental and health issues.

11. Award of yearly prizes by MCIR, NIC, NRC or other appropriate bodies for
the best community-based nurseries, coastal protection and revegetation
efforts, and overall tree agroforestry and revegetation effort. Prizes could
also be given to the schools that establish the best nurseries or plant the most
trees. Prizes could also be awarded to individual families/landowners in each
village for the best houseyard garden and associated agroforestry system,
and the most trees replanted on their family land.

It should be noted that many of the same support activities could be used to promote the
Residential Agroforestry component for the rehabilitation of Topside (discussed below),
although the role of protecting what exists and the range of trees that can grow in this
more sever environment will be more limited.

5.3 Topside Rehabilitation and Agroforestry Development

The most challenging task will be the rehabilitation and agroforestry development of the
mined out areas on Topside. In contrast to the focus on protection, enrichment and
restoration activities under the programs discussed above, this will require rehabilitation
of the land and then all new planting. The main focus of the current projected
rehabilitation effort is the Ewa Depression, an area in the north-central portion of the
island that, after Buada Lagoon, has the best groundwater resources and some remaining
topsoil and vegetation. It is estimated that some 300 ha of this area will be reserved for
restoration agroforestry development, 124 ha for housing and 13 ha as a cemetery. All of
these areas will require restoration and the planting of appropriate trees and associated
plants. The more technical aspects of rehabilitation (e.g., pinnacle removal and
replacement, regarding and leveling, topsoiling, nursery design and establishment,
sourcing and propagation of plant material, provision of water and the numbers and
configuration of plants), are covered in great detail in Forestry: Nauru Australia
Cooperation Rehabilitation and Development Feasibility Study Document 5 (Hassall, 1994)
and other reports related to the post-mining rehabilitation of Topside. This section will

60
focus specifically on those trees that should be planted and propagated as part of the
rehabilitation process.

As a general guideline, rehabilitation agroforestry and landscaping activities should

attempt to maximize the multi-purpose value of trees and forests to the people of Nauru,
with special attention being paid to the protection and re-establishment of noddy bird
habitats and the cultural value of particular plant species or vegetation types. Agroforestry
and landscaping activities should be coordinated with plans for re-mining and pinnacle
removal, and that the residual mining process should, ideally, not be carried out until the
reforestation nursery propagation program is complete and ready to be implemented.
Again, the exact process to be followed in described in Hassall (1994).

5.3.1 Restoration Agroforestry Development: Because the natural physical

conditions of soil and water availability on Topside are so limiting to plant growth, a
successful program of reforestation must focus on utilizing the indigenous plants of
Nauru that have proven their ability to adapt to these conditions over geological time.
Nothing would prove more disastrous than to import large numbers of seedlings that are
adapted to other regimes of soil and water. The seedlings of most foreign plants would be
doomed to failure.

The species chosen for highest priority to propagate and use in the Topside reforestation
program are listed in Tables 10 and 11. Of the tree species, Calophyllum inophyllum,
should make up approximately 75-90% of the numbers, as it does in the pre-mined
Topside forests. The other species in the list, which are found on some of the remaining
Topside forest remnants, some of which include previously un-mined pinnacle outcrops,
will be used to provide some diversity at selected locations in the forest, particularly for
habitat value. Although the resident noddy birds are regarded as being somewhat
opportunistic species, they are thought to have had a preference for Pisonia grandis and
Terminalia catappa as nesting sites in the past. Ficus prolixa (eyayo), the native banyan
or strangler fig, is not included in this list because it is quite common on the island and
more suited for the more rugged sites where pinnacles have not been removed, rather than
on land that has been leveled and rehabilitated. They are probably also an important
seabird habitat species, but it is believed that there are sufficient numbers of them on the
island.

Two species that have been introduced to Nauru, which have been planted elsewhere in
the Pacific for use as quick-growing windbreaks and their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil,
are casuarina (Casuarina equisetifolia) and the tall shrub, leucaena (Leucaena
leucocephala), both of which appear to be able to colonize the pinnacle areas close to their
original sites of introduction. Leucaena has also colonized extensive areas of unmined
areas on Topside and would be a possible candidate for improving the soils and providing
shade in agroforestry and rehabilitation sites while large trees become established. It is
also a very good source of fuelwood for cooking, small bakeries and other purposes, a
consideration that take on increasing importance in a fuel-poor Nauru..

Table 10. Main tree species proposed for reforestation and rehabilitation planting on

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Topside (* indicates an introduced, non-indigenous species)

Species Nauruan Uses

Calophyllum inophyllum iyo, ijo main planting

Terminalia catappa eteta, etetah main planting
Guettarda speciosa yut, iut Occasional planting
Pisonia grandis yangits, yangis occasional planting
Ochrosia elliptica eorara Occasional planting
Morinda citrifolia deneno Occasional, understory
Premna serratifolia idibener Occasional edge planting
*Casuarina equisetifolia tanenbaum Use on marginal areas
Muntingia calabura bin Use on marginal areas

The casuarina in particular has grown very quickly in the Cadmium slime dump, possibly
because of the localized concentration of run-off and water holding capacity of that
material. In any case, these two species may be used on the balance of land areas with
reduced soil profile in order to assist the building of biomass and the soil-forming process.
Another benefit of casuarina maybe its use by noddy birds as a nesting tree, similar to the
situation on Lady Elliott Island on the Great Barrier Reef where the Casuarinas were
planted after guano mining was completed.

Another plant that has shown some spontaneous regeneration on the mined out areas near
the Topside Workshops is Panama cherry (Muntingia calabura). This tree has a fruit that
is eaten by children and could be promoted on marginal areas and is probably a food of
local birds.

Table 11. List of shrub species proposed for Topside reforestation planting

Species Nauruan Uses

Scaevola taccada emet main species

Colubrina asiatica ewongnup Occasional species
Dodonaea viscosa eteweau Occasional
Abutilon asiaticum ekaura On margins
Leucaena leucocephala bin To prepare site

62
It will be important to gather information about flowering and fruiting times for those
species of interest for propagation purposes, and also to carry out trials to test whether
vegetation propagation is successful. The possible methods for propagation of some
species regarded as likely to be used in reforestation are listed in Table 12, below,
together with information on flowering times, where known. The information is still
incomplete, and it is recommended that research be undertaken immediately to complete
the table.

Table 12. Flowering Times and Suggested Propagation Method for Indigenous Nauruan
Plants

Species Flowering Times Propagation Method

JFMAMJJASOND

Aidia racemosa xxx seed/ cutting

Barringtonia asiatica seed
Calophyllum inophyllum seed
Cerbera manghas xx seed/ cutting
Cordia subcordata seed/ cutting
Mariscus javanicus xx seed
Guettarda speciosa seed/ cutting
Hernandia nymphaeifolia seed
Hibiscus tiliaceus seed/ cutting
Lepturus repens xx seed
Morinda citrifolia seed/ cutting
Ochrosia elliptica xx seed
Pandanus tectorius xx cutting
Pisonia grandis cutting
Scaevola taccada xxx seed/ cutting
Terminalia catappa seed/ cutting
Thespesia populnea seed/ cutting
Tournefortia argentea cutting
Vitex trifolia seed/ cutting

Smaller life forms could to be planted in the lower layers of the forest to assist with the
stabilization of the newly placed soil, to produce an increase in biomass on the sites, and
to re-establish a more complete ecosystem. The latter includes animal life and soil
organisms, needed to re-initiate the soil-building process. The leaf litter produced in these
layers will assist moisture retention in the uppermost soil layer, and the canopy cover will
provide a barrier to the spread of weed species that might otherwise compete for nutrients
and water with the native trees.

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Species chosen for this layer include both native species that have proved their ability in
natural re-vegetation situations, and exotic species that have particular attributes with
respect to speed of germination and early growth, and ability to bind and improve soil
through nitrogen-fixing or green manure effects. The exotic species need to have been
proven in similar situations elsewhere, and not show any tendency to become a weed pest.

Hassall (1994) has suggested a number of low-growing groundcover species that could
also be added to the mix and which would help to improve the soil, control invasion by
exotics and enrich the overall planting.

5.3.2 Residential Agroforestry: A major requirement of the restoration for residential

purposes is that the land has the ability to grow trees, to support an agroforestry system,
and as such should be rehabilitated to the same standard as the Reforestation lands, in
terms of soil profile. The trees will include many of the same trees suggested for
agroforestry development in Buada and on the coastal plain and more gently sloping parts
of the escarpment that are listed in Tables 7 to 9. As can be seen from Table 9 some of
the species considered to have high potential in the former areas may not be suitable for
planting on Topside.

Table 13 below is a preliminary list of useful ornamentals that could be planted in

addition to those listed in Table 6. For a more complete selection of possible species
consult the revised Flora of Nauru included in Appendix I for a full list and description of
ornamental plants currently being grown in Nauru. The species in Table 13 have been
chosen initially because of their use in planting privacy screens or hedges, a use that will
always be required in urban areas or new housing developments. It is suggested that this
list be expanded along the lines of relating plant species to the uses that can be made of
them, rather than just an alphabetical list.

Table 13. List of Ornamental Species Useful for Screening for planting in Topside
rehabilitation residential agroforestry.

Genus species/variety Landscape use

Acalypha wilkesiana vars. hedge, screen

Bougainvillea varieties security hedge
Calliandra haematocephala flowering hedge
Codiaeum variegatum feature shrub
Gardenia varieties feature shrub, fragrant
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis many varieties
Ixora species and varieties Low flowering hedge
Malviscus drummondii similar to hibiscus
Nerium oleander pruned to shape
Polyscias Species screen hedge

64
Tabernaemontana divaricata Flowering hedge
Vitex ovata screen hedge

A Concept Planting Plan for the above trial plot of 3.95 hectares is contained and
illustrated in Hassall’s Forestry (component): Nauru Australia Cooperation Rehabilitation
and Development Feasibility Study Document 5, 1994). In this report it is stressed that, once
earthworks are completed, newly spread topsoil must be seeded with a soil-stabilizing
mixture of grasses and a legume. Six zones were identified for receiving different
planting treatments for different purposes. These were:

Zone A Screen Planting: This zone is to be planted with quick-growing shrub and tree
species around the boundaries of the development to provide shelter from wind and
protection from invasion by weed species. The objective is to obtain a complete foliage
projective cover within one year. As the planting in the zones inside this area mature, and
adjacent developments are planted, the shrub species can be harvested for green waste and
recycled to produce compost, leaving the trees to continue growing and developing a
closed canopy.

Zone B Indigenous Planting: The planting in this zone will comprise the indigenous
tree species listed above, for the purpose of rehabilitation of natural vegetation on topside.
Trees will initially be planted at a higher density than will eventually be needed, to
minimize the time to obtain a closed canopy, and provide material for recycling.
Unwanted material can be harvested after a few years' growth, when the specimens with
the straightest trunks can be selected for continued growth, and possible final end-use as
saw-logs.

Zone C Agroforestry: This zone will mainly be planted with food trees and other useful
plants that are listed in Tables 5 to 7. They should be planted early enough so that they are
close to or ready for harvesting by the time houses are built on the sites. This program will
provide an opportunity to introduce some better performing cultivars and test these under
Nauruan climatic conditions and the conditions of the new soil regime. The emphasis
should be, as stressed above, on those plants that have been time-tested on Nauru.

Zone D Display Gardens: As demonstration houses are built according to the

recommendations of the Housing Component Report (AusAID 1994), it is recommended
that they are landscaped for final use. This will include places in the garden for fruit and
vegetables as well as ornamentals, and address the functional requirements of vehicle and
pedestrian access, service areas for pets, storage and clothes drying, water storage, and
views and privacy issues.

Zone E Biomass: The areas of each lot that are needed for housing construction will be
planted with quick-growing shrubs to generate biomass that can be harvested and recycled
as green waste when the time comes to build the house. The planting of these areas will

65
also minimize the invasion of weeds by not providing any open areas.

Zone F Streetscape: Street tree planting is recommended for all new housing areas to
assist with developing a shady habitat and a landscape character for each street. The
footpaths can be seeded with a grass mix (mainly Cynodon dactylon ) to eventually form a
lawn.

Hassall (1994) provides a plan along these lines for a typical 1000m2. In this plan, a 3-
bedroom house has been sited, set back 5 metres from the front boundary and 1.5 metres
from the southern side boundary. In this way sufficient space is available for a small
ornamental garden in the front of the property, leaving the maximum possible for the
multi-use agroforestry type garden at the rear.

The main living areas of the house are exposed to the summer breezes, and the bedrooms
on the southern side can be easily made private by the planting of vine fruits and
vegetables as a screen on the southern boundary. Coconuts are planted along the common
side boundaries where there may not be enough room for large trees, and both neighbours
can enjoy the use of their fruits. The suggested planting of shade trees along the street
verge will both add to the aesthetic appeal of the street and the privacy at the front of the
house.

Although the gardens at the front are mainly ornamental, there is no reason why some
food or useful plants cannot be mixed in where possible. In this case, the space between
the two wings of the house has been used to grow some bananas and papayas, which can
benefit from the roof water from the verandah. Citrus trees too can be of ornamental value,
pruned to a regular shape.

A crushed gravel driveway, or possibly concrete, leads along the northern side of the
house where there may be room for a carport, in this case for two cars at 6 metres by 6
metres. This structure can also be used for outside gatherings of the family in wet weather
or for shade.

An area of 450 square metres, or 45% of the total lot area, is available at the rear of the
house. The water tanks collecting roof water would normally be situated here, in a slightly
raised position if possible to allow for gravity feed to the garden when needed. An open
space at the rear of the carport would serve as both a play area, a turnaround for vehicles,
and a drying area for clothes.

Trees would be planted along the rear boundary which merges with the escarpment forest
or the un-rehabilitated area. Initially at least, indigenous species would be planted here,
along with some fruit trees such as mango and breadfruit, and these can also extend along
the southern boundary, where they will not cast shade on the vegetable garden. Space is
allowed for a chicken coop and run. If pigs (which are important culturally and
nutritionally in Nauru) are to be reared, it is recommended that provisions be made for a
walled (with crushed/broken down pinnacles) communal pig rearing area, downwind and
at a distance from the settlement. This could be along the lines of the very effective

66
communal pig-rearing area established and effectively maintained by the people of Atafu
Atoll in Tokelau. Both pig and poultry rearing can sometimes be beneficial to the plants
from the production of manure. A composting area is also included here, to produce
organic additives for the garden. A stressed by Hassall (1994), this is only presented a
useful general guideline and the nature of any plan for the protection, enrichment or
development of an entirely new agroforestry system at the household or residential level
will depend on the size and location of the allotment, the plants (both natural and planted)
that already exist, and the individual needs and values of the gardener or developer
concerned.

6 CONCLUSION

Despite the extremely limited and degraded status of the vegetation and flora of Nauru,
plants will remain one of the most important foundations for sustainable living and the
survival of the rich Nauruan culture on the island of Nauru. This is particularly true given
the recent economic crisis, increasing climatic variability and the need for the island to
become more self-reliant in food and other products and services that can be provided by
plants. The 2007 survey and mapping of the vegetation and flora of the island further
stress the threatened status and importance of the protection and restoration of the
island’s natural and cultural plants and vegetation as one of the most cost-effective and
effective ways of promoting a sustainable future in Nauru.

To do so will require a combination of the conservation of what still exists in Nauru’s

inland, escarpment and coastal forest forests and vegetation; the protection and
enrichment of existing food and other multipurpose gardens in houseyards and other
inhabited or developed areas; and the rehabilitation and reforestation of the mined-out
phosphate lands. To do so, however, requires that Nauruan get to “re-know” and regain
an appreciation for the critical importance of plants to their fragile island existence.

This report attempts to provide some of the information required by Nauruans to rekindle
and reclaim this knowledge. This includes: 1) an up-dated assessment on the current state
of the vegetation and flora of Nauru; 2) maps and descriptions of the vegetation and
plants, with particular emphasis on the mapping, location and description of those areas
of vegetation and plants that are in most serious need of protection, rehabilitation and
replanting; 3) a simple guide to some of the most important plants that need protection,
control (in the case of weeds) and rehabilitation or replanting as part of the protection and
restoration of the island; and, 4) DVDs of over 3000 photos of the plants and vegetation
that can be used by government and non-government entities, schools and other parties.

The actual technical guidelines on how the island should be restored, the soils developed
and the propagation and nursery production of priority plants is dealt with in very great
detail in a number of previous studies on Nauru.

The main purpose of this report is to suggest some of the most important species and
areas that can be protected, rehabilitated and replanted to provide a foundation for

67
environmentally, economically, nutritionally and culturally sustainable future occupation
of the island by Nauruans. It is stressed that the protection , rehabilitation and replanting
of trees, must start now, and should happen at all levels, from the individual household
garden level through district and national levels, the latter which must deal with the
formal rehabilitation and revegetation of the mined-out phosphate land. In short, the
resources are there in terms of the vegetation and plants that already exist on island.

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Wedgewood, C.H. 1936. Report on research work in Nauru Island. Oceania 7(1):1-62.

Weeramantry, C.G. 1992. Nauru: Environmental Damage Under International Trusteeship.

Oxford University Press (Australia), Melbourne.

Whistler, A.W. 1980. Coastal flowers of the tropical Pacific. The Pacific Tropical Botanical
Garden, Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii.

Whistler, A.W. 1992. Flowers of the Pacific Island seashore: A guide to the littoral plants
of Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Fiji and Micronesia. National
Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii.

Wilder, G.P. 1934. The flora of Makatea. Bulletin 120. Bernice P. Bishop Museum,
Honolulu.

Zimmet, P.Z., P. Taft, A. Guinea, W. Guthrie, and K. Thoma. 1977. The high prevalence of
Diabetes Mellitus on a central Pacific island. Diabetologia 13:111-115.

Zimmet, P.Z., M. Arblaster, and K. Thoma. 1978. The effect of westernisation on native

71
populations. Studies on a Micronesian community with a high diabetes prevalence.
Australian and New Zealand Medical Journal 8(2):141-146.

72
 APPENDIX I
VASCULAR FLORA OF NAURU, 2007

Appendix I is a compilation of the Vascular Flora of Nauru, 2007. It consists of a listing of,
and relevant information on, the vascular plant species that have been reported to have been
present at some time on Nauru. It begins with Pteridophyta (ferns and fern allies), followed
by Gymnosperms and then Angiosperms. Within Angiosperms, Monocotyledons precede
Dicotyledons. Under these headings individual families are listed in alphabetical order (e.g.
Acanthaceae, Amaranthaceae, Anacardiaceae . . .), with individual species being listed in
alphabetical order by genus within each family (e.g. Asystasia gangetica, Barleria cristata,
Barleria prionitis, Blechum brownei . . .).

KEY

Under each species/entry the types of information and order of presentation are as follows:
1) Latin or scientific name; 2) common names (s); 3) synonyms for the Latin or scientific
names; 4) local vernacular Nauruan names; 5) antiquity status of the species, i.e., whether it
is indigenous to Nauru, an aboriginal introduction or a recent introduction to Nauru; 5)
geographical origin of the species; 6) abundance or frequency of occurrence; 7) brief
descriptions of some species; 8) habitat or distribution in Nauru; 9) uses or cultural
utility;10) an indication of the persons who have recorded or collected a given species,
including numbers corresponding to herbarium specimens; and, 11) numbers of digital
photos of the species and its vegetation associations taken by Thaman, Hassall or Takeda in
September 2007 (e.g., DPNAU2007RT0237, DPNAU2007DH0344 or
DPNAU2007ST1023 refer to the numbers of the “Digital Photos of NAURU taken in
November 2007 by R. R. Thaman (RT), David C. Hassal (DH) and Shingo Takeda (ST). .
This information, its organization and the symbols used under each category are explained
below.

Latin/Scientific Names

1. The first name listed in bold print is what the authors consider to be the currently
most widely accepted published Latin binomial for a given species (usually the
earliest published name or basionym). All names follow the International Code of
Botanical Nomenclature.

2. The Latin names provided in italics after the common and the vernacular names
include Latin binomial synonyms (syns.) or older names no longer in use for the
species, and, in some cases, incorrect names commonly applied to the species, which
are indicated by sensu auct. non.

3. The name (s) or the abbreviation of the name (s) of the authority or authorities
(persons responsible for describing and publishing a given species name) are
provided after each species name, e.g., (L.) Anders.

73
Family

1. Family names (e.g., POLYPODIACEAE, ACANTHACEAE or RUBIACEAE)

are centered in bold capitals immediately before the first species entry in each
family.

2. Where a family is known by two different names or a species placed in either of two
families, both are listed (e.g., FABACEAE OR LEGUMINOSAE, POACEAE
OR GRAMINAE or CLUSIACEAE OR GUTTIFERAE)

Common Names

1. English or common names for a species, and other widely-used names, e.g., coconut,
are listed to the far right of the Latin name.

Vernacular Names

1. The vernacular Nauruan names are found on the line after the common English
names or after the synonyms.

2. The letter (B) after a Nauruan name indicates names listed by Burges (1933). All
other names were collected by Thaman, Manner and Hassall as part of the 1980-81
or during the 2007 study.

3. The question mark (?) designates unverified or doubtful names.

4. In terms of pronunciation, the Nauruan phonetics are difficult to match with the
accepted sounds and orthography of the Latin alphabet. The closet approximations
of the correct Nauruan pronunciation of a given name are provided instead of
resorting to the use of strange combinations of letters or special phonetic symbols.
Some times two or more variations are provided for a single species because there
are ongoing discussions between different Nauruan linguists and Church bodies as to
the best way to render the Nauruan names in the Latin alphabet.

Antiquity Status

Antiquity status indicates whether a given species is presumed to be indigenous to Nauru; an

aboriginal introduction by Nauruans or other indigenous Pacific Islanders before European
contact; or a post-European-contact introduction. In some cases it is suggested that a species
may have been successfully introduced prior to European contact, but either not successfully
established or brought to extinction before botanical collections or observations of the flora
were made. In the case of recent introductions, some species are categorized as to whether
they are assumed to be pre- or post-World War II introductions. This is based on
information received from informants and/or whether a species was reported present before
World War II by Burges in 1933. The ? indicates that the true status of a species is in doubt
(e.g., whether it is really indigenous or an aboriginal introduction).

74
Geographical Origin

Geographical origin refers to what seems to be the original natural distribution of a given
species before humans began to acts as dispersal agents for plants. In many cases it is
difficult to be sure what the original pre-human or pre-European-contact range of a given
species was because species introduced either deliberately or accidentally by the Pacific
Island colonizers of the islands have often become naturalized and integral components of
what now seems to be indigenous vegetation.

With respect to terminology, Malesia (sometimes spelled Malaysia) is a biogeographical

term referring to an area encompassing insular southeast Asia, the Indonesia, Philippines
and the island of New Guinea; Indomalaysia refers to an area encompassing the Indian
Ocean and Malesia; Indo-pacific refers to an area extending from the Indian Ocean to the
Pacific Islands; Paleotropics refers to the Old World tropics including tropical Africa, Asia
and the tropical Pacific Islands; pantropical indicates that a species is found throughout the
Old and New World tropics; and cosmopolitan indicates that a species is found almost
worldwide. In some cases (usually in the cases of easily dispersed weedy pioneer species)
information is provided on both the assumed original distribution and whether a species is
now more widespread (e.g., pantropical).

Abundance or Frequency Occurrence

The estimates of abundance or frequency occurrence or whether a given species is

now endangered or extinct are based on in-the field observations by Thaman, Manner and
Hassall from 1979 through 1996 and the most recent visit in September 2007. In-the field
data included in-depth analysis of all vegetation associations, transects at ten locations
around the coastal plain, transects across the entire island and extensive sampling using 100
m2 quadrats in areas where open-cast phosphate mining had occurred in the 1980s and the
detailed mapping of the vegetation and the locations of rare threatened or vulnerable species.

Uses and Cultural Utility

Ethnobotanical information (including vernacular names) on uses or cultural utility

of the individual plant species was obtained through in-depth interviews with elderly person
known for their knowledge of the traditional uses of Nauru's plants; other respondents,
whenever possible; and from information in available documents and publications. Main
informants included Joseph D. Audoa, James Aingimea, Henry Michael Heine, Daphne
Fotu, Jacob Gabwinare, Katarina Satto, Kenia Raidinen, Reynold Capelle, Eda Adam and
Montiba Star.

Collectors and Herbarium Specimens

The numbers listed at the end of the information on each species indicate which
collectors or observers collected or recorded that species as being present on Nauru; the
numbers in parentheses identify the numbers of the herbarium vouchers or specimens
collected by each collector (s), e.g., 2, 3(58802), 4(168N), 5(92), 6, 7(27812).

75
 The following numbers placed after the entry for each species refer to the following
collectors or commentators of the Nauru flora and the time periods when they collected:

1 - Persons such as Finch prior to 1900, or early government reports of introductions

about which there is very little information;

2 - Alan Burges of Sydney University who collected in 1933, most of whose

specimens are lodged at Kew Botanical Gardens, London;

3 - F.R. Fosberg of the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian

Institution, Washington D.C. in early 1980, whose specimens are lodged with the
Smithsonian Institution;

4 - Brian Scully of the University of California at Riverside who also collected in

1980, most of whose specimens are also lodged with the Smithsonian Institution;

5 and 6 - R. R. Thaman, H.I. Manner and D.C Hassall of The University of the
South Pacific, Suva, Fiji who collected over two 2-week periods in both November
1980 and July 1981, respectively, and whose specimens are lodged with the South
Pacific Regional Herbarium (SPRH) at The University of the South Pacific, Suva;

7 - Thaman and Manner (then with the University of Guam) who collected again in
July-August 1987, whose specimens are also lodged at the South Pacific Regional
Herbarium (SPRH); and,

8 - John Swarbrick, of the University of Queensland, Gatton College who collected

weedy species on Nauru in June 1988, and whose specimens are lodged in
Queensland with duplicates at the South Pacific Regional Herbarium (SPRH).

9 - species seen present and/or collected by Thaman and Hassall between 1988 and
1996 during brief visits to Nauru.

10 – Observations and inventory of weedy or potentially weedy species by Warea

Orapa of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Land Resources Division in
January 2007.

11 - Species seen or digitally photographed by R.R. Thaman, D.C. Hassall and S.

Takeda in Nauru from 14 to 21 September 2007 on South Pacific Forests and Trees
Program of the Land Resources Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific
Community (SPC).

When possible, F.R. Fosberg of the Smithsonian Institution examined and verified
the identifications of all herbarium specimens collected in the 1980s. These include some
specimens collected in the early 1980s by Dr. Lynn Raulerson of the University of Guam.
Identifications of plants subsequent to 1990 were made by the authors.

76
 VASCULAR PLANTS OF NAURU
PTERIDOPHYTA (Ferns and Fern Allies)

ADIANTACEAE (Maidenhair Fern Family)

Adiantum sp. maiden-hair fern

Recent introduction. Occasional. Small ornamental fern grown as a pot plant. 5, 6.

ASPLENIACEAE (Spleenwork Family)

Asplenium nidus L. bird's-nest fern

Indigenous. Paleotropical. Rare, probably now extirpated (locally extinct). Terrestrial and epiphytic fern
growing on trees and, probably, on the ground as a terrestrial fern in the past. Reported by Burgess as an
epiphyte on Calophyllum inophyllum in 1935, but seen only as an ornamental in the early 1980s. Not seen in
2007. Leaves cooked as a one of the only locally available vegetables in Tuvalu, Tokelau and Niue. Could be
reintroduced to Nauru as a food resource and an attractive ornamental plant. 2, 5, 6, 7 (27813).

NEPHROLEPIDACEAE (Sword Fern Family)

Nephrolepis biserrata (Sw.) Schott sword fern

Syns. Aspidium biserratum (Sw.); Nephrodium biserratum (Sw.) Gaud.; N. splendens (Willd.) Gaud.;
Aspidium splendens Willd.
Nauruan Name: dageang, dakeang

Indigenous. Pantropical. Occasional. Terrestrial fern. Found in colonies and dense populations in
unmined areas and in pits between pinnacles in mined areas; one of first plants to colonize mined areas.
Probably often misidentified in the 1980s and confused with the more common N. hirsutula. Occasional as an
ornamental variety (see N. biserrata var. furcans below). Leaves used occasionally in garlands. 3(58600),
4(136N), 5(44), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAURT0796).

Nephrolepis biserrata (Sw.) Schott var. furcans Hor fishtail fern

Recent introduction. East Asia, Africa, Brazil, Florida. Uncommon. Ornamental potted plant. 11
(DPNAURT2007, RT2008, RT3142).

Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott Boston fern

Syn. Polypodium exaltatum L.

Recent introduction. Pantropical. Occasional. Fern with graceful spreading fronds. Ornamental pot
plant. 3, 5(86), 6(181).

Nephrolepis hirsutula (Forst. f.) Presl sword fern, fishtail fern

Syns. Polypodium hirsutulum Forst. f.; Nephrodium gibbosum (Willd.) Gaud.; Aspidium gibbosum
Willd.
Nauruan Name: dageang, dakeang

Indigenous. Indo-Pacific. Abundant. Terrestrial fern with a creeping rhizome Abundant fern in open
and shady sites in unmined remnant areas and Calophyllum and Adenanthera groves. Also common in pits

77
between pinnacles in regenerating mined areas. Most populations were probably misidentified as Nephrolepis
biserrata by previous collectors, including Thaman, Hassall and Manner, but now positively identified as N.
hirsutula. Could be a recent introduction rather than indigenous because it was not reported in the earliest
surveys. Leaves used in garlands and for decoration. 8 (9586), 9, 11 (DPNAURT0082, RT0084, RT0312,
RT0370, RT0371, RT0372, RT0373, RT0379, RT0380, RT0407, RT0719, RT0739, RT0747, RT0748,
RT0749, RT0760, RT0776, RT1214, RT1215, RT2081b, RT2298, RT2363, RT2391, RT2392, RT2448,
RT2458, RT2459, RT3046, RT3053, RT3072a, RT3102, RT3103).
.

OPHIOGLOSSACEAE (Adder's Tongue Fern Family)

Ophioglossum petiolatum Hook. adder's tongue fern

Indigenous. Pantropical. Occasional. Very small erect terrestrial fern. Found as scattered individuals in
sandy open and partly shaded areas, primarily in older strip-mined areas on floors of pits between pinnacles.
Seen again in dried mud puddle in the Nauru Phosphate Company compound in 1996. Not seen in 2007. No
reported use. 5(151), 6, 9.

POLYPODIACEAE

Microsorum grossum (Langsd. & Fisch.) S.B. Andrews scented fern, lawai fern
Syns. Phymatosorus grossus (Langsd. & Fisch.) Brownlie; Polypodium grossum Langsd. & Fisch.
Misapplied names: Phymatosorus scolopendria (Burm.f.) Pichi-Serm.; Polypodium scolopendria
Burm.f.; Phymatodes scolopendria (Burm.) Ching; Microsorium scolopendria (Burm.) Copel.;
Polypodium phymotodes L.
Nauruan Name: dageang, dakeang; dageang ini Makin (from I Kiribati te keang ni Makin)

Indigenous. Paleotropical. Very abundant in the 1980s, but now only abundant. Terrestrial and
epiphytic fern found in colonies and dense populations in Calophyllum woodland and forest in unmined areas,
in pits between pinnacles in mined areas, and on escarpment and cliffs below the plateau, and occasionally on
the coastal strip near the Anabar Ponds and in houseyard gardens. Fragrant fronds used for making garlands,
leis, and other ornamentation and boiled in coconut oil to scent it. 3(58594), 4(121N), 5(43), 6, 7(27811),
8(9578A), 9, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0134, RT0607, RT1180, RT1287a, RT1292, RT1293, RT1294, RT1584,
RT1591, RT1624, RT1625, RT1685, RT2365, RT2366, RT2485, RT3061, RT3072b, RT3087, RT3090,
RT3098b).

Pyrrosia lanceolata (L.) Farw. felt fern

Syn. Pyrrosia adnascens (Sw.) Ching

Indigenous. Tropical Asia to Polynesia. Rare. Growing on tree. Possibly a misidentification of a

young Microsorium grossum. 6(173).

PSILOTACEAE (Psilotum Family)

Psilotum nudum (L.) Beauv. psilotum, reed fern

Nauruan Name: ibiribir

Indigenous. Tropics and subtropics. Occasional. Found as scattered individuals and small clusters in
shady areas under unmined vegetation on the central plateau and uncommon under trees and shrubs on
escarpment in the 1980s. Seen in understorey of Calophyllum forest remnant to the northwest of the Topside
Workshops in 2007. No reported use. 2(53.5), 3(58764, 58596), 5(102), 6, 7(22314), 11
(DPNAU2007DH0352, DH0353).

78
 PTERIDACEAE (Sword Brake Family)

Pteris ensiformis Burm.f. sword brake

Recent introduction. Tropical and subtropical Asia to Polynesia. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6(172).

Pteris tripartita Swartz sword brake

Syn. Pteris marginata Bory
Nauruan Name: dageang, dakeang

Indigenous. Paleotropical. Occasional. Large terrestrial fern found as individuals or isolated clusters at
base of limestone cliffs of escarpment and in waste places near cliff base; uncommon as a planted ornamental.
Fronds used as decorations and in body ornamentation. 4(135N), 5(55), 6, 7(27815), 11 (DPNAU2007RT0276,
RT0731, RT0732, RT0733, RT1055, RT1056, RT1057, RT1058, RT1059, RT1175, RT1798, RT1873,
RT3174, RT3175).

Pteris vittata L Chinese bracken, Chinese sword brake

Nauruan Name: dageang, dakeang

Indigenous or possibly introduced? Old World tropics and subtropics and from Africa and Spain
through to Western and Central Australia, Victoria, NSW, Queensland and New Guinea to the Marianas,
Palau, Yap and Pohnpei in Micronesia. Occasional. Found in disturbed areas, on margin of excavated
fishponds and pools on the inward margins of the coastal flat, in mined areas near roads, along paths
through mined areas, and other relatively shady disturbed sites in mined areas inland. Not reported present
during previous surveys, but seen present on Banaba in 2005. Fronds used as a substitute for banana leaves
in body ornamentation for dancing by men and boys on Banaba. 11 (DPNAU2007RTRT0405, RT0406,
RT1341, RT1342, RT1343, RT1344, RT1345, RT1346, RT1577, RT1586, RT1697, RT1843 RT2960).

SYNOPTERIDACEAE (Cliff Brake Fern Family)

Pellaea rotundifolia (Forst. f.) Hook. button fern

Recent introduction. New Zealand. Rare. Planted ornamental potted plant. Found in one houseyard
garden in Meneng District. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2004, RT2016).

GYMNOSPERMAE (Gymnosperms)

ARAUCARIACEAE (Araucaria Family)

Araucaria columnaris (Forst.) Hook. Cook’s pine, columnar pine

Syn. Araucaria cooki R. Br.
Nauruan Name: pain (“pine”)

Recent introduction. Uncommon. Planted ornamental tree in houseyard gardens. Indentification

tentative. 11 (DPNAU2007RT1102, RT1103, RT1104, RT1122).

Araucaria heterophylla (Salisb.) Franco Norfolk Island pine

Syn. Araucaria excelsa (Lamb.) R. Br.
Nauruan Name: pain (“pine”)

Recent introduction. Norfolk Island. Rare. Stately symmetrical evergreen tree with horizontal or
drooping branches. Planted immature ornamental trees in home gardens near airport in the early 1980s. One
small tree about 2.5 m high seen in houseyard garden in Ewa District. A number of beautiful mature trees seen

79
in houseyard gardens in 2007, some of which are probably the related, but narrower, Cook’s pine (A.
columnaris) from New Caledonia.5, 6, 7, 9, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0471, RT0472, RT2773, RT2783).

CUPRESSACEAE (Cypress Family)

Thuja orientalis L. Chinese arborvitae, Chinese thuja, biota, eastern arborvitae

Recent introduction. China. Uncommon. Ornamental trees in houseyard gardens on lower

Meneng Terrace and in Nibok in 2007. 11 (DPNAU2007RT1912, RT1913, RT3138c, RT3139, RT3141).

CYCADACEAE (Cycad Family)

Cycas circinalis L. cycad, sago palm

Syns. C. rumphii Miq.; C. seemannii (A. Br.) Schuster; C. undulata Desf.

Recent introduction. India to the Pacific Islands. Occasional. Planted ornamental. No reported use in
Nauru; seed kernels processed into flour as a famine or ceremonial food in areas of Melanesia, Polynesia and
Micronesia. 3, 5(46), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0035, RT0929, RT0930).
.
Cycas revoluta Thumb. Japanese cycad

Recent introduction. Japan and southern China. Rare. Planted ornamental at the Meneg Hotel. 11
(DPNAU2007RT0057, RT0058).

