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New plant records from O‘ahu for 20091
ALEX LAU2& DANIELLE FROHLICH2
O‘ahu Early Detection, Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96817-2704;
emails: alex.lau@bishopmuseum.org; danielle.frohlich@bishopmuseum.org
O‘ahu Early Detection here documents 31 new naturalized records, 6 new state records,
and 12 new island records. In addition to our own collections, we report on records of nat-
uralization noted by other agencies during 2009. A total of 34 plant families are discussed.
The majority of these records are the result of surveys of public roadside areas and there-
fore often document naturalization of ornamental plants escaping cultivation. Several oth-
ers however are collections made by natural resource management agencies doing surveys
well away from general cultivation, and represent escapes from plant introductions for the
purposes of forestry as well as escaped ornamentals. A few accidental introductions are
also noted.
Information regarding the formerly known distribution of flowering plants is based on
the Manual of the flowering plants of Hawai‘i (Wagner et al. 1999) and information subse-
quently published in the Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey. Voucher specimens are
deposited at Bishop Museum’s Herbarium Pacificum (BISH), Honolulu, Hawai‘i.
Apocynaceae
Carissa macrocarpa (Eckl.) A. DC. New naturalized record
Carissa macrocarpa, a commonly cultivated plant in Hawai‘i first collected in the early
1990s, is a multiple-stemmed shrub from 3–18 ft tall with y-shaped thorns, leaf petioles
0.25–0.38 cm long; blades broadly to narrowly ovate or subcircular, 2.54–7.00 cm by
1.65–5.08 cm, thick, shiny, and glabrous. Inflorescence is one to few-flowered; flowers
are jasmine-scented, sepals triangular, corolla white, with pinwheel-shaped limb. Fruit is
ellipsoid and red (Staples & Herbst 2005). One individual of this species was found in a
Leucaena-dominated coastal habitat, having possibly spread from a nearby neighborhood.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i. Dry coastal zone habitat. 4 ft tall
sprawling sapling in dense Leucaena overstory; no flowers or fruits seen - one individual. This species
is common in cultivation and produces viable seed, 5 Aug 2009, OED 2009080502.
Stemmadenia litoralis (Kunth) L. Allorge New naturalized record
Also known as Lechoso, this species is native from Mexico to Colombia and is occasion-
al to common in cultivation in Hawai‘i. First collected in Hawai‘i in 1940, introduced as
an ornamental shade and street tree, it is a small tree to 20 ft tall with usually glabrous,
elliptic, 2.0–10.5" by 0.8–4.5" leaves; 1–10-flowered inflorescences; fragrant white flow-
ers to about 3" with a yellow throat. The fruit is a paired, curved-ellipsoid, thick walled,
orange to yellow capsule containing seeds which are embedded in a pulpy red aril. It is
usually propagated by seed (Staples & Herbst 2005). This species is not well document-
ed as naturalized anywhere else in the world but here was noted naturalizing in roadside
7
Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2011. Edited by
Neal L. Evenhuis & Lucius G. Eldredge. Bishop Museum
Occasional Papers 113: 7–26 (2012)
1. Contribution No. 2012-010 to the Hawaii Biological Survey.
2. Research Associate, Department of Natural Sciences, Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, Hawai‘i
96817-2704, USA.
mesic secondary forest in the Tantalus area of O‘ahu, where individuals of all size class-
es were scattered in a somewhat localized area, growing in shady understory as well as
more exposed roadside locations, spreading by apparently bird dispersed seed. It is
unclear whether it had originally been planted in the area or if it had spread from culti-
vated trees in home gardens downslope from the naturalization site. Parker & Parsons
(this volume) report this species as naturalized on Hawai‘i Island.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Tantalus (UTM 2359020, 622051). Tree about 8 ft tall with milky
white sap, no flowers; fruit orange, dehiscent, seeds covered in red aril. One mature, many smaller
individuals of varying sizes in the understory, 8 Jan 2009, OED 2009010802.
Araliaceae
Tetrapanax papyrifer (Hook.) K. Koch New naturalized record
Rice-paper plant is native to Taiwan and possibly China, though it is widely cultivated
throughout Asia both for its white stem pith to produce such things as artificial flowers
and for its ornamental value. First collected in Hawai‘i in 1927, this species is a clump-
forming shrub with upright stems to 20 ft tall arising from rhizomes. The large, 5–11
lobed, petiolate, soft leaves are dull green above and whitish hairy below, the central lobe
and midvein Y-forked at the apex. The brownish hairy inflorescences are 3–4 branched
with small umbels of 4- or 5-parted flowers (Staples & Herbst 2005). Tetrapanax papyri -
fer was observed occasionally in the Tantalus area of O‘ahu near trailheads, roadside loca-
tions, home gardens with mixed ornamentals and naturalized secondary forest species,
and as very small individuals sprouting out of gravel driveways. Parker & Parsons (this
volume) report this species as naturalized on Hawai‘i Island.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Tantalus on Round Top Drive (UTM 2358758, 622883). Wet low-
land residential area, 0.4 m tall sapling, producing suckers at base. No flowers or fruit. Several
saplings growing out of gravel driveway, as well as across the street along roadside. Occasional in
neighborhood, 9 Jan 2009, OED 2009010901.
Arecaceae
Licuala spinosa Wurmb New naturalized record
This species, native to Indonesia, is a clump-forming fan palm to 10 feet tall with fronds
more or less circular in outline. It looks similar to the more common Licuala grandis but
differs in having its fronds divided nearly to the base. This species was first collected in
Hawai‘i from Foster Botanical Garden in 1949. It was noted here very sparingly natural-
ized sprouting from a hedged row of adventive and naturalized Tabebuia heterophylla
saplings, as well as other naturalized species and garden escapes near Foster Botanical
Garden (Henderson 2009; Hodel 2009).
Material examined. O‘AHU: Vineyard Blvd, across from Foster Garden. Growing in mixed
Tabebuia hedge in lowland urban setting. Juvenile about 2 ft tall, no flowers or fruit, 8 Aug 2008,
OED 2008080801.
Asclepiadaceae
Cryptostegia grandiflora Roxb. ex R. Br. New naturalized record
This species is endemic to the dry southwestern portion of Madagascar and was first col-
lected in Hawai‘i in 1930. A related species more common in cultivation in Hawai‘i,
Cryptostegia madagascariensis, had long been misidentified in Hawai‘i as C. grandiflo-
ra. True C. grandiflora differs in having smaller, more numerous lenticels, larger corollas
from 2.0–2.5" long, distinctive 2 lobed corona filaments, and larger fruit from 4.00–6.25"
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8
long (Staples & Herbst 2005). This species is rarely cultivated on O‘ahu. It is considered
one of Australia’s worst weeds and invades native ecosystems, riparian areas and pastures,
forming impenetrable thickets and smothering vegetation. It was noted as well distributed
and established in dry lowland kiawe forest and shrubland in Kalaeloa, O‘ahu. Its seeds
are easily wind and water-dispersed in riparian areas.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Kalaeloa (UTM 0596880, 2355735), dry coastal mixed alien
shrubland. Vine, sprawling over Leucaena up to 12 ft tall. Corollas whitish pink inside, striated medi-
um lavender outside, corona filaments bilobed. No scent. Seen naturalized widely in area, 16 Jun
2009, OED 2009061601.
Asteraceae
Centratherum punctatum Cass.
subsp. punctatum New island record
This garden escape has been collected on most of the main islands, including Kaua‘i,
Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Maui, Hawai‘i, and now O‘ahu. It was found growing between cracks
in a sidewalk in a well-populated urban setting. Due to its ornamental nature, this species
likely is more commonly naturalized and tolerated where it spreads.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Wai‘alae Iki, lowland residential area. One individual growing
out of crack in sidewalk. Semi-woody herb about 0.5 m tall with bright purple flowers. Many fruit-
ing heads seen, with small, dark brown achenes, 19 Mar 2009, OED 2009031901.
