Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
17) Boerhavia albiflora,
18) Boerhavia tetrandra,
19) Mirabilis jalapa,
20) Pisonia grandis,
21) Sesuvium portulacastrum,
22) Portulaca lutea,
23) Portulaca oleracea,
24) Tribulus cistoides,
25) Suriana maritima,
26) Euphorbia cyanthophora,
43) Messerschmidia argentea,
44) Clerodendrum inerme,
45) Lantana camara,
46) Physalis angulata,
47) Pseudoanthemum carrunthersii,
48) Guettarda speciosa,
49) Morinda citrifolia,
50) Scaevola taccada,
51) Tridax procumbens,
52) Vernonia cinerea.
Endemic vegetation on Nikumaroro, Orona and Abariringa (Kanton) were the last remaining
large stands found in the Phoenix Islands (SPREP 1992).
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, there were healthy looking coconut trees on Orona (Government of Kiribati 1995).
Pandanus trees, including the te iritawatawa and antinakarewe varieties were also present.
Guettarda speciosa (te uri), and Morinda citrifolia (te noni) were also present. The survey
team planted banana, and breadfruit (te bukiraro).
Neilson (2002) reported that the eastern point of Orona was dominated by te non, Morinda
citrifolia, te nii, and te kaina.
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) reported that the invasive plant lantana, Lantana camara, had been
recorded on Orona by Garnett (1983), but was not found in 2006.
Pierce et al (2006) conducted plant surveys on Birnie, Enderbury, McKean, Nikumaroro, and
Orona. Summary results are provided in Table III-3.5 above.
RAWAKI (PHOENIX)
Lister (1891) reported only four types of plants on Rawaki (Phoenix), the scrub, Sida fallax, a
coarse grass, and two species of trailing plants. No species identification was provided for
the grass and trailing plants.
Hydrographic Office (1916) reported no trees on Rawaki (Phoenix).
In 1924, there were no trees and the ground was covered with herbs (Bryan 1941 and 1942).
There was no vegetation on the east side where broken coral had been thrown up by waves,
and on the north end of the lagoon which was covered in sand.
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