ANGIOSPERMAE (Angiosperms or Flowering Plants)

MONOCOTYLEDONAE

AGAVACEAE (Agave Family)

Agave americana L. century plant, malina

Recent introduction. Mexico. Rare. Planted thorny ornamental with yellowish-white stripes seen in the
1980s. 5(68), 6.

Agave sisalana L. century plant, sisal, sisal hemp

Syn. Agave rigida Mill.

Recent introduction. Mexico. Common. Occasional in houseyard gardens and established as an

adventive in dense populations along edges of old strip-mined areas and in open sites along the path to
Command Ridge. Grown for export in some tropical areas for the fibre from its leaves which is made into rope
and other products. 3(58739), 5, 6(215), 7, 9, 11. (DPNAU2007RT0024, RT0814, RT3054, RT3055, RT3056,
RT3057, RT3058, RT3059, RT3060)

Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. aloe vera

Syn. Aloe barbadensis Mill.

Recent introduction. Southwest Arabia and North Africa. Occasional. Potted plant and planted
medicinal plant in houseyard gardens. 11 (DPNAU2007RT0148, RT1699, RT2005, RT2223).

Cordyline fruticosa (L.) A Chev. cordyline, ti-plant

Syns. Cordyline terminalis (L.) Kunth; Taetsia fruticosa (L.) Merr.; Draecena terminalis L.

80
 Recent introduction. Tropical Asia. Occasional. Planted ornamental and pot plant. Very important
ceremonial and magico-religious plant, a traditionally important supplementary food plant and famine food,
and important decorative plant, with numerous other cultural uses in Melanesia and Polynesia, where numerous
named cultivars and hybrids exist. Apparently a recent introduction into Nauru with no reported non-
ornamental local uses. 3(58676), 5, 6(186), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0069, RT0174, RT0938, RT1007a, RT1435,
RT1875).

Dracaena angustifolia Roxb. narrow-leafed dracaena

Syn. Pleomele angustifolia (Roxb.) N.E. Br.

Recent introduction. India to Australia and Melanesia. Occasional. Planted ornamental and potted
plant in household gardens. 7, 11(DPNAU2007RT0033, RT0038, RT0240, RT1743, RT2953).

Dracaena deremensis Engler dracaena

Syn. Pleomele deremensis (Engler) N.E. Br.

Recent introduction. Tropical Africa. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 6, 7, 11

(DPNAU2007RT00192).

Dracaena fragrans (L.) Ker-Gawl. dracaena, dragon flower, pleomele

Syns. Alectris fragrans L.; Pleomele fragrans (L.) Salisb.

Recent introduction. Tropical Africa. Rare. Planted ornamental and pot plant. 5, 6, 7(112) , 11
(DPNAU2007RT0173, RT0922a, RT0925, RT1992).

Dracaena marginata Lam. Madagascar dragon tree, rainbow tree

Syn. Pleomele marginata (Lam.) N. E. Br.

Recent introduction . Madagascar. Occasional. Planted ornamental in household gardens and

commercial areas, both in outside planter boxes and as indoor potted plants. Both the larger, dark green
variety and the colorful variegated form or “rainbow tree” (D. marginata “Tricolor”) exist.
11(DPNAU2007RT0033, RT0263, RT2165).

Sansevieria trifasciata Prain bowstring hemp, mother-in-law's tongue

Recent introduction. Tropical West Africa. Occasional. Planted ornamental and pot plant. In 2007 had
become adventive along the upper road from Command Ridge toward the calcination plant 3(58637), 5, 6, 7,
10, 11 (DPNAU2002RT0374, RT2262).

Yucca gloriosa L. yucca, Spanish bayonet

Recent introduction. Tropical America and S.E. United States. Rare in the 1980s and only one
individual seen in 2007 in Boe District. Panted ornamental. 3(58683), 5, 6, 7, 11.

ALLIACEAE (Onion Family)*

Allium ascalonicum L. shallot

Pre-World War II introduction. Palestine. Occasional in 1980s; not seen in 2007. Cultivated in
Chinese food gardens in beds and containers at Location and Topside workshops. Pungent bulbs and tender
leaves eaten raw or cooked as a spice or vegetable. 5, 6, 7.

Allium cepa L. bulb onion, common onion

Recent introduction. Central Asia. Rare. Single immature plant in Chinese food garden at Location in

81
1981. 6.

Allium fistulosum L. green onion, spring onion, Welsh onion, Japanese bunching onion

Pre-World War II introduction. East Asia. Occasional cultivated food plant in Chinese gardens at
Location in the 1980s and in Chinese food and experimental gardens. Pungent tender leaves and stems eaten
raw or cooked as a spice or vegetable. 5, 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2537, RT2538).

Allium porrum L. leek

Recent introduction. Eurasia. Rare. Single plant growing in food garden at Location in 1981. 6.

Allium sativum L. garlic

Pre-World War II introduction. South Asia. Occasional in Chinese food gardens at Location in the
1980s. Grown from bulbs, mainly for its pungent edible green leaves which are used as a spice or green
vegetable in Chinese cooking. 5, 6.

Allium schoenoprasum L. chives

Recent introduction. Northern hemisphere. Rare. Pot herb cultivated in container at Cliff Lodge in the
1980s. Tender green leaves used as a spice by European residents. 5, 6.

Allium tuberosum Rottler ex. Sprengle Chinese chives

Pre-World War II introduction. East Asia. Common herb cultivated in the 1980s in Chinese food
gardens at Location and Topside workshops for its edible green leaves. Uncommon and seen at the Taiwanese
garden project at Buada. 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2675).

AMARYLLIDACEAE (Amaryllis Lily Family)

Agapanthus praecox Willd. African lily, lily of the Nile, agapanthus

Syn. Agapanthus orientalis F.M. Leighton; sometimes misidentified as A. africanus (L.)
Hoffmannsegg
Recent introduction. South Africa. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

Crinum asiaticum L. spider lily, crinum lily, grand crinum

Syns. Crinum pedunculatum R. Br.; C. procerum Bak.
Nauruan Name: dagiebu, dagibu

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia. Occasional. Planted ornamental. Flowers and leaves used in
garlands and roots crushed for the treatment of filariasis. 3, 5(122), 6(216), 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0051,
RT0145, RT1776, RT2896, RT2897).

Crinum augustum Roxb. crinum lily, Queen Emma lily

Nauruan Name: dagiebu, dagibu

Pre-world War II Introduction? Mauritius and Seychelles. Occasional. Planted ornamental. Leaves
and flowers used in garlands. 5, 6, 7(22319), 11 (DPNAU2007RT0969, RT0970).

Crinum macrantherum Engl.

Syn. Crinum rumphii Merr.
Nauruan Name: dagiebu, dagibu

Pre-World War II introduction. Listed as C. macrantherum on Burgesses' (1935) list. Rare? Planted

82
ornamental. 2.

Crinum moorei Hook. f. veld lily

Recent introduction. South Africa. Rare. Planted ornamental. 5(63).

Crinum xanthophyllum Hannibal yellow crinum lily

Nauruan Name: dagiebu, dagibu; Kiribati Name: te kiebu

Recent introduction. Melanesia. Occasional. Planted ornamental lily with yellow to yellow-green
leaves. Often mistaken for C. asiaticum, which is larger and has green, rather than yellow, mature leaves.
Flowers and leaves used in leis and ornamentation. 9, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0027, RT0064, RT0141, RT0220,
RT0221, RT0222b, RT0593, RT1725, RT1769, RT1770, RT1775, RT3138a).

Hippaestrum puniceum (Lam.) Urban Barbados lily, amaryllis

Syn. Hippeastrum equestre (Ait.) Herb.; Amaryllis equestris Ait.

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Uncommon. Planted ornamental lily at church in Meneng
District in 2007. 3(58718), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1433, RT1434)

Hymenocallis pedalis (Jacq.) Herbert spider lily

Syns. Often misidentified as Hymenocallis littoralis (Jacq.) Salisb. ; Pancratium littorale Jacq.
Nauruan Name: lili
Recent introduction. Northern South America. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 3(58782), 5(129), 6, 7,
11(DPNAU2007RT0032, RT0038, RT0047).

Narcissus sp. daffodil, narcissus

Recent introduction. Europe. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Proiphys amboinensis (L.) Herbert Amazon lily, Brisbane lily, Cardwell lily
Syns. Eurycles amboinensis (L.) Lind.; E. sylvestris Salisb.

Recent introduction. Malaysia and northern Australia. Rare. Planted ornamental and potted plant
in household gardens. Previously misidentified as the plantain lily or funkia, Hosta plantaginea (Lam.)
Asch., which is native to China and Japan. 5(62), 6.

Sprekelia formosissima (L.) Herb. Jacobean lily, Aztec lily

Recent introduction. C. America. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Zephyranthes candida (Lindl.) Herb. white zephyr flower, white star of Bethlehem,
westwind flower, storm lily

Recent introduction. Argentina and Uruguay. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

Zephyranthes rosea Lindl. pink lady, pink star of Bethlehem, pink zephyr flower
Syn. Atamosco rosea (Lindl.) Green

Recent introduction. Guatemala and W. Indies. Occasional. Planted ornamental, often coming up
spontaneously. 3(58692), 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0273, RT1970, RT2205, RT2898, RT2899).

ARACEAE (Arum or Taro Family)

Aglaonema commutatum Schott aglaonema

83
 Recent introduction. Indonesia to Pacific Is. Uncommon. Ornamental plant and pot plant. 5, 6(274), 7,
11 (DPNAU2007RT1667, RT1668, RT1720, RT188111, RT2012, RT2954).

Aglaonema costatum N.E. Br. aglaonema

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6(273), 7.

Aglaonema marantifolium Bl. aglaonema

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia. Occasional. Ornamental pot plant. 5, 6(271), 7.

Aglaonema cv. pseudobracteata Chinese evergreen, aglaonema

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia? Occasional. Ornamental pot plant cultivar. 5, 6(272).

Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G. Don Chinese taro

Syn. Arum cucullatum Lour.

Recent introduction. India. Uncommon. Ornamental pot plant. 5, 6, 11. (DPNAU2007RT2776).

Alocasia lowii Hook f.

Recent introduction. Malaysia. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Alocasia macrorrhiza (L.) Schott giant taro, elephant ears

Syns. Arum macrorrhizon L.; Alocasia indica (Roxb.) Spach; Colocasia gigantea Hook. f.; Colocasia
macrorrhiza (L.) Schott

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia. Occasional. Possibly an aboriginal introduction into Nauru, which
was either never adopted as a food plant or was not used at the time of European contact. No reported Nauruan
name. Planted ornamental in 2007 and a rare Tuvaluan food plant at Location and in food gardens near Topside
Workshops, where a large specimen had been planted and mulched in a plaited pandanus-leaf basket set in the
ground in the early 1980s. Important staple food plant in Samoa and Tonga and an important supplementary
staple food plant in Fiji, eastern Polynesia and on some atolls in Tuvalu and the Tuamotu and Caroline Islands.
Swollen tuberous stem cooked as a staple vegetable. Wild or naturalized, ornamental (often variegated), and
edible varieties or cultivars exist in many countries, some of which are used only as a famine or emergency
food. 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0445, RT0401, RT1566, RT2512).

Alocasia cf. regina N.E. Br. Royal giant taro

Recent introduction. Borneo. Planted ornamental Location Settlement behind golf course. 11
(DPNAU2007RT2957a RT2959).

Alocasia sanderiana Bull. alocasia, kris plant

Recent introduction. Philippines. Occasional. Ornamental pot plant. 5, 6, 7.

Alocasia cv. Amazonica

Recent introduction. Rare. Potplant. Hybrid cross with A. sanderiana. 6(185).

Anthurium andraeanum Lind. anthurium

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

84
Caladium bicolor (Ait.) Vent artist's pallet, caladium
Syn. Arum bicolor Ait.

Recent introduction. Brazil. Occasional. Planted ornamental and pot plant. 3(58717, 58793), 5, 6, 7,
11 (DPNAU2007RT0496, RT1425, RT1721, RT1872, RT2014, RT2782, RT3145).

Colocasia esculenta L. taro, dasheen

Syns. Colocasia antiquorum Schott; Caladium esculentum Vent.
Nauruan Name: detaro

Pre-World War I introduction. Tropical Asia. Occasional. Possibly an aboriginal introduction into
Nauru that was either never adopted as a food plant or was not used at the time of European contact. Food plant
in Tuvaluan, I-Kiribati, and Chinese gardens at Location and Topside workshops; occasionally planted and
mulched in plaited pandanus-leaf baskets in the 1980s. Now occasional in houseyard gardens and planted at the
Taiwanese food garden project in Buada in 2007. Very important, often dominant staple in other Pacific
countries, although recently becoming less important in western Melanesia because of widespread infestations
of taro leaf blight (Phytophthora colocasiae) and Alomae and Bobone viruses. Corms cooked as a staple food
and the tender green leaves, and sometime the petioles, as a spinach or green vegetable. 5, 6, 7(27825), 11
(DPNAU2007RT1084a, RT2218, RT2657, RT2703).

Cyrtosperma chamissonis (Schott) Merr. giant swamp taro

Syns. Arisacontis chamissonis Schott; Cyrtosperma edule Schott; C. merkusii (Hask.) Schott
Nauruan Name: dababai

Pre-World War I introduction from other areas of Micronesia; possibly originally an unsuccessful
aboriginal introduction. New Guinea and western Pacific Islands. Uncommon. Immature food plant at
Location; small patch in poorly-drained area surrounding Buada Lagoon and six plants cultivated in moist area
in mulched plaited pandanus-leaf baskets in Topside Workshop food gardens in 1987. Not seen in 2007. Very
important staple root crop and ceremonial food in Tuvalu and Kiribati and other low-lying atoll countries of
Micronesia, but evidently not traditionally important in Nauru. Corms cooked as a staple vegetable. 5, 6,
7(27826).

Dieffenbachia leonii Hort. dumb cane

Recent introduction. Colombia. Rare. Probably a horticultural hybrid between D. maculata and D.
seguine. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Dieffenbachia maculata (Lodd.) Bunt. dumb cane

Syn. Dieffenbachia picta Schott

Recent introduction. Brazil. Common. Ornamental pot plant; occasionally planted in gardens. Sap
causes dermatitis when applied externally and causes mouth paralysis and severe pain when taken in mouth.
3(58677, 58774), 5, 6, 7, 10 (DPNAU2007RT0016, RT1871).

Dieffenbachia seguine (Jacq.) Schott dumb cane

Recent introduction. Northern South America and Caribbean. Occasional. Ornamental pot plant.
Exhibits same properties as described for D. maculata. 3(58677), 6, 7.

Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engler taro vine, pothos, pothos aureus

Syns. Epipremnum aureum (Lind. ex Andre) Bunt. ; Rhaphidophora aurea (Lind. ex Andre) Birds.;
Scindapsus aureus (Lind. ex Andre) Engl.; Pothos aureus Lind. ex Andre; Epipremnum
pinnatum cv. aureum

Recent introduction. Solomon Islands. Occasional. High climbing vine. Planted ornamental, which in
a couple of cases was seen as sparingly naturalized on trees in the inner coastal plain. 3(58724), 5, 6, 7, 11

85
(DPNAU2007RT0183, RT0190, RT0978, RT0979, RT1361, RT1729, RT3156, RT3157).

Monstera deliciosa Liebm. monstera, fruit salad plant, taro vine, ceriman

Pre-World War II introduction. Central America and Mexico. Rare. Pot plant and planted ornamental.
3(58727), 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2780).

Philodendron hastatum C. Koch & Sellow philodendron

Syn. Philodenron domesticum

Recent introduction. Brazil. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1981, RT1982b).

Philodendron radiatum Schott philodenron

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Planted ornamental in houseyard garden in Meneng. 11
(DPNAU2007RT1986).

Philodendron scandens C. Koch & Sellow ssp. oxicardium (Schott) Bunt. philodendron
Syn. P. oxycardium Schott

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6(238), 7.

Philodendron sp. philodendron

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 5 (238), 7.

Scindapsus pictus Hassk. var. argyraeus (Engl. in DC.) Engl. silver vine

Recent introduction. Indomalaya. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6(225).

Spathiphyllum cv. Clevelandii spathiphyllum, white sails

Recent introduction. Rare. Ornamental hybrid pot plant. 6, 7.

Syngonium podophyllum Schott arrowhead vine, syngonium

Syn. Syngonium angustatum Schott sensu auct.

Recent introduction. Mexico. Occasional to common. Pot plant and planted ornamental. 3(58722), 5,
6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0157, RT0187, RT0968, RT1732b, RT1733, RT187411, RT1980, RT2013,
RT2956).

Xanthosoma lindenii (Andre) Engl.

Recent introduction. Colombia. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott tannia, yautia, cocoyam, American taro

Syn. Arum sagittifolium L.
Nauruan Name: detaro

Pre-World War II introduction. West Indies. Occasional. Food plant in home gardens at Location and
near Nauruan home at Buada; occasionally planted and mulched in pandanus-leaf baskets at Topside
workshops in the 1980s; found primarily in Tuvaluan gardens. Occasional in 2007. Important staple food crop
throughout Melanesia and Polynesia. Possibly introduced into Nauru in the late 19th or early 20th century, but
never becoming as important as in other areas of the Pacific. Side tubers or cormels cooked as a staple and
tender young leaves cooked as a green vegetable or spinach. 5, 6, 711 (DPNAU2007RT1083, RT1272,
RT1423, RT1917, RT2210 RT2215, RT2704, RT2955).

86
 ARECACEAE/PALMAE (Palm Family)

Caryota urens L. fishtail palm, wine palm, toddy palm

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1995, RT1996).

Chrysalidocarpus lutescens H. Wendl. golden cane palm, golden-fruited palm

Recent introduction. Madagascar. Rare in the early 1980s, occasional in 2007. Planted ornamental. 5,
6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0143, RT1978).

Cocos nucifera L. coconut palm

Nauruan Name: ini

Aboriginal introduction. South Asia and Indian Ocean Islands. Abundant. Planted extensively on
coastal strip, around Buada Lagoon, near roads in strip-mined areas; occasional on plateau and escarpment;
common along strand; common in Nauruan home gardens and occasionally planted around contract workers
quarters at Location and Topside workshops. Cultivars include inur, ito, ita, inamaro and ini. Formerly
important for copra production for export; trunks used in house construction and for animal pens; midrib of
frond used for flooring and walls of houses; young fronds used for weaving baskets, food containers and
parcels, mats, housing thatch, fans, hats, dividers for communal fish farming in Buada Lagoon, and other
plaited ware and for making skirts (ridi); old and young fronds used for roofing; coir and dry leaves important
as tinder in making fire by friction and carrying fire; midrib of leaflets or pinnules used in brooms and in
weaving; soft endosperm (meat) and water (milk) of young, green nuts (ini) consumed; meat of mature nuts
(eanikiwi) grated and eaten in a variety of ways and squeezed and boiled, usually with flowers or leaves, to
make perfumed coconut oil; coconut endosperm (meat) has been an important staple throughout the small-
island Pacific and in coastal areas of larger islands, with some people receiving up to 70% of their dietary
calories from this source; it was also undoubtedly the main staple plant food of Nauruans in the past and a
major food for chickens and pigs; coir or husk of both green and mature nuts used to make strong fibre and
cordage (sennit) for strainers, affixing tool handles, boat and house lashings, fishnets and lines, belts, canoe
caulking, corks or stoppers, slings; dried fronds, husks, and shells used as fuel for cooking; shells used for
making charcoal, one of the main uses being to fuel hand irons in the past; shells used to make drinking cups in
the past; sap from flower spathe tapped to make toddy (karawai) and then often boiled down to make a
molasses-like syrup (kamaimai); toddy often allowed to ferment to become alcoholic sour toddy; loose burlap-
like tissue (inini) at the base of the fronds used to strain coconut milk; dust or pollen collected on lower ends of
fronds used as a blood coagulant and disinfectant; coconut oil used to treat tinea; inside of very small immature
nuts used in post-natal medicine; very young leaves, without the midrib, chewed and used as a medicine for
fever and infantile beriberi. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0171, RT0196, RT0199, RT0321, RT0423a,
RT0454 RT0489 RT0490, RT0579a, RT0580a, RT0587b, RT0599b, RT0602b, RT0611, RT0615, RT0620b,
RT0621b, RT0628a, RT0633, RT0639a, RT0827, RT0988a, RT1015, RT1063a, RT1304, RT1368, RT1444b,
RT1445b, RT1446b, RT1469, RT1482, RT1493, RT1730, RT1786, RT1787, RT1804, RT1814c, RT1922,
RT2121, RT2269, RT2270, RT2351, RT2442, RT2445, RT2801a, RT2887a, RT2986, RT3024, RT3027,
RT3067b, RT3068).

Elaeis guineensis Jacq. oil palm

Recent introduction. West Africa. Rare. Palm planted in houseyard garden across from service station
in Aiwo. 11 (DPNAU2007RT0313, RT0314, RT0315, RT2158, RT2159).

Livistona chinensis (Jacq.) R. Br. Chinese fan palm, fountain palm

Syn. Latania chinensis Jacq.

Recent introduction. China, Ryukyu and Bonin Islands. Rare. Ornamental pot plant and planted

87
ornamental. 6, 7.

Phoenix sylvestris Roxb. Silver date palm, sugar date palm

Recent introduction. Southern Pakistan and most of India. Rare. Erect single-stemmed mature palm
with feather-like pinnate fronds with spikes on lower frond above the base of the petiole. Planted ornamental on
Command Ridge. Identified by D. Hodel from digital photos. Could possibly be a Phoenix hybrid or the date
palm (P. dactylifera L.). 5, 6(61), 11 (DPNAU2007RT2177, RT2178, RT2179).

Pritchardia pacifica Seem. & Wendl. Pacific fan palm, Fiji fan palm
Syn. Eupritchardia pacifica (Seem. & Wendl.) O. Ktze.
Nauruan Name: dabam (“palm”)

Recent introduction. Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa. Occasional. Planted ornamental at the Meneng Hotel, in
houseyard gardens and a number of other sites. Small edible fruit consumed in Fiji, Tonga and elsewhere in the
Pacific but reportedly only eaten by some children in Nauru. 3, 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0048, RT0048,
RT0318, RT0319, RT1669, RT1670, RT1953, RT02643).

Pritchardia thurstonii F. Von Muell. & Drude fan palm

Recent introduction. Apparently endemic to the Lau Islands in eastern Fiji. Rare. Adult trees seen in
one houseyard garden in Nibok District in 2007. 11 (DPNAU2007RT3113, RT3114a, RT3115, RT3116)

Ptychosperma macarthuri (Wendl.) Nicholson MacArthur palm, hurricane palm

Recent introduction. Cape York Peninsula, Australia to New Guinea. Rare. Planted ornamental. .
11 (DPNAU2007RT3114b).

Rhapis excelsa (Thunb.) Henry ex Rehder lady palm, bamboo palm

Recent introduction. Southern China. Uncommon. Planted ornamental in houseyard gardens. 11
(DPNAU2007RT0835, RT2026).
.
Roystonea elata (Bartr.) Harper royal palm
Syns. Palma elata Bartr.; Roystonea regia (HBK.) O.F. Cook; Oreodoxa regia HBK.
Nauruan Name: dabam

Recent introduction. Cuba and Florida. Not seen in 2007. Rare. Planted ornamental. Could possibly
have been R. oleracea (Jacq.) O.F. Cook. 5(137), 6, 7.

Sabal minor (Jacq.) pers. dwarf palmetto, bush palmetto

Recent introduction. Southern United States. Rare. Small palm with an almost invisible trunk and a
cluster of erect fan-shaped leaves cut into many narrow forked segments. Single palm seen in a houseyard
garden in Nibok District in 2007. 10 (DPNAU2007RT2516, RT2517, RT2518, RT2519, RT2520, RT2521).

Sabal palmetto (Walt.) Lodd. sabal palm, cabbage palm, palmetto palm

Recent introduction. Southeastern United Status, Cuba and the Bahamas. Rare. One single mature
palm seen planted in the courtyard of the Church next to the Community Centre in Aiwo in 2007
(DPNAU2007RT0191

Veitchia merrilli (Becc. ) H.E. Moore Manila palm, Christmas palm

Recent introduction. Philippines. Uncommon. A number of trees planted in houseyard gardens.

Could possibly be V. joannis H. Wendland, which is a larger palm with longer fruit. 11
(DPNAU2007RT0191, RT1366, RT1366, RT2609, RT3149, RT3150).

88
 BROMELIACEAE (Pineapple Family)

Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill pineapple

Syns. Bromelia comosa L.; B. ananas L.; Ananas sativus Schult. f.; A. ananas (L.) Karst.

Pre-World War I post-European contact introduction. Brazil. Uncommon. Food plant in home gardens
at Location and Topside Workshops and occasionally in expatriate home gardens. Seen in planter box outside
refugee camp at old State House on upper Meneng Terrace, in houseyard garden at Buada and at the Taiwanese
garden project at Buada in 2007. Fruit edible. 3, 5, 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1084b, RT1089, RT0402, RT1918,
RT2546, RT2652, RT2709).

Nidularium innocenti Lem.

Recent introduction. Brazil. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Tillandsia usneoides L. Spanish moss, Florida moss, long moss

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

Vriesia sp. vriesia

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Perennial herb with stiff smooth-edged variegated
leaves arranged in a rosette. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

CANNACEAE (Canna Family)

Canna indica L. Indian shot, canna

Recent introduction. West Indies. Rare. Planted ornamental see in a Meneng houseyard garden. Most
ornamental specimens are showy hybrids or selections. 6(189), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0222a, RT2020).

COMMELINACEAE (Dayflower or Spiderwort Family)

Callisia fragrans (Lindl.) Woodson fragrant inch plant, basketplant

Syn. Spironema fragans Lindl.; Rectanthera fragrans (Lindl.) Degener

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Uncommon potplant and ornamental in houseyard

gardens. 11 (DPNAU2007RT1892, RT1945).

Dichorisandra thyrisiflora Mikan blue ginger

Recent introduction. Brazil. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

Tradescantia spathacea Swartz tradescantia, oyster plant, Moses-in-a-boat, dwarf oyster

Syns. Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn; Rhoeo discolor (L'Her.) Hance.

Recent introduction. Mexico and West Indies. Occasional. Pot plant and planted ornamental; planted
along borders in ornamental gardens. 3(58703), 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0033, RT0295, RT1884).

Tradescantia pallida (Roxe) D. Hunt purple tradescantia, purple heart

Syn. Setcreasia purpurea B. K. Boom

89
 Recent introduction. Mexico. Uncommon. Ornamental pot plant. Seen in flower garden at Meneng
Hotel in 2007. 3(56779), 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0112, RT2035, RT2036).

Tradescantia fluminensis Vell. wandering Jew

Recent introduction. South America. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Tradescantia zebrina Bosse wandering jew, silver inch plant

Syn. Zebrina pendula Schnizl.

Recent introduction. Mexico. Uncommon. Ornamental pot plant. 3(56780), 5, 6, 7.

CYPERACEAE (Sedge Family)

Cyperus involucratus Rottb. umbrella sedge, umbrella plant

Syn. Cyperus alternifolius L.

Recent introduction. Madagascar. Rare in the 1980s but occasional as a planted ornamental in
houseyard gardens in 2007. 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0239, RT1136, RT1742, RT1761, RT2018).

Cyperus compressus L. sedge

Recent introduction? Pantropical and warm subtropics. Occasional. Weed growing in rather dense
populations in low ground near Buada Lagoon and swampy area near bottom of escarpment, near buildings in
Location contract workers settlement, and in some roadside sites. 3(58644), 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0448,
RT2948, RT2949, RT2950).

Cyperus iria L. sedge

Recent introduction. Rare weed in the early 1980s. 5(90a).

Cyperus rotundus L. nut sedge, nut grass

Nauruan Name: ibugibugi, ibiugbiugi

Pre-World War II introduction? Cosmopolitan. Common. Weed in gardens, especially

vegetable gardens; growing in extensive stands in lawns and along roadsides; occasional in swamps in Meneng.
One of the most serious seeds of vegetable gardens in the Pacific, with small ball-like root nodules and
spreading stolons that are difficult to pull out of the soil. Root nodules used to scent coconut oil in Tonga, Fiji
and other parts of the Pacific. 3(58686), 4(149N), 5(89), 6, 7, 8, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0309, RT0337, RT0555
RT0912 RT1509, RT2687).

Eleocharis ochrostachys Steud. sedge

Syn. Eleocharis laxiflora (Thw.) H. Pfeiff.

Recent introduction. Asia. Rare. Erect perennial sedge. Planted ornamental. 6(210).

Fimbristylis cymosa R. Br. sedge, beach sedge

Syns. Fimbristylis spathacea Roth; F. pyncnocephala Hillebr.; F. glomerata (Retz.) Nees ex K.
Schum. non (Schrad.) Nees; F. atollensis St. John; F. wightiana Nees
Nauruan Name: ibugibugi, ibiugbiugi

Indigenous. Pantropical. Abundant. Perennial tufted sedge growing in clusters or tufts in open and
semi-open places, waste place and ruderal sites on the coastal strip and in mined areas on the plateau. Common
on rocky, sandy portions of the Anibare Bay boat harbour. No reported use on Nauru. 2, 3(58613, 58670), 4, 5,
6(210), 7, 11(DPNAU2007RT0044, RT0056, RT0419, RT1539, RT1540, RT1541, RT1593, RT1594,

90
RT2110, RT2360, RT3077, RT3094).

Kyllinga nemoralis (Forst.) Dandy ex Hutchinson and Dalziel white-flowered kyllinga

Syn. Cyperus kyllingia Endl.

Recent introduction. Paleotropical. Uncommon. Found growing in a weedy site near the kitchen in
one of the best houseyard ornamental gardens in Meneng District and in one houseyard garden in Boe in
2007. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2022, RT2023, RT2025a, RT3029).

Mariscus javanicus (Houtt.) Merr.; sedge, marsh cypress

Syns. Cyperus javanicus Houtt; C. canescens Vahl; C. pennatus Lam.; C. stuppeus Forst. f.; M.
albescens Gaud.; M. pennatus (Lam.) Domin; M. stuppeus (Forst. f.) Merr.
Nauruan Name: reyenbangabang

Indigenous? Paleotropics into the Pacific Islands. Abundant in the 1980s, common in 2007. Found
growing wild in isolated clusters and tufts and in colonies or dense populations in moist habitats on the coastal
strip, ruderal sites, surrounding Buada Lagoon, on the inner border of the coastal strand, bordering the
mangrove ponds in the northeast of the island, and occasionally in mined areas on Topside. Stems used as
stringers for garlands and for stringing fish; swollen bottoms eaten occasionally in the past. The name
reyenbangabang means literally the surrounding border, referring to the way in which C. javanicus surrounds
parts of Buada Lagoon. 3(53634), 4(160N), 5(90), 6(218), 7(27824), 8(9576), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0133,
RT0167, RT0463, RT1296, RT1350, RT1359, RT1590, RT2616, RT2621, RT2879).
.

DIOSCOREACEAE (Yam Family)

Dioscorea alata L. yam, greater yam, winged yam

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia. Rare. Food plant in home gardens at Location and Denigomodu.
Not seen in 2007. Important staple food crop in many parts of Melanesia, Polynesia and Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap
and other high islands in Micronesia, where numerous named cultivars are recognized, but insignificant in
Nauru. Tuber cooked as a staple vegetable. 5, 6.

Dioscorea esculenta (Lour.) Burkill lesser yam, sweet yam, Goa yam

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia. Rare. Food plant in home gardens at Location and Meneng. Not
seen in 2007. Important staple in parts of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands and a supplementary staple
crop in many areas of Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia. Tuber cooked as a staple vegetable. 5, 6.

Dioscorea nummularia Lam. thorny yam

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia. Food plant in open houseyard garden along the road leading up
to Command Ridge. Apparently planted by Fijian residents and presumably introduced from Fiji where it is a
common wild and planted staple food crop. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2500, RT2501, RT2502, RT2503, RT2504,
RT2505)

HELICONIACEAE (Heliconia Family)

Heliconia collinsiana R.F. Griggs hanging heliconia, fish-pole heliconia

Syn. Heliconia pendula Wawra

Recent introduction. Guatemala. Rare. Planted ornamental. 5, 6.

Heliconia humilis (Aubl.) Jacq. heliconia, lobster claw

Syn. Musa humilis Aubl.

91
 Recent introduction. Tropical South America. Rare. Planted ornamental. 5, 6(236).

Heliconia psittacorum L. heliconia

Recent introduction. Tropical South America. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 5, 6, 7, 11

(DPNAU2007RT2228, RT2229, RT2254).

Heliconia sp. heliconia

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Erect herb. Planted ornamental. 5 (174).

IRIDACEAE (Iris Family)

Gladiolus sp. gladiolus

Recent introduction. South Africa. Rare. Planted ornamental. 5, 6, 7.

Iris sp. iris

Recent introduction. Origin? Rare. Planted ornamental. 5, 6(100).

Tigrida pavonina (L.f.) Ker-Gawl. tiger flower

Recent introduction. Mexico and Guatemala. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

LILIACEAE (Including Agavaceae and Amaryllidaceae)(Lily Family)

Asparagus densiflorus (Kunth) Jessup asparagus fern, Sprenger asparagus

Syns. Asparagus aethiopicus L.; A. sprengeri Reg.

Recent introduction. South Africa. Uncommon. Ornamental pot plant more common in the 1980s.
3(58711), 5, 6(167, 180) , 11. (DPNAU2007RT3144).
.
Asparagus setaceus (Kunth) Jessup asparagus fern
Syns. Asparagopsis setacea Kunth; Asparagus plumosus Baker

Recent introduction. South Africa. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6(169), 7.

Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Jacq. spider plant, ribbon plant, bracket plant
Syns. Chlorophytum capense (L.) Voss; C. elatum R. Br.

Recent introduction. Africa. Uncommon. Ornamental pot plant. 3(58690), 6,

11(DPNAU2007RT1421, 11. (DPNAU2007RT2253, RT2777, RT3143).

Gloriosa superba L. gloriosa lily, glory lily

Recent introduction. Tropical Africa. Uncommon. Planted ornamental and pot plant. 5, 6(177), 10.

Littonia modesta Hook climbing lily

Recent introduction. South Africa. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

Sandersonia aurantiaca Hook. f. golden lily of the valley, Chinese lanterns

92
 Recent introduction. Natal. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

MARANTACEAE (Arrowroot Family)

Calathea ornata (Lem.) Koern. calathea

Syn. Maranta ornata Lem.

Recent introduction. Northern South America. Occasional. Ornamental pot plant. 3(58688), 5, 6, 7, 11
(DPNAU2007RT2010).

Calathea wiotiana Makoy calathea, rattlesnake plant

Syns. C. insignis Bull; C. lanceolata Boom

Recent introduction. Brazil. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1988, RT1989).

Calathea zebrina (Sims) Lindl. calathea

Syn. Maranta zebrina Sims

Recent introduction. Brazil. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Ctenanthe lubbersiana (Morr.) Eichl. ctenanthe, bamburanta

Recent introduction. Brazil. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Ctenanthe oppenheimiana (Morr.) K. Schum. ctenanthe, never-never plant

Recent introduction. Brazil. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Maranta arundinacea L. arrowroot

Recent introduction. Northern South America and possibly Central America. Rare. Single mature
plant seen in planter box in the parking lot across the street from Kapeli’s Store. Could possibly be a form of
Maranta leuconeura, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0815).

Maranta leuconeura Morr. maranta, prayer plant, rabbit tracks

Recent introduction. Brazil. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6, 7.

MUSACEAE (Banana Family)*

*The nomenclature for the genus Musa is confused, with most of the common seedless cultivars or
clones being triploid crosses of the fertile species Musa acuminata Colla and M. balbisiana Colla. The Latin
binomials M. nana Loureiro, M. sapientum L., and M. paradisiaca L. are commonly used as follows: M. nana
for the dwarf Cavendish, and M. sapientum for the taller bananas, which are generally eaten ripe, but which are
also cooked throughout the Pacific as starchy staples, and M. paradisiaca for the starchier bananas or plantains,
which are usually eaten cooked as a staple starch, but occasionally eaten ripe as fruit. The nomenclature most
widely used by agronomists is that developed by Simmonds, which classifies all cultivars or clones on the basis
of their assumed genetic background, eg. Musa ABB Group would be a triploid cross of one M. acuminata
group and two M. balbisiana groups. Both nomenclature systems are presented here to more precisely identify
the clones that are currently present in Nauru.

