jhinds's Favorites

Pulu (Tabernaemontana pandacaqui) is a member of the Apocynaceae (Dogbane) family. It is a small tree or shrub up to 3 m or more in height with glabrous stems and a white sap; bark is light-colored, marked by inconspicuous lenticels, fibrous; opposite leaves; small white trumpet-shaped flowers that are yellow within; and a paired, curved, orange fruits spreading apart at maturity to expose the large red seed.
This tree is indigenous to the Samoan Archipelago and ranges from Thailand to Polynesia. Its Polynesian range includes Tonga, the Society Islands, and the Tuamotus. It is uncommon and little-known in coastal and lowland forests, and has been reported from near sea level to 250 m elevation. The sap is occasionally used medicinally.

Reference:
Whistler, W. Arthur. 2004. Rainforest Trees of Samoa. Isle Botanica. Honolulu, HI.

Masoa (Tacca leontopetaloides) is an indigenous herb occasional in littoral to lowland forest. Starch extracted from the tuber is used as food, most commonly as an additive to other foods. The partly cooked tuber is also used as glue for pasting sheets of tapa cloth together. The plant is infrequently used today, being replaced by cassava.

Reference:
Masoa (Tacca leontopetaloides) is an indigenous herb occasional in littoral to lowland forest. Starch extracted from the tuber is used as food, most commonly as an additive to other foods. The partly cooked tuber is also used as glue for pasting sheets of tapa cloth together. The plant is infrequently used today, being replaced by cassava.

Oketi palapala (Didymoplexis micradenia) is a member of the Orchidaceae (Orchids) family. It is a saprophytic orchid that uses dead organic material as a source of food. This inconspicuous herb is unable to make its own food and must absorb it from organic material present in the soil.

Reference:
Cribb, Phillip & Whistler, W. Arthur. 1996. Orchids of Samoa. The Royal Botanic Gardens. United Kingdom.

Asi Vai (Syzygium dealatum) is a member of the Myrtaceae (Myrtle) family. It is a medium-sized tree up to 15 m in height with glabrous, quadrangular, and slightly winged young stems; bark is gray-brown, rough and striate, corky white beneath, tan inner bark and wood; opposite leaves; terminal, many-flowered inflorescences; many showy stamens; and a purple fruit.
This tree is indigenous to the Samoan Archipelago and elsewhere in western Polynesia occurring in Tonga, Niue, the Horne Islands, and ‘Uvea. It is occasional in coastal forests and less commonly in lowland forests, and has been reported from near sea level to 310 m elevation. And the seasonal fruits are eaten by pigeons and doves.

Reference:

Whistler, W. Arthur. 2004. Rainforest Trees of Samoa. Isle Botanica. Honolulu, HI.)

Ifilele (Intsia bijuga) is a member of the Fabaceae (Pea) family. It is a large tree up to 20 m or more in height with glabrous stems and trunks often buttressed; bark is light brown, covered with corky lenticels, inner bark is reddish brown, with a brown wood; alternate, pinnately compound leaves with 2 opposite pairs of ovate to elliptic leaflets; flowers with a single pink to white petal; and a large, flat woody pod.
This tree is indigenous from Madagascar to western Polynesia, and is native to the Samoan Archipelago, but an ancient introduction to Tonga and probably “Uvea and the Horne Islands, where it is found mostly in cultivation. It is locally common in coastal to lowland forests, and has been reported from near sea level to 200 m elevation. Ifilele’s valuable timber has been heavily logged to make house posts, bowls, slit gongs, and other handicrafts. In former times this tree species was used to make double-hulled canoes and war clubs.

Reference:
Whistler, W. Arthur. 2004. Rainforest Trees of Samoa. Isle Botanica. Honolulu, HI.

Stewards from Sapperton Fish and Game on day 2 of the counting and transport to hatchery. 6 male 3 female the other day, 9 males and 6 females today in the counting box. 2 of each are going to the hatchery, the rest are going up to spawn. We’ll try to catch up with some of them later on Still Creek.