Botanical and Ethnobotanical Inventories of the National Park of American Samoa

Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.The existing and proposed areas of the National Park of American Samoa (NPSA) integrate a unique combination of Samoan cultural components and biological resources, both marine and terrestrial. Effective management of any natural area depends upon a knowledge of the resources it contains, thus necessitating comprehensive botanical and ethnobotanical surveys. An assessment of the extent, diversity, and use of botanical resources will provide needed baseline data for developing appropriate management strategies to guide the successful integration of fa’asamoa and long-term sustainable use of these resources. A total of 232 species were recorded during our surveys, and 104 species were counted and/or measured within plots that encompassed 15,260m2 (3.8 acres) on the islands of Ta’u, Ofu, and Olosega in the Manu’a Group of American Samoa. The plots ranged in size from 800m2 to 5500m2. A total of 1688 trees representing 52 species with a ≥ 5 cm dbh were counted and measured. In addition, 1234 plants representing 102 species (trees < 5 cm dbh, seedlings, shrubs, vines, and herbs) were counted within random plots in the study areas.We are indebted to all of the people who graciously shared their knowledge and expertise with us in interviews and recorded conversations. We are especially grateful to the families who provided us with lodging and a home base for our work in the Manu’a Islands. Aliilelei Phil Laolagi and Elizabeth (Bekka) Laolagi allowed us to convert the Asaga Inn into a field station during our stay on Ofu and Olosega, and helped us with logistics, transportation, and meetings with matai and village residents. Ola Aloese, Malaga Faga Lata Tau and his wife, Lesa Lata Tau, all helped make our stay there a pleasurable and very productive one. Sega Apisai Atoe and his wife Palagi kindly welcomed us into their home in Fitiuta, and we enjoyed the warm hospitality of their daughter Florita and her husband, Fale Laulii Lauofo

Systematic Revision of Elaphoglossum (Dryopteridaceae) in French Polynesia, with the Description of Three New Species

Species descriptions and a key for the nine species of Elaphoglossum (Dryopteridaceae) in French Polynesia are provided. Three new species are described: E. austromarquesense from the southern Marquesas Islands, E. florencei from Raiatea and Moorea, and E. meyeri from Rapa. Each species is illustrated by a line drawing of the habit, and spore images using a scanning electron microscope. Images of scales, one of the most important diagnostic characters in the genus, are also included. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London

Hoffmannia rzedowskiana (Rubiaceae), una nueva especie del sur de México y Nicaragua

Hoffmannia rzedowskiana Cast.-Campos, Bautista-Bello and Lorence (Rubiaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from southern Mexico (Chiapas, Oaxaca and Veracruz) and Nicaragua. In Veracruz, it occurs in the region of Los Tuxtlas and Uxpanapa near the border with the Chimalapas (Oaxaca). This species is related to Hoffmannia discolor, from which it differs by presenting leaves which are pilose on the abaxial surface, sessile to shortly petiolate, lateral veins 19-23(-26) pairs, pubescent flowers and a linear stigma.Se describe e ilustra a Hoffmannia rzedowskiana Cast.-Campos, Bautista-Bello y Lorence perteneciente a la familia Rubiaceae como una nueva especie del sur de México (Chiapas, Oaxaca y Veracruz) y Nicaragua. En Veracruz se ha registrado en la región de Los Tuxtlas y en Uxpanapa cerca de los límites con los Chimalapas (Oaxaca). Esta especie muestra similitudes con Hoffmannia discolor, de la que difiere por presentar hojas pilosas por el envés, sésiles a cortamente pecioladas, nervaduras laterales 19-23(-26) pares, flores pubescentes y estigma linear

Chromosome Counts on Angiosperms Cultivated at the National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kaua'i, Hawai'i

Karyological data for 30 collections of angiosperms cultivated at the National Tropical Botanical Garden representing 29 species (mainly Hawaiian or Pacific endemics) from seven families (mostly Rubiaceae) are presented, including first reports for the genera Anthocephalus, Bobea, Calycosia, and Cyclophyllum (Rubiaceae). Results are compared with previously published data, and their systematic significance is discussed

Inflorescence structure in Laurales - stable and flexible patterns

Premise of research. This is the first comparative study of inflorescence morphology through all seven families of the order Laurales (Atherospermataceae, Calycanthaceae, Gomortegaceae, Hernandiaceae, Lauraceae, Monimiaceae, and Siparunaceae) and the larger subclades of these families. Methodology. We studied 89 species of 39 genera from herbarium specimens and partly from liquid-fixed material, focusing on the branching patterns in the reproductive region. In addition, we used the information from the literature. Pivotal results. There are recurrent branching patterns. Botryoids, thyrsoids, and compound botryoids and thyrsoids are the most common forms. Panicles, racemes, and thyrses are rare. Panicles and racemes occur in some highly nested Lauraceae and thyrses in Hernandiaceae. Thus, the presence of thyrso-paniculate inflorescences is not characteristic for Laurales, in contrast to the statement by Weberling. Conclusions. An evolutionary interpretation is still difficult because the existing molecular phylogenetic analyses are not fine grained enough and also because the previous phylogenetic results are not robust enough to make firm conclusions within the order. However, the present structural results show that there are trends of occurrence of certain patterns in families or subclades within families, and these may be useful in a morphological matrix of magnoliids (see work by Doyle and Endress for basal angiosperms)

A Monograph of the Monimiaceae (Laurales) in the Malagasy Region (Southwest Indian Ocean)

Volume: 72Start Page: 1End Page: 16

Christella cyatheoides

Pteridophyte