93
Musa (AAA Group) Simmonds banana, Robusta, poyo, Mons Marie
Syns. M. sapientum L.; M. paradisiaca L. var. sapientum (L.) Kuntze; M. paradisiaca L. ssp.
sapientum (L.) Kuntze; M. acuminata Colla cvs
Nauruan Name: dabanana

Pre-World War II introduction. Southeast Asia. Occasional. Food plant in Tuvaluan and I-Kiribati
food gardens at Location and Topside workshops; occasional in Nauruan and expatriate home gardens.
Important food and export crop in many areas of the Pacific, especially in Tonga and Western Samoa, where
bananas are a major export crop, and in Tuvalu, where bananas are a major staple food. Not a traditional food
plant, and of only limited importance on Nauru. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7.

Musa (AB Group) Simmonds lady's finger banana, pisang rajah (Indonesia)
Syns. Musa x paradisiaca L. var. hort. Pisang raja (M. acuminata Colla x M. balbisiana Colla)
Nauruan Name: dabanana

Pre-World War II introduction. South India. Occasional. Banana with tightly-packed, light-yellow,
short, slightly rounded, plump, very thin-skinned, seedless tangy sweet fruits. Food plant in Tuvaluan and I-
Kiribati gardens at Location and Topside workshops in the 1980s and in Nauruan houseyard gardens in 2007.
Eaten ripe as a fruit throughout much of the Pacific and a very important staple in Samoa, where it is cooked
green. A nutrient-rich crop with great potential fro increased planting. 3, 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1331b,
RT1332, RT2543, RT2969, RT3023, RT3109, RT3110).

Musa (ABB Group) Simmonds cooking banana, plantain, bluggoe

Syns. Musa x paradisiaca L. var. hort. Bluggoe (M. acuminata Colla x M. balbisiana Colla )
Nauruan Name: dabanana

Pre-World War II introduction? Southeast Asia and Pacific. Common. Plantain or banana with light-
green, waxy, thick-skinned, angular fruit, with a tapering blunt-tip. Food plant in well mulched areas and
planting boxes at Location and near Topside workshops in Tuvaluan and I-Kiribati gardens in the 1980s and in
some Nauruan gardens in 2007. Important traditional supplementary staple in many areas of the Pacific, where
it seems to be an aboriginally introduced cultivar and known as bata or pata in Fiji and Western Polynesia
respectively. The most common banana cultivar in Kiribati, from where it may have been introduced into
Nauru. Leaves and pseudostem used medicinally to wrap sick persons to lower fevers; leaves used to parcel
food and to cover earthen oven; green fruit cooked as a staple food and ripe fruit eaten raw. Evidently not a
successful aboriginal introduction to Nauru, where Musa cultivars do not seem to have been a traditional food
crop. 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0182 RT0302, RT0303, RT0976, RT0977, RT2585).

ORCHIDACEAE (Orchid Family)

Cattleya sp. cattleya orchid

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Bulbous or slender-stemmed orchid with thick, slightly-
folded leaves and large showy flowers. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Dendrobium undulatum R. Br. dendrobium orchid

Recent introduction. Australia. Rare. Orchid with short thick leaves and many showy flowers borne
along a flowering stem. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Dendrobium sp. dendrobium orchid

Recent introduction. Rare. Orchid with short thick leaves and many showy flowers borne along a
flowering stem. Planted ornamental at H.M. De Robert's home. 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2781).

Spathoglottis plicata Bl. Malayan ground orchid

94
 Recent introduction. Indomalaysia. Rare. Planted ornamental. 5, 6.

Vanda teres Lindl. vanda orchid

Recent introduction. Burma. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

Vanda sp. vanda orchid

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia. Rare. Evergreen orchid with showy flowers. Planted ornamental.
6.

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 PANDANACEAE (Pandanus Family)*

*The nomenclature for the genus Pandanus is, like Musa, confused, with some taxonomists
classifying many of the common cultivars and wild clones or species, both edible and non-edible, as forms or
varieties of P. tectorius. Other taxonomists consider them distinct species, often listing numerous species or
varieties for a given area. For example, P. odoratissimus L. f. has long been thought to be synonymous with P.
tectorius, but is not considered, by many authorities, to occur east of Malaysia. Similarly, P. odoratissimus L.f.
var. pyriformis Mart. has been used as a synonym for a wild and doubtful variety of P. tectorius, whereas Stone
(1970) considers P. fragrans Gaud. to be the common wild species on Guam, and does not consider P. tectorius
to be present. Thus, because the fruit of many of the named cultivars or varieties found on Nauru were not
collected and identified, the identifications here must be considered provisional, with most named cultivars
being grouped under P. tectorius. Other widespread forms, such as P. dubius Spreng., a widespread edible
species; and P. spurius Miq. cv. PUTAT (syns. P. tectorius Warb. var. laevis Warb.; P. odoratissimus l.f. var.
laevis (Warb.) Mart., which are widely cultivated for their leaves for use in plated ware, are also possibly
present, but not listed here. P. dubius, if present, however, is a very different plant, not likely to be confused
with P. tectorius. It has no edible fleshy tissue, but a large globose fruit, 30 to 40 cm in diameter, composed of
many drupes, 8 to 18 cm long, each containing a single seed with edible white endosperm.

Pandanus tectorius Warb. pandanus, screw pine

Syn. Pandanus pyriformis Gaud.
Nauruan Name: epö, epuh, biter, biterr (wild, uncultivated trees)

Indigenous and probably an aboriginal introduction in the case of some cultivars. Pacific Islands.
Common in 1980s but less common in 2007. Commonly planted on the coastal strip in home gardens and in
open areas and in stands on the unmined portions of the plateau (Topside); women were formerly responsible
for the care and cultivation of pandanus, although men helped in the initial clearing of land. An important staple
to the Nauruans and to the I-Kiribati and Tuvaluans on their home islands. One relict stand seen near the gun
emplacement on Command Ridge in 2007. Very important fresh fruit and staple in Nauru and other atoll and
Micronesian countries. Named cultivars which still exist on Nauru include enaben (enabun), erabaite
(erabwaite), eragadibyaw, eragomogom (eragumugum), inaparabei (inaporabei), inimenoiya, irireiab, and
iriribe; other named cultivars, which are reportedly now extinct due to mining, bombing during World War II,
and failure to replant, include eraburabur (eraburbur), eramwimwi, erarapaiwa (erarapeiwa, erarapwiewa),
erkibwir
, erokwoi, eronubwe, erwuro, inibiterin, and itoidi (etoidi). Some of these cultivars may be P. dubius (see
above). Ripe fruit of all cultivars eaten in Nauru as a vitamin-A-rich snack food and also cooked or fermented
and put on pandanus mats or leaves in the sun to dry to make a rich man's food known as edongo, which is also
a traditional food for the sick; leaves, which are commonly soaked in fresh water or boiled, are plaited into mats
(itubare), baskets, and other plaited ware, and make the best traditional thatching and roofing; main trunk and
stilt roots used in house construction; wood and dried fruit sometimes burned as fuel; thin outside bark of the
stilt roots scraped and mixed with coconut juice to cure constipation and poor appetite; I-Kiribati use leaves as
cigarette wrappers. In the past, during the yearly pandanus harvest (ineded), which usually occurred around
August or September, people used to leave their homes on the coast to stay in temporary bush huts on the
pandanus lands in the interior. 2, 3(58760), 5(64), 6, 7(27814?) , 11 (DPNAU2007RT0137, RT0291, RT0456b,
RT0458b, RT0519, RT0545, RT0569a, RT0662, RT0663, RT0664, RT0665, RT0778, RT0779, RT0780,
RT0802, RT0966, RT1140a, RT1273, RT1305, RT1462b, RT1474d, RT1682, RT1683, RT1684, RT1686,
RT1687, RT1688, RT1689, RT2735b, RT2762b, RT2765b, RT2800, RT2828, RT2861c, RT2984, RT3047,
RT3048, RT3049, RT3107, RT3108, RT3212, RT3213).

Pandanus sanderi Hort. ex Masters variegated pandanus

Recent introduction. Indomalaysia to the Pacific Islands. Uncommon. Perennial shrub with long
pointed variegated green leaves with yellow-white margins. Planted ornamental; seen at Meneng Hotel in 2007.
6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0062, RT0264).

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 POACEAE OR GRAMINAE (Grass Family)

Andropogon sp.

Recent Introduction. Rare. Small perennial grass. Localized on strip-mined land. 3(58736).

Arundo donax L. giant reed

Recent introduction. Old World. Occasional. Planted ornamental and spontaneous in some areas, such
as in open areas near the end of the road on the top of Meneng Terrace. 3(58742), 4(171N), 5(95), 6, 7(22318),
10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0464, RT0465, RT0857, RT0858, RT2266, RT2910, RT2914).

Axonopus compressus (Sw.) Beauv. carpet grass

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Grass along driveway in houseyard garden in Buada. ,
11 (DPNAU2007RT1003).

Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex Wendl. common bamboo, feathery bamboo

Syns. Arundo bambos L.; Bambos arundinacea Retz.; Bambusa arundinaria Willd. ex Merr.
(Sphalm.); B. arundinacea (Retz.) Willd.
Nauruan Name: ebarabaratu, embarabaraba (B)

Pre-World War II post-European contact introduction. Tropical Asia. Uncommon. Planted on coastal
strip in the 1980s and at Buada in 2007, but more common in the past. The large stand in northeast Buada was
reportedly introduced from Samoa. Woody stems used in the construction of perches for pet frigate birds, for
fishing rods, net handles for noddy-bird nets and reef and flying-fish nets; splinters used in the past to mend
fishing nets; parts used medicinally. 2, 5, 6(217), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1025, RT1064, RT1065, RT2717,
RT2718, RT2719).

Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz.) S.T. Blake blue grass, Australian beardgrass

Syns. Dichanthium bladhii (Retz.) Clayton; Andropogon bladhii Retz.; Dichanthium intermedium
(R. Br.) De Wit & Harl.; Andropogon intermedius R. Br.; Bothriochloa intermedia (R. Br.) Camus

Recent introduction. Tropical Africa through India to China and Australia. Common. Grass in
open lots, roadsides and ruderal sites. Possibly the grass referred to as Fosberg as Andropogon or Dicanthium
sp. in the 1980s with no species identification provided. Now common. 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0077, RT0080,
RT0081 RT0229, RT0300 RT0506, RT0785, RT0803, RT1112, RT1528, RT1642, RT1763, RT1805, RT1833,
RT1898, RT1925 RT2044).

Brachiaria cf paspaloides (Presl) C.E. Humm. Thurston grass

(Fiji)
Recent introduction. Paleotropics ? Rare. Single population seen on road to Buada above the
calcination plant in 2007. Widespread as an escape in Fiji. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2052, RT2053).

Brachiaria subquadripara (Trin.) Hitchc.

Syn. Panicum subquadriparum Trin.

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia, now pantropical. Rare in 1980s now occasional. Rare around
Buada Lagoon in the 1980s but now occasional in wasteplaces, along roadsides and other ruderal sites in
houseyard gardens on bottom side and on the more gradually sloping portions of the escarpment. 5(83), 6(155) ,
11 (DPNAU2007RT0986, RT1303, RT1564, RT1899, RT1902b, RT2336, RT3028).

Cenchrus brownii R. & S. Brown's burgrass, Brown's sandbur

Syn. Cenchrus viridis Spreng.
Nauruan Name: eakung, iyakong

97
 Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Weed in open places and ruderal habitats on the
coastal strip. 5(35), 6, 7.

Cenchrus ciliaris L. bufflegrass

Syn. Pennesetum cenchroides (L.) Rich.; P. ciliare (L.) Link.

Recent introduction. Uncommon. Seen in disturbed site off road to Buada above the calcination plant
in 2007. Could be species referred to a C. brownii in previous surveys. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2047, RT2048).

Cenchrus echinatus L. burgrass, sand bur

Nauruan Name: eakung, iyakong

Pre-World War I introduction. Tropical America. Common. Weed with sharp spiny burs that stick to
clothing. Occurs clusters or tufts along roadsides, in gardens and ruderal habitats on the coastal strip and
occasionally in coastal herbaceous strand vegetation on sand.
. 2, 3(58607), 4(146N), 5(34), 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0553, RT1903, RT2271, RT2823, RT2824,
RT2936).

Chloris inflata Link finger grass

Syn. Chloris barbata sensu auct. non (L.) Sw.
Nauruan Name: ibugibugi

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Weed occurring locally in isolated clusters or tufts in open
places along roadsides,, wasteplaces and ruderal places on the coastal strip and disturbed sites on Topside.
3(58519), 4(151N), 5(40), 6, 7, 8(9549), 10?, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0007, RT0537, RT1643, RT2422).

Chrysopogon aciculatus (Retz.) Trin. needle grass, seed grass, golden beard grass
Syns. Andropogon aciculatus Retz.; Rhaphis aciculatus (Retz.) Desv.

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia and Pacific Is. Occasional. Weed occurring locally on bare soil,
roadsides, waste places, and occasionally in lawns. 3(58625, 58709), 5(82), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0036).

Cymbopogon citratus (DC. ex Nees) Staph lemongrass

Syn. Andropogon citratus DC. ex Nees

Recent introduction. East Indies. Uncommon. Planted in a number of houseyard gardens and in a
row near bananas in Anetan District in 2007. Leaves boiled in water to make lemon grass tea and stems,
leaves and roots used as a spice in Thai cooking. Should be planted more widely as a source of inexpensive
tea and spice. 11 (DPNAU2007RT0792, RT0793, RT1419, RT1952, RT2774a, RT2972).

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Bermuda grass

Syns. Panicum dactylon L.; Capriola dactylon (L.) O. Ktze.
Nauruan Name: ibugibugi

Recent introduction. Old World. Occasional. Common in open places forming mat or sod and in
lawns and in some areas just inland from the beach. 3(58625), 5, 6(270), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2043,
RT2763).

Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Beauv. four-finger grass, beach wire grass, crowfoot grass

Recent introduction. Paleotropics. Occasional. Weed in clusters or tufts in open and ruderal habitats
on the coastal strip. 3(58603, 58606), 4, 5, 6(209), 7, 8(9550), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0059, RT0060, RT0280,
RT0455, RT2114, RT2127).
.
Dactyloctenium cteniodes (Steud.) Besser?

98
 Recent introduction. Africa. Annual grass. Occasional locally in disturbed places. 4(153N).

Dichanthium sp. blue grass

Recent introduction. Occasional. Perennial grass with bluish stems (stolons). Occurs locally in open
weedy places, roadsides and ruderal sites. Could be Dichanthium annulatum. 3(58518), 5(85) , 11
(DPNAU2007RT0122, RT1563?, RT2763).

Digitaria bicornis (Lam.) R. & S. crab grass, large crab grass

Syns. Panicum bicorne Lam.

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia? Perennial creeping grass. Weed in open and ruderal sites on the
coastal strip. 4(152N).

Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koel. crab grass, large crab grass

Syns. Panicum ciliare Retz.; Digitaria adscendens (HBK) Henr.; Syntherisma ciliaris (Retz.)
Schrader

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia. Occasional. Weed in gardens, pathsides and ruderal sites.
3(59604), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1506, RT1507, RT1508, RT1509, RT2047, RT2048, RT2566, RT2567,
RT3020, RT3021).

Digitaria radicosa (Presl) Miq. crab grass

Syns. Panicum radicosa Presl.; Digitaria borbonica Desv.; D. timorensis (Kunth) Balansa

Recent introduction. Old World tropics. Uncommon? Roadside weed. 3(58608), 11

(DPNAU2007RT1788, RT2727).

Digitaria setigera Rot crab grass, slender crab grass

Syns. Panicum pruriens Fisch. ex Trin.; Digitaria pruriens (Fisher ex Trin.) Buse (in Burgess' list
1935); D. microbachne (J. S. Presl) Henr.
Nauruan Name: ibugibugi

Indigenous. Southeast Asia to Polynesia. Occasional. Weed occurring in clusters or tufts in open and
ruderal habitats on the coastal strip. 2, 3, 5(83), 6(156), 7, 8(9551?) , 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0911, RT2714).

Digitaria violascens Link. smooth crab grass, violet crab grass

Syns. Digitaria argyrostachya (Steud.) Fern.

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia. Rare. Weed occurring locally near Buada Lagoon. 3(58786).

Echinochloa colonum (L.) Link. jungle rice

Syns. Panicum colonum L.; Oplismenus colonum (L.) HBK.

Recent introduction. India. Occasional. Weed of gardens, roadsides and ruderal sites. Seen in Buada in
2007. 4(150N), 5 (155) , 11 (DPNAU2007RT0985).

Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. wiregrass, goosegrass

Nauruan Name: ibugibugi

Pre-World War II introduction. India; long naturalized in Old and New Worlds. Abundant. Growing
in rather dense concentrations or colonies in gardens, roadsides, waste places and ruderal sites. 2, 3(58660),
4(147N, 154N), 5(65), 6, 7, 8(9544), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0298, RT1360, RT1880, RT2113, RT2552).

Eragrostis pectinacea (Michx.) Nees Carolina lovegrass, pectinate lovegrass

Syn. Eragrostis caroliniana (Spreng.) Scribn.

99
 Recent introduction. Eastern United States. Uncommon. Weed occurring in open lots, along
roadsides, in other ruderal places. Indentification is tentative 11 (DPNAU2007RT1096, RT2115, RT2116,
RT2134).

Eragrostis tenella (L.) Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult. lovegrass, Japanese lovegrass
Syn. Eragrostis amabilis (L.) Wight & Arn. ex Hook. & Arn.
Nauruan Name: ibugibugi

Recent introduction? Old World. Common. Weed occurring in scattered clusters around buildings,
along paths and roadsides, and other ruderal places. 2(28.5), 3(58626), 4(148N), 5(66), 6, 7, 8(9539), 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0066, RT1868b).

Eustachys petrea (Sw.) Desv.

Syn. Chloris petrea Sw.

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Uncommon. Locally common to abundant as one of the
main colonizing species in the rehabilitation trial on Topside and occasional in other Topside sites and in a
disturbed area above the calcination plant just off the Buada road in 2007. Not identified in the early 1980s.
Has become the most common grass in disturbed sites on Tarawa in Kiribati over the past 20 years.
11 (DPNAU2007RT0392, RT0399, RT0401, RT0403, RT0420, RT2068, RT2102, RT2314, RT2408, RT2435,
RT2436, RT2437, RT2481).

Lepturus repens (Forst. f.) R. Br. bunchgrass, beach bunchgrass

Syns. Rottboellia repens Forst. f.; Monoerma repens (Forst. f.) Beauv.
Nauruan Name: ibugibugi

Indigenous. Pacific Islands. Occasional. Occurring in clusters among strand vegetation and in
disturbed open sites on the coastal strip. Nauru’s most common indigenous grass. Helps to bind beach sand and
protect coastlines from erosion. 3(58605, 58750), 5(84), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0043, RT0050, RT0114a,
RT0115a, RT0116a, RT0117b, RT0119a, RT0121a, RT0236, RT0625, RT1451b, RT1453a, RT1454a,
RT1680a, RT2736a, RT2743b, RT2751b, RT2759b, RT2822c, RT2827 RT2859).

Melinus repens (Willd.) Zizka Natal grass, Natal red top

Syns. Tricholaena rosea Nees; Rhynchelytrum roseum (Nees) Staph & Hubb.; Rhynchelytrum repens
(Willd.) Hubb.; Tricholaena repens (Willd.) Hitchc.

Recent introduction. Southern Africa. Occasional to common. Found in clusters in waste places on
coastal strip and plateau and occasionally in mined areas. 3(58655), 4(170N), 5(49), 6, 7, 8(9567) , 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0202, RT0205, RT0659, RT1714, RT1717).

Oplismenus hirtellus (L.) Beauv. basket grass

Syns. Panicum hirtellum L.; Orthopogon imbecillus R. Br.; Oplismenus imbecillus (R. Br.) R & S.; O.
undulatifolius (Ard.) Beauv.

Recent introduction. Pantropical. Rare. In open area in Topside forest. 7(22322).

Paspalum conjugatum Berg. T-grass, sour grass

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Seen in a disturbed roadside site along the road to
Buada above the calcinations plant. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2049, RT2059, RT2060, RT2061a, RT2062).

Paspalum setaceum Michx.

Recent introduction. Mexico and the southeastern U.S. Rare. Seen in one location in the main
settlement in Aiwo in 2007. Reportedly first recorded from the Pacific Islands in the Marshall Islands in

100
1956 (Whistler 1995). 11 (DPNAU2007RT2853).

Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult. Mission grass, feathery pennisetem

Syns. Pennisetum polystachyon (L.) Schult (alternate spelling); Pennisetum setosum
(Sw.) L. Rich.; Cenchrus setosus SW.; Panicum polystachion L.

Recent introduction. Central America and now widely naturalized in the tropics. Occasional.
Present in a remnant unmined area near a road junction on Topside near active mining area in Anibare and
near the rehabilitation site north of the Topside Running track. An aggressive invasive weed with seeds
that disperse in the wind, water or by sticking to clothing; on the U. S. list of noxious weeds and declared a
noxious weed in the Northern Territory, Australia. 10, 11 (DPNAU2007DH0248, DH0249, RT0437,
RT0438, RT0439, RT0440, RT0441, RT2069).

Saccharum officinarum L. sugar cane

Nauruan Name: tugage

Pre-World War I introduction? New Guinea and Tropical Asia. Occasional. Food plant in I-Kiribati
and Tuvaluan gardens at Location and Topside workshops in the 1980s and occasional in Nauruan gardens in
2007. An important supplementary food plant throughout most of the Pacific, with the sweet juicy pulp a
source of sugar and an important snack food, the leaves widely used for high quality house thatching, and the
chewing of the fibrous stems reportedly a main factor in good dental hygiene, which is ironic, given the role of
processed sugar in tooth decay. Interspecific hybrids of S. officinarum and more fibrous wild canes, such as S.
spontaneum and S. robustum, form the basis for the export sugar industries of Fiji and Hawaii. Apparently not
traditionally important on Nauru. 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0832, RT0833, RT0941, RT0942, RT1274,
RT1951, RT2545, RT2705).

Sporobolus diander (Retz.) Beauv. Indian dropseed

Syn. Agrostis diander Retz.

Recent introduction. Southern Asia. Occasional. Weed of roadsides, waste places and ruderal sites on
coastal strip. 6(154), 11 (DPNAU2007RT0484, RT1431, RT1432, RT2160, RT2161, RT2508).

Stenotaphrum micranthum (Desv.) Hubb.

Syns. Ophiurinella micrantha Desv.; Stenotaphrum subulatum Trin.
Nauruan Name: ibugibugi

Indigenous. Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean through Malesia to eastern Polynesia and the
Marshall Islands in Micronesia. Occasional. Cited by Fosberg et al. 1987, .but not seen or collected in 1979 or
1980. Seen occasionally in flat sites on terraces on the escarpment behind Anibare Bay and among pinnacles on
the inner coastal flat in Meneng in 2007. 3, 11 (DPNAU2007DH0190, DH0191, DH0192, RT1186, RT1187,
RT1192, RT1193, RT1244, RT1253b, RT1254, RT1259, RT1244, RT1253b, RT1254, RT1259, RT1803).

Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze buffalo grass, St. Augustine grass

Syn. Ischaemum secundatum Walter

Recent introduction. Tropical America and Africa. Rare. Introduced lawn grass seen in the lawn in
one houseyard garden on Command Ridge in 2007. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2232, RT2233, RT2234).

Thuarea involuta (Forst. f.) R. Br. ex R. & S.

Indigenous. Madagascar to E. Polynesia and Micronesia. Rare. Found in one small population in
the outpost zone of the coastal littoral vegetation on the beach just north of the Meneng Hotel in 2007.
Possibly and occasional arrival via ocean dispersal that is short-lived (ephemeral). 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT1440, RT1441, RT1442, RT1443).
.
Zea mays L. Maize, corn

101
 Recent introduction. South, Central and warm North America. Uncommon. Planted old Chinese
farm in Meneng in 2007 and Taiwanese vegetable project in Buada. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2540, RT2546,
RT2561a, RT02647).

PONTEDERIACEAE (Pickerel Weed Family)

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart. & Zucc.) Solms-Laub. water hyacinth

Syns. Pontederia crassipes Mart. & Zucc.; Eichhornia speciosa Kunth

Recent introduction. Tropical and Subtropical America. A rare water weed in Buada Lagoon and
planted in tubs at Location in the 1980s. Now a serious invasive water weed that has colonized extensive areas
of Buada Lagoon and is the target of a planned SPC biological control program in the future. Commonly
planted as an ornamental in many parts of the world. It has escaped to become a serious pest in many areas,
such as Fiji, where it clogs rivers and causes flooding and obstructs navigation. All parts are reportedly edible
and could be used as pig feed on the island. 6(255), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0944, RT0945, RT0946, RT0947,
RT0948, RT0949, RT0956, RT0957, RT0958, RT0959, RT2617a, RT2618, RT2619a, RT2620a, RT02635b,
RT02636b, RT02637, RT2697).

TACCACEAE (Polynesian Arrowroot Family)

Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) O. Kuntze Polynesian arrowroot

Syns. Leontice leontopetaloides L.; Tacca pinnatifida Forst.
Nauruan Name: damagmag, damogmog

Aboriginal introduction. Paleotropics. Occasional. Occurring spontaneously in old gardens and in

escarpment forest. Occasional in the 1980s, but not seen in 2007. Could be threatened or, possibly present but
not seen in 2007 due to the prolonged drought the previous year. Tubers grated and washed to eliminate
poisonous substances and made into edible starch in the past, but apparently not used by Nauruans to the extent
that it was used in other parts of Micronesia and Polynesia. Paste from tuber used as an adhesive for barkcloth
and other handicrafts in Polynesia and Melanesia and the fibers from the flower stem for weaving in parts of
Polynesia. 5, 6(119).

ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family)

Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) K. Schum. red ginger

Syns. Guillainia purpurata Vieill.; Languas purpurata (Vieill.) Kaneh.

Recent introduction. Indonesia to Pacific Is. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 3(59710), 5, 6, 7, 11

(DPNAU2007RT1691).

Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt & R.M. Smith shell ginger

Syns. Costus zerumbet Pers.; Alpinia nutans (Andr.) Roscoe; A. speciosa (Wendl.) K. Schum.;
Catimbium speciosum (Wendl.) Holttum.

Recent introduction. Southeast and East. Asia. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6, 11

(DPNAU2007RT0142).

Hedychium coronarium Koen. white ginger

Recent introduction. India. Rare. Planted ornamental and pot plant. 3(59671), 5, 6, 7.

Nicolaia elatior (Jack) Horan. torch ginger

102
 Syns. Alpinia elatior Jack; Phaeomeria speciosa (Bl.) Koord; P. magnifica (Roscoe) K. Schum

Recent introduction. Mauritius. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

Zingiber officinale Roscoe ginger

Syn. Zingiber zingiber Karst.

Pre-World War II introduction. India and China. Rare. Planted in Chinese food garden at Location.
Rhizome used as a spice. An increasingly important commercial crop for export and local processing in Fiji. 5,
6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1424).

Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Sm. wild ginger

Syn. Amomum zerumbet L.

Recent introduction; reintroduced recently by Fijian expatriate community Tropical Asia. Rare.
Planted medicinal plant. An important aboriginal introduction throughout much of Melanesia and Polynesia,
where it is an important medicinal plant. 3, 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2213, RT2214).

DICOTYLEDONAE

ACANTHACEAE (Acanthus Family)

Asystasia gangetica (L.) Anders. asystasia, Chinese violet

Syns. Justicia gangetica L.; Asystasia coromandeliana Nees

Recent introduction. Paleotropics. Occasional. Planted ornamental and naturalized along pathsides,
roadsides, in gardens and ruderal places. 3, 4(127N), 5, 6(231), 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0029, RT0053,
RT0874, RT1129, RT1505, RT1709, RT1757, RT1838, RT1870).

Asystasia sp.

Recent introduction. Pot plant. 3(58702).

Barleria cristata L. Philippine violet, bluebell barleria

Recent introduction. India. Rare. Planted ornamental. 3(58797), 6, 10.

Barleria prionitis L. porcupine flower

Recent introduction. Paleotropics. Occasional. Planted ornamental and naturalized in ruderal sites and
on disturbed slope below plateau and along road from Command Ridge past the calcination plant to the Buada
road. 3(58772), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2257, RT2258, RT2259).

Barleria repens Nees small bush violet, coral bush

Recent introduction. Rare. Small spreading ornamental bush with pink-orange flowers and soft shiny
leaves. Seen in the best houseyard garden in Meneng District. 10 (DPNAU2007RT1966).

Blechum pyramidatum (Lam.) Urb.

Syns. Blechum brownei Juss.; Barleria pyramidatum Lam.

Recent introduction. Peru. Occasional. Weed in lawns, gardens, moist shady roadsides and ruderal
sites, especially around Buada Lagoon. 5(60), 6, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0943, RT1333).

Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees crossandra

103
 Syns. Justicia infundibuliformis L.; Crossandra undulaefolia Salisb.

Recent introduction. India. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

Eranthemum pulchellum Andr. blue eranthemum

Syns. Justicia nervosa Vahl; Eranthemum nervosum (Vahl) R. Br.

Recent introduction. India. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

Fittonia argyroneura Coem. snail plant, nerve plant, silver-net leaf

Syn. Fittonia verschaffeltii var. argyroneura Nichols.

Recent introduction. Peru. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Fittonia verschaffeltii (Hort. ex Lemaire) Coem. snail plant, nerve plant, painted net-leaf
Syn. Fittonia verschaffeltii (Hort. ex Lemaire) Coem. var. verschaffeltii

Recent introduction. Peru. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff. caricature plant, morado

Syns. Justicia picta L.; Graptophyllum hortense Nees

Recent introduction. New Guinea. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0248, RT1008,

RT1750, RT1754, RT1883).

Hemigraphis alternata (Burm. f.) T. Anders. cemetery plant

Syns. Ruellia alternata Burm. f.; Hemigraphis colorata (Bl.) Hall f.; Ruellia colorata Bl.

Recent introduction. Java. Rare. Planted ornamental ground cover. 6.

Justicia fulvicoma Schlect. & Chamisso shrimp plant, red shrimp plant
Syns. Beloperone guttata Brand. non Wallich; Justicia brandegeana Wassh. & L. B. Smith; Drejerella
guttata (Brandeg.) Bremek.

Recent introduction. Mexico. Rare. Planted ornamental and pot plant. 3(58720), 5, 6.

Nicoteba betonica (L.) Lindau. white shrimp plant, squirrel's tail

Syn. Justicia betonica L.

Recent introduction. Tropical Africa to Malaya. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6, 7.

Odontonema strictum (Nees) O. Ktze. odonotema, red justicia

Syns. O. tubiforme (Bertol.) O. Ktze.; Justicia tubaeformis Bertol.; Thrysacanthus strictus Nees in
DC; O. nitidum (Jacq.) O. Ktze.; Justicia coccinea Aubl.(?)

Recent introduction. Central America. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 5, 6, 7.

Pachystachys lutea Nees yellow shrimp plant

Recent introduction. Brazil. Rare. Pot plant. 3(58720).

Pseuderanthemum bicolor (Schrank) Radlk.

Syn. Eranthemum bicolor Schrank

Recent introduction. Malaysia. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6, 7(27810).

104
Pseuderanthemum carruthersii (Seem.) Guill. var. carruthersii false eranthemum
Syns. Eranthemum carruthersii Seem.; E. eldorado Hort.; Pseuderanthemum eldorado (Williams)
Radlk.

Recent introduction. Melanesia? Occasional. Planted ornamental shrub, which was seen growing in
inner coastal vegetation in a somewhat adventive state in one case. 3, 5, 6(201), 7, 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0063, RT0467, RT0468, RT0576, RT0757, RT0830, RT2031, RT2032).

Pseuderanthemum carruthersii ( Seem.) Guill. var. atropurpureum (Bull) Fosb.

purple false eranthemum, false face
Syns. P. atropurpureum (Bull) Radlk.; Eranthemum atropurpureum Bull.; P. versicolor (Hort.)
Radlk.; Eranthemum versicolor Hort.

Recent introduction. Melanesia? Occasional. Planted ornamental shrub. 3(58777, 58792), 5, 6, 7, 11

(DPNAU2007RT0251, RT0252, RT0267, RT08310834, RT1755, RT2164).

Ruellia prostrata Poiret prostrate wild petunia

Recent introduction. Java. Abundant. Common weed of wasteplaces and as understorey in Leucaena
scrub areas and other areas on topside and gradually sloping areas of the escarpment. Especially common in
semi-shaded areas. Not recorded before 2007, but now abundant and spreading. 10, 11(DPNAU2007RT0179,
RT0726, RT0786, RT0787b, RT1377, RT1380, RT1395b, RT1900, RT1923, RT1926, RT2070, RT2333,
RT2334, RT2335, RT2348, RT2844, RT2845, RT3043).

Sanchezia speciosa Leonard sanchezia

Syn. Sanchezia nobilis sensu auct. non Hook. f.

Recent introduction. Ecuador. Rare. Planted ornamental shrub 6(161).

Thunbergia alata Boje black-eyed Susan

Recent introduction. Tropical Africa. Rare. Planted ornamental vine. 5.

Thunbergia erecta (Benth.) T. Anders. bush thunbergia

Syn. Meyenia erecta Benth.

Recent introduction. Tropical West Africa. Occasional. Planted ornamental erect shrub. 3(58700),
5(110), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0984, RT1004).

Thunbergia grandiflora (Roxb. ex Rottler) Roxb. Bengal clock vine, Bengal trumpet,
large-flowered thunbergia
Syn. Flemingia grandiflora Roxb. ex Rottler

Recent introduction. India. Rare. Planted ornamental climbing vine. 6(187).

**DPNAU2007RT0304Unknown Acanthaceae, houseyard garden Aiwo District 14.9.07

AMARANTHACEAE (Amaranth Family)

Achyranthes canescens R. Br.

Syn. Achyranthes velutina H. & A.

Indigenous? Extinct? Reported by Schumann (1888) as collected by Finsch; reported present by

Burges, 1933; not seen since. 2.

105
Alternanthera brasiliana (L.) Kuntze alternanthera

Recent introduction. Tropical South America. Rare. Ornamental reported present in 2007 by
Orapa. Has become weedy in some parts of the Pacific islands, such as in Fiji, since its recent introduction
in the 1980s. 10.

Alternanthera tenella Colla joyweed, alternanthera, calico plant

Syns. Alternanthera amoena (Lemaire) Reg.; A. ficoidea L. var. bettzickiana (Reg.) Backer;
Alternanthera bettzickiana (Reg.) Nichols; A. versicolor Reg.

Recent introduction. Brazil. Uncommon. Planted ornamental border. 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2049,

RT2059, RT2060, RT2061a, RT2062).

Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex R. & S. joyweed

Syns. Gomphrena sessilis L.; Alternanthera denticulata R. Br.; A. nodiflora R. Br.; A. amoena (Lem.)
Voss

Recent introduction. Pantropical. Rare. Seen as a garden weed in 1980 and again in 2007 on the
coastal margin of a houseyard garden near the old abandoned cantilever in Aiwo. 6(188), 11
(DPNAU2007RT2854, RT2855, RT2865, RT2866a).

Alternanthera sissoo Brazilian spinach, samba spinach, sissoo spinach

Recent introduction. Brazil? Occasional. Food plant found in houseyard gardens and in a number
of household vegetable gardens in 2007, but not recorded in the 1980s. Introduced in the early 1990s from
Hawai’i into Kiribati as part of the PRAP Atoll Agriculture Programme to improve nutrition through
increasing the supply of fresh vegetables. Grows very well on atolls. 11 (DPNAU2007RT0048, RT0261,
RT1690, RT1773a, RT1887, RT1919, RT1994, RT2209, RT2944, RT2945, RT2965).

Amaranthus dubius Mart. ex Thell. spleen amaranth

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Weed in home gardens, on roadsides and at
Location. 3, 6, 7(22309, 22312), 11 (DPNAU2007RT0547, RT0549, RT0552, RT0950, RT2208).

Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. prince's feather

Syn. A. hybridus L. var. hypochondriacus (L.) Robins.

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Smooth erect herb, up to 1 m or higher; leaves, bright
red-purple to purple-green; flowers, bright red-purple in thick showy feathery panicles. 6.

Amaranthus spinosus L. spiny amaranth, thorny amaranth

Pre-World War II introduction? Pantropical. Occasional. Weed in waste places and in gardens;
occasionally cultivated in Chinese contract workers' gardens at Location. Used as a medicinal plant and leaves
reportedly occasionally cooked for spinach by Chinese. 5, 6(140).

Amaranthus tricolor L. Joseph's coat, Chinese spinach. amaranth, pigweed

Syns. A. gangeticus L; A. melancholicus L.

Pre-World War II introduction? Tropical Asia. Occasional food plant in Chinese gardens at Location
and Topside workshops in the 1980s, now uncommon and seen in the Taiwanese garden project at Buada in
2007. 5(27), 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2653, RT2659, RT2661).