Delairea odorata Lem. New island record
Delairea odorata is a popular ornamental vine native to South America which has escaped
cultivation in many parts of the world, including California, New Zealand, Australia, and
Hawai‘i. In the Hawaiian Islands, it was previously collected on Maui, Lāna‘i, and Hawai‘i.
It was recently found on O‘ahu spreading down a residential road in the understory of a
dense lowland secondary forest. Efforts to control this population are underway.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Pālehua, UTM 2365720, 593333. Climbing up nearby shrub in
mixed naturalized Plectranthus verticillatus groundcover. Vine patch 10 × 10 ft. Flowers yellow, in
axillary and terminal cymes. Copious seeds, 12 May 2009, OED 2009051206.
Vernonia elliptica DC. New naturalized record
Vernonia elliptica, a vining plant native to India, Myanmar, and Thailand, is occasionally
cultivated in Hawai‘i. Although a local newspaper article in the 1970s suggested this plant
be cultivated along roads and highways as a privacy screen, it is unclear how many plant-
ings of this species occurred here as a result (Staples & Herbst 2005). This species can be
distinguished by its straggling, vining habit, silvery leaves, and axillary clusters of sweet-
ly scented discoid flower heads (Peng 2004; Staples & Herbst 2005). It was found spread-
ing from its original planting on a side road close to a main highway.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Keolu, UTM 2363599, 631210. Climbing over Leucaena in low-
land residential setting. Vine 10 × 20 ft, numerous small achenes, 6 May 2009, OED 2009050605.
Bignoniaceae
Catalpa longissima (Jacq.) Dum. Cours. New naturalized record
The species’ ease of cultivation, fast growth, and adaptability make it a popular species in
many parts of the world, including Hawai‘i (Staples & Herbst 2005). This is the first nat-
uralized collection of this species in the state, where it was found sparingly naturalized in
roadside areas, having spread from abundant street tree plantings in the area. Dis -
HBS Records for 2011 — Part II: Plants 9
tinguishing features of Catalpa longissima include elliptic-lanceolate leaves arranged
opposite each other or in whorls of three and few-flowered inflorescences with bell-
shaped, inch long flowers with yellow and sometimes purple markings in the throat.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Kaimukī neighborhood, near 12th and Harding Avenue, UTM
2353760, 624445. Dry lowland residential area. Growing under a water heater within a narrow
fenced area near restaurant. Tree about 6 m tall, flowers white with purple streaks in inner corolla,
petals ruffled. Fruit about 12 in long, tapered at tip. This species is used as a street tree in the neigh-
borhood and is occasionally seen naturalized here, 5 Mar 2009, OED 2009030501.
Mansoa hymenaea (DC.) A.H. Gentry New naturalized record
Mansoa hymenaea, a plant native to Central and South America, is a moderately popular
species in cultivation in Hawai‘i (first collected in 1938). This plant can be distinguished
by its strong garlic odor (which gives it the common name “Garlic vine”), compound
leaves with two leaflets, three-forked tendrils, and lavender to magenta corollas (Staples
& Herbst 2005). Several seedlings were found naturalized near an abandoned homesite.
Material examined. O‘AHU: ‘Ewa Beach, UTM 2359503, 599362. In weedy abandoned field
with Spathodea, Mangifera, Bouganvillea. Seedling about 0.5 m tall. Flowers magenta, bell-shaped,
terminal. No fruits. Several scattered seedlings, one medium-sized individual in area, 19 Jun 2009,
OED 2009061901.
Blechnaceae
Blechnum orientale L. New state record
This fern, which is native to tropical Asia, Australia, and some Pacific Islands, was found
in two separate locations on the island of O‘ahu. This species was previously unknown
from Hawai‘i, either naturalized or in cultivation. It is unclear how it may have arrived
here, although some gardening sites have mentioned its cultivation in the Philippines and
other tropical locales (Dave’s Garden 2005; Carter 2010). It is documented here as spar-
ingly naturalized in mostly open but also partially shaded areas of a lowland mesic wind-
ward O‘ahu ridge in mixed native and nonnative vegetation. The description of this
species, taken from the Flora of Taiwan:
“Caudex short, erect, densely covered with linear-lanceolate, dark brown scales. Stipes
tufted, shorter than laminae, 30–60 cm long, scaly at base when young; fronds pinnate;
pinnae linear-lanceolate, wide spreading, glabrous; median pinnae 10 to 40 cm long, to 1.8
cm wide, base of pinnae adnate on lower side, free on upper side; veins free, parallel, sim-
ple or forking from near costa. Sori costal, linear, reaching from base nearly to apex; indu-
sia very narrow”(Peng 2004).
Material examined. O‘AHU: Kahalu‘u-‘Āhuimanu dividing ridge. Along ridge crest trail about
50 ft above a dilapidated hogwire fence. The surrounding vegetation: Sphenomeris chinensis, Wik -
stroemia oahuensis, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, and Psidium cattleianum, 1 Jan 2009, K. Kawelo
USArmy 104.
Boraginaceae
Cordia alliodora (Ruiz & Pav.) Oken New naturalized record
Cordia alliodora, a plant native to Central America, is valued as a tree crop in many areas
for its dark, easy-to-work wood (Burns & Honkala 1990). However, on many of the
Pacific islands where this species was introduced, it has become a serious invasive pest
(Bakeo & Qarani 2003). As their report from Vanuatu stated:
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10
“The introduction of this Central American tree is a classic example of an aid programme
gone wrong, especially now that there is no lucrative market to sell the 800 hectares of
stock planted. Cordia alliodora was introduced with the best intentions, but failed to live
up to expectations for various reasons, probably linked to climatic differences between
Central America and Vanuatu. It is becoming a nuisance as it slowly penetrates natural
forests. It is a species that is multiplying at a faster rate than it is being harvested.
Communities on a number of islands, particularly, Eromango and Maewo, have made for-
mal complaints. Cordia alliodora is widely distributed, meaning that if unchecked it could
trigger an immense biodiversity problem” (Bakeo & Qarani 2003).
This collection of Cordia alliodora represents the first record of naturalization for this
species in the state. It is unclear how the species was introduced to the area. It was local-
ly common within a 200 m radius. Individuals of varying sizes were seen, many estab-
lished in deep shade, growing in riparian areas including in the bed of a seasonal stream,
valley floors and slopes, as well as seedlings and saplings growing among the stones of a
maintained heiau. It is also reported to be naturalized in Waimea Botanical Garden.
Cordia alliodora can be distinguished by its oblong or lanceolate to elliptic leaf blades,
10–20 × 3–8 cm, stellate-pilose or glabrate on both surfaces; loosely-branched inflores-
cences, 10–30 cm across; cylindric, densely stellate-tomentose calyx, 4–6 mm long with
10 prominent ribs; white (drying to brown and persisting) corolla with lobes 5–7 mm
long; and cylindrical fruit about 5 mm long, enveloped by the persistent corolla and calyx
tube (Smith 1991).
Material examined. O‘AHU: Mākaha Valley, along road to Kāne‘ākī Heiau, UTM 584242,
2376748. Mesic lowland secondary forest. Tree about 15 ft tall, branch nodes swollen and hollow,
ant domatia. Fruits within a dry, persistent corolla which is both wind dispersed and buoyant. Species
is very common within about 200 m radius, there may be more further up the valley. Individuals of
various sizes seen; grows to a height of 50–70 ft. Has been planted as a forestry species in Hawai‘i
(from Skolman.), 10 Feb 2009, OED 2009021001.
