Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
13) Coccolaba uvifera,
14) Boerhavia albiflora,
15) Boerhavia tetrandra
16) Pisonia grandis,
17) Sesuvium portulacastrum,
18) Portulaca lutea,
31) Cordia subcordata,
32) Messerschmidia argentea,
33) Guettarda speciosa,
34) Morinda citrifolia,
35) Scaevola taccada.
Fosberg and Stoddart (1994) provided a detail discussion of each species recorded for the
Phoenix Islands. A summary of plant species reported and discussed in Fosberg and Stoddart
(1994) is provided in Table III-3.3 above.
In 1995, the coconut trees at Maroro and Etanterawa on Nikumaroro were in excellent
condition (Government of Kiribati 1995). Pisonia grandis (te buka), saltbush (te mao), and
the creeping plant (ruku), and pandanus were present on Nikumaroro. The survey team
introduced other pandanus varieties such as te iritawatawa and te aintinakarewe, as well as
breadfruit, te bukiraro, and banana.
Endemic vegetation on Nikumaroro, Orona and Abariringa (Kanton) were the last remaining
large stands found in the Phoenix Islands (SPREP 1992).
Neilson (2002) noted the number of plant species present on Abariringa (Kanton), Birnie,
Manra, Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki, and the plant habitats present for each island (see
Table III-3.4 above).
Pierce et al (2006) conducted plant surveys on Birnie, Enderbury, McKean, Nikumaroro, and
Orona. Summary results are provided in Table III-3.5 above.
ORONA (HULL)
In 1887, Ellis landed on Orona (Hull) with his brother, 3 Niueans, and 20,000 coconuts for
planting (Ellis 1937; see also Anon. 1949e). At the time of his arrival on Orona (Hull), there
were already about 150 coconut trees in full bearing. Ellis reported consuming wild
portulacca that was abundant on Orona (Hull) (Ellis 1937).
Ellis planted coconut trees on Orona (Hull) as a youth while working for John T. Arundel
Company (Ellis 1946; see also Anon. 1940c; Morrell 1960; Pompey 1972). Albert and James
Ellis planted 20,000 coconuts that they brought with them (Bryan 1941 and 1942; Ellis 1937).
Bryan (1941 and 1942) reported that several thousand had been planted in the late 1880’s
(see also Tudor 1968).
The severe drought in 1890 to 1894 killed the coconut trees in most of the Phoenix Islands,
except those on Orona (Hull) and Manra (Sydney) (Knudsen 1965).
Ellis (1937) reported that the coconut trees that he planted in the late 1880’s grew to maturity,
but they did suffer through the occasional several droughts.
The severe drought in 1890 to 1894 killed the coconut trees in most of the Phoenix Islands,
except those on Orona (Hull) and Manra (Sydney) (Knudsen 1965).
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