Herbarium Sheet Detail
NTBG Plant Name:
Dioscorea bulbifera
Collector Name:
K. R. Wood
Collection Date:
June 23, 2004
Determiner:
Liloa Dunn 12/2004
Island Group:
MARQUESAS ISLANDS
Locality:
Vaipaee, above cascade in back of valley. Elev: 305-457.
Plant Description:
Terrestrial on forest understory, creeping stems yellow-green, occasional.
Topography:
along stream banks
Habitat:
Pandanus tectorius-Hibiscus tiliaceus lowland wet forest.
Associated Species:
Hernandia nukuhivensis, Glochidion marchionicum, Ficus prolixa,Cyclophyllum barbatum, Xylosma suaveolens subsp. pubigerum, Macropiper latifolium, Peperomia blanda var. floribunda, Procris pedunculata, Stephania japonica var. timoriensis, Ipomoea violacea, Decaisnina forsteriana, Asplenium quaylei, Asplenium tenerum, Arachniodes aristata, Lindsaea propinqua, Sphenomeris chinensis, Belvisia mucronata, Asplenium nidus, Angiopteris evecta, Nephrolepis biserrata, Phymatosorus grossus, Phymatosorus nigrescens, Psilotum nudum, Sphaerostephanos subpectinatus, Antrophyum plantagineum, Dicranopteris linearis, Nephrolepis acutifolia.
Comments:
The Ecology of the
Region above Vaipae`e Cascade
Ua Huka, Marquesas Islands
(1000—1500 ft elev.)
K. R. Wood
P. O. Box 745, ‘Ele‘ele, Kaua‘i, HI 96705, kenwood@pelea.org
[region visited by the author 16 Jun 2004; 23 Jun 2004]
On two occasions the author had the opportunity to explore the forests above Vaipae`e cascade in the very back of Vaipae`e Valley which lies in the lower regions of Vaikivi. The first occasion was while returning from the summit region of Hitikau on June 16, 2004, during which I followed the headwaters as they built and joined with other tributaries to eventually plunge to the lower valley of Vaipae`e. The second occasion was on June 23, 2004 with field partner S. Perlman when we climbed above the falls to get a better idea of the species components.
This region can be described as a Pandanus tectorius-Hibiscus tiliaceus lowland wet forest. It has a relatively closed canopy and averages around 8 m in height except where several emergent trees reach heights of 10—15 m. This is a very homogonous plant community with little diversity. Water courses and snakes through the forested hills of this region and most of the drainages are blocked up with inter-twining Hibiscus tiliaceus trees. Native emergent trees in the area include Hernandia nukuhivensis, Glochidion marchionicum, and Ficus prolixa. The most common native understory tree is Cyclophyllum barbatum, yet on occasion one will come upon Xylosma suaveolens subsp. pubigerum. Introduced non-native tree species in the area include Morinda citrifolia, Inocarpus fagifer, Psidium guajava, Mangifera indica, Cocos nucifera, Coffea arabica, Aleurites moluccana, and Casuarina equisetifolia.
The only native shrub observed was Macropiper latifolium, which was locally common in some areas. Non-native shrubs were found along pig trails and disturbed areas and included Triumfetta rhomboidea, Sida acuta, and Cordyline fruticosa.
Native herbs of Peperomia blanda var. floribunda and Procris pedunculata were occasional. Non-native herbs or sub-shrubs include Ocimum gratissimum, Indigofera suffruticosa, Zingiber zerumbet, Elephantopus mollis, Ageratum conyzoides, Cyanthillium cinereum, Emilia sonchifolia var. javanica, Pseudelephantopus spicatus, Crotalaria retusa, Stachytarpheta urticifolia, Synedrella nodiflora, Desmodium incanum and Conyza bonariensis.
Native vines of the area include Stephania japonica var. timoriensis and Ipomoea violacea, in addition to an introduced species of Dioscorea that is occasional along the banks of streams and along trails. The saprophytic vine Decaisnina forsteriana was observed to be common on the upper branches of mape (Inocarpus fagifer).
For grasses and sedges, the native Miscanthus floridulus and Centosteca lappacea were common throughout and Chrysopogon aciculatus was seen near the tops of open hills. Introduced species include Kyllinga nemoralis and Rhynchelytrum repens.
Native ferns were well represented and include Asplenium quaylei, Asplenium tenerum, Arachniodes aristata, Lindsaea propinqua, and Sphenomeris chinensis, which were often observed along streams. Other native ferns seen near streams and along forested slopes include Belvisia mucronata, Asplenium nidus, Angiopteris evecta, Nephrolepis biserrata, Phymatosorus grossus, Phymatosorus nigrescens, Psilotum nudum, and Sphaerostephanos subpectinatus. Antrophyum plantagineum was seed often either lithophytic on basalt boulders or epiphytic on Glochidion. Dicranopteris linearis was observed along open hillsides, and Nephrolepis acutifolia was only seen pendent on Glochidion. Pityrogramma calomelanos was the only non-native fern observed.
Bird Observations.
Pihiti, Ultramarine lorikeet, Vini ultramarina (Loriidae): Several pair of the ultramarine lori were seen and heard during both trips into this region.
Komako, Marquesas Reed-Warbler, Acrocephalus mendanae (Sylviinae): The Marquesan warbler was seen and heard throughout this area and the author would consider the komako quite common.
Pati`oti`o, Iphis Monarch, Pomarea iphis (Monarchinae): At least 10 pair of the Iphis Monarch were observed in the general region above the falls.
Kuku, White-capped Fruit-Dove, Ptilinopus dupetithouarsii (Columbidae): Several pair of the white-capped fruit-dove were seen and heard in this area.
Date of Record Creation:
June 17, 2012
Date of Last Update:
August 6, 2023
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