Bromeliaceae
Werauhia sanguinolenta (Cogn. & Marchal) J.R. Grant New state record
Werauhia sanguinolenta (a name which is sometimes considered to be a synonym of
Vriesea sanguinolenta Cogn. & Marchal) grows from around sea level to 1200 m in its
native range, which extends from Costa Rica to Ecuador and the Greater Antilles. One
individual of this epiphytic species, which has never been collected (either naturalized or
cultivated) in the state, was found growing in a Citharexylum caudatum thicket several
hundred meters from the nearest home site. In addition, several individuals (2–5 matures,
and 6–10 immature) were found apparently reproducing and spreading in a yard down the
road from the naturalization site. The description for this species, from Flora Neotropica,
is as follows:
“Plant flowering 1–2 m high. Leaves about 10 in a dense rosette, suberect, 6–7 dm long,
green, usually with large irregular spots of deep red especially near the base, obscurely
punctulate-lepidote; sheaths ovate-elliptic, the same color as the blades but slightly broad-
er; blades ligulate, acute or subrounded with a long apiculus, 8–10 cm wide. Scape erect,
greatly exceeding the leaves, well over 1 cm in diameter at the summit, glabrous; scape-
bracts erect, imbricate, very broadly ovate, acute or the lower ones triangular-laminate,
glabrous, even, thick, coriaceous. Inflorescence simple or few-branched, to 4 dm long; pri-
mary bracts suberect, like the upper scape-bracts, covering only the sterile bases of the
branches; branches suberect, secundly 11–15-flowered, the lateral ones 25 cm long with 1
or 2 sterile bracts at the base, the terminal one nearly 4 dm long with a sterile base as long
HBS Records for 2011 — Part II: Plants 11
as the fertile part and appearing like a continuation of the scape; rhachis to 10 mm in diam-
eter, flexuous, strongly 4-angled, glabrous, dark, its internodes narrowly obconical. Floral
bracts becoming secund with the flowers, broadly elliptic to suborbicular, abruptly acute,
to 5 cm long, some and usually all more than twice as long as the internodes, glabrous,
even, rigid, coriaceous, green, drying to light brown, incurved and carinate toward apex;
flowers spreading and downwardly secund; pedicels very stout, to 12 mm long. Sepals
very broadly elliptic or ovate, obtuse or broadly acute, 30–45 mm long, rigid, coriaceous,
even and glabrous outside, striate and punctulate-lepidote within; petals white, slightly
exceeding the stamens, bearing 2 scales at base”(Smith & Downs 1977).
Material examined. O‘AHU: Ka‘alaea Valley, left side. Mesic streamside. Primary vegetation:
Citharexylum caudatum and Hibiscus tiliaceus. Epiphytic bromeliad growing on Citharexylum cau-
datum about 5 ft from ground level. Rosette about 1.5 m across and tall. Blades burgundy red, becom-
ing greenish at ligulate base. Apex apiculate, the tip curling to form a “spine.” Single individual in
this area, among a dense Citharexylum caudatum thicket, several hundred m from nearest house. This
species was also seen reproducing/spreading (2–5 matures, 6–10 immatures) in a yard at the end of
Kamakoi Road, where it may have been originally planted, 17 Jul 2009, OED s.n. (BISH 741558).
Campanulaceae
Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC. New naturalized record
Platycodon grandiflorus, a native of northeastern Asia, has been a popular ornamental
since its introduction to horticulture in the late 1700s (Staples & Herbst 2005). Despite its
long-time cultivation elsewhere, the first collection of this species from Hawai‘i was in
1951. Distinguishing features for this species include thick, fleshy rhizomes, erect solitary
flowers on long stalks with greatly inflated purple, blue, pink, or white buds (lending this
species its common name of “Balloon flower”) and capsule fruit which opens at the apex
by 5 valves (Staples & Herbst 2005).
Material examined. O‘AHU: Mānoa, UTM 2357198, 622786. Growing with Vinca out of rock
wall near drainage pipe. Herb about 25 cm tall. Flowers campanulate, open, bright purple, fruit a
beaked capsule, 31 Oct 2008, OED 2008103101.
Capparaceae
Capparis mollicella Standl. New naturalized record
Capparis mollicella, an attractive tree native to Mexico and Central America (Zamora et
al. 2000), is known to have been planted at two sites on O‘ahu- at Schofield Barracks,
between buildings 672 and 673 (Staples & Ching 1179, 15 Apr 1999, BISH) and at the
foot of Diamond Head, near Kapi‘olani Park (Neal 1239, 7 Aug 1947, BISH). This col-
lection was from a sparingly naturalized population of around 18 individuals of various
size classes found outside the fence bordering Wheeler Air Force Base. Capparis molli-
cella is a tree species that reaches 5–8 m high. Branches are glabrous; leaves are simple,
alternate, and glabrous, usually rounded-ovate, (6–) 12–30 by (2.5–) 5.5–27.5 cm, leaf
apices are acute to apiculate, bases are cordate, truncate or obtuse, and petioles vary in
size from 1 to 25 cm long. Terminal inflorescences are corymbose, with 12 to 20 flowers.
Flowers are pink to purple, large, on pedicels from 7.0–10.5 cm long, stamens numerous.
Fruits are a pendulous berry, from 4 to 12 cm long (Zamora et al. 2000).
Material examined. O‘AHU: Kunia Rd, UTM 2357198, 622786. Growing in weedy hillside
along outside of Wheeler AFB fence. Tree about 18 ft tall. Flowers with thick white petals, lavender
in center, citrusy scent. Fruits seemingly immature, smell like body odor. Several individuals (about
19) of varying size classes in localized area, 1 Oct 2009, OED 2009100101.
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Chrysobalanaceae
Chrysobalanus icaco L. New naturalized record
Chrysobalanus icaco, or Coco-plum, is native to coastal areas of southern Florida and the
Bahamas throughout the Caribbean, as well as Mexico, Central America, and northern
South America (Francis 2011). It has become a serious invader in the Seychelles, where
it was planted for erosion control (Meyer 2000). It is reported to form dense thickets that
prevent native plant regeneration (Smith 1991). It is unclear how popular this plant is in
cultivation in Hawai‘i, but its further use in horticulture should be discouraged. Dis -
tinguishing characters for this species include alternate leaves, inflorescences in a panicle
with 5-parted flowers, with a basal style. The fruit is a fleshy drupe with a hard pit.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Lower Lā‘ie Falls Trail, on eroded slope mauka of Casuarina
forestry planting. Dry lowland eroded red dirt slope, nonnative secondary forest. Shrub about a meter
tall. Fruits round, green, maturing from white to bluish pink. Sparingly naturalized in area, spreading
downslope in wash areas from presumed erosion control plantings. About 50 individuals of various
sizes in area, 15 Dec 2009, OED 2009121501.
Convolvulaceae
Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Bojer New island record
This expansive vining climber, with its distinctive densely pubescent leaves, is occasional
in cultivation in Hawai‘i. It has been previously collected as naturalized on both Kaua‘i and
Maui. On O‘ahu, it was found along a roadside in the understory of a mixed nonnative for-
est in a residential area. This species is often seen growing along roadsides where its plant-
ing status is unclear, so the extent of its naturalized range on O‘ahu is also unclear.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Keolu, UTM 2363799, 630103. Lowland mixed forest. Vine
seedling about 0.25 m tall, no flowers or fruit, 6 May 2009, OED 2009050603.
Ipomoea carnea Jacq. subsp. fistulosa
(Mart. ex Choisy) D.F. Austin New naturalized record
This shrubby member of the Morning glory family, popular in cultivation worldwide for its
large, showy flowers and ease of cultivation (Staples & Herbst 2005), has become a prob-
lem species in many places it has been introduced. In India it has become a pest of littoral
areas, ponds, and other aquatic sites (Chaudhurp et al. 1994). Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistu-
losa is adaptable to a variety of soil types and is resistant to neglect and drought (Staples and
Herbst 2005). All plant parts have been observed to be poisonous to livestock (de Balogh et
al. 1999; Staples & Herbst 2005). Distinguishing features of this subspecies include its
shrubby habit, hollow, erect stems, and deep pink to rose purple, funnel-shaped corollas
(Herbst et al. 2004). It was found naturalizing in several locations in a dry lowland residen-
tial area on O‘ahu and collected growing out of a crack in a sidewalk.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Kaimukī, UTM 2353659, 623809. Dry lowland residential area.