Amaranthus viridis L. slender amaranth, green amaranth, pigweed

Syn. A. gracilis Desf.

106
 Recent introduction. Pantropical. Occasional. Weed in waste places, primarily at Location. 4(143N),
5(26), 6, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2067, RT2125, RT2412, RT2551).

Celosia argentea L. var. cristata (L.) Ktze. cock's comb

Syn. C. cristata L.

Recent introduction. Tropical Africa. Erect annual herb with narrow lanceolate to ovate, often reddish-
green leaves and a dense, flatly-crested, elongated, fan-shaped magenta to bright red flower head. Rare. Planted
ornamental. 7.

Celosia argentea L. var. plumosa (Burevenich) Ktze. celosia

Recent introduction. Tropical Africa. Uncommon. Planted ornamental. 7, 10, 11

(DPNAU2007RT0224, RT0884, RT0885, RT1747, RT1748, RT1850).

Gomphrena globosa L. globe amaranth, pearly everlasting

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Planted ornamental. Flowers used by Nauruans in head
garlands and other ornamentation. 5(93)

Iresine herbstii Hook. f. iresine, bloodleaf, achyranthes

Recent introduction. Brazil. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

ANACARDIACEAE (Cashew or Rhus Family)

Mangifera indica L. mango

Nauruan Name: damanko

Pre-World War I introduction. Indo-Burma. Common. Large fruit and shade tree planted in home
gardens and found growing in mature spontaneous stands near Buada Lagoon and surrounding bush areas. Fruit
eaten ripe and green, with ripe fruit occasionally made into jam on Nauru; used for firewood. The leaves, and
sap from leaves and fruit, can cause an allergic rash. Common introduced fruit tree and important cash crop for
local sale and export. Found in houseyard gardens, agricultural areas and naturalized throughout Melanesia,
Polynesia and Micronesia. Has been seriously affected by fruit flies, which have been the focus of a recent SPC
control program. 2, 3(58643), 5(147), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0988b, RT1000, RT1052, RT2406a, RT2407,
RT2409b, RT2483, RT2698 RT2958, RT2968, RT3037, RT3040, RT3041, RT3042).

Spondias dulcis Park. Polynesian vi apple, Polynesian plum, Otaheiti apple

Syn. Spondias cytherea Sonn.
Nauruan Name: dagimdere, Egigu's tree

Aboriginal introduction? Pacific Islands. Rare. Reported present by Burgess in 1935. The tree, which
formerly stood near Buada Lagoon, was reportedly damaged during World War II, and although the Nauruans
tried to save it by shoring it up with cement, it died shortly thereafter. Four seedlings sent by R. Thaman to J.
Audoa in 1981 in an attempt to reintroduce S. dulcis, but the result of plantings is unknown. One tree, 3 m tall,
seen re-established in fenced food garden surrounding Buada Lagoon in July 1987, which was a mature,
bearing tree in 2007, reportedly introduced from Samoa. Ripe fruit eaten. The tree, which is an important food
and medicinal plant in Palau and throughout Melanesia and Polynesia, features in the well-known Nauruan
legend concerning a young woman, Egigu, who became the Nauruan “woman in the moon”, after climbing the
tree (dagimdere), restoring the sight of a blind women Enibarara who lived at the top, and marrying her third
son, Maramen (the moon). 2, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1079, RT1080, RT1081, RT2711, RT2712, RT2713).

Spondias mombin L. hog plum

Syn. S. lutea L.

107
 Extinct? Tropical Asia. Reported present by Burges in 1935. 2.

ANNONNACEAE (Custard Apple Family)

Annona muricata L. soursop

Nauruan Name: dawatsip

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Planted in home gardens by Nauruans
and non-Nauruan residents and in some areas of escarpment forest and in the Buada Lagoon area. Ripe fruit
eaten raw, often with ice cream. Common recently introduced fruit tree throughout the Pacific. 2, 3(58586), 5,
6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0338, RT0721, RT0723, RT0971, RT0972, RT0973, RT2142, RT2143, RT2144,
RT2417, RT2418, RT2419, RT2580, RT2928).

Annona reticulata L. custard apple, bullock's heart

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Planted fruit tree; found growing, possibly
spontaneously, behind settlement on Military Ridge. 2, 5(146), 6, 7.

Annona squamosa L. sweetsop, sugar apple

Nauruan Name: dawatsip

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Fruit tree planted in home gardens and
at the Topside Workshops and along the borders of the former refugee camp at the Topside Running Track, and
growing spontaneously in inland coastal and lower escarpment forest. Ripe fruit eaten raw. 3(58589), 5(37), 6,
7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0262, RT2138, RT2139, RT2140, RT2141).

Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. f. and Thoms. ylang-ylang, perfume tree

Syns. Canangium odoratum (Lam. ) Baill. ex King; Uvaria odorata Lam.
Nauruan Name: derangerang, derangirang

Recent introduction. Indomalaysia. Uncommon. Planted ornamental tree in a home gardens in Buada
Lagoon area in the 1980s, but not seen in 2007. Flowers used in garlands and for scenting coconut oil. An
important aboriginal introduction of considerable cultural importance throughout Melanesia and Polynesia,
where the flowers are used in garlands and to scent coconut oil. Used in the commercial production of essential
oil in the Philippines and Indonesia. 5(17), 6, 7.

APIACEAE OR UMBELLIFERAE (Parsley Family)

Apium petroselinum L. parsley

Syns. Petroselinum petroselinum (L.) Karst.; P. crispum (Mill.) Mansf.

Recent introduction. Southern Europe and West temperate Asia. Rare. Pot herb in European home
gardens; planted in a halved 50-gallon drum on Command Ridge. Leaves and stems used by European
inhabitants as a spice in cooking. 5.

Coriandrum sativum L. coriander, cilantro, Chinese parsley

Recent introduction. Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. Occasional. Pot herb grown in
Chinese home food gardens at Location and at Topside workshops in the 1980s. Aromatic leaves used as a
spice by Chinese and Indians. Dried, imported seeds an important spice in curries. 5, 6, 7.

APOCYNACEAE (Dog-bane Family)

108
Adenium obesum Balf. desert rose, mock azalea
Syn. Adenium coetanum Stapf.

Recent introduction. East Africa. Uncommon. Pot plant and ornamental in home gardens. 3(58716), 5,
6(176), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1334, RT2255, RT2256).

Allamanda blanchetti DC. purple allamanda

Syn. Allamanda violacea Gardn. and Field

Recent introduction. Brazil. Occasional. Planted ornamental in houseyard gardens. 3, 5, 6, 10,

11(DPNAU2007RT1022).

Allamanda hendersonii Bull allamanda, cup of gold

Syn. A. cathartica L. var. hendersonii (Bull) Bailey and Raff.

Recent introduction. Brazil. Rare. Planted ornamental. 3(58697), 5, 6, 10.

Catharanthus roseus ( L.) G. Don periwinkle, Madagascar periwinkle

Syns. Vinca rosea L.; Lochnera rosea (L.) Reichenb.
Nauruan Name: denea

Pre-World War II introduction. Madagascar. Common. Planted ornamental. Flowers used in garlands
and parts reportedly boiled by some people and drunk as a cure for diabetes. 3(58758), 5(127), 6, 7, 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0163, RT0258, RT1704, RT1706, RT1841, RT3133).

Cerbera manghas L. cerbera, sea mango

Syns. Cerbera odollam sensu auct. non Gaertn.; C. lactaria (G. Don) Ham.
Nauruan Name: dereiongo, dereiyongo

Indigenous. Tropical Asia to the Pacific Islands. Rare in the 1980s but now occasional. Found planted
near homes on the coastal strip and near a church at Buada. Seems to be planted, or at least protected, in built-
up areas, as an attractive ornamental tree over the past 20 years. No reported use by Nauruans, but its poisonous
fruit is reportedly used medicinally and to poison fish in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and elsewhere in the Pacific. A
good candidate for coastal replanting. 5(16), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0934, RT0935, RT0936, RT1140b,
RT1141, RT1143, RT1152, RT1153, RT1154, RT1325, RT1326, RT1327, RT1328, RT1329, RT1330b,
RT1331a, RT2230, RT2231, RT2731, RT2732, RT3148).

Neisosperma oppositifolium (Lam.) Fosb. & Sachet

Nauruan Name: ?

Indigenous. Philippines to Southeastern Polynesia and Micronesia. Rare. One very small stand of
trees discovered in a clearing about 10 m up the escarpment on the west end of Anibare Bay by R. Thaman in
1996. Not located again in 2007, despite a number of attempts to do so. No Nauruan name reported for this
species. A dominant inner coastal forest species on wetter atolls and on high islands in most parts of the
western Pacific. Reasonable timber and firewood tree and small seed kernel edible (Photos from Tonga and
Tuvalu). 9.

Nerium oleander L. oleander

Pre-World War II introduction. Southern Europe to Iran. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 2, 3(58783),
4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1656, RT1658, RT2786).

Ochrosia elliptica Labill.

Syn. Bleekeria elliptica (Labill.) Koidz.
Nauruan Name: eorara, eoerara

109
 Indigenous. Australia to the Pacific Islands. Occasional to common in the 1980s; uncommon to
occasional in 2007. Small to medium-sized tree with bright red fruit. Tree in forest remnants on rocky outcrops
on the central plateau, in escarpment forests on southern half of the island, and occasionally in home gardens on
coastal strip. Wood used by Nauruans for rafters and small timber; leaves used medicinally, being crushed with
coconut cream to treat rashes, especially for children; fruit used in children's games, and fruit and flowers used
in garlands. 2, 3(58802), 4(168N), 5(92), 6, 7(27812) , 11 (DPNAU2007RT0107, RT0108 RT0109, RT1062,
RT1631a, RT1633, RT1634, RT2367, RT2368, RT2369, RT2375, RT2376, RT2377, RT2378, RT2386,
RT2388).

Plumeria obtusa L. white frangipani, plumeria

Nauruan Name: demeria

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Common. Planted ornamental in houseyard and other gardens.
Flowers used in garlands and dried in sun and used to scent coconut oil (eir). 3(58775), 5(111), 6, 7, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0172, RT0214 RT0505b, RT0837, RT0851, RT1330a, RT1738, RT3169).

Plumeria rubra L. frangipani, plumeria, temple tree, graveyard tree

Syns. Plumeria acuminata Ait. f. and P. acutifolia Poir.
Nauruan Name: demeria, arabaneit (yellowish-white cultivar)

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical America. Common. Planted ornamental. The name demeria
seems to be applied to all color forms and to both species of Plumeria, with the older name arabaneit being
reserved for the yellow-white cultivars with a yellow throat that are longer established in Nauru, rather than to
more recently introduced pink, reddish and orangish cultivars. Leaves used medicinally and mixed with
coconut oil for curing fever; flowers used in garlands and dried in the sun and used to scent coconut oil (eir).
2, 3(58654), 5(50), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0162, RT0340a, RT0491, RT0859, RT0868, RT1826, RT1827,
RT1831, RT1834, RT2791, RT3033a).

Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R. Br. false gardenia, paper gardenia, crepe jasmine, scentless gardenia
Syns. Nerium divaricatum L.; N. coronarium Jacq.; Tabernaemontana coronaria (Jacq.) Willd.;
Ervatamia divaricata (L.) Burkill; E. coronaria (Jacq.) Stapf

Recent introduction. India. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 3(58706), 5, 6(222), 7, 11

(DPNAU2007RT0227, RT0266, RT1069, RT1758, RT1759, RT02623, RT02624).

Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum. be-still tree, yellow oleander

Syns. Cerbera peruviana Pers.; Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold; Thevetia neriifolia Juss. ex Steud.

Recent introduction. Peru. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 3(58704), 5(78), 6, 7, 10, 11

(DPNAU2007RT0499, RT0500, RT1958, RT1959, RT1957, RT3127).

AQUIFOLIACEAE (Holly Family)

Ilex sp. holly

Recent introduction. Eurasia. Rare. Evergreen shrub with short-stemmed leaves bearing several strong
spines. Planted ornamental. 6(164).

ARALIACEAE (Panax Family)

Polyscias balfouriana (Andre) Bailey panax

Recent introduction. Melanesia. Rare. Planted ornamental, commonly in hedges. May only be a

110
variant of leaf from of Polyscias scutellaria. 5, 6, 7(22324).

Polyscias filicifolia (C. Moore ex. Fourn.) L. H. Bailey golden prince panax, fern-leaf aralia, angelica
Syn. Polyscias cumingiana (Presl.) Fern.- Vill.

Recent introduction. Malesia, possibly to Melanesia. Occasional. Planted ornamental, commonly in

hedges. 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0476, RT1835).

Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms parsley panax, hedge panax

Syns. Panax fruitcosum L.; Nothopanax fruticosus (L.) Miq.

Pre-World War II introduction. India to Western Polynesia. Occasional. Planted ornamental,

commonly in hedges or as a living fence. 2, 3(58698), 5, 6(171), 7(22323), 11 (DPNAU2007RT2509, RT2510,
RT2511).

Polyscias guilfoylei (Cogn. & March.) Bailey panax, hedge panax

Syns. Aralia guilfoylei Cogn. & March.; Nothopanax guilfoylei (Cogn. & March.) Merr.

Pre-World war II introduction. Melanesia to Southern Polynesia. Common. Planted ornamental,

commonly as a hedge or living fence. A number of cultivars exist. 2, 3(58696), 5(20), 6, 7(27822), 11
(DPNAU2007RT0150, RT0268, RT0445, RT0446, RT1836, RT2002, RT2242).

Polyscias scutellaria (Burm. f.) Fosb. Panax, hedge panax

Syns. Crassula scutellaria Burm. f.; Polyscias pinnata J. R. & G. Forst.; Nothopanax scutellaria
(Burm. f.) Merr.

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia. Occasional. Planted ornamental, commonly as a hedge or living
fence. 3(58693), 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0896, RT1436, RT1876, RT1915a, RT1921, RT2608).

Polyscias tricochleata (Miq.) Fosb. panax

Syn. Polyscias pinnata Fosb. cv. tricochleata Stone; Nothopanax tricochleatus Miq.

Recent introduction. Pacific Islands. Rare. Known to be a mutant form of P. pinnata. Planted erect
ornamental shrub with white-margined leaflets. 3(58674), 7(22325).

Schefflera actinophylla (Endl.) Harms Queensland umbrella tree, octopus tree

Syn. Brassaia actinophylla Endl.

Recent introduction. Northern Australia. Occasional. Planted ornamental. Often starts as a bird-
dispersed epiphytic vine on other trees and has become invasive in Hawai’i and some other areas. 3(58672), 5,
6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0443, RT0922b, RT0924, RT02641, RT02642).

ASCLEPIADACEAE (Milkweed Family)

Asclepias curassavica L. milkweed, butterfly weed, red cotton bush, bloodflower

Nauruan Name: dupaimdupaim, dupaimdupwaim

Pre-World War II introduction? Tropical America. Rare. Planted ornamental, but sometimes escaped
as a weed in waste places in the past. Possibly now extinct on Nauru. Not seen in 2007. Flowers used for body
ornamentation and making garlands. Reportedly poisonous to livestock. 5, 6.

Calotropis gigantea (L.) R. Br. crown flower, giant milkweed

Syn. Asclepias gigantea L.

Recent introduction. India to Indonesia. Occasional. Planted ornamental at the Meneng Hotel in 1980s

111
and uncommon in houseyard gardens in 2007; seen in roadside vegetation near mangroves in Anetan District in
2007. 3(58771), 5, 6(152), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0139, RT0144, RT0804, RT1681, RT2787, RT2788,
RT3134b).

Cryptostegia grandiflora Roxb. Ex R. Br. Indian rubber vine

Recent introduction. Madagascar. Occasional. Ornamental vine in houseyard gardens. 10, 11

(DPNAU2007RT0037, RT2942, RT2993, RT2994).

Hoya carnosa (L.) R. Br. wax plant, wax flower

Syns. Asclepias carnosa L.

Recent introduction. South China. Planted ornamental. Single specimen; could have been the
Australian species, H. australis R. Br. (syn. H. bicarinata Gray). 6, 7.

Stephanotis floribunda Brongniart stephanotis, Madagascar jasmine

Syn. Hoya bicarinata A. Gray

Recent introduction. Madagascar. Uncommon. Ornamental vine climbing in one houseyard

garden. 11 (DPNAU2007RT0480, RT0481).

ASTERACEAE OR COMPOSITAE (Aster, Sunflower or Composite Family)

Ageratum conyzoides L. goat weed, ageratum

Nauruan Name: bwiyat tsige, bwiyat ziege (”goat excrement”)

Pre-World War I introduction. Tropical America. Found on low ground near Buada Lagoon and
occasionally in other ruderal habitats. Leaves and flowers used in garlands and body decoration and for
scenting coconut oil. 3(58652), 5(11), 6, 7, 8(9574), 10.

Bidens alba (L.) DC. cobbler's peg, Spanish needle

Syns. Coreopsis alba L.; C. leucanthema L.; C. leucantha L.; Bidens pilosa L. var. radiata sensu auct.
non Sch.-Bip.; B. leucantha (L.) Willd.
Nauruan Name: kauen oe, kawen oe

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Weed on dirt pile near Topside sports oval; not seen in
1987 or thereafter. 4(142N), 5(76), 6.

Bidens pilosa L. cobbler's peg' Spanish needle

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional? Weed in wasteplaces, ruderal habitats and
gardens. Seen in FAO experimental garden at Buada in 2007. 8, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1045, RT1046).

Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronq. hairy horseweed

Syn. Erigeron bonariensis L.

Recent introduction. Pantropical. Rare in the 1980s, but common In 2007. Weed in waste places.
4(133N), 5, 8, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RTRT0275b, RT0396, RT0397, RT0434, RT0459, RT1583, RT1616a,
RT1654, RT2358, RT2450b, RT2451b, RT2453, RT3095).

Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H. Rob. iron weed, little iron weed

Syn. Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less.

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical Asia. Common. Weed of roadsides, wasteplaces, settled
areas, and houseyard gardens and a pioneer in recently mined areas. Very important medicinal plant for treating

112
cuts and wounds in Fiji. 2, 3(58611), 4(118N), 5(67), 6, 7, 8(9538), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0028, RT0079,
RT2416, RT2530, RT2966).

Dahlia pinnata Cav. dahlia

Recent introduction. Mexico. Rare. Planted ornamental. 5(79), 6.

Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. false daisy

Syn. Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk.

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia, now pantropical weed. Rare. Reported present by Orapa in
2007. 10.

Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. purple sow thistle, floras paintbrush

Recent introduction. Pantropical. Occasional. Erect, Weed in waste places and as a pioneer in recently
mined areas. 5(115), 6, 7(22313), 8.

Gerbera jamesonii Bolus Transvaal daisy, gerbera, African Daisy

Recent introduction. South Africa. Rare. Planted ornamental. 5, 6, 7.

Gynura aurantiaca (Bl.) DC. purple passion flower, velvet plant

Recent introduction. Java. Rare. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Mikania micrantha Kunth mile-a-minute, mile-a-minute vine

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Weed in garden area on the lagoonside of the road in
northeast Buada. One of Fiji’s most commonly used medicinal plants; the leaves and stems are used as a
blood coagulant and an antibacterial treatment for sores and open wounds. 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1066,
RT1067, RT2715, RT2716)
Sphagneticola trilobata (L. C. Rich) Pruski. Creeping daisy, wedelia, trailing daisy, water zinnia, Bay
Biscayne creeping ox-eye, Singapore daisy
Syn. Silphium trilobatum L.; Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitchc..

Recent introduction. Central America, Caribbean and northern South America. Common. Perennial creeping
herb with bright green three-lobed, toothed leaves and bright yellow, daisy-like, solitary flowers. Planted
ornamental groundcover seen only occasionally in the 1980s but now escaped and invasive in many areas,
especially around the margins of Buada Lagoon and along the beach just off the east end of the runway in 2007.
One of the Pacific’s most serious weeds, which should be eradicated where possible. 3(58609), 5, 6(237), 7, 10,
11 (DPNAU2007RT0375, RT0960, RT0961, RT0967, RT1510, RT1511, RT2570, RT2619, RT02635a,
RT02636a, RT2761).

Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. synedrella, nodeweed

Syn. Verbesina nodiflora L.

Recent introduction. Tropical America, but now pantropical. Occasional. Weed in low ground around
Buada Lagoon, wasteplaces, gardens, roadsides and other ruderal habitats. 3(58648), 4(134N), 5(97), 6, 7,
8(9573) , 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0305, RT0306, RT2167, RT2168, RT2846).

Tagetes erecta L. marigold, Aztec marigold, African marigold

Recent introduction. Mexico. Rare. Planted ornamental. 5, 6.

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Tridax procumbens L. wild daisy, coat buttons

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical America. Abundant. Weed in settled areas and near airport
and on topside; pioneer in recently mined areas. 2, 3(58657), 4(145N), 5(25), 6, 7, 8(9548), 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0006, RT1739, RT2147, RT3031).

Zinnia elegans Jacq. zinnia

Recent introduction. Mexico. Planted ornamental. 5(128), 6.

BALSAMINACEAE (Balsam Family)

Impatiens balsamina L. balsam, garden balsam

Recent introduction. India or Africa. Rare. Planted ornamental. 5(117), 6.

Impatiens walleriana Hook. f. snapweed, patience plant, Zanzibar balsam

syn. Impatiens sultanii Hook. f.

Recent introduction. Zanzibar. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

BARRINGTONIACEAE (Brazilnut Family)

Barringtonia asiatica (L.) Kurz. fish-poison tree, barringtonia

Syns. Mammea asiatica L.; Barringtonia speciosa Forst.; B. butonica Forst.
Nauruan Name: kwenababai, eijinut (B)

Indigenous. Indo-Pacific. Occasional. Spontaneous or planted on coastal strip, often in home gardens
or along roads; larger concentrations on escarpment leading to plateau above Anibare Bay. Wood a favoured
timber and fuelwood for cooking toddy syrup (kamwaerara); fruit possibly used to poison fish in the past. Fruit
commonly used as a fish poison or stupefacient elsewhere in the Pacific. 1(48.R), 2, 3(58665), 5(36), 6, 7, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0088a, RT0089, RT0099b, RT0101, RT0111, RT0363, RT0364, RT0365, RT0366, RT0987,
RT1632, RT2235, RT2236, RT2760a, RT2792, RT2793, RT2818, RT2900, RT2901a, RT2996, RT3159).

BASELLACEAE (Basella Family)

Basella rubra L. Indian spinach, Ceylon spinach, Malabar nightshade

Syn. Basella alba L.

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia. Occasional food plant in Chinese gardens and containers at
Location in the early 1980s, but rare in 2007. Seen only at the Taiwanese experimental farm at Buada. Leaves
and tender stems cooked as a spinach. 5(138), 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2690, RT2691).

BEGONIACEAE (Begonia Family)

Begonia coccinea Hook. f. angel-wing begonia

Recent introduction. Brazil. Occasional. Ornamental pot plant. 5, 6.

Begonia rex Putz X B. spp. hybrid begonia

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Ornamental pot plant. 7.

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Begonia spp. begonia cultivars

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Pot plants and planted ornamentals. 5(262), 6, 7.

BIGNONIACEAE (Bignonia Family)

Jacaranda mimosaefolia D. Don jacaranda

Syns. Jacaranda acutifolia Humb. and Bonpl.; J. ovalifolia R. Br.

Recent introduction. Brazil. Extirpated? One immature seedling planted as an ornamental in the early
1980s. 6, 7.

Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) A.H. Gentry cat’s claw vine, yellow trumpet vine

Recent introduction. West Indies and South America. Rare. Planted ornamental in Denigomodu in
2007. 10, 11(DPNAU2007RT1422).

Spathodea campanulata Beauv. African tulip tree, flame of the forest, fountain tree

Recent introduction. Tropical Africa. Occasional. Planted ornamental tree. Flowers used in garlands
and for ornamentation. Has escaped cultivation to become a serious weed in places like Fiji and the Cook
Islands. 3(58682), 5(123), 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1018, RT1019, RT1020, RT1130, RT1131, RT1362,
RT1363, RT1364, RT1365, RT2728, RT2729).

Tabebuia aurea (Manso) Benth. & Hook. Ex Moore silver trumpet tree
Syn. Tabebuia argentea (Bureau & K. Schumann) Britton

Recent introduction. Brazil and Paraguay. Rare. Planted ornamental in houseyard garden in Meneng
District. 11 (DPNAU2007RT1946, RT1947).

Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex HBK. yellow elder, yellow bells, tecoma, ginger Thomas
Syns. Bignonia stans L.; Stenolobium stans (L.) D. Don
Nauruan Name: yellow flower, yellow bell

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Common. Planted ornamental. Showy bright yellow flowers
used in garlands and for ornamentation, especially by I-Kiribati. 3(58656), 5(193), 6, 7, 8(9570), 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0065, RT0482, RT0483, RT2578, RT3134a).

BOMBACEAE (Bombax Family)

Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. kapok tree, silk-cotton tree

Syns. Bombax pentandrum L.; Ceiba casearia Medic.; Bombax orientale Spreng.
Nauruan Name: duwduw

Pre-World War II introduction. India or Africa. Occasional. Planted along road around Buada Lagoon
in the 1980s; only one large tree remaining around Buada Lagoon in 2007. A stand of trees seen inland from
housing in Boe District on the lower slopes of the escarpment below Buada in 2007. Fiber used in the past for
stuffing pillows and mattresses. 3(58642), 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2571, RT2572, RT2573, RT2574,
RT2575, RT3005, RT3006).
.

BORAGINACEAE (Heliotrope Family)

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Cordia subcordata Lam. sea trumpet, kou (Hawaii)
Nauruan Name: eongo, eoongo, eowongo

Indigenous. Indian Ocean to Hawaii. Uncommon. Found on coastal strip near settlement areas, either
planted or protected. One single large tree in secondary forest near the top of the escarpment above the
calcination plant. Soft, durable wood considered by Nauruans to be excellent timber for woodcarving,
boatbuilding, construction and furniture; leaves crushed and mixed with coconut milk to prevent baldness;
flowers used in garlands. Trunk highly prized for woodcarving and canoe hulls throughout Micronesia,
Polynesia and Melanesia. Considered one of the most highly endangered of Nauru’s important cultural plants.
3(58756), 5(77), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1362, RT2054, RT2058, RT2063, RT2066, RT2150, RT2152,
RT2153, RT2154, RT2155, RT2744, RT2747a, RT2860, RT2861a, RT2864, RT2878, RT2880, RT2881,
RT2882, RT2888, RT2889, RT2890, RT2891, RT2892 , RT3152, RT3153, RT3154).

Heliotropium procumbens Mill. var. depressum (Cham.) Fosb. and Sachet heliotrope
Syns. Heliotropium gracile var. depressum Cham.; H. coromandelianum var. depressum (Cham.) A.
DC.; H. ovalifolium Forsk. var. (Cham.) Merr.

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare in the 1980s, but occasional in 2007. Prostrate branched
perennial herb with a stout taproot found on coastal strip along roadsides and in waste places and ruderal
habitats. 4(141N), 7(22316), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007DH0273, DH0274, RT0009, RT0025, RT0125, RT0132a,
RT1142, RT1718).

Tournefortia argentea L. f. beach heliotrope

Syns. Messerschmidia argentea (L.f.) I.M. Johnst.; Argusia argentea (L.f.) Heine; Tournefortia
sericea Cham.
Nauruan Name: irin

Indigenous. Indian Ocean to Southeastern Polynesia. Occasional. Found on flats behind beaches in
remnant coastal littoral forest and Scaevola scrub. A number of mature trees planted on Topside in the
northcentral part of the island in Ewa District. Leaves eaten by pigs; tender leaves and meristem pounded to
prepare medicines for curing children's rashes, diarrhoea, and fish poisoning; fruit blown through hollow
papaya petioles by children. 3(58669), 5(32), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0226, RT0581, RT0582, RT0583,
RT0589, RT0590, RT0591, RT0592, RT0627, RT0629, RT0630, RT0631, RT0661, RT0828, RT0829,
RT0851, RT1275, RT1307, RT1438, RT1456, RT1457, RT1458, RT1459, RT1461, RT1462a, RT1466,
RT1467, RT1468, RT1456, RT1457, RT1458, RT1459, RT1461, RT1462a, RT1466, RT1467, RT1468,
RT1471c, RT1472c, RT1474c, RT1490, RT1497b, RT1520a, RT1521a, RT2096a, RT2106, RT2107, RT2109,
RT2111, RT2112, RT2766).

BRASSICACEAE OR CRUCIFERAE (Cabbage or Mustard Family)

Brassica alboglabra Bailey Chinese kale

Syns. Brassica oleracea var. albiflora O. Kunze; B oleracea var. alboglabra (Bailey) Musil

Pre-World War II introduction. Asia. Occasional. Planted in Chinese food gardens at Location.
Leaves, stems and flowers cooked as a vegetable. 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2676, RT2677).

Brassica chinensis L. var. chinensis Chinese cabbage, Chinese white cabbage

Syn. Brassica chinensis Juslenius
Nauruan Name: kaibet, kaybet

Pre-World War II introduction. Asia. Common. Commonly cultivated in Chinese food gardens at
Location and Topside workshops in the 1980s and now found in commercial vegetable farms and Taiwanese
experimental garden at Buada. Leaves and stems cooked as a green vegetable. 5, 6, 7, 11
(DPNAU2007RT1369b, RT2588, RT2589, RT2595a, RT2598).

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Brassica chinensis L. var. parachinensis (Bailey) Tsen and Lee flowering white cabbage
Syns. Brassica parachinensis Bailey; B. chinensis var. oleifera Makino

Pre-World War II introduction. Asia. Common. Commonly cultivated in Chinese food gardens at
Location. Leaves, stems, and flowers cooked as a green vegetable. 5, 6.

Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. mustard cabbage, Indian mustard, Chinese mustard
Nauruan Name: kaibet, kaybet

Pre-World War II introduction. Asia. Occasional. Food plant in Chinese food gardens at Location.
Leaves and stems cooked as a green vegetable. 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2671, RT2673, RT2678, RT2679,
RT2680, RT2681).

Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L. English cabbage

Nauruan Name: kaibet, kaybet

Pre-World War II introduction. Europe. Rare. Planted in gardens near Buada Lagoon. Leaves cooked
as a vegetable. 3, 6, 7.

Brassica pekinensis (Lour.) Ruprecht celery cabbage, Peking cabbage, wong bok
Syns. Brassica chinensis var. pekinensis (Rupr.) Sun; B. petsai Bailey

Recent introduction. North China. Rare. Planted in Chinese food garden at Location. Leaves and
stems cooked as a vegetable. 6.

Rhaphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus Bailey white radish, daikon, Chinese, Japanese or
Oriental radish

Pre-World War II introduction. East Asia. Occasional. Cultivated in Chinese food gardens at
Location. Leaves and fleshy white tap root cooked as vegetables or eaten raw. 5, 6.

CACTACEAE (Cactus Family)

Cephalocereus sp. cephalocereus

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Jointed cactus with short, funnel-shaped, night-
blooming flowers. Planted ornamental. 6(204).

Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britt. and Rose night-blooming cereus, dragon fruit

Recent introduction. Mexico. Rare. Large epiphytic, climbing, night-blooming cactus seen as an
immature ornamental potplant in the 1980, but planted as a fruit plant in the Taiwanese food garden project in
Buada in 2007. White pulp is refreshing to eat. 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2666, RT2668).

Opuntia sp. prickly pear cactus

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Planted ornamental. 5, 6.

Schlumbergia truncata (Haw.) Moran Christmas cactus, Easter cactus, crab cactus
Syn. Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) Schum.

Recent introduction. Brazil. Rare. Ornamental pot plant and planted ornamental. 6.

Unknown cactus cactus

117
 Recent introduction. Rare. Small cactus pot plant. 6.

CAPPARIDACEAE (CAPPARACEAE) (Caper Family)

Capparis cordifolia Lam. oceanic caper

Syns. Capparis mariana Jacq.; C. spinosa var. mariana (Jacq.) K. Schum.
Nauruan Name: ekabobwiya, ekabobwija

Indigenous. Bellona Island in Solomon Islands and Palau and Mariana Islands eastward to Henderson
Island in Southeastern Polynesia. Common. Small, sometimes sprawling woody shrub found on limestone
cliffs, pinnacles and limestone rock outcrops on coastal strip and on the limestone escarpment. Crushed leaves
used by Nauruans as a fish poison. 2, 3(58636), 4(132N), 5(101), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007DH01032, DH0084,
DH0085, DH0272, RT0075, RT0272, RT0328, RT0574, RT0575, RT1236, RT1671).

Capparis quiniflora DC.

Syn. Capparis richii A. Gray

Indigenous. Eastern Indonesia (Celebes and Lombok) to Melanesia and Nauru. Occasional. Thorny,
woody, high-climbing vine, with paired recurved spines. Found in plateau forest and on limestone pinnacles
and cliffs of the lower and upper escarpment. 3(58591, 58799, 58804a), 5, 6, 11 (DPNAU2007DH0135,
RT0734, RT0735, RT0736, RT0737, RT0742, RT1183, RT1184, RT1185, RT1194a, RT1197a, RT1553,
RT1554, RT1560, RT2377a, RT2379, RT2380).

Cleome rutidosperma DC. blue cleome

Recent introduction. Origin? Common. Weed in waste places, gardens, around buildings, and in areas
recently cleared for phosphate mining. 3(58601, 58616, 58751), 4(108N), 5, 6, 7(22303), 8(9540) , 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0765, RT1710, RT1712, RT2324, RT2325, RT2326, RT2328a, RT3030).

Cleome viscosa L. yellow cleome

Syns. Cleome icosandra L.; Polonisia icosandra (L.) W. & A.; P. viscosa (L.) DC.

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia or Old World Tropics. Abundant. Weed found primarily in
lowland waste places, roadsides, and areas recently cleared for phosphate mining. 3(58653), 4(125N), 5(45), 6,
7(22310), 8(9542, 9572), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0090, RT0091, RT1711, RT1855, RT1868a, RT2105,
RT2149).

CARICACEAE (Papaya Family)

Carica papaya L. papaya, pawpaw

Nauruan Name: dababaia, dababaiya

Pre-World War I introduction. Tropical America. Common. Fruit tree in home gardens and in contract
worker gardens at Location and the Topside Workshops. Ripe fruit eaten, and made into jam, primarily by
resident European community; fruit known to be a laxative; juice and flesh from green fruit (which contains the
enzyme papain) used to tenderize pork and beef; white sap from small immature fruit used as a cure for
ringworm; fragrant flowers used in garlands; and hollow leaf petioles used by children as pea shooters for the
fruit of Tournefortia argentea (irin). Common, often naturalized, in houseyard gardens and agricultural areas
and an important local cash crop throughout the Pacific, and a commercial export crop in areas such as Hawaii,
Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands. 2, 3(58694), 5, 6, 7, 8 , 11 (DPNAU2007RT0092, RT0336, RT0340b,
RT0721, RT0724a, RT0738, RT0894, RT0895, RT1866, RT2515, RT2946, RT2979b, RT2980).

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 CASUARINACEAE (Casuarina Family)

Casuarina equisetifolia L. casuarina, she oak, ironwood, beefwood

Syn. Casuarina litorea L.
Nauruan Name: tanenbaum (German for Christmas tree), Christmas tree

Recent introduction. Indian Ocean to Polynesia and Micronesia. Common. Planted in houseyard
gardens and as a street tree or windbreak, and spontaneous on the coastal strip and as a naturalized pioneer on
some mined areas to where it has spread from trees planted near the Topside workshops. Although a common
indigenous tree on sandy and rocky shores, and sometimes inland, throughout most of the western Pacific, and
possibly an aboriginal introduction to some groups, such as Samoa, the casuarina seems to have been a recent
post-European contact introduction to Nauru. 2, 3(58776), 4, 5(81), 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0011,
RT0113, RT0402, RT0414, RT0415, RT0418b, RT0449, RT0450, RT1113, RT1114b, RT1676, RT2071,
RT2095, RT2108, RT2189, RT2190a, RT2405, RT2409a, RT2414b, RT2430, RT2431, RT2887b, RT2909,
RT2973).

CHENOPODIACEAE (Goosefoot or Saltbush Family)

Atriplex nummularia Lindl. Australian saltbush

Said to have been introduced in 1916, but not seen in 1978 or later. 1.

Beta vulgaris L. var. cycla L. Swiss chard, silverbeet, leaf beet

Recent introduction. Europe. Rare. Food plant in Chinese garden at Location. Leaves cooked as a
spinach. 5, 6.

Spinacea oleracea L. spinach

Recent introduction. S. W. Asia. Rare. Food plant in garden at Location. Leaves cooked as a spinach.
5, 6, 7.

