Christmas Island
Page 2
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Transcription
Eragrostis tenella (Link.) Beauv. Bergman 15 (BISH); Fosberg 13229 (BISH); Long 1896, 2798 (UH). First collected in 1924 this weedy grass was probably introduced in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century with the activities attending the development of the copra plantations. Common in London village and other disturbed sites. Eragrostis whitneyi Fosberg Bergman 14 (BISH); St. John and Fosbert 17489 (BISH); Fosberg 13195, 13230, 13266 (BISH); Long 1853, 1892, 2745, 2755, 2764, 3417, 3420, 3472 (UH). A small grass native to the Line, Phoenix, Hawaiian Leeward and j Gilbert Islands. This species covers large areas on the interior of the island especially low areas near the lagoon edge, lagoon islets and saline pools. It was observed as a pioneer on recently deposited sand on Motu Tabu and Motu Upua and on the interior of both of these islets. Lepturus repens (Forst.) R. Br. Bergman 1 (BISH); St. John and Cooke 17481 (BISH); Fosberg 13196; 13206 (BISH); Hamilton 11 (BISH); Long 1851, 1851a, 1852, 1884, 1894, 1900, 1901, 1915, 2766, 2789, 2794, 3421, 3431, 3471, 3488 (UH). This bunchgrass is found over large areas from sand beaches to the upper slopes above the large lagoons. Often found with stolons in well watered sites. An important stabilizer of the sandy soils found on low atolls. Cyperaceae Cyperus rotundus L. Fosberg 12172; Fosberg and Metraux 13282 (BISH); Long 3486 (UH). First collected in 1934, and one clump was found in the coral gravel of the village in 1965. This introduced sedge is not abundant. Fimbristylis cymosa R. Br. Hamilton 1 (BISH) as F. atollensis St. John; Long 1897, 2775, 3448, 3475, 3477 (UH). First collected in 1962 and now common in London village and around disturbed sites on the north side of the atoll. It appears to be spreading to adjacent Cocos groves. Palmae Cocos nucifera L. Long 3484, 3485 (UH). Small groves of Cocos were reported by Cook (1784) in 1777. The planting of additional nuts began in 1777 and continues to the present. The number of trees has doubled in this century. The original groves were undoubtedly planted by early Polynesian visitors (Emory, 1934). A number of small trees to 3 m. high of a dwarf variety were found in the courtyard of the BOQ near London village. Mr. Cook in- formed me that these had been brought in from Fiji. This short tree has long pendant fronds and small fruits.