Growing out of crack in driveway- repeatedly cut back to base. Shrub about a meter tall, sparingly
branched, corollas lavender, darker towards the center. Species is occasional in the neighborhood,
presumably both cultivated and naturalized, 6 Mar 2009, OED 2009030601.
Crassulaceae
Crassula multicava Lem. New island record
Crassula multicava, an attractive plant used as a groundcover, grows better in Hawai‘i at
higher elevations. It was first collected as cultivated in Hawai‘i in 1940 and was first
HBS Records for 2009–2010 — Part II: Plants 13
found naturalizing in Waimea Canyon State Park on Kaua‘i in 1994. On O‘ahu, it was
found spreading down a road in the understory of an upcountry residential area.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Pālehua Road, 2400 ft. Primary groundcover in Eucalyptus for-
est. Low-growing herb, about 10–20 cm, immature flowers with pink buds. Fruits not yet present.
Potential escaped yard plant across the road from cabin, 16 Mar 2009, J. Beachy US Army 134.
Kalanchoe beharensis Drake New naturalized record
Kalanchoe beharensis, which is grown as a specimen plant for its unusual, felt-like
wooly-hairy foliage and long-lasting flowers (Staples & Herbst 2005) does not appear to
have been collected as naturalized anywhere else in the world (Randall 2007).
Nonetheless, this species is easily propagated by cuttings, and fallen leaves root easily
(Staples & Herbst 2005). It is very likely this collection of a naturalized individual came
from discarded yard clippings tossed onto a dry hillside. Several individuals of varying
size classes were seen. Distinguishing characteristics of this species include wooly leaves,
knobby trunk, and triangular, strongly concave leaves.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Pālolo Valley, near intersection of Ka‘au St and Mokuna Pl.
Lowland mesic/dry residential setting. 1.5 m shrub, no flowers or fruit on specimen. Several indi-
viduals growing on dry, rocky slope, 3 Oct 2008, D. Frohlich and A. Lau OED 2008100301.
Cupressaceae
Callitris endlicheri (Parl.) F.M. Bailey New naturalized record
Callitris endlicheri, or Black cypress, a gymnosperm that grows widely in shallow soils
on rocky sites in its native range of southeastern Australia (McCarthy 1998), has begun to
spread in central O‘ahu. Though it was planted on Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island for
forestry, there are no records of O‘ahu plantings of this species between 1910 and 1960
(Skolmen 1980). Callitris endlicheri has been collected from large monotypic patches in
the Schofield Barracks West Range; one collection came from the south ridge of
Mohiākea Gulch and the other from near a firebreak in the vicinity of the gulch (collect-
ed in January 2012 and not accessioned.) Distinguishing features for this tree include
strongly keeled leaves and female cones with a small dorsal point near the apex
(McCarthy 1998).
Material examined. O‘AHU: Schofield Barracks West Range, South Ridge of Mohiākea.
Mixed alien koa forest. Evergreen tree about 10 m tall. Actively spreading in the area, forming dense
patches and excluding other species. New naturalized record, 28 Jan 2009, J. Rohrer US Army 107.
Fabaceae
Albizia niopoides (Benth.) Burkart New naturalized record
Albizia niopoides is a rarely planted, introduced species in Hawai‘i, known only from two
locations on O‘ahu. It was first collected in 1999 from Schofield Barracks, although the
tree height at the time was estimated to be 80 ft, so the date of introduction would have
been much earlier. It is also known from Makiki Heights, perhaps originally planted and
now spreading, forming a dense thicket under the largest tree where saplings grow in
dense shade. Smaller trees were also located in the area. It may grow to a large size (30
m), often with very light grey bark. It is further characterized by bipinnately compound
leaves with 6 or more pairs of pinnae. The leaflets are closely spaced, 7–9 mm long by 1
(up to 2) mm wide. The leaf rachis is channeled, with a nectary at the distal end. Stipules
are 6–7 mm long, setiform, and deciduous. Young twigs are greenish or yellowish with
sparse lenticels (Flores 2002).
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Material examined. O‘AHU: Makiki Heights on left side of road heading up to DOFAW base-
yard. Lowland mesic secondary forest, growing with forestry species. 12–14 m tall tree. Hundreds of
saplings growing in dense shade, forming a dense thicket, 25 Aug 2009, OED 2000082501.
Albizia saponaria (Lour.) Blume ex Miq. New island record
Albizia saponaria is a rarely cultivated tree, first collected in Hawai‘i in 1915, grown pri-
marily on large estates in Honolulu. It was also planted in the Waimānalo Forest Reserve
on O‘ahu (Skolmen 1980). It has been collected as naturalized on Kaua‘i in one location,
where about 100 plants were found spread over several acres (Lorence & Wagner 1995).
On O‘ahu, a population covering a 30 × 50 m area was found in Schofield Barracks.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Schofield Barracks East Range at Pineapple Gate, north side of
gate. Tree about 5–7 m tall. Whitish truck about 15 cm dia. Root suckers forming as a result of weed
whacker damage. About 50 × 30 m infestation, 26 May 2009, J. Beachy & K. Kawelo US Army 157.
Erythrina crista-galli L. New naturalized record
A native of South America, Erythrina crista-galli has been widely planted throughout the
tropics and subtropics worldwide, often as a shade or street tree. It was introduced to
Hawai‘i by 1913, and is now a commonly planted tree on O‘ahu. It can be distinguished
from other Erythrina species in Hawai‘i by its glabrous leaves with usually spiny petioles,
its terminal, drooping inflorescences that appear with the leaves, and dark red corollas
(Staples & Herbst 2005). It is commonly cultivated and is becoming widely naturalized in
riparian areas in New South Wales (Harden 1991). It was found very sparingly naturalized
in a dry lowland gulch in Wai‘alae Iki. Because this tree is so common in cultivation, it
should be monitored for signs of further spread, particularly into natural areas. in this
Parker & Parsons (this volume) report this species as naturalized on Hawai‘i Island.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Wai‘alae Iki, UTM 628569, 2353925, 2.5 m tall sapling growing
in a dry stream bed just before a concrete drainage ditch. Seen this species in several roadside grow-
ing situations where planting status unclear. 19 Mar 2009, OED 2009031903.
Glycine microphylla Tindale New state record
This species is native to Australia, where it is has been given the appropriate common
name Small-leaf glycine. It can be distinguished from other species of Glycine in Hawai‘i,
as well as many other vining members of the Fabaceae family in Hawai‘i, by the follow-
ing characters: “a scrambling habit; stems stoloniferous, ± glabrous or hairy with weak
white or light brown hairs; leaves weakly pinnately 3-foliate, leaflets of upper leaves nar-
row-lanceolate to lanceolate, 1.5–5.0 cm long, 1–6 mm wide; leaflets of lower leaves ±
obovate to ± elliptic, 0.4–5.0 cm long, mostly 2–9 mm wide; hairy with short, white,
appressed hairs; stipels present on terminal petiolule; racemes 5–13-flowered, 2.0–2.5
times as long as leaves; calyx glabrous or sparsely hairy, 3 lower sepals shorter than the
tube; standard 4.5–8.0 mm long, usually pinkish to purple; pod straight, ± linear, 1.5–2.7
cm long, 2.5–3.5 mm wide, without purple flecks, sparsely strigose; seeds 3–6" (Harden
1992). Plants in the field were particularly small statured, climbing no higher than a half
meter, and usually forming mats along the ground in partially shaded areas. However, flo-
ras do not describe the variability in height or stem length.
Small-leaf glycine does not appear to have been purposefully or even accidentally
introduced anywhere outside its native range prior to the collection referred to here. It was
found sparingly naturalized, forming a small patch at the revegetated site at Castle
Junction near Kailua, O‘ahu. The most likely means of introduction seems to be acciden-
HBS Records for 2011 — Part II: Plants 15
tal, where seeds of this species got into shipments of hydromulch (sourced from Australia)
used for revegetating the slope.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Castle Junction along Kalaniana‘ole Hwy, on east side of reveg-
etated hill. Mesic lowland roadside. Open, revegetated area. Prostrate vine with trifoliate leaves. This
possibly arrived as hydromulch contaminant when area was recently landscaped/revegetated. Seed
mix came from Australia, 7 Nov 2008, B. Azama s.n (BISH 736233).
Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl. New island record
This species from China, a low growing (up to 18") herb, was first collected on the Big
Island in a Parker Ranch pasture in 1923. It escaped notice, or at least collection, until
being found again on Maui in 2000 (Oppenheimer 2003). It is documented here as spar-
ingly naturalized in a roadside lawn area on Schofield Barracks, O‘ahu.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Schofield Barracks, herb about 6 in tall. Flower standard pink,
striated, keel white with pink tip. Pods about 2 mm long, with one seed, 25 Aug 2009, OED
2009082501.
Piscidia piscipula (L.) Sarg. New naturalized record
This tree is native to parts of Central America and the Caribbean, where its bark has tra-
ditionally been used to stun fish, earning it the common name Fish-poison tree. It was first
collected in Hawai‘i in 1918, in Honolulu, where it is occasional to rare in cultivation. A
total of 83 have been planted in the Waimānalo Forest reserve (Skolmen 1980). It can be
distinguished from other papilionoid trees in Hawai‘i by its 7–9 odd-pinnately-compound
leaflets, with lavender-white to reddish tinged, 0.5" long corollas combined with pale
green, 0.75–3.50" long pods that have 4 large, lengthwise papery wings (Staples & Herbst
2005). This species was found sparingly naturalized in dry lowland scrub near the base of
Koko Crater, probably spreading from nearby plantings.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Along road on side of Koko Crater, UTM 635685, 2353749. Dry
lowland scrub dominated by Prosopis. Tree about 3 m tall. Keel pinkish, banner mostly white with
green stripe running vertically down middle. Several individuals of various sizes seen, 9 Apr 2009,
OED 2009060904.
Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby New naturalized record
Also known as Kassod tree, this species from areas of Southeast Asia has been introduced
throughout the tropics worldwide for use as a reforestation tree, windbreak, shade tree for
coffee, and as an ornamental. It has commonly become naturalized in areas where it has been
introduced (Staples & Herbst 2005). It has been in Hawai‘i since the 1870s, and has been
planted both for forestry and as a street tree. In total, 1,461 were planted in forest reserves
throughout the state (Skolmen 1980). Senna siamea can be distinguished from other species
of Senna in Hawai‘i by the following characters: tree growing to 60 ft with leaves to 1 ft long
which lack petiolar glands; leaves symmetrical at base; inflorescences to about 1 ft long,
racemose to pyramidal; and flattened fruits 8–12" long, with leathery valves. It fruits heavi-
ly in Hawai‘i, and fruits persist a long time on the tree (Staples & Herbst 2005).
Senna siamea was seen sparingly naturalized on Wheeler Air Force Base, growing in
small gulches of mixed nonnative secondary forest and scrub. It was a common street tree
in the surrounding area, but not the immediate vicinity.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Wheeler AFB, near corner of Wright Ave and Airdrome Rd. 6 m
tall tree, flowering profusely. Commonly planted in Schofield/Wheeler roadside areas and sparingly
naturalized on base, 4 Sep 2009, OED 2009090403.
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16
Senna spectabilis (DC.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby New naturalized record
Senna spectabilis is a tropical American shrub or tree to 50 ft tall, which is rarely planted
in Hawai‘i. It can be distinguished from other Senna in Hawai‘i by the combination of the
following characters: Leaves without petiolar glands, flowers irregularly symmetrical
where 1 petal is folded in over the stamens, 7 stamens per flower, and more or less cylin-
drical fruits (Staples & Herbst 2005). It is documented here as sparingly naturalized,
spreading from planting sites into mesic gulches and roadside residential areas at
Schofield Barracks.
Material examined: O‘AHU: Schofield Barracks, UTM 597310, 2377278. Seedlings of various
sizes in Falcataria understory, sapling about 15 ft tall, no flowers seen. Fruits cylindrical, 18 Aug
2009, OED 2009081801.
Tamarindus indica L. New island record
Commonly cultivated worldwide, and long cultivated in Hawai‘i, Tamarind has been col-
lected as naturalized in Kalaupapa, Moloka‘i, spreading from planted sites. It is docu-
mented here as sparingly naturalized on O‘ahu, in Lualualei, also spreading from plant-
ings. It has been noted occasionally spreading in other dry areas of the island as well.
Material examined: O‘AHU: Lualualei watershed, off Hakimo road. UTM 2366948, 588143.
Dry lowland residential/agricultural roadside. 8-ft tall tree with many fruits. This species is rarely to
occasionally naturalized in the area spreading from cultivated trees which are common here, 17 Feb
2009, OED 2009021701.
Flacourtiaceae
Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr. New naturalized record
The taxonomy of Flacourtia indica, or Governor’s plum, is complex. Many sources des -
cribe this species as a cultigen since its place of origin is unknown, and it is widely culti-
vated throughout the Old World tropics and into Polynesia (Staples & Herbst 2005). This
species is highly variable, broadly defined, and includes several synonymous names previ-
ously described as distinct taxa (Staples & Herbst 2005). Flacourtia indica thrives in sea-
sonally dry, sunny areas, in all soil types. This species was found on O‘ahu in the understo-
ry of a Casuarina-dominated lowland secondary forest in sandy soil. The description for this
species (taken from the Flora of China) is as follows:
“Shrubs or small trees, 2–4 m tall, deciduous; bark gray-yellow, fissured, flaky; old
branches usually not spiny; young branches with axillary, simple spines; branchlets
puberulous or subglabrous. Petiole red, short, 3–5 mm, puberulous; leaf blade greenish
abaxially, deep green adaxially, rose red when young, obovate to oblong-obovate, 2–4 ×
1.5–3 cm, thickly papery, abaxially glabrous or sparsely pubescent, hairs spreading and
short, adaxially glabrous, midvein raised abaxially, flat adaxially, lateral veins 5–7 pairs,
reticulate veins conspicuous, base mostly acute to obtuse, margin serrulate above middle,
apex rounded, sometimes retuse. Inflorescences axillary or terminating short lateral twigs,
racemose, short; rachis 0.5–2 cm, puberulous. Pedicels 3–5 mm, puberulous, hairs spread-
ing. Sepals 5 or 6, ovate, ca. 1.5 mm, outside glabrous or with a few scattered short hairs,
inside sparsely to densely pubescent, margin white ciliate in dried material, apex obtuse.
Staminate flowers: stamen filaments 2–2.5 mm, pubescent or less often glabrous. Pistillate
flowers: ovary globose, placentas 5 or 6; styles 5 or 6, united only at base, radiating, 1–2
mm, slender. Fruit dull to blackish red, globose, 8–10 mm in diam., longitudinally 5- or
6-angled, styles persistent. Seeds 5 or 6” (Yang & Zmarzty 2007).
Material examined. O‘AHU: Bellows AFB, around campsite near golf area, mauka side of
Tinker Road. UTM 2363960, 633402. 15 or more individuals scattered in coastal lowland secondary
HBS Records for 2011 — Part II: Plants 17
forest dominated by Casuarina. 2-m tall shrub with reddish-brown lenticillate bark. New leaves pink-
tinged, new stems reddish. Older plants with few noticeable spines, younger plants spiny. Fruits
ripening red, 24 Sep 2009, OED 2009092401.