CLUSIACEAE OR GUTTIFERAE (Mangosteen Family)

Calophyllum inophyllum L. Portia tree, Alexandrian laurel, beach mahogany, tomano (Hawaii)
Nauruan Name: iyo, ijo

Indigenous. Tropical Africa to Eastern Polynesia and Micronesia. Very abundant in the 1980s, but
only common or abundant now.. Dominant large tree in original pre-mining plateau (Topside) forest vegetation,
common on escarpment slopes and on coastal strip, often as roadside trees or in houseyard gardens. Timber
provided the best wood for house posts (iyor, yor), furniture, woodcarving and for canoe hulls in the past; sticky
sap (erebeniyo) used for caulking canoes; kernel of green and mature fruit (i kuan iyo ) crushed to yield oil
which is applied to hair to make it long and black; old decayed fruit skewered on coconut midribs (engow) in
past and burned as traditional Nauruan light; and mature fruit burned as a mosquito repellent. Trees were
indiscriminately felled and burned as refuse at a Topside dump in the 1980s to prepare land for phosphate
mining. A tree highly valued for its timber and other purposes throughout the Pacific, the seed kernel (known
commercially as punnai nut) yielding a dark green oil currently exported from Fiji. 2, 3(58740), 4(164N),
5(120), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0270, RT0271, RT0428, RT0431, RT0432, RT0729, RT0823, RT1105,
RT1106, RT1348, RT1550, RT1551, RT1552, RT1561, RT1562, RT1567, RT1568, RT1604a, RT1619b,
RT2089, RT2237, RT2284, RT2287, RT2288, RT2294, RT2295, RT2296, RT2300, RT2301, RT2303,
RT2307, RT2308, RT2329b, RT2331, RT2332b, RT2444, RT2463, RT2464, RT2465, RT2484a, RT2487,
RT2488a, RT2489a, RT2490a, RT2762a, RT2796, RT2797, RT2801b, RT2803, RT2811, RT2861b,
RT3073b, RT3085, RT3088, RT3089, RT3090a, RT3091, RT3092, RT3098a, RT3099, RT3104, RT3173).

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Garcinia mangostana L. mangosteen
Nauruan Name: “chocholate tree”

Recent introduction. Malaysia. Rare mature fruit tree seen in Nelson’ Tammikin’s garden in Buada in
2007. 11 (DPNAU2007RT0983, RT02630, RT02631, RT02632, RT02633, RT02634).

COMBRETACEAE (Terminalia Family)

Quisqualis indica L. Rangoon creeper

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 3(58790), 5(113), 6, 7, 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0869, RT0880, RT1844, RT1845, RT2244, RT2245).

Terminalia catappa L. Indian almond, Malabar almond, tropical almond

Nauruan Name: etetah, etetö

Indigenous. Tropical Asia and Australia to Western Polynesia and Micronesia. Common. Medium to
large tree in original plateau forest, on escarpment and on the coastal strip; occasionally planted or protected in
home gardens and along roads. Timber used in light construction and for woodcarving; roots used by some
people to prepare a cure for dysentery; outside rind of fruit eaten when yellow and kernel eaten after the mature
fruit has fallen; fruit strung as necklaces and used in black magic or sorcery. 3(58662), 5(116), 6, 7, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0073, RT0299, RT0307, RT0554, RT0556, RT0628b, RT0721, RT0724b, RT0754, RT0757,
RT0996, RT1116, RT1179, RT1231, RT1278b, RT1565b, RT1639, RT1794, RT2332a, RT2345, RT2349b,
RT2466, RT2885, RT2886).

Terminalia samoensis Rech. beach almond

Syns. Terminalia litoralis sensu auct. non Seem.; Terminalia saffordii Merr.
Nauruan Name: deukin

Indigenous or possibly a recent introduction. Indonesia to Micronesia and Eestern Polynesia.

Occasional. Found in a number of houseyard gardens, and in a church compound, One large tree found next
to a house inland from the south end of the airstrip. Could have possibly been present as an indigenous
plant, but the current trees seem to be deliberately planted. It grows in some natural coastal sites in Banaba
to the east of Nauru. A very important medicinal plant in Kiribati; roots used in treating mouth sores; part
of plant used in a drink to treat coughing blood. The Nauruan name is probably an adaptation of the
Kiribati name te ukin. 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0503, RT0504 RT0505a, RT1659, RT1660, RT1661,
RT1662, RT1663, RT1664, RT1665, RT1666, RT2997, RT2998, RT3026, RT3120, RT3123, RT3124,
RT3125, RT3128, RT3129).

CONVOLVULACEAE (Morning-Glory Family)

Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. water spinach, swamp cabbage, water convolvulus, cangcong
Nauruan Name: Lorenzo
Syns. Ipomoea reptans Poir.; Convolvulus reptans L.; I. repens Roth

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical Asia, Africa and Australia. Food plant in Chinese and
Filipino gardens at Location and Topside Workshop gardens and naturalized in muddy areas of Buada Lagoon,
where it was formerly planted by the Japanese during World War II. Occasional in houseyard gardens,
especially at Buada and a cash crop for supply to Chinese restaurants in Buada. Also planted in Taiwanese
gardens on the escarpment in Meneng and at Buada. Tender leaves and shoots cooked as a green vegetable;
usually propagated by cuttings. The plant was reportedly named after a person named Lorenzo who reportedly
introduced it to Nauru. 5(24), 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1090, RT1091a, RT1916, RT1950, RT2534,
RT2535, RT2548, RT2549, RT2550, RT2565, RT2617b, RT2619b, RT2620b).

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Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. sweet potato, kumara
Syn. Convolvulus batatas L.
` Nauruan Name: pateta (“potato”)

Pre-World War I introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Cultivated in contract laborers' food
gardens at Location and Topside workshops; spontaneous along roadsides in some areas of Topside in the
1980s. Found in a number of Taiwanese and Nauruan gardens and plots around Buada Lagoon in 2007.
Tuberous roots cooked as a staple and young leaves of some varieties occasionally cooked as a green vegetable.
Important staple food plant in many areas of Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia. Leaves are also cooked as a
vegetable green and an important livestock feed in some areas of the Pacific. 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2491,
RT2497, RT2557, RT2558, RT2559, RT2560).

Ipomoea fistulosa Mart. ex Choisy bush morning-glory

Syn. Ipomoea crassicaulis (Benth.) Rob.

Recent introduction. Brazil. Occasional in the 1980s now uncommon. Planted ornamental, often along
borders of home allotments. Seen as either a remnant or adventive along roadside on the Anibare-Ijuw border
in 2007. Has become naturalized in other areas of the Pacific and in S. E. Asia. 3(58617), 5(198), 6, 7, 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0546, RT0547, RT0550, RT0551).

Ipomoea hederifolia L.
Syn. Ipomoea angulata Lam.

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare to uncommon. Found growing spontaneously in ruderal
sites on the coastal strip, climbing in a Leucaena leucocephala thicket and over roadside shrubbery in Ijuw near
Anibare boundary in 1987. Not seen in 2007. 5(149), 6, 7(22307), 10.

Ipomoea littoralis Bl.

Syns. Ipomoea denticulata (Desv.) Choisy; Convolvulus denticulatus Desv.; I. gracilis sensu auct. non
R. Br.; I. choisiana Wight ex Safford

Indigenous. Malaysia and the Pacific. Rare. Roadside and waste places. Possibly seen again, but
unsuccessfully photographed in 2007 in a roadside Scaevola thicket just north of the Anetan ponds. 8, 11?.

Ipomoea macrantha R. & S. wild moon flower

Nauruan Name: erekogo, irekogo
Syns. Convovulus tuba Schlect.; I. tuba (Schlecht.) G. Don; I. grandiflora sensu Koidz. non Lam.; I.
glaberrima Boj. ex Bouton; I. alba sensu Taylor non L.; Calonyction tuba (Schlect.) Colla

Indigenous. Pantropical. Occasional. Found climbing on trees in coastal, escarpment and plateau
forests and creeping on open ground in some ruderal places. Leaves possibly used medicinally by Nauruans?
3(58666, 58735), 4(131N), 5(118), 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0017, RT0018, RT0328, RT0529, RT0540,
RT0725, RT0727, RT0798, RT0805, RT1484, RT2420, RT2421, RT2423).

Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) Sweet ssp. brasiliense (L.) v. Ooststr. beach morning-glory, goat-foot morning-
glory
Syns. Convolvulus brasiliensis L.; C. maritimus Desr.; Ipomoea brasiliense (L.) Sweet
Nauruan Name: erekogo, irekogo (Burges)

Indigenous. Pantropical. Abundant. Vigorous, prostrate, creeping herbaceous, vine found on beach
sand, not far from the sea, and on coastal vegetation. Also found in wasteplaces, along roadsides and ruderal
sites and along the margins of Buada Lagoon; occasional in houseyard gardens. Leaves crushed to yield juice
which prevents hair from falling out. Protects beaches from erosion. 2, 3(58729), 4(129N), 5(29), 6, 7, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0042, RT0114b, RT0115b, RT0116b, RT0118, RT0119b, RT0121b, RT0237a, RT0284,
RT0356, RT0394, RT0395, RT0409, RT0410b, RT0567a, RT0634, RT1162, RT1163, RT1166, RT1167,
RT1299, RT1444a, RT1445a, RT1446a, RT1451a, RT1453b, RT1454b, RT1465a, RT1474a, RT1471a,

121
RT1472a, RT1474a, RT1477, RT1478a, RT1479a, RT1480a, RT1523a, RT1524a, RT1680b, RT1813,
RT1814a, RT1961, RT2592a, RT2594, RT2597a, RT2735a, RT2736b, RT2737, RT2743a, RT2745,
RT2746, RT2747b, RT2748, RT2751a, RT2753, RT2759a, RT2760b, RT2765a, RT2798a, RT2802b,
RT2814a, RT2815, RT2816, RT2819a, RT2822a RT2857, RT3167, RT3168).

Ipomoea triloba L. little bell

Recent introduction. West Indies. Uncommon. Prostrate herbaceous vine with lobed leaves and light
pink to purplish funnel-form morning-glory-like flowers. Roadside and wasteplace weed near airport and a
number of other places. First seen in 2007. 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0001, RT1715, RT1716, RT1867).*

DPNAU2007RT1101Ipomoea, X unknown species, near airport Yaren District 15.9.07

Merremia quinquifolia (L.) Hall. f.

Convolvulus quinquifolia L.

Recent introduction. West Indies. Weed seen in one place in semi-open area on escarpment. 3(58765).

CRASSULACEAE (Orpine Family)

Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. air plant, miracle plant, life plant
Syns. Cotyledon pinnatum Lam.; Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Kurz; B. calycinum Salisb.

Pre-world War II introduction. Indian Ocean Islands. Occasional. Planted ornamental. Common pot
plant; naturalized and spreading around the water tank near Topside Workshop food gardens. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10.

Kalanchoe tubiflora (Harvey) Hamet chandelier plant

Syns. Bryophyllum tubiform Harvey; B. verticillaster Scott-Elliot

Recent introduction. Madagascar. Rare. Ornamental potplant. 3(58715), 4 (52).

CUCURBITACEAE (Melon Family)

Benicia hispid (Thunb.) Cogn. wax gourd, ash pumpkin, winter melon, white gourd, tung kwa
Syns. Benicasa cerifera (Fisch.) Savi; Cucurbita hispida Thunb.; C cerifera Fisch.

Pre-World War II introduction. Java. Occasional in the 1980s, but not seen in 2007. Food plant in
Chinese gardens at Location. Flesh of fruit cooked as a vegetable. 5, 6, 7.

Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Tan. var. caffrorum (Alef.) Fosb. watermelon
Syns. Citrullus vulgaris var. caffrorum Alef.; C. vulgaris Schrad. ex Eckl. & Zeyh.

Pre-World War II introduction. South Africa. Rare. Food plant in home gardens and as spontaneous
juveniles around residences and dump heaps. Fruit eaten raw. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7.

Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt ivy gourd, scarlet gourd

Syn. Coccinia cordifolia (L.) Cogn.

Recent introduction. Tropical Africa to Australia. Rare. Single large climbing vine on screen in
Chinese-Nauruan vegetable garden bordering Buada Lagoon in 2007. Fruit cooked as a vegetable.
Potentially serious invasive vine. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2603, RT2604, RT2605, RT2606, RT2607, RT2608,
RT2608).

Cucumis melon L. var. cantalupensis Naud cantaloupe, rock melon

122
 Recent introduction. Southwest Asia and Africa to the Mediterranean. Uncommon. Food plant in
Chinese gardens at Location in the 1980s and in some houseyard gardens and in Chinese experimental farms in
2007. Fruit flesh eaten raw. 5, 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2513, RT2963).

Cucumis melo L. var. conomon Makino Oriental pickling melon, ts'it kwa

Pre-World War II introduction. China. Rare. Trailing or climbing food plant in Chinese gardens at
Location and Topside. Fruit cooked as a vegetable, often in soups. 5, 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2544).

Cucumis sativus L. cucumber

Nauruan Name: kukamba

Pre-World War II introduction. Northern India. Occasional. Food plant in houseyard gardens and in
commercial vegetable gardens and experimental farms. Fruit eaten raw, and occasionally cooked. 5, 6, 7, 11
(DPNAU2007RT1027, RT2539, RT2554, RT2971).

Cucurbita maxima Duch. pumpkin, winter squash, autumn squash

Recent introduction? South America. Rare. Food plant, often adventive in gardens. Fruit cooked as a
vegetable. 3.

Cucurbita pepo L. pumpkin, field pumpkin

Nauruan Name: dabamakin

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Food plant, often planted or protected in waste
places and gardens at Location and elsewhere on the coastal strip in the 1980s. Uncommon in 2007. Fruit
cooked as a vegetable. 3, 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2541).

Lagenaria siceraria L. bottle gourd

Recent introduction. Tropical Africa. Uncommon. Food plant on Taiwanese-Nauruan vegetable garden
bordering Buada Lagoon. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2582, RT2583, RT2584, RT2596).

Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. angled loofah

Syn. Cucumis acutangulus L.

Recent introduction. India, Paleotropics. Occasional. Climbing foodplant in Chinese gardens at

Location and Topside. Young green fruit cooked as a vegetable. 4(162N), 5, 6, 7, 8 (9577).

Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem. var. insularum (A. Gray) Cogn. smooth loofah, wild vegetable sponge,
scrubber gourd, dish-cloth gourd
Syns. Momordica cylindrica L.; M. luffa L.; Luffa aegyptica Mill.; L. insularum A. Gray

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical Asia, although variety insularum seems to be indigenous to
many Pacific islands, it was probably introduced to Nauru. Occasional to locally common. Weedy found on
edges of forest, waste places, and spreading over Topside topsoil dump on plateau. 3(58587, 58731), 5(75), 6,
7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0774, RT0775, RT0781, RT0782, RT0783, RT1351, RT2355, RT2403).

Momordica charantia L. bitter gourd, bitter melon, balsam pear

Pre-World War II introduction. Paleotropics. Occasional. Food plant in Chinese and Filipino gardens
at Location and in Chinese gardens at Topside workshops and surrounding Buada Lagoon. Escaped and
adventive in Leucaena thickets on Meneng Terrace. Fruit and young leaves occasionally cooked as vegetables.
4(144N), 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0020, RT002, RT0022, RT0909, RT0910a, RT1647).
.

123
 ELAEOCARPACEAE (Linden Family)

Muntingia calabura L. Panama cherry, Panama berry

Nauruan Name: bin (“bean”)

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Planted ornamental fruit tree; naturalised and
spreading in strip-mined areas in interior Baiti District. Ripe fruit eaten as a snack food, primarily by children.
3(58752), 4(139N), 5(91), 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0990, RT0991, RT2096b, RT2097, RT2098, RT2099,
RT2100, RT2145, RT2146).

ERICACEAE (Heath Family)

Rhododendron sp. azalea

Recent introduction. Rare. Asia. Evergreen shrub. Flowers not seen. Planted ornamental. 6.

EUPHORBIACEAE (Spurge Family)

Acalypha godseffiana Masters copper leaf, three-seeded mercury

Recent introduction. Origin uncertain, but possibly Malaysia and New Guinea. Rare. Planted
ornamental and hedge plant. 11 (DPNAU2007RT0250, RT0794, RT0795, RT1752, RT1828).

Acalypha hispida Burm. f. cats's tail, chenille plant, red-hot poker

Recent introduction. Indonesia. [Link] ornamental on Meneng Terrace in 2007. 3(58705), 5, 6,

11 (DPNAU2007RT0881, RT0882, RT1848).

Acalypha wilkesiana Muell.-Arg. var. wilkesiana Joseph's coat, copper leaf, beefsteak plant
Syns. Acalypha amentacea Roxb. ssp. wilkesiana (Muell.-Arg.) Fosb.
Nauruan Name: Kayser bush

Pre-World War I introduction. Melanesia. Common. Planted ornamental and hedge plant. 3(58743,
58757), 4, 5(41), 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0860, RT0861, RT1009, RT1048, RT1762, RT1849, RT1991,
RT2015, RT2238).

Acalypha wilkesiana Roxb. f. circinata Muell.-Arg. picottee acalypha

Syns. Acalypha amentacea Roxb. f. circinata (Muell.-Arg.) Fosb.; Acalypha hamiltoniana

Recent introduction. Pacific Islands Occasional. Perennial shrub with wide, roundish variegate green
leaves with toothed white margins. Planted ornamental, often as hedges. 3(58769), 5, 6, 7, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0249, RT0256, RT0257, RT0883, RT1751 RT2003).

Breynia disticha J.R & G. Forst var. disticha forma nivosa (W.G. Smith) Croizat
leaf-flower of the Pacific islands, snow bush
Syn. Breynia. nivosa (W.G. Sm.) Small
Nauruan Name: eomonon (N)(Burges,1933)

Pre-World War II introduction. Pacific Is. Rare, possibly extirpated. Planted ornamental. Not seen in
2007. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7.

Chamaesyce atoto (Forst. f) Croizat beach spurge

Syns. Euphorbia atoto Forst.f.; Euphorbia chamissonis (Kl. and Gke.) Boiss.
Nauruan Name: e mai (Burges)

124
 Indigenous. Tropical Pacific. Rare. Spreading small shrub on seashore. 2(38.5), 3, 5(106), 6, 7.

Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp. garden spurge, asthma plant, hairy spurge, old blood
Syns. Euphorbia hirta L.; E. pilulifera L.

Pre-World War II introduction. Pantropical. Abundant. Weed in waste places, vegetable gardens,
ruderal sites and open areas; pioneer plant in recently mined areas. 2, 3(58627, 58677), 4(114N), 5(21), 6, 7,
8(9554), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0045, RT0296, RT1726, RT2361).

Chamaesyce hypericifolia (L.) Millsp. graceful spurge

Syns. Chamaesyce glomerifera Millsp.; Euphorbia glomerifera (Millsp.) Wheeler

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Garden, roadside, wasteplace and ruderal weed.
3(58658), 5(72), 6(223), 7, 8(9555), 11 (DPNAU2007RT0030, RT0939b, RT1155, RT2061b).

Chamaesyce prostrata (Ait.) Small prostrate spurge, red caustic creeper

Syn. Euphorbia prostrata Ait.

Pre-World War I introduction. Tropical America. Abundant in 1980s, now occasional. Prostrate
annual herb. Weed along paths and open waste places; pioneer plant in recently mined areas. 1(62.R), 3(58630,
58631), 4(116N), 5(22), 6, 7, 8(9552) , 11 (DPNAU2007RT0310, RT0311, RT2162, RT2163, RT2730,
RT2947).

Chamaesyce thymifolia (L.) Millesp. thyme-leafed spurge

Syns. Euphorbia thymifolia L.; Euphorbia rubricunda Steud.

Recent introduction. India. Occasional. Small prostrate weed along roadsides, around buildings and
ruderal sites. 3(58824, 58661), 6, 7, 8(9561), 11 (DPNAU2007RT0209, RT0210, RT1736, RT1737, RT2087,
RT2088).

Cnidoscolus chayamansa McVaugh chaya, tree spinach

Nauruan Name: bele (from Fijian “bele”)

Recent introduction. Mexico. Common. Foodplant in household gardens and food gardens.
Introduced in the early 1990s as part of the European Community Pacific Regional Agricultural Project
(PRAP) program for atolls. Now firmly established as a nutritious green vegetable plant in Kiribati and on
Nauru; one of the few recent introductions that seems to be well-suited to the dry Nauru environment. 11
(DPNAU2007RT0176, RT0177, RT0265, RT0466, RT0867, RT0888, RT0889, RT1707, RT1851, RT1852,
RT1853, RT2210, RT2424b, RT2979a).
.
Codiaeum variegatum (L.) Bl. croton
Syn. Croton variegatum L.

Recent introduction. Malaysia to Melanesia. Common. Planted ornamental and hedge plant.
Numerous cultivars with brightly colored leaves exist. Leaves used in decorations and body ornamentation.
3(58714), 5, 6(199, 200), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0129, RT0130, RT0161, RT0164, RT0241, RT0242, RT1137,
RT1744, , RT1746, RT1753, RT1915b, RT3140).

Euphorbia antiquorum L. cactus spurge, false cactus, Malayan spurge tree

Recent introduction. India, Southeast Asia. Rare. Planted ornamental. 3(58680), 5(130), 6, 7, 11?.

Euphorbia cyathophora Murr. Mexican fire plant, hypocrite plant, wild poinsettia, dwarf poinsettia
Syns. Eurphorbia heterophylla sensu auct. non L.; E. heterophylla L. var. cyathophora (Murr.)
Griseb.; Poinsettia cyathophora (Murr.) Kl. & Gke.

125
 Nauruan Name: deriba, deribeh

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Roadside and waste place weed; also
occasional in disturbed areas in openings of Scaevola scrubland. 1(23.R), 2, 3(58628), 4(104N), 5(31), 6,
7(27818), 8(9556), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0622, RT0623, RT1694, RT1781, RT2103, RT2104, RT2309).

Euphorbia heterophylla Ortega (check to see L.) wild spurge

Syns. Euphorbia geniculata Ortega; Poinsettia heterophylla (L.) Klotzsch & Garcke

Recent introduction. Texas, Mexico and the W. Indies. Occasional. Weed of roadsides and
wasteplaces. 3(58623, 58667), 4(102N), 5(72), 6, 7, 8(9580), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0002, RT000311,
RT0926, RT2415 RT2856, RT2866b).

Euphorbia milii Ch. des Moul. crown-of-thorns

Syn. Euphorbia splendens Bojer

Recent introduction. Madagascar. Occasional. Planted ornamental and pot plant. 6(178), 11
(DPNAU2007RT1933, RT1934, RT1935, RT1936).

Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotszch poinsettia

Syn. Poinsettia pulcherrima (Willd.) R. Grah.

Recent introduction. Mexico. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1985).

Euphorbia tirucalli L. pencil plant, naked lady, milk hedge

Recent introduction. E. Africa and India. Occasional in 1987, now uncommon. Planted ornamental. 5,
6(168), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1149, RT1150).

Jatropha integerrima Jacq. rose-colored jatropha, red-flowered jatropha

Syns. Jatropha hastata Jacq.; J. panduraefolia Andr.

Recent introduction. Cuba. Occasional. Planted ornamental with bright pink flowers in houseyard
gardens. Reportedly introduced into Nauru from Chuuk. 3(58796), 5, 6(276), 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0158,
RT02625, RT02638, RT02639, RT02640, RT2699).

Jatropha podagrica Hook. gout stalk, coral plant

Recent introduction. Central America. Rare. Succulent with a swollen stem, and small orange-red
flowers. Ornamental pot plant. Not seen in 2007. 6.

Manihot esculenta Crantz cassava, manioc, tapioca

Syns. Manihot utilissima Pohl; M. manihot (L.) Karst.; Jatropha manihot L.
Nauruan Name: dabioka (“tapioca”)

Pre-World War II introduction. Brazil or Tropical South America. Common in the 1980s, now
occasional. Food plant in I Kiribati and Tuvaluan gardens at Location and Topside workshops in the 1980s,
now occasional in houseyard gardens and in some sites on the lower escarpment and near the Topside
Workshops. This easy-to-grow plant, which thrives on the poorest of soils, has become the dominant staple root
crop, displacing taro and yam as the dominant staple in many areas of high-island Micronesia, and in Fiji,
Tonga, parts of the Cook Islands, and in the drier areas of Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Papua New Guinea. 5,
6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0787b, RT0866, RT1041, RT1339, RT1498a, RT1920, RT2057, RT2394, RT2413,
RT2414a, RT2542, RT3025).

Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L.) Poit. slipper flower, slipper spurge, zigzag plant, redbird cactus,
ribbon cactus

126
 Syns. Phyllanthus carinatus Spreng.; Euphorbia tithymaloides L.

Recent introduction. Caribbean. Occasional. Erect Planted ornamental. 3(58681), 5, 6, 7, 10

(DPNAU2007RT0014, RT0316, RT0864, RT1847).

Phyllanthus amarus Sch. & Th. sleeping spurge

Syn. Phyllanthus niruri L. sensu auct. plur. non L.

Recent introduction. Tropical

America (despite African type locality). Abundant. Weed of gardens, roadsides, waste places and ruderal sites.
3(58685, 58733), 4(155N), 5(47), 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 (9571) (DPNAU2007RT0031, RT0083, RT0086 RT0913a,
RT0939a, RT1773b, RT2025b).

Phyllanthus societatis M.A.

Nauruan Name: eoemangemang, ewemangemang, eoemangmang

Indigenous. Polynesia and Micronesia. Occasional. Found as scattered individuals and small
communities in unmined areas on plateau, on slopes around plateau, at base of escarpment and on coastal strip,
around cemeteries, open sites in coastal Scaevola scrub and occasionally in revegetated mined areas and as a
pioneer plant on limestone pinnacles on the coastal strip. Straight main stems used as toy spears by children.
3(58595, 58748, 58801), 5(48, 51), 6, 7(22317), 8(9590), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007 RT0184, RT0185, RT0606,
RT0607, RT0656, RT0657, RT0658, RT1559, RT1731, RT1732a, RT1735, RT1783, RT1784, RT1785,
RT1789, RT1800, RT1801, RT2359).

Ricinus communis L. castor bean, castor oil plant

Recent introduction. Africa. Rare. Weed of roadsides and waste places. Single population seen near
roadside to Buada above the calcination plant 3, 4(137N), 5(145), 6, 7, 8, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2040, RT2041,
RT2042).

Synadenium cupulare (Boiss.) Wheeler

Recent introduction. Trop. Africa. Rare. Pot plant at Cliff Lodge. 5, 6.

FABACEAE OR LEGUMINOSAE (Bean, Pea or Legume Family)

Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. Ex Benth. northern black wattle, earpod wattle

Recent introduction. New Guinea, Torres Strait Island and northern Australia. Uncommon.
Planted tree in a few houseyard gardens on coastal strip and Command Ridge. 11 (DPNAU2007RT1930,
RT1931, RT1932, RT1938, RT1944, RT2246, RT2247, RT2248, RT2249, RT2250).

Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd. sweet acacia, West Indian blackthorn, cassie flower
Syns. Mimosa farnesiana L.; Vachellia farnesiana (L.) W. & A.
Nauruan Name: katin, debena (B)

Pre-World War I introduction. Tropical America. Occasional in the 1980s, but uncommon in 2007.
Found in waste places and on roadsides. Glue made from seed pod. Fragrant flowers used in garlands. 2,
3(58640), 4(159N), 5, 6, 7, 8(9568), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0914, RT0915, RT0916, RT0918, RT2523,
RT2524, RT2525, RT2526).

Acacia sp. acacia

Recent introduction. Australia? Rare. Planted ornamental tree. 3(58699).

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Adenanthera pavonina L. red-bead tree, false sandlewood
Nauruan Name: bin (“bean”)

Recent introduction. Malaysia. Common in the 1980s, but very abundant and spreading and invasive
in disturbed forest and escarpment sites in 2007. Spontaneous tree in escarpment and Buada forests and in older
strip-mined areas. An extensive almost monospecific forest is found on the inner unmined margins of the
limestone escarpment inland from the north end of Anibare Bay where the Japanese stayed during World War
II. Bright red seeds used in necklaces and seed kernel eaten by children. 3(58804), 5(142), 6, 7, 10,11
(DPNAU2007RT0105, RT0368, RT0921, RT1051, RT1054, RT1061, RT1063b, RT1200, RT1201b, RT1202,
RT1203, RT1205b, RT1209, RT1210, RT1211b, RT1212, RT1213, RT1216, RT1217, RT1218, RT1219,
RT1220, RT1221, RT1223, RT1224, RT1263, RT1581, RT1605, RT1607, RT1608, RT1626, RT1627,
RT1628, RT1635, RT1636, RT1637, RT1791, RT1793, RT1795, RT3004, RT3067a, RT3069).

Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) DC. alysicarpus, one-leaved clover

Syns. Hedysarum vaginale L; Alysicarpus nummularifolius (L.) DC.

Recent introduction. Paleotropics. Common. Weed in roadsides and wasteplaces open or semi-open
places, along jeep tracks in unmined forest, and a pioneer plant in recently mined areas. 2, 3(58744, 58763),
4(115N), 5(88), 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0008, RT0046, RT0572, RT1578, RT1586, RT2148).

Arachis hypogaea L. peanut, groundnut

Recent introduction. South America. Planted in the Taiwanese garden project at Buada in 2007. 11
(DPNAU2007RT2655, RT2656, RT2670).

Bauhinia monandra Kurz pink bauhinia, orchid tree, pink butterfly tree, St. Thomas tree

Recent introduction. Burma. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 3(58785), 5, 6(224), 7, 11

(DPNAU2007RT1016, RT1017, RT02626).

Bauhinia variegata L white bauhinia, orchid tree, butterfly tree, purple orchid tree

Recent introduction. India, Burma and China. Rare. The tree is variable with the two main varieties
being B. variegata var. variegata, with pale purple to rose petals, with purple or crimson veins or blotches, and
var. candida with white petals with green veins, and somewhat purplish on the exterior. Planted ornamental
tree. 6(194), 7.

Bauhinia x blakeana Dunn Blake’s orchid tree

Recent introduction. Rare. Mature planted ornamental tree seen in a houseyard garden in Buada in
2007. According to Whistler, it is perhaps a hybrid between B. variegata and B. purpurea. 11
(DPNAU2007RT0989, RT1085, RT2702, RT2708).

Caesalpinia bonduc Roxb. beach nicker, gray nicker, nicker bean

Nauruan Name: dugienae, dogienae

Indigenous. Pantropical. Rare and seen as a large shrub in a coastal thicket and in overgrown garden
on Command Ridge in 1980. Occasional and spreading in a dense population on the escarpment above
Location and the hospital in 2007. A serious noxious weed that should be eradicated if possible from settled
areas. Beautiful grey seeds used to make expensive necklaces in Hawai’i. 5(114), 6(158, 212, 269), 11
(DPNAU2007RT1092, RT1093, RT1097, RT1372, RT1373, RT1374, RT1375, RT1376, RT1386, RT1387,
RT1388, RT1389, RT1390, RT2195, RT2198, RT2199).

Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Swartz pride of Barbados, dwarf poinciana, Barbados flower fence
Syn. Poinciana pulcherrima L.

128
 Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 3(58789), 5(38), 6, 7, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0320, RT0928, RT1885 RT1893).

Cajanus cajan (Mill.) Millsp. pigeon pea, red gram, arhar dhal (Hindi)
Syns. Cajanus indicus Spreng.; C. flavus DC.; Cajan cajan (L.) Millsp.; Cystisus cajan L.

Recent introduction. India and southeast Asia. Said to have been introduced in 1935, but not seen in
1978 or thereafter, but possibly re-introduced since then by expatriate Indian contract employees. Cultivated
food plant. 1.

Calliandra surinamensis Benth. pink powder puff

Recent introduction. Northern South America. Uncommon. Planted ornamental in gardens on coastal
strip. 11 (DPNAU2007RT1148, RT1954, RT1955, RT1956, RT1954, RT1955, RT1956).

Calopogonium mucunoides Desv. calopo, calopogonium

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Uncommon. Locally abundant weed in low ground around
Buada Lagoon and along roadside north of the Meneng Hotel in 2007. Probably originally introduced as a
green manure and nitrogen-fixing plant, but now naturalized. 3(58651), 6(153), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1501,
RT150, RT1504).

Canavalia cathartica Thou. Mauna Loa bean (Hawaii)

Syns. Canavalia microcarpa (DC.) Piper; C. turgida Graham (of Burges list)
Nauruan Name: erekogo, irekogo

Indigenous. Pantropical. Occasional. Rather coarse creeping and high climbing vine on trees in
escarpment forest and in areas of limestone pinnacles and outcrops near the base of the escarpment. 2(49.5),
3(58737, 58800), 5(135), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0096, RT0097, RT0098, RT0730, RT0799, RT0800,
RT0801, RT1060, RT1144, RT1238, RT1576, RT1796, RT1797, RT2212).

Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC. Jack bean, horse bean

Syn. Dolichos ensiformis L

Recent introduction. West Indies. Reported by Schumann (1898) as collected by Finch, but not seen in
the 1980s. Possibly present in the Taiwanese garden project at Buada and reportedly brought from elsewhere in
Nauru. 1, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2682).

Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC. sea bean, bay bean

Syns. Canavalia maritima (Aubl.) Thou.; C. obtusafolia (Lam.) DC.
Nauruan Name: erekogo, irekogo

Indigenous. Pantropical. Rare. Found in beach vegetation north of Gabab Channel in 1981. Not seen
since. 7(27804).

Cassia fistula L. golden shower tree, Indian laburnum, pudding-pipe tree

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia. Uncommon. Planted ornamental with showy yellow flowers at
NPC residences on Command Ridge. 3(58529, 58788), 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2172, RT2173, RT2174,
RT2175, RT2176).

Cassia glauca Lam. scrambled-egg tree

Syns. Cassia sulfurea DC. ex Colladon; Senna sulfurea (DC. ex Colladon) Irwin & Barneby

Recent introduction. India. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6(170, 175), 7.

129
Cassia grandis L.f. pink shower tree, horse cassia

Recent introduction. Central America. Rare. Planted in home garden at Buada. 7.

Cassia javanica L. pink-and-white shower tree

Recent introduction. Java and Sumatra. Uncommon. A couple of mature trees planted in houseyard
gardens around Buada Lagoon. Planted ornamental. 11 (DPNAU2007RT1001, RT1002, RT1005, RT1006,
RT1011, RT1012)

Centrosoma pubescens Benth. centro

Recent introduction. Tropical South America. Reported in 1935 to have been introduced, but not seen
in 1978 or thereafter until 2007, when a large population was seen growing in an open disturbed area on the
lower escarpment in Boe District near the Aiwo border. A widely used pasture legume and nitrogenous cover
or green manure crop. 1, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT3010, RT3011, RT3012, RT3013, RT3014, RT3015,
RT3016, RT3017, RT3018, RT3022).

Chamaecrista nictitans (L.) Moensch. chamaecrista, partridge pea, Japanese tea

Syns. Cassia lechenaultiana DC.; C. mimosoides Linn.

Recent introduction. Rare. Sub-shrubby weed with yellow flowers found along the road above
and to the south of Buada forest in 2007. 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1094, RT1095).

Cicer arietinum L. chick pea, garbanzo bean, Indian gram, common gram, chana (Hindi)

Recent introduction. Western Asia. Extinct. Common food and fodder legume reported in 1935 to
have been introduced, but not seen in the 1980s or thereafter. 1.

Clitorea ternatea L. butterfly pea

Recent introduction. Tropical America or Pantropical. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 3(58778),

5(71), 6(246), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1703).

Crotalaria goreensis Guitl. & Pers. rattlepod

Recent introduction. West Africa. Common. Weed of waste places, roadsides and other ruderal sites
on coastal strip and on plateau. 3(58593, 58612, 58738), 4(106N), 5(3, 58), 6, 7(22311), 8(9569), 11
(DPNAU2007RT0285, RT0386, RT0404, RT0411, RT0412, RT2050, RT2051, RT2055, RT2056).

Crotalaria retusa L. rattlepod

Recent introduction. Trop. Asia. Rare. Weed of ruderal habitats and roadsides. 4(158N).

Crotalaria spectabilis Roth rattlepod

Syn. Canavalia sericea Retz.

Recent introduction. India and Paleotropics. Occasional. Weed near Buada Lagoon, in gardens, and
near coast in Nibok; occasionally cultivated in home gardens. 3(58647), 4, 6, 7, 8(9579).

Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub. cluster bean, guar (Hindi)

Syns. Cyamopsis psoraloides (Lam.) DC.; Psoralea tetragonoloba L.; Dolichos psoraloides Lam.