Lamiaceae
Plectranthus neochilus Schltr. New naturalized record
Plectranthus neochilus, a plant native to southern Africa, is occasionally planted as an
ornamental, both for its attractiveness and for its purported ability to repel deer, snakes,
and dogs (owing to its unpleasant odor). This description of the species comes from the
Flora of New South Wales:
“Unpleasantly aromatic, decumbent to erect, perennial herb 12–50 cm high; branches suc-
culent, finely and minutely hairy, or sparsely to densely covered with short and long hairs
and scattered orange-red sessile glands. Leaves with lamina succulent, viscid, obovate to
elliptic-ovate, 2–5 cm long, 1.5–3.5 cm wide; apex obtuse to rounded; base cuneate to
attenuate; margins obscurely crenate with 4–6 pairs of teeth; both surfaces sparsely to
densely hairy with shortly appressed hairs, especially on veins below, with orange sessile
glands below; petiole 0.5–1.5 cm long. Calyx c. 3 mm long, to 6 mm long in fruit. Corolla
12–20 mm long, mauve-purple, rarely whitish, the upper lip paler and bluish, slightly
hairy; tube slightly decurved; lobes with scattered sessile glands” (Harden 1992).
This species has spread from planted areas in other regions and is documented here
as very sparingly naturalized in a lowland residential roadside area of O‘ahu, also spread-
ing from planted individuals.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Keolu, on Uluhaku Rd. In roadside lawn habitat, growing against
utility pole. Herb about 40 cm tall, flowers purple, zygomorphic. Malodorous, sometimes used to
repel dogs, 6 May 2009, OED 2009050602.
Liliaceae
Dianella caerulea Sims New naturalized record
This species of Dianella is cultivated occasionally as an ornamental and is a native of
Australia. The species D. caerula was first collected on O‘ahu from Wahiawā Botanical
Garden in 1986. This collection documented here is from the understory of a Psidium cat-
tleianum and Acacia koa forest in Pālehua. The taxon collected here was identified as D.
caerulea var. assera R.J.F. Hend. The description for this variety (taken from the Flora of
Australia) is as follows:
“Plant tufted, solitary, to 1.8 m tall. Stems elongating, with scales for most (sometimes all)
of their length, touching or up to 30 cm apart, arching or ascending; extravaginal branch-
ing rapidly developing. Leaf sheaths +/- completely occluded distally. Inflorescence from
narrowly conical to narrowly cylindrical in outline, continuous or interrupted; cymules
open or contracted, few-flowered. Perianth pale blue to mid-blue with green streaking
externally” (Henderson 1987).
Material examined. O‘AHU: Pālehua. In strawberry guava, Acacia koa understory. Climbing herb,
1.0–1.5 m tall. Flowers small, purple, zygomorphic. Fruits small, green (immature), 0.5 cm diame-
ter. Leaves with serrate margins, equitant on stems of varying heights, 13 May 2009, J. Beachy US
Army 152.
Melastomataceae
Tibouchina granulosa (Desr.) Cogn. New naturalized record
Tibouchina granulosa, a species not frequently cultivated as an ornamental in Hawai‘i and
BISHOP MUSEUM OCCASIONAL PAPERS: No. 113, 2012
18
not previously collected as naturalized in the state, has now been spotted spreading 20–30
m from a planted tree. The original planting had been uprooted, and then cut into logs,
which were resprouting. Several saplings and seedlings of various sizes were seen grow-
ing uphill from the original planting. This species can be distinguished from other com-
monly seen Tibouchina species by its 4-winged branchlets, leathery, elliptic to ovate-
lanceolate leaves, evenly purple flowers, wooly filaments, and floral bracts and calyx
lobes with broad, smooth marginal bands (Staples & Herbst 2005)
Material examined. O‘AHU: Mānoa Valley, mauka of currently managed portions of Lyon
Arboretum. UTM 623840, 2359941. 1 m tall sapling, no fruits or flowers seen. Sapling was found
about 50 m from an uprooted, resprouting tree that had apparently been cut into pieces, which were
also sprouting. Seedlings of this species less than 20 cm tall were found on a ridge nearby, about
20–30 m from original tree. 2 Sep 2008, OED 2008090201; Mānoa Valley, mauka of currently man-
aged portions of Lyon Arboretum. UTM 623840, 2359941. Lowland mesic secondary forest, 20 cm
tall seedlings. This species widely believed not to reproduce by seedlings in Hawai‘i. Four other nat-
uralized saplings and small trees noted in the area, about 40 m from the original planted area, 5 Nov
2008, OED 2008110501.
Meliaceae
Azadirachta indica A. Juss. New naturalized record
Azadirachta indica, or Neem, has been promoted as an ornamental and as a source for
Neem oil for Hawaiian gardens for several years (Staples & Herbst 2005). Neem is an
evergreen tree from 30 to 50 feet tall that has odd-pinnately compound leaves with 9–18
narrowly ovate, curved, toothed leaflets. Fruits are a yellow drupe with thin flesh. This
species is easily propagated by cuttings or by seed (Staples & Herbst 2005) and was found
sparingly naturalized over a large area in Mā‘ili, on the leeward coast of O‘ahu.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Mā‘ili, off Kulaaupuni St. UTM 2369684, 585396. Dry lowland
residential roadside area. 8 ft tall sapling, no flowers or fruit present. Spreading from apparently
planted individuals in area. This species is occasionally noted naturalizing in roadside areas and large
gardens, 13 Feb 2009, OED 2009021302.
Moraceae
Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. New naturalized record
Artocarpus heterophyllus, or Jackfruit, is occasional in cultivation in Hawai‘i, where it
produces very large (12–40 in long) fruits with large, 1.25 in long seeds. Characteristics
that distinguish it from other Artocarpus species grown in Hawai‘i include simple adult
leaves and cauliflorous inflorescences (Staples & Herbst 2005). It was noted as very spar-
ingly naturalized in Mānoa Valley, where four seedlings were noted scattered along a trail
in dense shade. No mature trees were seen in the vicinity. Parker & Parsons (this volume)
report this species as naturalized on Hawai‘i Island.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Mānoa Valley, Waiakeakua. Wet secondary forest. 1.5 m tall,
sparingly branched sapling with whit viscous sap, thickened taproot about 30 cm long. No flowers or
fruit, not a root sucker. Four small seedlings noted along trail, no matures seen, 4 Nov 2008, A. Lau
2008110401.
Orchidaceae
Habenaria rodeiensis Barb. Rodr. New island record
Habenaria rodeiensis, an orchid previously only known from West and East Maui (Wag -
ner et al. 1999; Oppenheimer 2006), was collected on O‘ahu along the Mānana Trail,
HBS Records for 2011 — Part II: Plants 19
located in the Ko‘olau Mountain Range. This geophytic orchid does not appear to be com-
mon in general cultivation, and it is unclear how it was introduced to Hawai‘i. Cultivation
of this species in Hawai‘i is unadvisable.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Mānana Trail, just on north side of trail UTM 611039, 2370601.
Trailside, growing with Psidium, Eucalyptus, and Psydrax odorata. Herbaceous, erect ground orchid,
24 Dec 2009, K. Kawelo & J. Rohrer US Army 102.
Podocarpaceae
Podocarpus elatus R. Br. ex Endl. New naturalized record
This species is commonly planted in Hawai‘i, usually as an ornamental tree, which can
grow to a very large size (up to 125 ft). It is native to Australia and is widely cultivated
throughout the rest of the tropics and subtropics (Staples & Herbst 2005). This species can
be distinguished from other Podocarpus in Hawai‘i by its leaf apices usually having a
small, spine-tipped mucro, leaf margins usually not revolute, and pollen cones less than 2
mm wide (De Laubenfels 1985). Material in BISH is variable in these characters, and
species documented here may easily be confused. This species is documented here as nat-
uralized in usually open areas of windward lowland ridges of O‘ahu, occasionally form-
ing dense stands. This species has a fleshy receptacle associated with the seed, an adapta-
tion to dispersal by birds (Staples et al. 2000). It is likely naturalized in other areas as well,
and further work could be done to document the extent of the naturalized range of this
species on O‘ahu. It occurs on a ridge that is nearby a population of Podocarpus macro-
phyllus in ‘Āhuimanu (see below).
Material examined: O‘AHU: Ridge north of Ioleka‘a. Along and off trail, females with many
seedlings in several groups, with Ardisia, guava, Rhodomyrtus, Schefflera, silver oak, and hala.
Female plant, tallest c. 18 ft tall, naturalized, 9 Feb 2000, B. Waters s.n. (BISH 662413, 662414);
Kahalu‘u and ‘Āhuimanu ridge. Trees to 40 ft tall, many keiki under mother plant. Also growing in
uluhe and pala‘ā, 23 Apr 2008, K. Metzler 20080423Podocar.
Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) Sweet New naturalized record
Also known as Kusa-maki, this species is probably native to from southern Japan, though
also known from Southern China to Taiwan where it is possibly an escape from cultiva-
tion (Staples & Herbst 2005). It is at least occasional in cultivation in Hawai‘i where it us
grown as a street tree, specimen, or hedge plant. It can be distinguished from other
Podocarpus in Hawai‘i by its linear leaves with usually revolute margins, the apices vari-
able but usually lacking a sharp mucro, the leaves more than 6 mm wide, and less than 10
times as long as wide, and pollen cones usually greater than 2.5 mm in width (De
Laubenfels 1985). It is documented here naturalized along a trail in the ‘Āhuimanu area,
nearby a ridge where there is a population of Podocarpus elatus.
Material examined: O‘AHU: ‘Āhuimanu valley. Along trailside, in uluhe. Tree, 4–5 m. UTM
620226, 2370343, 27 Jan 2007, K. Kawelo US Army 37.
Polygonaceae
Triplaris weigeltiana (Rchb.) Kuntze New naturalized record
This species is from Central and South America, where it (and other species in the genus)
are known by the common name Hormigo, probably in reference to the trees ability to har-
bor stinging and biting ants in its hollow stems (“hormiga” means “ant” in Spanish). They
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20
are rarely cultivated as ornamental street and shade trees, or in botanical gardens. The
species was first collected in Hawai‘i in 1945 and is rare in cultivation, at least on O‘ahu.
It is distinguished from other Polygonaceae in Hawai‘i primarily by its habit as a large
tree, and also by peeling bark forming patchy, multicolored trunks, and its fruits enclosed
in a papery perianth, with 3 white to scarlet, winglike, extended lobes (Staples & Herbst
2005). This species is dioecious and may be planted in pairs to encourage the ornamental,
wind dispersed fruits to be formed. It is listed as moderately invasive in Tahiti (Meyer
2000). It is here documented as naturalized in Hawai‘i, on O‘ahu spreading locally from
a planting of a male and a female tree in Makiki, makai of the DOFAW O‘ahu branch
baseyard. Naturalized plants were scattered sparingly across several acres, the saplings
occasionally growing in dense shade.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Makiki valley, past first two gates on road to DOFAW baseyard
(UTM 2357461, 621473) Wet/mesic lowland secondary roadside forest. 3 m tall sparingly branched
sapling with peeling grey/tan bark. Growing in shaded understory, 12 Jan 2009, OED 2209011203.
Polypodiaceae
Pyrrosia piloselloides (L.) M.G. Price New state record
Native from northeastern India east to Hainan, China, and throughout Malesia, this
species has not been previously documented in Hawai‘i, although it is reported to be
grown in a botanical garden in Waimea, O‘ahu. In its native range it grows epiphytically
and is common to very common where found, in primary and secondary forest, from sea
level to 1000 m. It is one of the most common epiphytes in the lowlands of Malesia, and
is capable of smothering entire trees, sometimes causing tree death (Hovencamp et al.
1998). It was found in an upper residential area of Mānoa Valley, growing to the tops of
several species of trees, occasional to common within an area of about 2 to 3 acres, with
some small outlier plants, apparently spreading both vegetatively and by spores. This
species may best be distinguished from other ferns in Hawai‘i by its rhizomatous, colony
forming habit, dimorphic fronds where the sterile fronds are entire, succulent, and 1–7 ×
1–2 cm, at the collection site noted as circular in shape; fertile fronds linear, 4–16 ×
0.3–1.5 cm. It also has spreading, peltate scales on the rhizome. The sori are apical or
extending to the base of the frond submarginally (De Wilde et al. 1998).
Material examined. O‘AHU: Mānoa Valley, at the end of Woodlawn Terrace Place. UTM
624810, 2357826; Lowland mesic cultivated setting. Epiphytic succulent fern, entirely covering
trunk and branches of large tree and surrounding vegetation. Origin is SE Asia. According to Dr.
Smith, this species is “very likely to further escape and spread in Hawai‘i”, 17 Oct 2008, OED
2008101703.
Pteridaceae
Adiantum ‘Edwinii’ New island record
Adiantum ‘Edwinii’ is probably a cultivar of A. raddianum, or possibly a hybrid or culti-
var of A. concinnum. It was first collected on Maui in 1981, and known from Lāna‘i, and
now from O‘ahu, where it was found on a slope of Palikea Gulch. This plant can be dis-
tinguished from other Adiantum seen in Hawai‘i by its U-shaped sori, fronds up to 100 cm
long and 60 cm wide, and the pinnules closest to the rachis overlapping the rachis on the
side toward the frond tip (Palmer 2003).
Material examined. O‘AHU: Palikea Gulch, 1000 ft. On a lower slope in closed canopy.
Smaller than one meter, but veins end in small marginal sinuses, 7 Jan 2009, J. Gustine US Army 105.
HBS Records for 2009–2010 — Part II: Plants 21
Rutaceae
Triphasia trifolia (Burm. f.) P. Wilson New naturalized record
Probably native to the Malay Peninsula, and also known as Limeberry, this species has been
introduced in many tropical areas as an ornamental hedge plant, potted plant, or bonsai
species. It was first collected in Hawai‘i in 1926, although it does not seem to be widely used
at least on O‘ahu. It can be distinguished from other nonnative Rutaceae in Hawai‘i by its
shrubby habit, trifoliate leaves with paired axillary spines, and fleshy, dull red, single seed-
ed fruits containing sweet, edible, mucilaginous sap (Staples & Herbst 2005). Limeberry has
escaped cultivation and become naturalized in many areas where it has been introduced,
occasionally forming thickets in understory, especially on limestone soils in coastal areas of
Pacific islands. It was collected as naturalized on O‘ahu in that habitat, locally and sparing-
ly naturalized in the understory of Prosopis pallida near the coast. It is likely to continue
spreading and may become more abundant without intervention.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Kāne‘ohe MCBH, next to Zombie’s beach. Dry coastal zone habi-
tat. 4 ft tall shrub, leaves glossy green above, pale below. Fruit green ripening red, skin thin, con-
taining clear, mucilaginous citrus smelling pulp. Single seed very sticky. About 21 plants of various
sizes (from about 2–8 ft tall) seen in dense shade of Prosopis pallida understory, 5 Aug 2009, OED
2009080501.
Scrophulariaceae
Veronica serpyllifolia L. New island record
This nonnative herbaceous species has been collected previously on Kaua‘i, Moloka‘i,
Lāna‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i islands, but this is its first report for O‘ahu. Although it may
be tolerated where it grows, it does not appear to be intentionally cultivated in Hawai‘i. It
was found spreading in mesic forest in the northern Wai‘anae range. This genus is filed
under Scrophulariaceae at BISH, although many specialists now include the genus in
Plantaginaceae.
Material examined: O‘AHU: Kapuna Gulch, Pahole Natural Area Reserve, along Mokulē‘ia
trail, 31 Mar 2009, M. Elmore US Army 139.
Sterculiaceae
Sterculia apetala (Jacq.) H. Karst. New island record
A large specimen tree growing to 30 m, this species was first collected in Hawai‘i in 1915.
A particularly large tree planted at Queen’s Hospital may have been planted by Dr. W.