Recent introduction. India. Extinct. Cultivated food plant, the young tender pod which are cooked as a
vegetable; reported in 1935 to have been introduced, but not seen in the 1980s or thereafter. 1.

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Delonix regia (Bojer) Raf. poinciana, royal poinciana, flame tree, flamboyant, flame of the forest
Nauruan Name: bin (“bean”), red tree

Pre-World War II introduction. Madagascar. Occasional. Planted ornamental with crimson-orange

flowers in houseyard gardens . Flowers used in garlands. 3(58620), 5(121), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0877,
RT0917, RT1820, RT1821, RT2917, RT2920, RT3034, RT3035, RT3036).

Derris trifoliata Lour. beach derris root, beach poison vine

Syns. Derris uliginosa Benth.; Robinia uliginosa Willd.

Indigenous. Tropical Africa to Polynesia. Uncommon. In forest on cliffs and steep slopes of
escarpment surrounding the central plateau. No reported use in Nauru, although the roots, which contain
rotenone, are often used for fish poison throughout the Pacific. Seen in the 1980s but not in 2007. 3(58803), 6.

Desmodium incanum DC. Spanish clover

Syn. Desmodium canum (Gmel.) Sch. & Th.

Recent introduction. West Indies. Occasional. Weed of gardens, roadside and ruderal sites. 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0451, RT0452).

*Desmodium sandwichensis??? Check 11 Seen in ruderal site near mangrove in Meneng District
(DPNAU2007RT0197, RT0198, RT0460, RT0461, RT2156, RT2157).

Desmodium tortuosum (Sw.) DC. Florida beggarweed

Syns. Desmodium purpureum (Mill.) Fawc. & Rendle; Hedysarum purpureum Mill.; H. tortuosum
Sw.

Recent introduction. West Indies and Central America. Common in the 1980s, occasional in 2007.
Weed of roadsides, slopes in settled areas, waste places and ruderal sites. 3(58639, 58741), 4(110N), 5(87), 6,
7(22308), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0131, RT0175, RT00195, RT0297, RT1846, RT2935).

Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC. tropical trefoil, three-flowered beggarweed

Syn. Hedysarum triflorum L.

Recent introduction. Pantropical. Common. Weed in gardens, lawns and in shaded ruderal habitats
and along paths in mined area on plateau. Possibly deliberately introduced as a green manure and cover crop.
3(58708, 58803), 4(126N), 5(148), 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0026, RT1147, RT1589, RT2297, RT2306,
RT2320).

Dolichos lablab L. hyacinth bean, lablab bean, dolichos, bovanist bean, Egyptian bean
Syns. Dolichos purpureus L.; Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet; L. niger Medik.; L. vulgaris Savi

Recent introduction. Paleotropics. Rare. Food plant in Filipino gardens at Location in the 1980s and in
a Tuvaluan woman’s home garden in Buada in 2007. The young pods and tender seeds cooked as a vegetable.
Said to have been introduced in 1935 and established by 1936. 1, 5, 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1084b, RT1089,
RT2707).

Entada phaseoloides (L.) Merr. water vine, St. Thomas bean

Syns. Entada scandens (Linn.) Benth.; Mimosa scandens Linn.; Lens phaseoloides Linn.

Indigenous. Tropical Asia, through Malesia east to Cook Islands. Rare. Drift seedling seen on
beach to the east of the east end of the runway in 2007. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2826).

Erythrina variegata L. var. variegata variegated coral tree

Recent introduction. Pacific Is. Uncommon. Planted ornamental. 3, 5(39), 6, 7, 11

131
(DPNAU2007RT0140, RT0932, RT0933, RT0937, RT1111, RT1701, RT1702).

Erythrina variegata var. orientalis (L.) Merr. coral tree, dadap

Syns. Erythrina indica Lam.; E. corallodendron var. orientalis (L.) Merr.
Nauruan Name: yora, yoreh

Indigenous. Indopacific. Occasional. Planted or spontaneous on coastal strip and in old strip-mined
land; a number of large specimens along road near Nauru Phosphate Company tennis court area. One large tree
at the Meneng Hotel and some in houseyard gardens. Used and in canoe construction in the past and flowers
used in garlands in the past. Nitrogen fixing tree planted as living fence posts elsewhere in the Pacific Islands.
3(58737a), 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0023, RT0071, RT0277, RT0290, RT0292, RT0332, RT0333, RT0473,
RT0474, RT1114a, RT202, RT2029, RT2030, RT2926).

Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp. gliricidia, madre de cacao (mother of cocoa)
Syn. Robinia sepium Jacq.

Recent introduction. Central and northern South America. Planted roadside ornamental on Meneng
Terrace in 1981. Not seen in 2007. Widely used in tropical America and elsewhere as a shade tree for tree for
cocoa, bananas and coffee and as a living fence and windbreak. 7(22320).

Hardenbergia violacea (Schneer.) F.C. Stern sarsaparilla

Recent introduction. Australia. Rare. A climbing or scrambling evergreen herb; leaves, simple;
inflorescence, clusters of violet flowers with yellow markings. Ornamental pot plant. 6.

Indigofera hirsuta L. hirsute indigo

Recent introduction. Africa and Madagascar to southern Asia and Australia. Occasional. In plateau
forest along path. Seen as a weed in FAO experimental garden in 2007 in north Buada. 3 (58614, 58730),
5(136), 8(9545), 11 (DPNAU2007RT1035, RT1044, RT2086, RT2130, RT2404).

Indigofera spicata Forsk. creeping indigo

Syns. Indigofera hendecaphylla Jacq.

Recent introduction. Africa and Madagascar to Yemen, southeast Asia and Australia. Occasional.
Roadside weed on coastal strip and plateau. 4 (123N), 6, 7.

Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit leucaena, koa haole(Hawaii), lead tree, wild tamarind
Syns. Leucaena glauca (L. ex Willd.) Benth
Nauruan Name: bin (“bean”

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical America. Abundant. Spontaneous in disturbed unmined

habitats on topside, on escarpment slopes below plateau and in isolated stands on coastal strip, often extending
into the coastal littoral vegetation. Used as firewood. Shiny brown seeds used in necklaces elsewhere. 3(58638),
4(161N), 5(9), 6, 7, 8(9564), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0005, RT0771, RT0787c, RT0789a, RT0910b, RT1499b,
RT2136, RT2137, RT2312, RT2321, RT2322, RT2327, RT2328b, RT2338, RT2340, RT2341, RT2344,
RT2349a, RT2350, RT2354, RT2356, RT2743c, RT2752).

Mimosa pudica L. var. tetrandra (HBK ex Willd.) DC. sensitive plant

Syn. M. tetrandra HBK ex Willd.

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Roadside weed near Buada Lagoon. 4(156N), 6(190),
10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1013, RT1014a).

Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Backer ex Heyne yellow poinciana, copperpod, golden flamboyant,
yellow flame tree

132
 Syns. Peltophorum inerme (Roxb.) Naves; P. ferrugineum (Dcne.) Benth.; Inga pterocarpa DC.;
Caesalpinia inermis Roxb.; C. ferruginea Dcne.

Recent introduction. Malaysia to Northern Australia. Rare in the 1980s and occasional in 2007.
Planted ornamental tree on Military Ridge in 1980. 5, 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1115, RT1117, RT1118, RT2180,
RT2181, RT2182, RT2187, RT2188, RT2197).

Phaseolus vulgaris L. string bean, French bean, haricot bean

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Uncommon. Planted in a number of Taiwanese gardens

around Buada Lagoon. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2561b, 2564, RT2565, RT2568, RT2569, RT2660, RT2662,
RT2664).

Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. blackhead, Madras thorn, Manila tamarind

Recent introduction. Rare. A large individual tree planted in a houseyard garden just off the road
in Aiwo District in the NPC complex area. 11 (DPNAU2007RT1132, RT1133, RT1134, RT1135, RT1139).

Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr. rain tree, monkeypod tree

Syns. Albizia saman (Jacq.) F. v. Muell.; Mimosa saman Jacq.; Enterolobium saman (Jacq.) Prain ex
King; Pithecellobium saman (Jacq.) Benth.; Inga saman (Jacq.) Willd.

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Ornamental tree in home gardens on Meneng Terrace
and at Buada. Seen only at Buada in 2007. Grows well and could offer potential for planting as a shade tree. 5,
6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1070, RT1072, RT1078, RT2725, RT2726).

Senna alata (L.) Roxb. golden candelabra bush, Roman candle tree, candle bush, ringworm bush
Syn. Cassia alata L.

Recent introduction. Mexico. Uncommon. Planted ornamental. Leaves widely used as a cure for
ringworm, but reportedly not in Nauru. 5, 6, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0149, RT0156, RT1125, RT1126,
RT1127, RT1698, RT2240).

Senna occidentalis (L.) Link coffee senna, arsenic bean

Syn. Cassia occidentalis L.
Nauruan Name: tan braua (“sunflower”)

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical America. Abundant. Weed of waste places and roadsides.
Dried seeds boiled as a tea substitute during World War II, a use learned from the Japanese; soft leaves cooked
as a spinach and used medicinally by the Chinese. 2, 3(58529), 4(128N), 5(13), 6, 7, 8(9547), 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0004, RT0766, RT0913b, RT1358, RT1882, RT2046, RT2315, RT2438, RT2847).

Sophora tomentosa L. silverbush

Indigenous. Indian Ocean to eastern Polynesia and Micronesia. Uncommon. A single individual seen in the
coastal strand vegetation about 10 m from the outpost zone about 100 m north of the Meneng Hotel on 17
September and another two seedlings in the outpost zone among drift seedlings on the beach to the east of
the east end of the runway. . Probably an ocean-dispersed ephemeral species that comes and goes.
Deliberately introduced to Tarawa from Onotoa Atoll as an indigenous nitrogen-fixing species in Kiribati.
11 (DPNAU2007DH0246, DH0247, RT1447a, RT1448, RT1449a, RT1450, RT2812, RT2813, RT2820,
RT2821).

Tamarindus indica L. tamarind

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia. Uncommon. A number of mature trees seen in houseyard gardens
in Buada, on the coastal strip and on upper Meneng Terrace in 2007. 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1413, RT1414

133
RT1415 RT1416 RT1417 RT1418, RT1653, RT1655).

Vigna marina (Burm.) Merr. beach pea

Syns. Vigna lutea (Sw.) A. Gray; Phaseolus marinus Burm.; Dolichos luteus Sw.
Nauruan Name: erekogo

Indigenous. Pantropical. Common. Found on beaches and in open sites and waste places behind
beaches; reported by Burges (1935) to be growing plentifully wherever soil is fairly heavy and moist, e.g., as at
Buada. He reported that the Nauruans have always considered that other plants grew better if near Vigna . . ..
Plant used medicinally; leaves crushed to bathe young girls' hair and to make adult hair grow long and black;
leaves used to cover earthen oven (eom, eyom). 1(30.R), 2, 3(58610), 4(120N), 5(33), 6, 7, 8, 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0116c, RT0117a, RT0136, RT0578, RT0806, RT2272, RT2347, RT2592b, RT2595b,
RT2799, RT2802a, RT2814a, RT2822b, RT2970).
.
Vigna sesquipedalis (L.) Fruw. long bean, yard-long bean, snake bean, asparagus bean, asparagus pea
Nauruan Name: bin (“bean”)
Syns. Dolichos sesquipedalis L.; Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ssp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc. Vigna
sinensis (L.) Endl. ex Hassk. var. sesquipedalis (L.) Koern.

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical Africa. Common. Food plant in Chinese gardens at Location
and Topside workshops in the 1980s. Found in the FAO Experimental gardens and Chinese gardens in 2007.
Eaten as a vegetable and served as a cooked vegetable in Chinese restaurants in Nauru. 5, 6, 11
(DPNAU2007RT1029, RT1033, RT1034, RT1369a, RT2591, RT2592b, RT2595b, RT2597b, RT2774b).

GENTIANACEAE (Gentian Family)

Fagraea berteroana A. Gray ex Benth. pua (Polynesia)

Nauruan Name: eijinut? (Burgess)
Syns. Carissa grandis Bertero ex. Guill.; Fagraea berteriana A. Gray ex Benth.; F. berteriana Benth.
ex Seem.; F. grandis Pancher & Sebert

Indigenous? Pacific Islands, from New Caledonia to as far east as the Marquesas and Hawaii,
although possibly an aboriginal introduction in these areas. Extinct; reported by Hambruch in 1910, but not
seen in 1933 or thereafter. Fragrant flowers used in garlands and to scent coconut oil in Polynesia and
Melanesia. 1.

GERANIACEAE (Geranium Family)

Pelargonium x hortorum geranium, fish geranium

Syn. Pelargonium hortorum Bailey

Recent introduction. So. Africa. Rare. Pot plant. 6.

GESNERIACEAE (Gloxinia Family)

Columnea gloriosa Sprague showy column flower, columnea

Recent introduction. C. America. Rare. Pot plant. 6.

Columnea sp. columnea

Recent introduction. Trop. America. Rare. Pot plant. 6.

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Episcia cupreata (Hook.) Hanst. episcia, peacock plant
Syn. Achimenes cupreata Hook.

Recent introduction. Colombia and Venezuela. Occasional. Pot plant. 5,6.

Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl. African violet, Saintpaulia

Recent introduction. Trop. E. Africa. Rare. Pot plant. 5,6.

GOODENIACEAE (Naupaka Family)

Scaevola taccada (Gaertn.) Roxb. half-flower, beach saltbush

Syn. Scaevola sericea Vahl.
Nauruan Name: emet, emed, emit (Burges 1935)

Indigenous. Tropical Asia to Hawaii. Very abundant. Dominant species in strand vegetation and one of first
colonizers on strip-mined areas. Also planted and protected in houseyard gardens. Wood considered good for
smoking (cooking) fish and the black noddy bird (an important delicacy at feasts); hollow branches used as
guns to shoot gum balls (egato) and small balls carved from pandanus; inner bark used in the past to make
headbands which resembled noddy-bird feathers and which were worn for traditional dances; leaves used to
wrap food and to cover the earth oven (eom, eyom); Scaevola and Guettarda speciosa (iut) flowers the first
flowers smelled by returning sailors; flowers used in garlands and either added directly, or boiled with coconut
oil to scent it; leaves crushed to yield a juice to retard loss of hair and cure rashes; inner bark scraped to yield
medicine for abscesses or boils, and white ripened fruit squeezed into eyes as a pre-eye-drops cure for
conjunctivitis. 2, 3(58622, 58761), 5(30), 6, 7(27801), 11 (DPNAU2007RT0039, RT0041, RT0049, RT0114c,
RT0119c, RT0121c, RT0123, RT0237b, RT0278, RT0279, RT0384, RT0418a, RT0421b, RT0422, RT0579b,
RT0580b, RT0587a, RT0604, RT0605, RT0620a, RT0621a, RT0813, RT1306a, RT1324, RT1447b, RT1449b,
RT1453c, RT1454c, RT1465b, RT1471b, RT1472b, RT1474b, RT1478b, RT1479b, RT1480b, RT1515,
RT1516, RT1518, RT1519, RT1520b, RT1521b, RT1522, RT1523b, RT1524b, RT1529, RT1530, RT1588,
RT1595, RT1601, RT1602, RT1609, RT1612, RT1619a, RT1768, RT1806, RT1814b, RT2290, RT2293a,
RT2317, RT2318, RT2468, RT2482, RT2488b, RT2489b, RT2490b, RT2798b, RT2805, RT2819b, RT2825,
RT3038b, RT3105, RT3106).

HERNANDIACEAE (Hernandia Family)

Hernandia nymphaeifolia (Presl.) Kubitzki hernandia, lantern tree

Syns. Hernandia sonora L.; H. peltata Meissn.; H. ovigera senus auct. non L.; Biasolettia
nymphaeifolia Presl
Nauruan Name: etiu, yetiu, etsiw

Indigenous. Tropical Asia to the Pacific Islands. Uncommon. Tree on or near base of escarpment.
Large stand of over ten trees behind a house in Ijuw District near the border of Anibare District and near the
bottom of the escarpment behind Capelli’s store. Very light wood, which is sometimes found in the form of
driftwood, used for canoe outriggers, pull-floats for fishermen to tie fish to, and corks for bottles; fruit rubbed
against rock to burn each other in traditional games. 5(10), 6, 7(27819) , 11 (DPNAU2007RT0816, RT0817,
RT0818, RT0819, RT0820, RT0821, RT0824, RT0825, RT0826, RT1335, RT1338, RT1340, RT1347,
RT1349, RT1352, RT1353, RT1354, RT1355, RT1357, RT2862, RT2863, RT2884).

LAMIACEAE (Mint Family)

Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. Indian borage

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 Syns. Coleus amboinicus Lour.; Coleus aromaticus Benth.

Recent introduction. Africa and India to Indonesia. Uncommon. Pot plant at Location and at Indian
residence at Meneng Terrace. Seen at the USP Centre and in one other houseyard garden in Location in 2007.
Leaves used as a spice in curries and medicinally. 6 (211), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0931, RT2913).

Coleus pumilus Blanco creeping coleus

Syn. Coleus repens Gurke

Recent introduction. West Africa. Occasional. Pot plant. 3 (58781, 59673), 5, 6.

Hyptis rhomboidea Mart. & Gal. rhomboid mintweed

Syn. Sometimes mistakenly called Hyptis capitata Jacq. which is apparently not found in the islands

Recent introduction. Tropical America. First recorded in the Pacific from Guam prior to 1970. Rare.
Single population seen in a disturbed roadside site above the decalcination plant on the road to Buada lagoon.
Erect herb with 4-angled stems and irregularly toothed opposite leaves and long-stalked globose white flower
heads with many stamens. Has become a rapidly spreading noxious weed in Samoa. 11
(DPNAU2007RT2045).

Mentha piperita L. mint, peppermint

Syns. Mentha x piperita L. (M. aquatica L. x M. spicata L.)

Recent introduction. Europe. Rare. Pot herb planted in old oil drum on Command Ridge and at Indian
residence at Meneng Terrace. 6, 7.

Ocimum basilicum L. basil, sweet basil

Nauruan Name: dementsi

Pre-World War II introduction. Africa to the Pacific Islands. (Paleotropics). Occasional. Planted in
home gardens; common in I Kiribati and Tuvaluan gardens at Location in the 1980s. Fragrant flowers and
leaves used in garlands and for scenting coconut oil. 2, 3, 5(141), 6, 7(22305), 11 (DPNAU2007RT0153,
RT2027).

Ocimum tenuiflorum L. sacred basil, holy basil, tulsi (Hindi)

Nauruan Name: demere
Syn. Ocimum sanctum L.

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical Asia, now Pantropical. Uncommon. Planted ornamental in
houseyard gardens. Fragrant flowers and leaves used in garlands and headbands and for scenting coconut oil. 5,
6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1280).

Plectranthus oertendahlii Fries Swedish ivy, prostrate coleus

Recent introduction. S. Africa. Rare. Pot plant. Not seen in 2007. 3(58673, 58781), 5, 6.

Solenostemon scutellarioides (L.) Codd painted nettle, coleus, painted-leaf plant

Syns. Coleus scutellarioides (L.) Benth.; C. blumei Benth.; Plectranthus scutellarioides (L.) R. Br.;
Ocimum scutellarioides L.

Recent introduction. Malaysia. Uncommon. Planted ornamental and pot plant. 5, 6, 7, 11

(DPNAU2007RT0875, RT1840).

LAURACEAE (Laurel Family)

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Cassytha filiformis L. beach dodder, giant dodder, devil's twine
Nauruan Name: denuwanini, denuwenini, eduwinini (Burges, 1935)

Indigenous. Pantropical. Abundant. Parasite on other plants, found generally on natural vegetation at
all elevations in coastal areas, Topside vegetation and occasionally in mined areas. Entire plant used as garlands
and headbands; plant used for black magic by I Kiribati and other islanders, a practice occasionally copied by
Nauruans; tender tips used at times in the past for scenting coconut oil; fruit eaten by children in the past.
2(23.5), 3(58590), 4(163N), 5(6), 6, 7, 8(9566), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0354, RT0355, RT0421a, RT0632,
RT0762, RT0769, RT0403, RT2286, RT2293b, RT2313, RT2817, RT3038a, RT3202).

Persea americana Mill. avocado, avocado pear, alligator pear

Syns. Laurus persea L.; Persea gratissima Gaertn. f.

Recent introduction. Mexico. Rare. Seedling planted in garden at Meneng Terrace. One large mature
tree seen in a houseyard garden in Buada in 2007. 5, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0962, RT0963, RT0964, RT0965).

LYTHRACEAE (Lythrum Family)

Lagerstroemia indica L. crape myrtle

Recent introduction. South China. Rare. Planted ornamental on Command Ridge. 3(58712), 5, 6.

MALPIGHIACEAE (Malpighia Family)

Stigmaphyllon ciliatum (Lam.) Juss. Brazilian golden vine, golden cup, orchid vine

Recent introduction. West Indies to Brazil. Rare. Planted ornamental climber. 3(58725), 6.

Tristellateia australasiae Rich. bagnit, shower of gold climber

Syn. Tristellateia australis Rich.

Recent introduction. Malaysia and Australia. Uncommon. Planted ornamental climber with yellow
flowers. 5, 6(179, 205), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2253, RT2775).

MALVACEAE (Mallow Family)

Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. okra, gumbo, lady's finger; bindi (Fiji Hindi)
Syn. Hibiscus esculentus L.

Recent introduction. Asia. Rare to uncommon. Food plant in Taiwanese food garden project at Buada
in 2007. Preferred cooked vegetable of many Indian families. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2658).

Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik. bush spinach, edible hibiscus; bush hibiscus spinach, bele (Fiji)
Syn. Hibiscus manihot L.
Nauruan Name: bele (from Fijian “bele”)

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia. Occasional in past now uncommon. Food plant in gardens at
Location and Topside Workshop and occasionally in other home gardens. Nutritious slippery green leaves
cooked as a green vegetable by Solomon Islanders, Tuvaluans, I-Kiribati and Fijians. Along with taro leaves,
one of the two most important leafy green vegetables in the Pacific Is. Should be planted more widely as a
vitamin-rich vegetable. 5, 6(105), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2217).

Abutilon asiaticum (L.) Sweet var. supraviride Fosb. Asian mallow

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 Nauruan Name: ekaura, inen ekaura

Indigenous. S. E. Asia to the Pacific Is. Occasional. Found in waste places and ruderal habitats along
coastal strip, especially near the Ijuw-Anibare boundary, along trails to topside and among pioneering weeds in
topsoil in areas recently cleared for phosphate mining. Tender meristem used to scent coconut oil; flowers used
in garlands and headbands. 2, 3(58807, 58805), 4(107N), 5(107), 6, 7(22306), 11 (DPNAU2007DH0071,
DH0072, DH0073, DH0109, DH0110, RT0557, RT0558, RT0559, RT0560, RT0561a, RT0563, RT0564,
RT0565, RT0654, RT0655, RT0744, RT0745, RT0746, RT1910, RT3171, RT3172, RT3205).

Gossypium barbadense L. sea-island cotton, cotton

Syns. Gossypium brasiliense Macf.; G. peruvianum Cav.
Nauruan Name: duwduw

Recent pre-World War I introduction. Tropical America. Extinct? Collected by Burges in 1935, but
not seen by subsequent collectors. Grown by Nauruans in the past for the cotton which was used to stuff
mattresses and pillows. The Nauruan name for cotton is the same as for kapok (Ceiba pentandra). 2.

Hibiscus mutabilis L. changeable rose mallow, changeable rose, variable rose

Nauruan Name: dorot (“the rose”)

Recent introduction. South China. Rare. Planted ornamental along road to Meneng Terrace in the
1980s and in a houseyard garden in Boe in 2007. 5(157), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT3032).

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. hibiscus, red hibiscus, China rose

Nauruan Name: dorot (“the rose”)

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia. Common. Planted ornamental and hedge plant; flowers used in
garlands and for decoration. One of the commonest and most widespread of all ornamental plants in tropical
regions. A number of different cultivars exist, including hybrids. 3(58791), 5(126), 6, 7, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0015, RT1771, RT1772, RT1832, RT1842, RT2522, RT3138b).

Hibiscus schizopetalus (Mast.) Hook. f. coral hibiscus, dragon flower

Nauruan Name: dorot (“the rose”)

Recent introduction. East Africa. Rare. Shrub with deeply dissected (laciniate) flowers with pink-and-
white to coral-red petals. Planted ornamental. Not seen in 2007. 3(58770), 5(125), 6.

Hibiscus tiliaceus L. beach hibiscus, hibiscus tree

Nauruan Name: ekwane

Indigenous. Pantropical. Very abundant. Forms thickets and forest on escarpment surrounding plateau,
on inner and outer edges of coastal strip and in areas inland and surrounding mangrove swamps. Timber used
for house construction and considered good for canoe outriggers, poles for noddy bird nets, and the best wood
for the construction of frigate bird nesting platforms (eteo, etea); very soft pieces of wood rubbed together in
the past to make fire by friction in the procedure known as ikumo; inner bark (bast fiber) used to make white
fiber, which after stripping off outer bark and soaking in mud and sea water, is used to make skirts (ridi),
special hula skirts (ingung), and baskets (ebwer, eber); fibre used for straining coconut cream and for lashing
house rafters; leaves used for wrapping pig and other foods for cooking in the earth oven (eyom, eom); leaves
cooked with water as a cure for diarrhoea. 1(22.R), 2, 3(58747), 4(169N), 5(28), 6, 7, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0475, RT0544, RT0683, RT0684, RT0704, RT0721, RT0722, RT0907, RT1164, RT1165,
RT1168, RT1169, RT1170, RT1171, RT1172, RT1173, RT1174, RT1266, RT1267, RT1268, RT1269,
RT1480c, RT1481, RT1483, RT1488a, RT1489, RT1497a, RT1499a, RT1500, RT1565a, RT1631b, RT1822,
RT2738, RT2739, RT2740, RT2741, RT2742, RT2754, RT2755, RT2756, RT2757, RT2758).

Hibiscus ornamental hybrids hybrid hibiscus

Nauruan Name: dorot (“the rose”)

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 Recent introduction. Rare. Origin? Planted ornamentals. 3, 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0152,
RT0862, RT0863, RT0877, RT1829, RT1830).

Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.) Garcke false mallow

Syns. Malvastrum tricuspidatum A. Gray; Malva coromandeliana L.

Recent introduction. Central America to the southern United States. Common. Weed in settled areas,
roadsides, wasteplaces and ruderal sites. 3(58694, 58728, 58766), 5, 6(207), 7, 8, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0217,
RT0470, RT2273, RT2967).

. Malviscus arboreus Cav. var. drummondii (Torr. & A. Gray) Drummond’s Turk’s cap
Syn. Malviscus drummondii Torr. & A. Gray

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Seen in one houseyard garden on upper Meneng Terrace
near the former State House. 11 (DPNAU2007RT1426, RT1427).

Malviscus penduliflorus Moc. & Sessé ex DC. sleeping hibiscus, Turk's cap
Syns. Malvaviscus arboreus Cav. var. penduliflorus (Moc. & Sessé ex DC.) Schery

Recent introduction. Mexico to Brazil. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 5(124), 6.

Sida acuta Burm. f. spiny-headed sida, broom weed

Syns. Sida carpinifolia L.f.; S. glomerata Cav.
Nauruan Name: coffee bush

Recent introduction. Pantropical. Occasional. Weed on coastal strip, along roadside, and in and near
thickets. Two forms, a narrow ovate-lanceolate-leaved form (22303) and a broader-leaved form (96) exist.
3(58615, 58649, 58806), 5(23, 96), 6, 7(22303), 8(9558, 9582), 10, 11.

Sida fallax Walp. golden mallow, ilima (Hawaii), te kaura (Kiribati)

Nauruan Name: ekaura, idibin ekaura

Indigenous. Indo-Pacific. Rare or extripated? Small downy plant with attractive small hibiscus-like
yellow-orange flowers. Found in ruderal habitats on coastal strip and in areas cleared recently for phosphate
mining in the 1980s and 1990s. Not seen in 2007. Unopened flower buds used, after soaking in coconut oil to
retard their opening and make them last, to make headbands and necklaces worn by dancers and sportsmen
during special occasions, such as traditional wrestling; dried and treated leaves used by I Kiribati, in Kiribati, as
a very strong fertilizer and mulch for ceremonial giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma chamissonis) gardens. 1(5.R),
2(7.5), 5(108), 6(160, 162), 9.

Sida rhombifolia L. broomweed, broom plant, Cuba jute, Paddy's lucerne

Nauruan Name: coffee bush, itsi (“tea”)

Recent introduction. Pantropical. Common. Weed of roadsides, waste places and semi-shaded areas.
Tea made from leaves during World War II; leaves boiled in water used to treat blisters. 3(58621), 4(138N), 5,
6, 7, 8(9575), 10, 11 (DPNAU2002RT0378, RT0494, RT0908, RT1904, RT2983).

Sida spinosa L. var. angustifolia (Lam.) Griseb. prickly sida

Recent introduction. Pantropical. Occasional. Weed in waste places. 4, 6.

Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Correa Thespian’s tree, milo (Hawaii, Polynesia)
Nauruan Name: itira, itirya

Indigenous. Paleotropics. Occasional. Growing along the coastal margins of mangroves in Anetan and

139
in a number of coastal sites in Meneng and Aiwo; planted on golf course along entrance to old clubhouse and
occasionally in houseyard gardens. Considered the best wood for traditional house construction, woodcarving,
furniture and canoe outriggers; wood also used in traditional stick games. One of the best trees for replanting
and coastal reforestation. 1(73.R), 2, 3(58745), 4(165N), 5(57), 6, 7(27821), 11 (DPNAU2007RT0223,
RT0224, RT0225, RT0238, RT0789b, RT1157, RT1158, RT1159, RT1160, RT1161, RT1282, RT1283,
RT1284a, RT1285a, RT1286a, RT1289, RT1290, RT1297, RT1301, RT1302, RT1306b, RT1312, RT1313,
RT1321a, RT1764, RT1765, RT1766, RT1807, RT1808, RT1809, RT1810, RT1811, RT1812, RT1817,
RT1818, RT2843, RT2848, RT2849, RT2850, RT2976, RT2977).

MELIACEAE (Mahogany Family)

Melia azedarach L. Indian lilac, China berry, Persian lilac, pride of India
Nauruan Name: gadong, gadung

Pre-World War I introduction. Tropical Asia. Occasional. Planted ornamental and spontaneous on
coastal strip, in strip-mined area on plateau, near the Topside Oval, and on escarpment slopes near phosphate
processing plant. Seen as an adventive in a number of open fields and planted near the FAO experimental
garden in north Buada in 2007. 2, 3(58732), 4(122N), 5(74), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1037, RT1038, RT1047,
RT1908, RT1909, RT2132, RT2399, RT2577).

Sandoricum koetjape (Burm. f.) Merr. santol (Philippines)

Syns. Sandoricum indicum Cav.; Melia koetjape (Burm. f.) Merr.

Recent introduction. Malesia. Extinct? Small recently planted seedling growing in Filipino home
garden at Location in 1980. No longer present in 1981 or thereafter. 5.

MORACEAE (Mulberry Family)

Artocarpus altilis (Park.) Fosb. breadfruit

Syns. Artocarpus incisus (Thunb.) L.f.; A. communis Forst.
Nauruan Name: deme

Aboriginal introduction. Malayo-Pacific. Common. Planted staple tree crop on coastal strip. Fruit
cooked as a staple food; sap (denda) used as an adhesive for caulking canoes and a chewing gum; leaves used
for wrapping food for cooking, for parcelization of fresh food, and as plates; medicine for curing ear aches
made by crushing juice from the tender growing tips at the ends of branches (meristems). Two main cultivars of
A. altilis are deme and modenewe or modenawe (“modern way”). Important staple food tree throughout the
Pacific Islands. One of the most important trees for protection and replanting for food security. 2, 3(58753), 5,
6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0347, RT0456a, RT0458a, RT0791, RT0974, RT0975, RT1399, RT1400, RT1905,
RT1906, RT1907, RT2425b, RT2427, RT2772, RT2778, RT2779, RT2784, RT2904, RT2931, RT3135,
RT3136, RT3137).

Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. jakfruit, jackfruit

Pre-World War II introduction. Indomalaysia. Rare. Planted fruit tree reported present by Burges in
1933; young tree seen in Topside Workshop food gardens in 1987. A mature tree seen in one houseyard garden
at Buada in 2007. Ripe fruit eaten; immature fruit cooked as a supplementary staple in curries by Indians. 2, 6,
11 (DPNAU2007RT02627, RT02628, RT02629).

Artocarpus mariannensis Trec. Marianas breadfruit

Nauruan Name: damenkamor

Aboriginal introduction? Micronesia. Occasional. Planted staple fruit tree. Same uses as for A. altilis,

140
but fruit of A. mariannensis eaten raw and cooked. 3(58755), 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0497, RT0498,
RT3160, RT3161, RT3162, RT3163).

Ficus benghalensis L. Indian banyan, east Indian fig, Vada tree

Nauruan Name: eyayo

Recent introduction. India. Common. Planted ornamental tree and roadside tree on coastal strip and in
housing areas on the escarpment and the main tree on the golf course. 3(58749), 5(53), 6, 7, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0211, RT0330, RT0331, RT0348a, RT0453, RT1823, RT1837, RT2183, RT2184, RT2185,
RT2186, RT2190b, RT2252, RT2893, RT2894, RT2901b, RT2902, RT2903, RT2905, RT2915, RT2916,
RT2923, RT2924, RT2978b).

Ficus benjamina L. weeping fig, weeping banyan, Benjamin tree

Recent introduction. Occasional. Tropical Asia. Planted ornamental and shade tree. 11
(DPNAU2007RT1649, RT1651 RT1652, RT1928, RT1937, RT1943, RT1977, RT2576).

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Ficus elastica Roxb. Indian rubber tree, rubber plant, Indian rubber fig

Recent introduction. India to Nepal and Malaya, perhaps southward to Java. Uncommon. Planted
ornamental tree. 5, 6, 7, 11(DPNAU2007RT00194, RT1723, RT1724, RT1993).

Ficus microcarpa L. f. Chinese banyan, laurel fig

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia and western Micronesia. Occasional. Ornamental trees in
houseyard gardens in a number of other locations. First reported in 2007. 11 (DPNAU2007RT0485, RT0486,
RT0487, RT0488, RT1411, RT1412, RT1939, RT1940, RT2033).

Ficus prolixa Forst. f. var. carolinensis (Warb.) Fosb. Pacific banyan

Nauruan Name: eaeo, eyayo, yayo

Indigenous. New Caledonia and Micronesia to southwestern Polynesia (F. prolixa). Very abundant in
the 1980s, now abundant. Medium to large tree, 2 to 20 m high, with many aerial roots descending from
branches. Common on plateau in areas of unmined forest, in older strip-mined areas, and on the escarpment and
coastal strip, primarily on coral-limestone pinnacles and outcrops. F. prolixa seems to be one of the only
species capable of long-term colonization of residual pinnacles in strip-mined areas and could become
dominant in the disclimax vegetation. Berry-like fruit (moduru) eaten cooked and mixed with boiled sap (toddy
or karawai) from the coconut flower spathe (kamerara) to make a dish known as dedangan or dedengan which
can keep for two to four weeks, and, if cooked and dried in the sun, will keep for years if stored in a dry place;
sap used as chewing gum (ikumi, kumi). 1, 3(58663), 5(19), 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0085, RT0087, RT0088b,
RT0099a, RT0100, RT0104, RT0106, RT0110, RT0322 RT0348b, RT0423b, RT0822 RT0871 RT0872
RT0873, RT1188, RT1201a, RT1205a, RT1207, RT1208, RT1211a, RT1260, RT1261, RT1356, RT1370,
RT1371, RT137, RT1379, RT1391, RT1392, RT1393, RT1394, RT0406, RT1549, RT1570, RT1792, RT2084,
RT2085, RT2092, RT2364, RT2370b, RT2371, RT2372, RT2373, RT2374, RT2381, RT2382, RT2383b,
RT2384b, RT2385, RT2387, RT2439, RT2440, RT2441, RT2978a, RT3009, RT3147).

Ficus tinctoria Forst. f. Dyer's fig, native fig

Nauruan Name: debero

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia to Polynesia and Micronesia. Uncommon. Planted food tree in
Rev. James Aigimea's garden behind the house in the 1980s. Found near an I-Kiribati residence at Location in
2007. Fruit eaten cooked; fruit also cooked and mashed and mixed with boiled coconut syrup (kamirara,
kamerara) to make a pudding (dedengan). Plant reportedly introduced from Kiribati, where it is known as te
bero and is a supplementary staple in many areas and a major staple in the drier islands of southern Kiribati.
Use learned by some Nauruans from I-Kiribati, but recipe essentially the same as used by Nauruans for F.
prolixa. 5(104), 6, 7(27808), 11 (DPNAU2007RT0343, RT0344, RT0345, RT0346, RT2932, RT2933,
RT2937, RT2938, RT2939, RT2940, RT2941).

Ficus sp.

Recent introduction. Planted ornamental. Rare. 5 (197).

MORINGACEAE (Moringa Family)

Moringa oleifera Lam. horseradish tree, drumstick tree, saijan, seijan (Hindi)
Syns. Guilandina moringa L.; Moringa moringa (L.) Millsp.

Recent introduction. India. Occasional to common. Food plant in Indian home gardens on Meneng
Terrace and Command Ridge and in Filipino Gardens at Location. Nutritious leaves, fruit, and flowers cooked
as vegetables by resident Filipino and Indian families. Now planted in many Nauruan gardens. Very common
food tree planted by Indians in Fiji. 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0010, RT0012, RT0893, RT0906, RT0994,
RT1859, RT2224, RT2225, RT2226, RT2260, RT2261, RT2410, RT2411).

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 MYRTACEAE (Myrtle Family)

Callistemon viminalis (Sol. Ex Gaert.) G. Don ex Loudon weeping bottlebrush

Recent introduction. New South Wales. Rare. Single plant seen in houseyard garden on Command
Ridge in 2007. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2250).

Eucalyptus sp. eucalyptus, gum tree

Recent introduction. Australia. Rare. Tree with peeling bark; leaves, aromatic; flowers, petals absent,
with numerous showy stamens; fruit, a woody capsule, opening by slits; seeds, small and numerous. Planted
ornamental tree in Nauruan houseyard garden. 6.

Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr. allspice

Syn. P. officinalis Lindl.; Myrtus pimenta L.; M. dioica L.

Recent introduction. Central America and West Indies. Rare. Planted ornamental seedling in home
garden. Not seen in 2007. 6.

Psidium guajava L. guava

Nauruan Name: kuwawa

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Common. Occasionally planted or protected in home gardens;
spontaneous on coastal strip and locally abundant on margins of unmined forest on plateau and in regrowth in
mined areas. Hybrid improved cultivar planted in Taiwanese vegetable project at Buada. Wood an excellent
firewood and makes good fishing poles; leaves used to treat diarrhoea; ripe fruit eaten and made into jams.
3(58650, 58767), 4(105N), 5(94), 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RTRT0435, RT0436 RT0767, RT0772,
RT0773, RT1121, RT1774, RT2081c, RT2083, RT2268, RT2492, RT02648, RT2665 RT2667, RT3007,
RT3008, RT3203, RT3204).

Syzygium malaccense (L.) Merr. and Perry Malay apple, mountain apple
Syns. Eugenia malaccensis L.

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia. Rare. Planted fruit tree seedling in Tuvaluan garden at Location.
Common aboriginal introduction throughout most of high-island Melanesia and Polynesia, where the fruit is
eaten. 5, 6.

NYMPHAEACEAE (Waterlily Family)

Nymphaea sp. water lily

Recent introduction. E. and S. Africa and Madagascar. Rare. Planted ornamental in water tanks and in
small household fish ponds. 3(58684), 4, 5(251).

NYCTAGINACEAE (Four-O'clock Family)

Boerhavia repens L. boerhavia, pigweed

Syn. Boerhavia diffusa sensu auct non L.

Indigenous. Africa to Hawai’i. Uncommon. Weed of roadsides, wasteplaces and ruderal sites.
Plant fed to pigs; used as a vegetable in times of food scarcity in Kiribati. Common in Kiribati, but reported
here for the first time from Nauru. 11 (DPNAU2007RT0260, RT1756)

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Bougainvillea glabra Choisy bougainvillea, lesser bougainvillea
Nauruan Name: sita, tsitta

Recent introduction. Brazil. Occasional. Planted ornamental. Flowers used by I-Kiribati in garlands.
3(58726), 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1965).

Bougainvillea x buttiana Holttum & Standley hybrid bougainvillea

Syn. Mistakenly identified as Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd.
Nauruan Name: tsita, tsitta

Recent introduction. Horticultural origin. Common. Planted ornamental in household gardens.

Flowers used in garlands and decorations. According to Whistler (2000), it is commonly misidentified as
the Brazilian species, B. spectabilis Willd., and is apparently a hybrid of two other species, one of which is
possibly B. spectabilis. 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0068, RT0269, RT1119, RT1120, RT1145, RT1146).

Mirabilis jalapa L. four-o'clock, marvel of Peru, false jalap

Nauruan Name: teoua, teowa

Recent introduction. Peru. Occasional. Planted ornamental; spontaneous in some places on coastal
strip in the 1980s. Flowers used in garlands. Reportedly used by I Kiribati to treat rickets by
boiling a handful of petioles in toddy, which is then drunk to correct distortion of the
bones. 3(58784), 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1890, RT1891).
Pisonia grandis R. Brown pisonia, lettuce tree, bird-catcher tree
Syn. Pisonia alba Span.
Nauruan Name: yangis, yangys, yangits

Indigenous. Indopacific. Occasional. Tree in unmined plateau forest along the crest of the escarpment
above the northern portion of Anibare Bay and on unmined residual rocky limestone outcrops. Occasionally
planted in houseyard gardens and at Location contract workers settlement. Very brittle wood used in past as an
inferior fuel; most important roosting habitat for noddy birds, darur (Anous stolidus) which are an important
ceremonial food. Leaves cooked as a nutritious vegetable in Kiribati to combat malnutrition and fed to pigs in
Tonga. 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RTRT0334, RT0335, RT0541, RT0542, RT0543, RT1178, RT1189, RT1190,
RT1191, RT1194b, RT1195, RT1196, RT1197b, RT1199, RT1225, RT1226, RT1227, RT1229, RT1230,
RT1232, RT1237, RT1240, RT1241, RT1243, RT1276, RT1277, RT1278a, RT1279, RT1648, RT1650,
RT2395, RT2396, RT2397, RT2398, RT2424a, RT2425a, RT2930).

OLEACEAE (Olive Family)

Jasminum multiflorum (Burm. f.) Andr. star jasmine, downly jasmine

Syns. Nyctanthes multiflora Burm. f.; Jasminum pubescens Willd.

Recent introduction. India. Rare. Planted ornamental. 5, 6.

Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait. Arabian jasmine, pikake (Hawaii)

Syn. Nyctanthes sambac L.
Nauruan Name: rimone

Pre-World War II introduction. India. Occasional. Planted ornamental, especially in I-Kiribati and
Tuvaluan gardens at Location in the 1980s. Occasional in Nauruan gardens in 2007. Flowers used in garlands
and for scenting oil. 3(58719), 5(18), 6, 7 11 (DPNAU2007RT0495, RT0927, RT0980).

144
 ONAGRACEAE (Evening Primrose Family)

Ludwigia hyssopifolia (G. Don) Excell swamp primrose, willow primrose

Syns. Jussiaea linifolia Vahl.; Jussiaea hyssopifolia G. Don

Recent introduction. Pantropical. Paleotropics through Malesia to Australia and Micronesia and a
more recent introduction into Fiji and Samoa. Rare in the early 1980s but a common weed in swampy areas
along the margins of Buada Lagoon in 2007. Previously identified as Ludwidgia octovalvis (Jacq.) Raven, but
the species seen in 2007 was identified as L. hyssopifolia by Warea Orapa. Both species possibly exist. 4 (150),
10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0954, RT0955, RT2613, RT2614, RT2615).
.
Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq.) Raven swamp primrose, willow primrose
Syns. Jussiaea suffruticosa L.; Oenothera octovalvis Jacq.

Recent introduction. Pantropical. Rare. Weed in swampy area bordering mangroves in Meneng. A
weed, possibly growing together with L. hyssopifolia along the margins of Buada Lagoon in 2007. 4 (150), 11
(DPNAU2007RT02622).

OXALIDACEAE (Wood Sorrel Family)

Averrhoa bilimbi L. belimbi

Recent introduction. Malaya to India. Uncommon. Three large trees planted near Indian homes on
Meneng Terrace. Fruit eaten ripe; green and ripe fruit made into pickles by Indian families. 7, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0897, RT0899, RT0900, RT0901, RT0902, RT0903, RT1123, RT1124, RT1861, RT1862,
RT1863, RT1864, RT1865 RT1894, RT2999, RT3000, RT3001, RT3002, RT3003).

Averrhoa carambola L. carambola

Recent introduction. Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Rare. Small fruit tree in Taiwanese garden
project at Buada. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2650)

Oxalis corniculata L. yellow wood-sorrel, creeping wood-sorrel

Pre-World War I introduction; reported by Schumann and Lauterbach (1901) as collected by Finsch.
Paleotropical and paleosubtropical; now cosmopolitan. Rare. Weed at MQ 40 Command Ridge. 1, 6(163).

Oxalis regnelli Miq. Purple shamrock

Syns. O. regnelli var triangularis; O. Triangularis var. purpurea

Recent introduction. South America. Rare. Herb with a scaly underground stem, folded, broadly
triangular purple clover-like leaves, and white flowers. Seen as a hanging potplant in houseyard garden in
Nibok in 2007. 11 (DPNAU2007RT3126a).

PASSIFLORACEAE (Passion Flower Family)

Passiflora coccinea Aubl. scarlet passion flower

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

Passiflora edulis Sims passionfruit

Recent introduction. Brazil. Rare. Two small seedlings in home garden in the early 1980s and a
number of plants seen in the Taiwanese nursery at Buada Lagoon in 2007. Supplementary food plant in many
parts of the Pacific and currently or formally an important cash crop in Niue, Fiji, W. Samoa, Hawaii and Papua

145
New Guinea. 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT02640).

Passiflora foetida L. var. hispida (DC.) Killip. wild passionfruit, stinking passion flower, love-in-a-
mist
Syn. P. hispida DC. ex Triana & Planch
Nauruan Name: oatamo, watamo

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Weed, generally on plateau, but also on
escarpment and coastal strip, along roadsides, trailsides and in thickets ruderal habitats. Tangy pulp and seeds
eaten by children and some adults. 2, 3(58592), 4(117N), 5(54), 6, 7, 8(9581), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0208,
RT0212, RT0213, RT0341, RT1727, RT2133, RT2337, RT2579).

PIPERACEAE (Pepper Family)

Peperomia obtusifolia (L.) A. Dietr. jade plant, baby rubber plant

Syn. Piper obtusifolia L.

Recent introduction. West Indies and Florida. Rare. Pot plant. 3(58691), 6, 7.

Peperomia pellucida (L.) HBK. peperomia

Syns. Peperomia pellucidum L.; P. lineata Miq. ex Yuncker

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Uncommon. Weed of pot plants and shady moist areas around
homes. 5(7), 6, 8, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1877, RT1878, RT2019, RT2024).

PLUMBAGINACEAE (Leadwort Family or Plumbago Family)*

Plumbago auriculata Lam. Cape plumbago, Cape leadwort, blue plumbago

Syn. Plumbago capensis Thunb.

Recent introduction. South Africa. Rare. Seen as a potted plant in one houseyard garden in
Meneng District in 2007. 11 (DPNAU2007RT1974, RT1975).

POLYGALACEAE (Polygala Family)

Polygala paniculata L. bubblegum plant

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Weed along Topside running track and in other waste
places. Not seen in 2007. 5, 6(203), 7.

POLYGONACEAE (Buckwheat Family)

Antigonon leptopus Hook. and Arn. Mexican creeper, chain of love, coral vine, corallita

Recent introduction. Mexico. Occasional in the 1980s but now locally abundant and spreading.
Planted ornamental and spontaneous in waste places and ruderal habitats. Invasive and climbing in almost
monospecific stands on the escarpment above Location and the hospital. 3(58679), 5(59), 6, 7, 8(9562), 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0324, RT0325, RT0326, RT0327, RT1007b, RT1381, RT1382, RT1383, RT1384, RT1385,
RT1395, RT2168, RT2169, RT2191).

Coccoloba uvifera (L.) Jacq. sea grape

Syn. Polygonum uvifera L.

146
 Recent introduction. Trop. America. Rare. Planted ornamental near Buada Lagoon. 3(58787), 6.

PORTULACACEAE (Purslane Family)

Portulaca grandiflora Hook. portulaca, purslane, pigface

Recent introduction. Brazil. Rare. Planted ornamental. 3(58659), 5, 6, 7.

Portulaca oleracea L. pig weed, purslane, wild purslane

Nauruan Name: debois, doboiy

Recent introduction. Uncertain origin but now Cosmopolitan. Occasional. Weed in gardens and waste
places, especially in sandy, hydromorphic soils of the shores of Buada Lagoon. Cooked leaves and stems eaten
after pounding and mixing with coconut flower spathe syrup (kamerara); important famine food during World
War II; plants fed to pigs; leaves and stems boiled with water being used to cure scabies. 3(58624, 58734), 5(4),
6, 7, 8, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0054, RT0055, RT0294, RT2553, RT2867).

PUNICACEAE (Pomegranate Family)*

Punica granatum L. ornamental flowering pomegranate

Recent introduction. Middle East, perhaps Iran. Rare. Planted ornamental in a couple of
houseyard gardens. 11 (DPNAU2007RT0492, RT0493).

RHAMNACEAE (Buckthorn Family)

Colubrina asiatica (L.) Brongn. soapbush, hoop withe

Syns. Ceanothus asiaticus L.; Ceanothus capsularis Forst. f.
Nauruan Name: ewongup

Indigenous. Paleotropical. Common. Found in forests on plateau and on cliffs and slopes and at base
of escarpment and in thickets on the inner margins of the escarpment. Rolled leaves used with flowers of other
species in garlands. A traditional source of soap in other Pacific islands, although not reportedly used for this
purpose on Nauru. 2, 3(58641), 4(113N), 5(69), 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0095, RT0323, RT0383,
RT0562, RT0567b, RT0751, RT0752, RT0753, RT0758, RT0759a, RT0777, RT0784, RT0886, RT0887,
RT3044, RT3045, RT3170, RT3206).

Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. Indian jujube

Recent introduction. India and Southeast Asia to the East Indies. Rare. Two mature fruiting trees
seen in Taiwanese experimental garden at Buada in 2007. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2684, RT2685, RT2686).

147
 RHIZOPHORACEAE (Mangrove Family)

Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam. f. brown mangrove

Syns. Rhizophora gymnorhiza L.; R. conjugata L.; Bruguiera gymnorhiza Savigny; B. rheedi Bl.; B.
eriopetala W. & Arn.; B. conjugata (L.) Merr.
Nauruan Name: etum, etam

Indigenous. Indopacific. Occasional. Localized in system of brackish lakes or lagoons near base of
escarpment in Meneng, Anabar, Ijuw and Anetan Districts (lake in Anabar known as Araro). A couple large
trees also seen behind houses near ponds in Meneng District and near a pool to the north of Buada Lagoon.
Reportedly present around the main Buada Lagoon in the past. Strong wood excellent for house construction;
pre-germinated seed (fruit) eaten cooked, after scraping, drying in the sun and then boiling; the Nauruan
delicacy known as etum or etam, is prepared by mixing the grated pre-germinated seed with coconut milk and
then baking; skin of seed used to prepare a black dye for traditional skirts (ridi). 2, 3(58746), 4(167N), 5(103),
6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0188, RT0189, RT0207, RT0608, RT0609, RT0612, RT0613, RT0614, RT0675,
RT0676, RT0677, RT0678, RT0679b, RT0680, RT0681, RT0682, RT0691, RT0692, RT0693, RT0694,
RT0695a, RT0698, RT0699, RT0700, RT0701, RT0702, RT0703, RT0712, RT0713, RT0714, RT0715,
RT0716, RT0717, RT0718, RT0807, RT0808, RT0809, RT0811, RT1030, RT1284b, RT1285b, RT1286b,
RT1287b, RT1288, RT1291, RT1295, RT1314, RT1315, RT1316, RT1317, RT1318, RT1319, RT1320a,
RT1322a, RT1707, RT1713, RT1728, RT1734, RT3179, RT3180, RT3181, RT3182, RT3183, RT3185,
RT3191, RT3194, RT3195, RT3196a, RT3197, RT3198, RT3199, RT3200, RT3201, RT3202).

Rhizophora stylosa Griff. mangrove

Syns. Rhizophora mucronata Lam. var. mucronata; R. mucronata Lam. var. stylosa Schimper
Nauruan Name: dadongo

Indigenous. Indopacific. Localized in a small population in the inner part of a system of brackish lakes
or lagoons near base of escarpment in Ijuw. First identified in 1996 by Thaman and Hassall. 9?, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0641, RT0643, RT0644, RT0645, RT0646, RT0647, RT0666, RT0667, RT0670, RT0673,
RT0674, RT0685, RT0686, RT0687, RT0688, RT0689, RT0690, RT0706, RT0707, RT0708, RT0709,
RT3184, RT3186, RT3187, RT3188, RT3189, RT3190, RT3192).

ROSACEAE (Rose Family)

Filipendula rubra (J. Hill) B.L. Rob. queen of the prairies

Recent introduction. Central United States. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

Rosa damascena Mill. damask rose

Nauruan Name: dorot (“the rose”)

Recent introduction. Western Asia. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 5(80), 6.

RUBIACEAE (Coffee Family)

Aidia racemosa (Cav.) Trivengadum

Syns. Aidia cochinchinensis sensu auct. Non Lour.; Randia cochinchinensis sensu auct. non Lour.)
Merr.; Stylocornya racemosa Cav.; Randia graeffei Reinecke
Nauruan Name: enga, enguh, ikwanimwi

Indigenous. Tropical Asia to western Polynesia. Rare. Rare shrub with edible fruits in escarpment
forest. A small population of a few individuals seen in a single location on a seaside escarpment terrace just
below the main ridge above Anibare Bay in 2007. Ripe fruit eaten, especially by children. 2(K9), 6(165), 9, 11
(DPNAU2007RT1245, RT1246, RT1247, RT1248, RT1249, RT1250, RT1252, RT1253a, RT1255, RT1256,

148
RT1257, RT1258).

Dentella repens J. & G. Forst. dentella

Recent introduction. Pantropical. Rare. Small-leaved creeping weed seen in parking lot outside
Rehabilitation Building. 11 (DPNAU2007RT2038).

Gardenia augusta (L.) Merr. august gardenia

Syns. Varneria augusta L.; Gardenia florida L.; G. jasminoides Ellis; G. radicans Thunb.

Recent introduction. China. Uncommon. Planted ornamental. 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1969).

Gardenia taitensis DC. Tahitian gardenia, tiare Tahiti (Tahiti)

Nauruan Name: tiare

Recent introduction. Pacific Islands. Rare in the 1980s, occasional in 2007. Planted ornamental in
Tuvaluan garden at Location in the 1980s and in Nauruan houseyard gardens in 2007. Fragrant flowers used in
garlands and to scent coconut oil. 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0243 RT0477, RT1075, RT1076, RT1077,
RT1760, RT1777, RT1941, RT1942 RT1976, RT2720, RT3117, RT3118, RT3119, RT3120).

Gardenia sp. Professor Pucci gardenia

Recent introduction. Origin. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

Guettarda speciosa L. guettarda

Nauruan Name: iut, yut

Indigenous. Tropical Asia to the Pacific Islands. Occasional. Found in woods and thickets on coastal
strip, but less common in forest on plateau near escarpment; common in regrowth in older strip-mined areas;
planted in home gardens. Straight pieces of timber make excellent house rafters and used for canoe parts and
handicrafts; bark scraped and mixed with other plant extracts, eg., Scaevola sericea (emet) and Cordia
subcordata (eongo) to produce a medicine for beriberi; leaves used to parcel food and as plates; flowers used in
garlands and decorations, often after soaking in coconut oil; flowers considered the best for scenting coconut
oil; juice from flowers used as a deodorant; flowers and young leaves soaked in water to make a love potion,
which is drunk by women, who when sweating, make men go crazy (reportedly learned from I-Kiribati); juice
of flowers mixed with coconut juice used to keep hair healthy. 2, 3(58759), 5(70), 6, 7(27806), 11
(DPNAU2007RT0013, RT0836, RT0878, RT1597, RT1598, RT1610, RT1611, RT1613b, RT1741, RT1782,
RT2291, RT2390, RT2484b, RT2488c, RT2489c, RT2490c, RT2767, RT2768, RT2790, RT3033b).

Hedyotis corymbosa (L.) Lam.

Syn. Oldlandia corymbosa L.

Recent introduction. Pantropical. Uncommon. Weed in waste places and ruderal habitats. 4(140N),
5(143), 6, 8(9560), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1722, RT2064X, RT2065X, RT2128, RT2129, RT2974, RT2975).

Ixora casei Hance giant red ixora

Syns. Ixora duffii Baine; I. carolinensis Hosok.; I. longifolia Smith

Recent introduction. Caroline Is. (Southeast Asia?). Occasional. Planted ornamental in Nauru, but
reportedly wild, and indigenous to Palau, Chuuk (Truk) and Pohnpei (Ponape) and Kosrae (Kusaie). Flowers
used in ornamentation and garlands. 3(58707), 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0245, RT0246, RT0247, RT0981,
RT0982, RT1749, RT2221, RT2222).

Ixora chinensis Lam. Chinese ixora

Recent introduction. China and East Indies. Uncommon. Planted ornamental and potplants. Seen

149
as Meneng Hotel and in houseyard gardens in 2007. 11 (DPNAU2007RT0067, RT2009).

Ixora coccinea L. red ixora, flame of the woods

Syn. Ixora fraseri Hort. ex Grant

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 5, 6(202), 11

(DPNAU2007RT0539).

Ixora finlaysoniana Lam. white ixora, fragrant ixora

Recent introduction. Thailand and Southeast Asia. Rare. Planted ornamental. 11

(DPNAU2007RT1107, RT1108).

Ixora siamensis Wallich ex G. Don pink ixora, Siamese ixora

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia. Uncommon. Planted ornamental on Command Ridge. 11

(DPNAU2007RT2220).

Morinda citrifolia L. beach mulberry, Indian mulberry, noni (Hawai’i)

Nauruan Name: deneno

Indigenous. Tropical Asia and Australia to Southeastern Polynesia. Common. Common to

abundant on coastal strip, often protected or planted around homes and in waste areas; occasional in plateau
forest and in older strip-mined areas. Plants kept around homes to ward off evil spirits; small pieces cut up and
rubbed on hands, face, etc., to ward off evil spirits; roots ground to provide a yellow dye; ripe fruit eaten raw,
but far more commonly eaten in the past; fruit cooked and mixed with coconut syrup to make pudding
(dedangan); fruit and branches cooked to eliminate evil smells, especially after war; roots and branches crushed
and squeezed to cure rashes, fruit and roots crushed and cooked to cure headaches, tender leaves heated up with
coconut oil and used as a poultice to suck puss out of boils (ibir, ibur), raw fruit ground and drank as a cure for
diabetes, and fruit cooked and used as a cure for dysentery. Plant also a very important medicinal and multi-use
plant throughout the Pacific. In Kiribati, where there have been recent outbreaks of vitamin A-deficiency-
induced night blindness among young children, programs encouraging mothers to feed children the cooked
leaves of vitamin A-rich M. citrifolia have reportedly improved the situation. One local producer making noni
juice for local sale and export. 2, 3(58754), 5(98), 6, 7(27807), 11 (DPNAU2007RT0072, RT0168, RT0180,
RT0408, RT0464a, RT0624, RT0728 RT0770, RT1498b, RT1616b, RT1620, RT1740, RT1799, RT2243,
RT2319, RT2329a, RT2330, RT2339, RT2342a, RT2343, RT2383a, RT2384a, RT2449a, RT2451a, RT2452a,
RT278, RT3073a, RT3176, RT3216, RT3217, RT3218, RT3219).

Mussaenda erythrophylla Schum. and Thonn. red mussaenda, Ashanti blood

Recent introduction. Ghana. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6(195).

Mussaenda erythrophylla x philippica ‘Queen Sirikit’ pink mussaenda

Syn. Sometimes mistakenly identified as Mussaenda frondosa L.

Recent introduction. Tropical Africa and Madagascar to South Asia. Rare. Planted ornamental.
6(248), 11 (DPNAU2007RT1979).

Pentas bussei K. Kr. red pentas, red star cluster

Recent introduction. Tropical Africa? Rare. Planted ornamental. 3(58675), 6, 11

(DPNAU2007RT2241, RT2952).
.
Pentas lanceolata (Forsk.) K. Schum. pentas, Lady Fletcher, Egyptian star cluster
Syns. Ophiorrhiza lanceolata Forsk.; Pentas carnea Benth.

150
 Recent introduction. Tropical Africa, Madagascar, Comorro Islands and Arabian Peninsula.
Occasional. Planted ornamental. 3(58689), 5, 6(233,166), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1695, RT1696, RT1973,
RT2951).

Spermacoce assurgens R. & P. buttonweed

Syns. Spermacoce suffrutescens Jacq.; Borreria laevis sensu auct. plur. non (Lam.) Griseb.

Recent introduction. Southern Asia. Uncommon in 1980s, now common. Weed in waste places and
houseyard gardens. 5(2), 6, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1151, RT1854).

Spermacoce bartlingiana (DC) Fosb. buttonweed

Recent introduction. Southern Asia. Occasional. Weed in waste places and ruderal sites. 11
(DPNAU2007RT0219, RT0274b, RT0275a, RT0293, RT1068).

Tarenna sambucina (Forst. f.) Dur. ex Drake

Syns. Coffea sambucina Forst. f.; Stylocornya sambucina (Forst. f.) A. Gray; Tarenna glabra Merr.

Indigenous? New Caledonia to S.E. Polynesia and Micronesia. Extinct? Reported present by Burges
in 1935, but not collected since. 2.

RUTACEAE (Rue Family)

Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle lime

Syn. Limonia aurantifolia Christm.
Nauruan Name: derem, deraim

Recent introduction. Malesia. Occasional. Planted fruit tree in houseyard gardens. Juice of fruit used
to marinate raw fish and to make drinks. 3(58695), 5, 6(221), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0151, RT0919, RT0920,
RT0951, RT0992, RT0993, RT0994, RT1271, RT2426, RT2428, RT2710, RT3121).

Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. lemon

Syns. Citrus medica var. limon L.; C. limonum Risso; C. limonia Osbeck

Recent introduction. East Asia. Rare. Planted fruit tree. Reportedly more abundant in the past. Juice
used to marinate raw fish and to make drinks. 5, 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1897).

Citrus mitis Blanco calamondin orange, kalamantsi

Recent introduction. East Asia. Occasional. Planted fruit tree in houseyard gardens. Fruit squeezed
on food and used to make drinks and marmalade. 11 (DPNAU2007RT0870, RT0890, RT0891, RT0892,
RT0904, RT0905, RT1856, RT1857, RT1858).

Citrus reticulata Blanco tangerine, mandarin orange

Syns. Citrus deliciosa Ten.; C. nobilis Lour. var.

Recent introduction. Rare. East Asia. Immature planted fruit tree. 5, 6.

Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck orange, sweet orange

Syn. C. aurantium var. sinensis L.

Recent introduction. South Asia. Uncommon. Immature planted fruit tree seen in the 1980s;
reportedly more common in past and planted by the Japanese during World War II. Mature trees seen in a few
houseyard gardens in Buada and on Chinese experimental farm in Buada in 2007. 6, 7, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0952, RT0953, RT1074, RT2663 RT2669).

151
Murray koenigii (L.) Spreng. curry leaf, Indian bay leaf, tej patti, karipilai

Recent introduction. India and Southeastern Asia. Uncommon. A number of single trees planted in
houseyard gardens on the Meneg Hotel compound and in the NPC Settlement at Location. Young leaves
cooked as a spice in curries and soups, mainly by resident Indian families. 11 (DPNAU2007RT1644,
RT1645, RT1646, RT2207, RT2906, RT2907, RT2908).
.
Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack. mock orange, orange jessamine, orange jasmine, satin wood
Syns. Chalcas paniculata L.; Murraya exotica L.

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia, Malesia and Australia. Uncommon. Planted ornamental and pot
plant at Location in the 1980s and in houseyard gardens in 2007. 6(184), 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0477, RT0478,
RT1429, RT1430).

SAPINDACEAE (Soapberry Family)

Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq. native hop bush

Syn. Ptelea viscosa L.
Nauruan Name: eteweo, eteweau

Indigenous. Pantropical. Common. Common in scrub and occasional in plateau forest; occasional in
revegetated older mined areas. Strong but flexible trunks and branches used for fishing rods and for frames for
flying-fish and noddy nets; leaves occasionally used to scent coconut oil. 2, 3(58598, 58637), 5(73), 6, 7,
8(9578) , 11 (DPNAURT0381, RT0382 RT0400, RT0410a, RT1579, RT1596, RT1604b, RT1613a, RT1614,
RT2076, RT2077, RT2081a, RT2082, RT2311, RT2316, RT2362, RT2449b).

Nephelium litchi Camb. lychee, lychee nut

Syn. Litchi chinensis Sonn.

Recent introduction. South China. Rare. Planted fruit tree seedling. 6.

SAPOTACEAE (Sapodilla Family)

Chrysophyllum cainito L. star apple, cainito

Recent introduction. West Indies. Rare. Planted fruit tree seedling. 6.

SAXIFRAGACEAE (Saxifrage Family)

Saxifraga sarmentosum L. f. mother of millions, mother of thousands, strawberry geranium

Recent introduction. East Asia. Rare. Pot plant. 4 (144).

SCROPHULARIACEAE (Snapdragon Family)

Angelonia salicariaefolia Benth. angelonia, monkey face

Syns. Angelonia angustifolia Benth.

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 3(58723), 5, 711

(DPNAU2007RT1692, RT1693).

152
Angelonia biflora Benth. angelonia
Syn. Angelonia gardneri Hook.;
Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare.. 6(256). Planted ornamental

Bacopa procumbens (Mill.) Greenm.

Syns. Erinus procumbens Mill.); Herpestris chamaedryoides HBK.; Bacopa chamaedryoides (HBK.)
Wettst.

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Weed in lawns and disturbed places. 3 (58813).

Russelia equisetiformis Schlect. and Cham. firecracker flower, fountain bush

Nauruan Name: dokaibangi, dugaibangi, dogaibwangi

Recent introduction. Mexico. Occasional. Planted ornamental; growing as an escaped adventive along
roadside along the upper escarpment road passing above NPC housing toward the calcination plant.. 3(58678),
4(157N), 5, 6(213), 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT2227, RT2263, RT2264, RT2265, RT02644, RT02645,
RT02646, RT2785, RT2911, RT2912).

Russelia sarmentosa Jacq.

Recent introduction. Mexico. Rare. Planted ornamental. 3 (58795).

Scoparia dulcis L.

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Weed of waste places. Seen off the main road to Buada
above the calcination plant. 6(159), 8(9557), 11 (DPNAU2007RT2064, RT2065).

SOLANACEAE (Nightshade Family)

Capsicum annuum L. vars. annual chilli pepper, red pepper

Nauruan Name: epeba

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Planted spice plant in expatriate garden at
Meneng Terrace in the 1980s and in Chinese commercial vegetable gardens and some Nauruan houseyard
gardens in 2007. Fruit used to spice food. 6, 7, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1886, RT2206, RT2532, RT2533,
RT2961).

Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum (L.) Sendtn. bell pepper, sweet pepper, sweet capsicum, paprika,
Syn. Capsicum grossum L.; C. dulce Hort. ex Dun.

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Food plant in Topside workshop gardens in the a980s
and occasional in 2007. Fruit eaten raw in salads and cooked as a green vegetable. 5, 6, 11
(DPNAU2007RT2587).

Capsicum frutescens L. tabasco, bird chilli, perennial chilli

Capsicum minimum Roxb.
Nauruan Name: epeba

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Uncommon. Planted or protected in Tuvaluan garden at

Location and in Topside Workshop gardens in the 1980s and in a Tuvaluan women’s home garden at Buada in
2007. Reportedly much more common in the past. Fruit used to spice foods, often placed in bottles with
coconut juice which is then used as a “vinegar” or sauce. 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1082, RT2701, RT2706).

Cestrum nocturnum L. night-blooming cestrum, night-blooming jasmine, queen of the night

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 Recent introduction. West Indies. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 5(15), 6, 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0159, RT0160, RT0342, RT0865, RT1705, RT1896, RT1957, RT2934).

Datura metel L. datura, cornucopia, jimson weed

Syn. Datura fastuosa L.

Recent introduction. Southeast Asia. Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

Nicotiana tabacum L. tobacco

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Planted in home gardens; reportedly more common in
the past. Leaves dried and cured for smoking. Not seen in 2007. 3, 5, 6.

Physalis angulata L. cape gooseberry, bladderberry, ground cherry

Nauruan Name: watamo, oatamo

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Common. Weed in low ground near Buada Lagoon, on road
fill in currently mined areas, and in disturbed soil, gardens and wasteplaces on the coastal strip. Ripe small
tomato-like fruit eaten by children. 2, 3(58645, 58768), 4(130N), 5(14), 6, 7(22321), 8(9541), 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT1036, RT1039, RT1040).

Physalis lagascae R & S. ground cherry, wild cape gooseberry, bubble fruit
Syn. Physalis minima L.
Nauruan Name: watamo, oatamo

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Rare. Weed in low ground near Buada Lagoon. 3(58646).

Solanum lycopersicum L. tomato

Syn. Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Food plant at Location and in expatriate home
gardens; spontaneous in waste heaps in the 1980s; common in commercial vegetable gardens and the
Taiwanese nursery at Buada in 2007. 5, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1028, RT2672, RT2674).

Solanum melongena L. egg plant, aubergine, brinjal

Recent introduction. South Asia. Rare in the 1980s; occasional in 2007. Food plant in home gardens
and in Chinese market gardens and the experimental farm in 2007. 5, 6, 11. (DPNAU2007RT1026, RT1086,
RT2654, RT2689).

Solanum tuberosum L. potato, Irish potato

Recent introduction. Andes Mountains, South America-Andes. Rare. Immature food plant at Location
in the 1980s, grown from an imported potato. 5, 6, 7.

STERCULIACEAE (Cocoa Family)

Waltheria indica L. waltheria, boater bush, velvet leaf

Syns. Waltheria americana L.; W. elliptica Cav.

Recent introduction. Possibly native to Hawai’i or tropical America, but now pantropical. Occasional.
Weed of waste places, roadsides, vacant lots and ruderal habitats on coastal strip. 3(58668), 4(112N), 5(5,
109a), 6, 7(22301), 8(9599), 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0126, RT0507, RT0619, RT0626, RT1640, RT1641,
RT1911, RT2346).

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 SURIANACEAE (Quassia Family)

Suriana maritima L. bay cedar

Nauruan Name: ?

Indigenous. Pantropical. Rare. Rare coastal plant. Seen as a small drift seedling in 1981. Not seen in
2007. Common on sandy beaches and coral rubble on many atolls and small oceanic islands. 7(27820)

TILIACEAE (Linden Family)

Triumfetta procumbens Forst. f. beach burr

Nauruan Name: ikiau, ikiow, igiau, giau (Burges, 1935)

Indigenous. Paleotropics. Rare. Growing along coastal strip and in open areas in coastal thickets in the
1980s. Probably incorrectly reported as T. semitriloba Jacq. by Burgess in 1935. Seen planted in a seaside
houseyard garden in 1996, but not seen in 2007. Juice from crushed leaves used medicinally to cure filariasis
and fever, to retard hair from falling out, and for a gelatinous post-natal medicine which is drunk by mothers to
help rid them of afterbirth; crushed leaves and stems also mixed with toddy (kerawai) and used as poultices on
boils. 1, 2, 4(111N), 5(109), 6, 7(27803).

TURNERACEAE (Turnera Family)

Turnera ulmifolia L. yellow alder, sage rose, Marilopez, West Indian holly
Nauru Name: linkbelt

Recent introduction. Mexico and the Caribbean to northern South America. Occasional. A recent
introduction, probably in the late 1980s or early 1990s. Planted as an ornamental in household gardens. Has
become naturalized and adventive in Fiji and other countries, and was probably introduced into Tarawa via
Nauru where it was common by the mid-1990s and spreading rapidly in cultivation on Banaba because of
its bright yellow flowers. Flowers used in garlands and flower arrangements. 9, 10, 11
(DPNAU2007RT0253, RT0254, RT0255, RT0596, RT0598b, RT2794, RT2943).

URTICACEAE (Nettle Family)

Laportea ruderalis (Forst. f.) Chew

Syns. Urtica ruderalis Forst. f.; Fleurya ruderalis (Forst. f.) Gaud. ex Wedd.