Hillebrand around 1851 (Staples & Herbst 2005). Previously documented as naturalized,
spreading from a planted specimen on Maui, this rarely planted tree was found spreading
locally near Queen’s Hospital, where scattered saplings were found growing in dense
shade. A medium-sized but mature tree of questionable planting status also occurs on the
hospital grounds. This species’ further spread from this location has probably been limit-
ed by intensive landscape maintenance; however, long distance dispersal may be aided by
its fruits with large seeds overhanging busy roadways.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Near Beretania and Punchbowl streets (UTM 618693, 2356737).
Lowland urban landscaped area. 0.5 m tall sapling. Several naturalized saplings in the area, 4 Feb
2009, OED 2009020401.
Tiliaceae
Grewia micrantha Bojer New state record
This species from tropical Africa does not appear to have been introduced into general
BISHOP MUSEUM OCCASIONAL PAPERS: No. 113, 2012
22
cultivation very widely, if at all. In its native range it grows in an ecotype characterized
in part by an extended dry season as well as dominance by species of Brachystegia
(Fabaceae), or in mixed shrubland. A description from Flora Zambesiaca reads:
“Shrub or small tree up to 8 m. tall; young branchlets ferruginously tomentose, becoming
grey or brownish with paler lenticels. Leaf-lamina 2.5–9 × 1.2–4.8 cm., ovate-oblong or
elliptic, apex rounded or acute, margins serrate, rounded or asymmetrically cordate at the
base, sparsely stellate-pubescent above or glabrous, finely reticulate-rugose…closely
appressed-whitish-tomentose between the nerves below… petiole up to 7 mm long, fer-
ruginously pubescent; stipules c. 5 mm. long.... Inflorescences all axillary…pedicels nor-
mally 3 per peduncle… coarsely brown-hairy…Sepals up to 0.8 cm. long, linear-oblong,
coarsely stellately hairy outside, yellow and glabrous within. Petals yellow, about half the
length of the sepals, oblong to obovate, often 2-dentate at the apex, basal claw either with
circumvillous nectary within, or often absent and replaced by a small tuft of hairs at the
cuneate petal base...style c. 5 mm. long, glabrous; stigma with about 4 broad lobes. Fruit
yellowish, deeply 2-lobed or 1-lobed by abortion, each lobe c. 7 mm. in diam., pubescent”
(Royal Botanic Gardens- Kew 2011).
No prior collections of this species have been made in the state. It is possible this species
was intentionally introduced near the collection site as an ornamental. It was seen here
scattered in a dry lowland area dominated by Prosopis pallida and nonnative grasses, scat-
tered locally with an abundance of approximately 10 or 12 plants of multiple size classes.
Material examined. O‘AHU: Along road to Koko Crater trail (UTM 635687, 2353745). Dry
lowland area dominated by Prosopis. Tree about 2.5 m tall. No flowers. Fruits small, fuzzy, green,
drying to brown, 9 Apr 2009, OED 2009040903; Along road to Koko Crater trail (UTM 635687,
2353745) dry lowland area, near baseball diamond. Sprawling shrub about 5 m dia, 3 m tall. Flowers
bright yellow with lobed stigmas. New growth reddish. Several individuals of various sizes in area,
30 Jun 2009, OED 2009063001.
Verbenaceae
Vitex trifolia L. New island record
This species is very commonly planted in Hawai‘i as a hedge plant, wind break, and orna-
mental. It has been documented as naturalized in Kalaupapa, Moloka‘i, spreading into dry
rocky areas. It was found sparingly naturalized in Kalaeloa, O‘ahu in dry, mixed alien
scrubland along a road. Because of the adaptability of this species to dry lowland areas
with poor soils (Staples & Herbst 2005) it likely persists at sites of former cultivation,
making planting status of populations near roadsides in natural areas unclear. Because of
this its naturalized status on O‘ahu may well be much more extensive than the population
documented here.
Material examined: O‘AHU: Kalaeloa. Mixed alien scrubland, growing against a telephone
pole. Shrub about 1 m, cut back, 18 Jun 2009, OED 2009061802.
Vitaceae
Cissus repens Lam. New state record
This species, which is native to Asia and Australia, has been collected from two locations
in the Hawaiian Islands; at the “Makiki Forestry Nursery” in 1978, and in Mākaha Valley,
along the road to Kāne‘aki Heiau. Both locales are on O‘ahu. It is uncertain why this
species was brought to Hawai‘i, since there is no clear evidence of it being used in horti-
culture (Chimera 2010). In any case, the use of this species in cultivation should be dis-
couraged, as it is a shade-tolerant, bird-dispersed, smothering vine. The description of this
species, taken from the Flora of China, is as follows:
HBS Records for 2009–2010 — Part II: Plants 23
“Vines, herbaceous. Branchlets terete, with longitudinal ridges, usually glaucous,
glabrous; tendrils bifurcate. Leaves simple; stipules brownish, oblong, 5–6 × 2–3 mm,
membranous, glabrous; petiole 2.5–7 cm, glabrous; leaf blade cordate-oval, 5–13 × 4–9
cm, glabrous, basal veins 3–5, lateral veins 3 or 4 pairs, veinlets inconspicuous, base cor-
date, margin with 9–12 sharp teeth on each side, apex acute or acuminate. Inflorescence
umbelliform, terminal or leaf-opposed; peduncle 1–3 cm, glabrous. Pedicel 2–4 mm, near-
ly glabrous. Buds oval, ca. 4 mm, apex obtuse. Calyx entire or undulate. Petals triangular-
ovate, ca. 3 mm, glabrous. Anthers ovoid-elliptic. Lower part of ovary adnate to disk; style
conical; stigma slightly expanded. Berry 0.8–1.2 cm × 4–8 mm, 1-seeded. Seed surface
smooth, with sparse ribs.”(Ren & Jun 2007)
Material examined. O‘AHU: Mākaha Valley, along road to Kāne‘aki Heiau, UTM 584134,
2376668, 600 ft. Mesic lowland secondary forest. Vine with long stems to several meters, fruits
ripening black, soft, fleshy. 2 individuals noted in the area. Long-time land manager unaware of its
origin, 10 Feb 2009, OED 2009021002.
Zygophyllaceae
Guaiacum officinale L. New naturalized record
Lignum-vitae is native to tropical America and the Caribbean, where it typically grows in
dry habitats. It has been introduced as an ornamental throughout the tropics, and is occa-
sional in cultivation in Hawai‘i where it was first collected in 1909. It can be distinguished
by the following description: Tree to 25 ft tall, leaves 2–5 in long with 4 (–6) broadly obo-
vate to orbicular leaflets, which are rounded at the apex; petals blue purple to nearly white,
the upper surface hairy; fruits showy, obcordate, the lobes yellowish, splitting at maturity;
seeds are brownish, enclosed in a showy reddish aril (Staples & Herbst 2005). Despite being
planted in so many other places, it has apparently not been clearly documented as natural-
ized elsewhere. Though not thoroughly established, it is documented here as very sparingly
naturalized along a roadside in dry open grassland in Kalaeloa, presumably having spread
from a planted individual though none were seen in the immediate area. It has also been
noted in West Loch, similarly growing along a roadside in dry kiawe forest.
Material examined: O‘AHU: Kalaeloa, UTM 595313, 2358058. Dry lowland weedy shrubland.
Sapling about 3 ft tall, corolla lobes persistent as young fruits develop, 12 Jun 2009, OED
2009061201.
Acknowledgments
We thank Clyde Imada for help with plant identification, support, and document editing.
Also, many thanks to the staff and volunteers at BISH, especially Amanda Harbottle and
Barbara Kennedy. Thanks to everyone at OISC and US Army Oahu Natural Resource
Program for field collections and support. Thanks to Marine Corps Base Hawaii for access
to their lands and survey support. Thanks to Becky Azama and Derek Arakaki with
Hawaii Department of Agriculture for their work in the field and cooperation and support.
Also, thanks to Jeff Preble, Joel Lau, and Kenji Suzuki for their report of Crysobalanus
icaco in Lā‘ie, and to Tony Rodd for identifying Callitris endlicheri.
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