Indigenous. Malayo-Pacific. Rare. Growing in shady areas near caves and in moist habitats at the base
of the limestone escarpment in the 1980s. Found on limestone on the face of escarpment above the north end of
Anibare Bay in 2007. 5(99), 6, 7(27809) , 11 (DPNAU2007DH0182, RT1176, RT1177).

Pellionia cf deveauana watermelon begonia

Recent introduction. Trop. Asia. Small, creeping, succulent, perennial herb; leaves, 2.5 to 7 cm long,
oval, attractive, variegated with combinations of purple, light green, bronzy-green or gray depending on the
species and cultivar; inflorescences, inconspicuous, greenish. Pot plant. 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1982a).

Pilea cardieri Gagn. and Guill. aluminum plant

Recent introduction. Vietnam. Occasional. Pot plant. 5, 6.

Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm. artillery plant

155
 Syns. Parietaria microphylla L.; Pilea muscosa Lindl.

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Weed in pot plants and under planted
ornamentals. 3(58713), 5(8), 6, 7, 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0274a, RT1879, RT2528, RT2529, RT3126b).

Pilea nummularifolia (Sw.) Wedd. creeping Charlie

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Uncommon. Pot plant; ground cover in shaded areas. 5, 6.

VERBENACEAE (Verbena Family)

Clerodendrum inerme L. var. oceanicum A. Gray beach privet

Nauruan Name: eamwiye, eamwije, eyamwiye, eyamwije

Indigenous. Indomalaysia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. Common. Abundant on limestone cliffs
and pinnacles, forming luxuriant curtains near edge of escarpment and on parts of coastal strip in Anetan
District and on limestone around the landlocked mangrove lagoons in the northeastern part of the island;
occasionally a planted ornamental. Fragrant flowers used in garlands; leaves reportedly pounded and used as a
cure for leprosy in the past (cure reportedly received in a dream). 2, 3(58664), 4(103N, 166N), 5, 6, 7(27817),
10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0078, RT0567b, RT0568, RT0569b, RT0599a, RT0602a, RT0650, RT0651, RT0668,
RT0669, RT0671, RT0672, RT0695b, RT0697, RT0705, RT0710, RT0711, RT0759b, RT1298, RT1320b,
RT1321b, RT1322b, RT1672, RT1673, RT3193, RT3196b).

Clerodendrum paniculatum L. pagoda flower

Recent introduction. Eastern Tropical Asia. Uncommon. Planted ornamental. 5, 6(235), 7, 11

(DPNAU2007RT1888, RT1889, RT1914).

Clerodendrum quadriloculare (Blanco) Merr. Philippine glorybower

Recent introduction. Philippines. Uncommon. Planted ornamental in houseyard gardens. Has

escaped to become an adventive weed in Fiji. 10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0597, RT0598a)

Clerodendrum thomsonae Balf. f. bleeding heart

Recent introduction. West Africa. Rare. Planted ornamental and potplant. 3(58794), 5, 6, 7(27817), 11
(DPNAU2007RT0923, RT2017).

Duranta erecta L. golden dewdrops, golden eardrops

Syn. Duranta repens L.

Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Planted ornamental. 5, 6, 7, 10, 11

(DPNAU2007RT0259, RT1109, RT1110, RT1138, RT1428, RT1997, RT1998, RT2721).

Lantana camara L. var. aculeata (L.) Mold. lantana

Nauruan Name: magiroa

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Planted ornamental; naturalized in

ruderal sites and in unmined open plateau forest; occasional in older revegetated strip-mined sites; dense
population in disturbed scrubland north of Buada Lagoon. Flowers used in garlands. The first Nauruan to plant
lantana was reportedly a woman by the name of Magiroa who stole it from a garden of an expatriate British
Phosphate Company employee, hence the Nauruan name. 2, 3(58599, 58798), 4(101N), 5(42), 6, 7, 8(9563),
10, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1049, RT1049, RT1575).

Lantana camara L. var. drap d'or cloth of gold lantana

156
 Recent introduction. Tropical America. Occasional. Cultivar with single yellow flowers. Planted
ornamental. 3, 6, 11 (DPNAU2007RT0146, RT0155, RT1700, RT1967).

157
Phyla nodiflora (L.) E. Greene turkey tangle, mat grass, false thyme
Syns. Lippia nodiflora (L.) Michx.; Verbena nodiflora L.

Recent introduction. Warm temperate America. Occasional. Seen in ruderal places around some
structures on the coastal strip. Low ground cover with rounded serrated leaves and small white or lavender
flowers reported from Majuro (Thaman and Vader Velde 2002), Enewetak (Lamberson 1982) and
naturalized on Kwajelein (Whistler & Steele 1999. 11 (DPNAU2007RT0127, RT0128, RT0132b, RT0135).

Premna serratifolia L. premna

Syns. Premna obtusifolia R. Br.; P. gaudichaudii Schauer; P. integrifolia L.; P. taitensis Schauer; P.
corymbosa (Burm. f.) Rottl. & Willd.; P. alba Lam.
Nauruan Name: idibiner, idibinerr

Indigenous. Indopacific. Common. Common tree on coastal strip, in escarpment forest and in
scrubland and in the understorey or old coconut plantations; common in home gardens. Timber used for house
rafters in the past; wood considered to be among the best firewood for cooking pandanus; leaves boiled with
coconut oil to scent it; flowers used in garlands; young leaves used as poultices to help wounds heal. 1(49.R),
2(8.5), 3(58597, 58633), 5, 6, 7(27810), 11 (DPNAU2007RT0181, RT0215, RT0216, RT0433, RT0501,
RT0616, RT0618, RT1592, RT1599, RT1780, RT1824, RT1825, RT2101, RT2135, RT2304, RT2305,
RT2478, RT2479, RT2480, RT2918, RT2919, RT3100, RT3101).

Stachytarpheta dichotoma (Ruiz & Pav.) Vahl white rat’s tail

Syns. Verbena dichotoma Ruiz & Pav. ; Stachytarpheta australis Moldenke ; S. australis f. albiflora
Moldenke

Recent introduction. Cuba and Mexico to Peru and Argentina. Rare. Single plant seen along road in a
houseyard garden at Buada. 11 (DPNAU2007RT1024).

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl Jamaica vervain, blue rat's tail

Syns. Verbena jamaicensis L.; Stachytarpheta indica (L.) Vahl
Nauruan Name: edidubai, edidubaiy

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical America. Uncommon blue-flowered weed reported present
by Burges in 1935, but not seen again until 2007, when seen in a small population in an open field northeast of
the hospital. 2, 11 (DPNAU2007RT1396, RT1397).

Stachytarpheta urticaefolia Sims blue rat tail, false verbena

Syn. Cymburus urticaefolius Salisb.
Nauruan Name: edidubai, edidubaiy

Pre-World War II introduction. Tropical America. Common. Common blue-flowered weed in waste
places and ruderal habitats, especially along roadsides. Mature dried black fruits reportedly eaten by some
children. 3(58632), 4(109N), 5(12), 6, 7, 8(9543), 11 (DPNAU2007RT0166, RT0178, RT0206, RT0317,
RT1014b, RT1398, RT1927, RT3062).

Vitex trifolia L. var. bicolor (Lam) Mold. blue vitex

Syn. Vitex negundo L. var. bicolor (Willd.) H. J. Lam
Nauruan Name: dagaidu, dogaidu

Indigenous. East Africa to the Pacific Islands. Occasional. Occasional in some forest stands on coastal
strip in low-lying areas near base of escarpment and in some home gardens. Branches used for fishing rods for
small fish; flowers and leaves used in garlands and other body ornamentation; seeds used to make garlands;
young leaves and meristem crushed with coconut oil as a cure for fever blisters; juice of fruit drunk as a cure for
fits and convulsion. 2, 3(58635), 4(119N), 5(19, 56), 6, 7, 8(9584), 11 (DPNAU2007RT0138, RT0357,
RT0358, RT0359, RT0360, RT0535, RT0536, RT0566, RT1924).

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 VITACEAE (Grape Family)

Cissus sp. cissus

Recent introduction. Tropical Asia? Rare. Planted ornamental. 6.

Vitis sp. grape

Recent introduction. Southeastern Europe to India. Rare. 5, 6.

159
 Appendix II. Enumeration, by family, of plants reported present on Nauru prior to the 1980s, in the 1980s and 1990s and during the
recent surveys in 2007 by Orapa and Thaman, Hassall and Takeda. The listing of families begins with ferns (Pteridophytes), followed
by gymnosperms, and then monocotyledon and dicotyledon flowering plants (Angiosperms). Notes: ? = identification not verified or
doubtful; * indigenous species seen only as and ornamental that could have been introduced (e.g., the bird’s-nest fern, Asplenium
nidus); the numbers in parentheses e.g., 2 (1) indicate the number of new (or previously reported) species not reported in the 1980-90s
that makes up the 2007 total or the pre-1980s total.

GROUP/Family Pre-1980 1980-90s 2007 Subtotals Total

Indg Intro Indg Intro Indg Intro Indg Intro Species
FERNS
Adiantaceae 1 1
Aspleniaceae 1 - - 1* - - 1 - 1
Nephrolepidiaceae 2 1 2 2 1v 3
Ophioglossaceae - - 1 - - - 1 - 1
Polypodiaceae - - 2? - 1 - 2? - 2

160
Psilotaceae 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 1 1
Pteridaceae - - 1 1 2? - 2 1 3
Synopteridaceae - - - - - 1 (1) - 1 1
SUBTOTAL 2 - 7 3 6 (1) 2 (1) 8 4 12

GYMNOSPERMS
Araucariaceae - - - 1 - 2 (1) - 2 2
Cupressaceae - - - - - 1 (1) - 1 1
Cycadaceae - - - 1 - 2 (1) - 2 2
SUBTOTAL - - - 2 - 5 - 5 5

ANGIOSPERMS
Monocotyledons
Agavaceae - - - 9 - 9 (1) - 10 10
Alliaceae - - - 7 - 2 - 7 7
 Amaryllidaceae - (1) - 11 6 (1) - 13 13
Araceae - - - 26 - 14 (2) - 28 28
Arecaceae 1 - 1 6 1 11 (7) 1 13 14
Bomeliaceae - - - 4 - 1 - 4 4
Cannaceae - - - 1 - 1 - 1 1
Commelinaceae - - - 5 - 3 (1) - 6 6
Cyperaceae 1 - 2 5 2 4 (1) 2 6 8
Dioscoreaceae - - - 2 - 1(1) - 3 3
Heliconiaceae - - - 4 - 1 - 4 4
Iridaceae - - - 3 - - - 3 3
Liliaceae - - - 6 - 3 - 6 6
Marantaceae - - - 6 - 3 (1) - 7 7
Musa - 1 - 3 - 2 - 3 3
Orchidaceae - - - 5 - 1? - 5 5
Pandanaceae 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 1 2

161
Poaceae - 1 2 24 3 (1) 17 (12) 3 36 39
Pontederiaceae - - - 1 - 1 - 1 1
Taccaceae - - - 1 - - - 1 1
Zingiberaceae - - - 6 - 3 - 6 6
SUBTOTAL 3 3 (1) 6 136 7 (1) 84 (27) 7 164 171
Dicotyledons
Acanthaceae - - - 22 - 10 (2) - 24 24
Amaranthaceae 1 (1) - - 11 - 8(2) 1 13 14
Anacardiaceae - 2(1?) - 2 - 2 - 3 3
Annonaceae - 2 - 4 - 2 - 4 4
Apiaceae - - - 2 - - - 2 2
Apocynaceae 1 2 3 9 2 8 3 9 12
Aquifoliaceae - - - 1 - - - 1 1
Araliaceae - 1 - 7 - 6 - 7 7
 Asclepidiaceae - - - 3 - 2 (1) - 4 4
Asteraceae - 2 - 14 - 9 (1) - 15 15
Balsaminaceae - - - 2 - - - 2 2
Basellaceae - - - 1 - 1 - 1 1
Begoniaceae - - - 3 - - - 3 3
Bignoniaceae - - - 3 - 4 (2) - 5 5
Bombaceae - - - 1 - 1 - 1 1
Boraginaceae - - 2 1 2 1 2 1 3
Brassicaceae - 7 - 4 (1) - 8 8

Cactaceae - - - 5 - 1 - 5 5
Capparaceae 1 - 2 2 2 2 2 2 4
Caricaceae - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 1
Casuarinaceae - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 1
Chenopodiaceae 1 (1) - 2 - - - 3 3

162
Clusiaceae 1 - 1 - 1 1 1 1 2
Combretaceae - - 2 1 2 1 2 1 3
Convolvulaceae 1 - 3 5 3? 6 (2) 3 7 10
Crassulaceae - 1 - 2 - 1 - 2 2
Cucurbitaceae - 1 - 9 - 7 (2) - 11 11
Elaeocarpaceae - - - 1 - 1 - 1 1
Ericaceae - - - 1 - - - 1 1
Euphorbiaceae 1 4 2 21 1 20 (2) 2 23 25
Fabaceae 2 9 (3) 6 30 6 (2) 35 (13) 8 46 54
Gentianaceae 1? - - - - - 1 - 1
Geraniaceae - - - 1 - - - 1 1
Gesneriaceae - - - 4 - - - 4 4
Goodeniaceae 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1
Hernandiaceae - - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1
 Lamiaceae - 1 - 7 - 5 (1) - 8 8
Lauraceae 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
Lecythideaceae 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1
Lythraceae - - - 1 - 1 - 1 1
Malpighiaceae - - - 2 - 1 - 2 2
Malvaceae 4 1 (1) 4 10 3 9 (2) 4 13 17
Meliaceae - 1 - 2 - 1 - 2 2
Moraceae 1 2 1 7 1 8 (2) 1 9 10
Moringaceae - - - 1 - 1 - 1 1
Myrtaceae - - - 4 - 2 (1) - 5 5
Nymphaeaceae - - - 1 - - - 1 1
Nyctaginaceae - - 1 3 2 (1) 4 (1) 2 4 6
Oleaceae - - - 2 - 1 - 2 2
Onagraceae - - - 1 - 2 (1) - 2 2
Oxalidaceae - 1 - 2 - 3 (2) - 4 4

163
Passifloraceae - 1 - 2 - 2 (1) - 3 3
Piperaceae - - - 2 - 2 - 2 2
Plumbaginaceae - - - - - 1 - 1 1
Polygalaceae - - - 1 - - - 1 1
Polygonaceae - - - 2 - 1 - 2 2
Portulacacaeae - - - 2 - 1 - 2 2
Punicaceae - - - - - 1 - 1 1
Rhamnaceae 1 - 1 - 1 1 1 1 2
Rhizophoraceae 1 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2
Rosaceae - - - 2 - - - 2 2
Rubiaceae 4 (1) - 3 11 3 14 (5) 4 16 20
Rutaceae - - - 5 - 6 (2) - 7 7
Sapindaceae 1 - 1 1 1 - 1 1 2
Sapotaceae - - - 1 - - - 1 1
 Saxifragaceae - - - 1 - - - 1 1
Scrophulariaceae - - - 6 - 3 - 6 6
Solanaceae - 1 - 10 - 6 - 10 10
Sterculiaceae - - - 1 - 1 - 1 1
Surianaceae - - 1 - - - - 1 -
Tiliaceae 1 - 1 - - - 1 - 1
Turneraceae - - - - - 1 - 1 1
Urticaceae - - 1 4 1 2 1 4 5
Verbenaceae 3 2 (1) 3 5 3 9 (3) 3 9 12
Vitaceae - - - 2 - - - 2 2
SUBTOTAL 28 (2) 37 (7) 43 281 40 (3) 225 (49) 48 337 385
GRAND TOTAL 33 (2) 40 (8) 56 422 53 (5) 316 (77) 63 510 573

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Appendix III. Descriptions of Vegetation types and mapping used for the 1994 Vegetation Map by Hassall,
which were adapted and updated during the surveys and production of the Vegetation Map of Nauru 2007

Coastal Flat Vegetation (between strand and cliff/slope)

This portion of the bottomside was sampled using eleven transects located in the same positions as above,
and using the same sites. The sites were classified as highly disturbed ( 6 sites), swampy ( 2 sites) and
relatively flat ( 3 sites). The distribution of sites is indicative of the pressure of urbanization on the
bottomside.

The only indigenous species apparently able to colonize the disturbed sites were Hibiscus tiliaceus
(sometimes dominant) and V. marina. C. nucifera , M. citrifolia, S. sericea and Clerodendrum inerme were
occasional species.

In the swampy transects, H. tiliaceus was again dominant, with some C. nucifera locally abundant. Twenty-
one other species were recorded rarely in these sites, including the mangroves Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and
Rhizophora stylosa.

On the relatively undisturbed flat sites, C. nucifera was dominant, with Calophyllum inophyllum
occasional. Premna serratifolia was commonly found in small numbers, as were P. scolopendria ,
Phyllanthus societatis and Guettarda speciosa. These could be regarded as indicator species.

Again, these areas are quite depauperate with respect to indigenous species.

Escarpment Vegetation
The cliffs and slopes between the bottomside and topside areas make up the escarpment zone. Again, 11
transects were sampled in the same manner as above. Of these sites, one was extremely disturbed and had
no vegetation, 3 were precipitous, almost vertical cliffs, and 7 were gradual slopes with some intermittent
pinnacles.

The vegetation of the pinnacle cliffs was found to be clearly dominated by Ficus prolixa ( 25% cover), with
occasional trees of Terminalia catappa and H. tiliaceus. The canopy varies between 12 and 20 metres,
indicating a tall woodland structure. The ground layer was dominated by P. scolopendria ( 25% cover, an
indicator), and Nephrolepis hirsutula/bisserata was often recorded. A further four species were recorded
rarely in these areas, including C. inophyllum and Barringtonia asiatica. Capparis cordifolia and
Clerodendrum inerme are locally abundant on pinnacle outcrops, where the latter often dominates,
festooned over the pinnacle surface.

This vegetation type also occurs on the topside, on and around the crests of hills, where pinnacles dominate
the surface, and the areas have not been mined. These isolated stands act as refugia for wildlife and a source
of seed material for natural regeneration of the surrounding mined areas. A sample from one of these areas
showed high dominance by F. prolixa, and minor amounts of T. catappa, Ochrosia elliptica, G. speciosa
and Pisonia grandis. These sites have great conservation significance.

In contrast to the cliff sites, those transects with more gentle slopes along the escarpment were dominated
by T. catappa with 25 to 50% cover. H. tiliaceus was dominant at two sites, as could be expected from its
distribution on the flat areas.

The introduced Adenanthera pavonina also dominated at one transect, with 50 to 75% cover. Although it
occurred at only one site, its ability to dominate the canopy at that site was unquestioned, with an extremely
high density of seedlings in the lower layers of vegetation, up to 25 per square metre.

165
Annona muricata is also naturalized in the understorey and is locally abundant. Twenty-five more species
were recorded in these transects, with P. scolopendria, N. hirsutula, Colubrina asiatica, M. citrifolia,
Guettarda speciosa, and P. obtusifolia noted as uncommon, but widespread.

Original Topside Forest

The structure and floristics of the original plateau vegetation have been deduced in the main from Manner et
al. 1984, 1985) and interpretation of vertical aerial photographs taken at various times from 1976 onwards.
It appears that the forests were relatively homogeneous over the whole island, with the exception of the
Ficus-dominated pinnacle areas, and other sites purposely cleared for the traditional cultivation of
Pandanus. The area surrounding Buada Lagoon is also a special case, and is discussed separately below.

More than 90% of the plateau is considered to have been covered by a mixture of mid-dense to dense tall
forest dominated by Calophyllum inophyllum . Manner et al (1984, 1985) reported a maximum basal area of
129m2 per hectare and an average canopy height of 16 metres. The data from a series of point quadrats
show a range of tree densities from 1.29 to 10.7 trees per 100 square metres.

Other species occasionally in the canopy are Guettarda speciosa and Morinda citrifolia. The introduced
Psidium guajava is locally abundant, and Pandanus often occurs near the escarpment. In the ground layer,
P. scolopendria and N. biserrata are abundant in the shade of the C. inophyllum, and Psilotum nudum is
similarly common. In open areas, the introduced Lantana camara is abundant.

Single individuals or small groups of C. inophyllum also remain in isolated places where mining has
occurred all around but not on the summits of small hills where the phosphate deposits have presumably
been not worth the effort of clearing the vegetation.

Where the forest remains around Buada Lagoon in areas not yet mined, the tree canopy is generally over 20
metres, taller than other sites on the topside. Dominant species are the indigenous C. inophyllum and the
introduced Mangifera indica . In some places, A. pavonina is abundant (see above). The greater height of
this forest type may be due to the proximity to the water table and deeper humus-rich soils in this
depression. It is worth noting here, and will be discussed further below, that the mango trees are extremely
tall and slender compared with the normal shape, and this reflects their senescent nature.

Regeneration Vegetation (post-mining)

The study of Manner et al (1984, 1985) divided the regeneration vegetation into two phases with respect to
the occurrence of dominant species. These were the first forty years after mining, and the second forty years
and beyond. During the first phase, a number of herbaceous exotic weeds quickly colonized the sunny, open
spaces, along with the wind-dispersed P. scolopendria and N. biserrata . Mariscus javanicus becomes
locally dominant in some parts, along with Scaevola taccada, Morinda citrifolia, Dodonaea viscosa,
Fimbristylis cymosa and Calymperes tahitense . Foliage cover is extremely variable depending on the
amounts of recent rainfall, with a sparse shrubland being the most common vegetation structure.

The dominant species change gradually after forty years from mining, with co-dominance slowly shown by
Ficus prolixa, Premna obtusifolia, Phyllanthus societatis, and Polypodium scolopendria. These indigenous
species seem able to establish and displace the exotic weeds that dominate in the early stages of succession,
and which cannot survive in the greater shade produced by the larger life-forms. After 60 years of
revegetation however, growth is such that the tree species are only 4 to 6 metres tall, and the vegetation
structure is a Low Open Woodland.

In some areas between Command Ridge and Buada Lagoon that were mined early in the Century by hand
methods, the pits in between the pinnacles have been flattened, and Calophyllum inophyllum is found
growing in these pits. It is not known whether this is an artifact of the mining method and represents an
early attempt at regeneration, or whether it is a natural phenomenon. In any case these areas may have been
mined up to eighty-five years ago, and the trees appear to be well established. This situation is not thought

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to represent what is likely to happen in the vast majority of mined lands. Where C. inophyllum is observed
in areas that appear to have been mined, close examination usually reveals that it is growing in spots where
the pinnacles naturally occur above the surface, and hence these areas were not actually mined at all (see
Figure

It is interesting to note that 20 indigenous species altogether were recorded by Manner et al. (1984, 1985) as
established in the regeneration areas. These species may form the basis for selection of a planting strategy to
stabilize the land after removal of the pinnacles.

- Bare Ground - areas of bare ground due to earthworks for roads, carparks and stockpiles, rubbish dump,
etc.

1b - Ruderal - weed communities associated with extreme disturbance such as roadsides and
vacant land in uncultivated places. Abundant weeds include Cenchrus echinatus, Eragrostis tenella,
Euphorbia hirta, Fimbristylis cymosa and Cyanthillium cinereum (Vernonia cinerea) . Chamaesyce
prostrata, Eleusine indica, Alysicarpus vaginalis and Lepturus repens are also common. Structural type is
normally Closed grassland/ forbland. Such areas were probably important habitats for the endangered
species of Abutilon, Boerhavia and Sida in the past.

1c - Cultural - vegetation appreciably disturbed by people and substituted or replaced by

ornamentals and food plants. A survey of sixteen house yard gardens found the following species to be
abundant: Cocos nucifera, Morinda citrifolia, Guettarda speciosa, Plumeria obtusa, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis,
Premna obtusifolia, Crinum asiaticum, Polyscias varieties, Ixora varieties, and Artocarpus altilis. Structural
type varies.

1d - Regeneration - sites mined 0 to 50 years ago. Dominant indigenous species are: Scaevola
sericea, Morinda citrifolia, Dodonea viscosa, Fimbristylis cymosa, and Polypodium scolopendria. Structure
is sparse shrubland. Ophioglossum petiolatum occurs as a minor indicator species.

1e - Regeneration - sites mined more than 50 years ago. Dominant species are: Ficus prolixa,
Premna obtusifolia, Phyllanthus societatis and Polypodium scolopendria. Structure is Low open woodland.

Freshwater and Littoral Vegetation

2a - Buada Lagoon - The majority of surrounds are a Tall woodland dominated by Cocos
nucifera. In the groundlayer are the same species as the Ruderal type, with Cyperus javanicus being often
abundant. Some Vigna marina and Musa varieties occur in an abandoned garden area.

2b - Ijuw and Anabar Lagoons - The surrounds of these fresh to brackish water lagoons are
dominated by Clerodendrum inerme climbing on the pinnacles, and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and
Rhizophora stylosa where the substrate is a muddy shore. Structure is a Tall open forest/ tall closed
vineland.

Very Tall Closed Forest ( 20-35 metre canopy)

3a - Calophyllum inophyllum - Mangifera indica (Buada only). Other canopy species include
Cocos nucifera, Adenanthera pavonina, and Ficus prolixa. Groundlayer dominants are Polypodium
scolopendria, Nephrolepis biserrata and seedlings of Adenanthera pavonina. The scrambling climber
Caesalpinia bonduc forms locally impenetrable thickets.

Tall Closed Forest ( 12-20 metre canopy)

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 4a - Calophyllum inophyllum - Polypodium scolopendria This is the remnant forest that once
covered most of topside. Other occasional canopy species are: Guettarda speciosa and Morinda citrifolia.
The groundlayer dominant is Polypodium scolopendria.

4b - Ficus prolixa - Terminalia catappa - Hibiscus tiliaceus This map unit occurs on the
escarpment and the relictual areas on topside where the pinnacles are above the surface. Other occasional
canopy species include: Pisonia grandis, Terminalia catappa, Guettarda speciosa and Ochrosia elliptica.
The groundlayer is very sparse, and the endangered Aidia cochinchinensis occurs in this habitat.

4c - Adenanthera pavonina This species occasionally occurs as a monospecific stand along

particular areas of the escarpment, where its seedlings are so dense that they are considered likely to
interfere with the regeneration potential of other nearby species. This species may need to be carefully
managed where it is spreading into other vegetation types.

Tall Open Forest ( 12-20 metre canopy)

5a - Calophyllum inophyllum - This is the same type as 4a, except selective clearing in the past
has led to a reduced foliage cover. These two types occur in a mosaic pattern in unmined areas.
5b - Cocos nucifera - Premna obtusifolia This vegetation type is typical of the 'coconut lands' of
the bottomside, that are now neglected in the main. These areas are subject to on-going disturbance from the
pressure to expand housing sites.

Mid-high Closed Forest ( 6-12 metre canopy)

6a - Hibiscus tiliaceus - Vigna marina - A number of other species occupy this vegetation type
including Cocos nucifera, but are relatively rare due to continuous clearing for development.

Tall Closed Shrubland ( 1-3 metre canopy)

7a - Scaevola sericea - Ipomoea pes-caprae The beach strand is also subject to continuing
pressure from urban spread, and some species have become rare and endangered within this vegetation type(
for example, the scattered individuals of Tournefortia argentea).

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Appendix IV. Listing of weedy or potentially weedy species reported on Nauru based on
studies over the past 25 years and a recent study by Orapa of the SPC Land Resources
Division in early 2007.

KEY

Under Abundance
V = very abundant
A = abundant
C = common
O = occasional
U = uncommon
R = rare

Under Status

A = Adventive spreading naturally, but not yet invasive

I = Invasive in major areas of the island and difficult to eradicate.
O = Found mainly as an ornamental plant
N = Native species found mainly in native habitats, although sometimes weedy or
invasive (indicated by I)
U = useful multipurpose plant.
W = Weed growing wild in waste places, gardens, roadsides open lots and other ruderal
sites but not considered noxious and invasive or hard to control

FAMILY GENUS SPECIES ABUNDANCE STATUS

Acanthaceae Asystasia Gangetica O W

Acanthaceae Barleria cf repens R? O
Acanthaceae Barleria cristata U O
Acanthaceae Barleria prionitis U I
Acanthaceae Blechum pyramidatum O W,I
Acanthaceae Hemigraphis alternata E O
Acanthaceae Nicoteba betonica E O
Acanthaceae Pseuderantherum carruthersii C O
Acanthaceae Ruelia prostrata A I
Acanthaceae Sanchezia speciosa E O
Acanthaceae Thunbergia alata E W
Agavaceae Agave sisalana C I
Agavaceae Sanseviera trifasciata O I,O
Amaranthaceae Alternanthera brasiliana R? O
Amaranthaceae Alternanthera sessilis R W

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Amaranthaceae Amaranthus dubius O W
Amaranthaceae Amaranthus spinosus E W
Amaranthaceae Amaranthus viridis O W
Amaranthaceae Celosia argentea U O
Annonaceae Annona muricata O F,I
Annonaceae Annona reticulata R? F,I
Annonaceae Annona squamosa O F,I
Apocynaceae Allamanda cathartica R? O
Apocynaceae Allamanda blanchetii U O
Apocynaceae Catharanthus rosea C O
Apocynaceae Cryptostegia grandiflora O O
Apocynaceae Nerium oleander O O
Apocynaceae Thevetia peruviana U O
Araceae Epipremnun pinnatum O O,A
Araceae Syngodium augustatum O O,A
Araliaceae Schefflera actinophylla O O
Asclepiadaceae Calotropis gigantea O O,A
Asteraceae Ageratum conyzoides U W
Asteraceae Bidens alba E W
Asteraceae Bidens pilosa U W
Asteraceae Conyza bonariense C W
Asteraceae Cyanthillium cinereum C W
Asteraceae Eclipta alba R W
Asteraceae Emilia sonchifolia R? W
Asteraceae Mikania micrantha U W
Asteraceae Sphagneticola trilobata A I,O
Asteraceae Synedrella nodiflora C W
Asteraceae Tridax procumbens A W
Bignoniaceae Macfadyena unguis-cati O O
Bignoniaceae Spathodea campanulata O O
Bignoniaceae Tecoma stans C O
Bombacaceae Ceiba pentandra U U
Boraginaceae Heliotropium procumbens O W
Brassicaceae Lepidium cf virginicum R? W
Capparaceae Cleome rutidosperma C W
Capparaceae Cleome viscosa A W
Casuarinaceae Casuarina equisetifolia C I
Combretaceae Quisqalis indica O O
Commelinaceae Tradescantia pallida U O
Commelinaceae Tradescantia spathacea O O,A
Convolvulaceae Ipomoea aquatica O F,I
Convolvulaceae Ipomoea fistulosa O O
Convolvulaceae Ipomoea macrantha O N
Convolvulaceae Ipomoea pes-capre A N,W
Convolvulaceae Ipomoea triloba U W
Crassulaceae Kalanchoe pinnata R O,A
Curcubitaceae Luffa cylindrica O F,A
Curcubitaceae Coccinea grandis R F
Curcubitaceae Momordica charantia O F,A

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Cyperaceae Cyperus compressus O W
Cyperaceae Cyperus iria E W
Cyperaceae Cyperus involucratus O O
Cyperaceae Cyperus rotundus C W
Cyperaceae Fimbristylis cymosa A N
Cyperaceae Fimbristylis dichotoma U? W
Cyperaceae Kyllinga nemoralis U W
Cyperaceae Mariscus javanicus C N,W
Elaeocarpaceae Muntingia calabura O A,U
Euphorbiaceae Acalypha wilkesiana C O
Euphorbiaceae Chamaesyce hirta A W
Euphorbiaceae Chamaesyce hypericifolia O W
Euphorbiaceae Chamaesyce prostrata O W
Euphorbiaceae Chamaesyce thymifolia O W
Euphorbiaceae Cnodosculus chayamansa C F
Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia cyathophora O W
Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia geniculata O W
Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia tirucali U O
Euphorbiaceae Jatropha integerrima O O
Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus amarus A W
Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus societatis C N
Euphorbiaceae Ricinus commus R W
Fabaceae Acacia farnesiana U A
Fabaceae Adenanthera parvonina A I
Fabaceae Alysicarpus vaginalis C W
Fabaceae Caesalpinia bonduc O I
Fabaceae Calopogonum mucunoides U W?
Fabaceae Centrosema pubescens U A
Fabaceae Chamaecrista nictitans R A
Fabaceae Clitoria ternata R O,A
Fabaceae Crotalaria goreensis O W
Fabaceae Crotalaria retusa E W
Fabaceae Crotalaria spectabilis R? W
Fabaceae Desmodium incanum O W
Fabaceae Desmodium tortuosum O W
Fabaceae Desmodium triflorum C W
Fabaceae Indigofera nr suffruticosa ? ?
Fabaceae Indigofera hirsuta O W
Fabaceae Indigofera spicata U? W,I?
Fabaceae Leucaena leucocephala A I
Fabaceae Mimosa pudica U W
Fabaceae Senna alata O O
Fabaceae Senna occidentalis A W
Fabaceae Sophora tomentosa R N
Fabaceae Tamarindus indicus U F
Fabaceae Vigna marina C N,W
Lamiaceae Hyptis capitata R W
Lauraceae Cassytha filiformis A I
Liliaceae Crinum asiaticum O O

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Liliaceae Gloriosa superba U P
Malvaceae Abutilon asiaticum O I,W
Malvaceae Malvastrum coromandelianum C W
Malvaceae Sida acuta O W
Malvaceae Sida spinosa R? W
Malvaceae Sida fallax E? I,W
Malvaceae Sida rhombifolia C W
Meliaceae Azadirachta indica R ?
Meliaceae Melia azedarach O O,A?
Moringaceae Moringa oleifera O F
Myrtaceae Psidium guajava C F,I
Nyctiginaceae Boerhavia coccinea O W
Nyctiginaceae Boerhavia repens U W
Onagraceae Ludwigia hyssopifolia O I?
Onagraceae Ludwigia octovalvis? R? I?
Oxalidaceae Oxalis corniculata R? W
Oxalidaceae Oxalis regnelli R O
Passifloraceae Passiflora foetida O W
Piperaceae Peperomia pellucida U W
Poaceae Arundo donax O O,A?
Poaceae Axonopus compressus R W
Poaceae Botriochloa bladhii C W
Poaceae Brachiaria cf paspaloides R W
Poaceae Brachiaria subquadripara O W
Poaceae Cenchius brownii R? W
Poaceae Cenchrus ciliaris U W,I
Poaceae Cenchrus echinatus C W,I
Poaceae Chloris inflata O W
Poaceae Chrysopogon aciculatus O W
Poaceae Cynodon dactylon O W
Poaceae Dactyloctaenum aegyptium O W
Poaceae Dactyloctaenum ctenioides R? W
Poaceae Dichanthium sp O W
Poaceae Digitaria bicornis R? W
Poaceae Digitaria ciliaris O W
Poaceae Digitaria radicosa U W
Poaceae Digitaria setigera O W
Poaceae Digitaria violascens R? W
Poaceae Echinochloa colonum U W
Poaceae Eleusine indica A W
Poaceae Eragrotis cf pectinacea O W
Poaceae Eragrotis tenella C W
Poaceae Eustachys petrea O W
Poaceae Lepturus repens O N,W
Poaceae Melinis repens O W
Poaceae Oplimenus hirtellus R? W
Poaceae Paspalum conjugatum U W
Poaceae Paspalum setaceum R W
Poaceae Pennisetum polystachion O W,I?

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Poaceae Sporobolus diander O W
Poaceae Stenotaphrum micranthum U I
Poaceae Stenotaphrum secundatum R O
Poaceae Thuarea involuta R N
Polygonaceae Antignon leptopus C O,I
Ponterderiaceae Eichornia crassipes C I
Portulacaeae Portulaca oleracea O W
Rhamnaceae Colubrina asiatica C N,I
Rubiaceae Dentella repens R W
Rubiaceae Hedyotis corymbosa U W
Rubiaceae Spermacoce assurgens C W
Rubiaceae Spermacoce bartlingiana O W
Scrophulariaceae Russellia equisetifolia O O,A
Scrophulariaceae Scoparia dulcis R W
Solanaceae Cestrum sp nr diurnum O O
Solanaceae Physalis angulata O W
Solanaceae Physalis lagascae R? W
Tiliacae Waltheria indica O W
Tuneriaceae Tuneria ulmiflora O O
Urticaceae Laportea ruderalis R N
Urticaceae Pilea microphylla O W
Verbenaceae Clerodendrum inerme C N
Verbenaceae Clerodendrum paniculatum U O
Verbenaceae Clerodendrum quadriloculare R O
Verbenaceae Durantia erecta O O
Verbenaceae Lantana camara O I
Verbenaceae Phyla nodiflora O W
Verbenaceae Stachytarpheta dichotoma R O
Verbenaceae Stachytarpheta jamaicensis U W
Verbenaceae Stachytarpheta urticifolia C W
Verbenaceae Vitex trifolia

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