Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)
Report on invasive plant species in American Samoa
Appendix 2
able 1. Species that are invasive elsewhere in similar ecosystems but are not known to be present in American SamoaScientific Name | Common Names | Family | Habit |
Acacia confusa | English: Formosa koa, Formosa acacia; Other: sosigi, shoshigi, sosugi, boiffuring (Guam and CNMI–Chamorro); serepa, soschghi (CNMI–Carolinian); pilampwoia (Pohnpei); ianángi, yanangi (Palau) | Fabaceae | tree |
Acacia farnesiana | English: Ellington curse, klu, sweet acacia; French: cassie; Other: aroma, popinac, kandaroma (Guam, CNMI); kolu (Hawai'i); vaivai vaka-vatona, vaivai vakavotona, ban baburi, oki (Fiji); te kaibakoa (Kiribati); debena (Nauru) | Fabaceae | shrub |
Acacia longifolia | English: Sydney golden wattle, golden wattle, long-leaved wattle, long-leaved acacia, sallow wattle, coast wattle, golden rods | Fabaceae | tree |
Acacia mearnsii | English: black wattle; French: acacia noir | Fabaceae | tree |
Acacia melanoxylon | English: Australian blackwood, blackwood acacia | Fabaceae | tree |
Acacia nilotica | English: prickly acacia, black thorn, Egyptian thorn, Nile acacia, algaroba, babul, gum arabic tree; French: acacia à gomme; Spanish: algarrobo; Other: tiare (New Caledonia) | Fabaceae | tree |
Acacia spp. | English: acacia | Fabaceae | shrubs/trees |
Agave sisalana | English: sisal, sisal hemp; Other: ndali, natali (Fiji); Other: ndali, natali (Fiji), malina (Hawai'i) | Agavaceae | herb |
Ageratina riparia | English: spreading mistflower, creeping croftonweed, river eupatorium; Other: hamakua pamakani (Hawai‘i) | Asteraceae | shrub |
Ailanthus altissima | English: tree of heaven, varnishtree | Simaroubaceae | tree |
Albizia chinensis | English: Chinese albizia, silktree | Fabaceae | tree |
Albizia lebbeck | English: siris-tree, rain tree, East Indian walnut, kokko, woman's-tongue tree, soros-tree, raom tree ; French: bois noir; Other: trongkon-mames, tronkon mames, mamis (Guam); kalaskas, trongkon-kalaskas (CNMI–Chamorro); schepil kalaskas (CNMI–Carolinian); ukall ra ngebard (Palau); gumorningabchey; ngumorrningobchey (Yap); 'ohai (Hawai'i); vaivai, vaivai ni vavalangi, vaivai ni vavalagi (Fiji); tamaligi pa’epa’e (Samoa); kasia (Tonga) | Fabaceae | tree |
Alpinia purpurata | English: red ginger; Other: thevunga (Fiji); ‘awapuhi ‘ula‘ula (Hawai‘i); teuila (Samoa); tevunga (Tonga) | Zingiberaceae | herb |
Alstonia macrophylla | English: devil-tree | Apocynaceae | tree |
Alternanthera philoxeroides | English: alligator weed | Amaranthaceae | herb |
Andropogon gayanus | English: gamba grass, tambuki grass | Poaceae | grass |
Andropogon glomeratus | English: bush beardgrass, bushy bluestem | Poaceae | grass |
Andropogon virginicus | English: broomsedge, yellow bluestem, whisky grass | Poaceae | grass |
Annona glabra | English: pond apple, alligator apple, bullock's heart, cherimoyer; French: annone des marais, corossolier des marais; Other: uto ni mbulumakau, uto ni bulumakau, kaitambo, kaitambu (Fiji) | Annonaceae | tree |
Annona muricata | English: soursop, prickly custard apple; French: corossolier, cacheimantier épineux, cachiman épineux, corossol épineux; Other: saasaf, sasaf (Chuuk); tapotapo papaa (French Polynesia); laguana, laguaná, laguanaha, laguanaba, labuanaha (Guam); sosap (Kosrae); jojaab (Marshall Islands); syasyap (Northern Mariana Islands), talapo fotofoto (Niue), sausab (Palau); sei, sae, truka shai (Pohnpei); sasalapa (Samoa); ‘apele ‘initia (Tonga); sausau (Yap) | Annonaceae | tree |
Annona squamosa | English: sugar apple, sweetsop, custard apple, sugar apple; French: annone écailleuse, pomme-canelle; Other: atis, ates (Guam); ngel ra ngebard (Palau), ‘apele papalangi, ‘apele Tonga (Tonga), tapotapo (French Polynesia) | Annonaceae | tree |
Anredera cordifolia | English: Madeira vine, mignonette vine, lamb's tails; Other: ‘uala hupe (Hawai‘i); filikafa (Niue) | Basellaceae | vine |
Anthoxanthum odoratum | English: sweet vernalgrass, spring grass | Poaceae | grass |
Araujia sericifera | English: moth plant, moth catcher, white bladder flower | Asclepiadaceae | shrub |
Ardisia crenata | English: hen's eyes, Hilo holly, coral berry, Australian holly, scratchthroat; French: arbre à noël | Myrsinaceae | shrub |
Ardisia elliptica | English: shoebutton ardisia; Other: ati popa'a, atiu (French Polynesia) | Myrsinaceae | shrub |
Argyreia nervosa | English: elephant creeper, Hawaiian baby woodrose , silver morning glory, woolly morning glory; French: coup d'air, liane a minguet, liane d' argent | Convolvulaceae | vine |
Aristolochia littoralis | English: Dutchman's pipe, calico flower; Other: fue paipa holani (Tonga) | Aristolochiaceae | vine |
Arthrostemma ciliatum | English: everblooming eavender | Melastomataceae | herb |
Arundo donax | English: giant reed, Spanish reed, wild cane; French: canne de Provence, grand roseau; Other: ngasau ni vavalangi (Fiji); fiso papalagi (Samoa); kaho folalahi (Tonga) | Poaceae | grass |
Asparagus densiflorus | English: asparagus fern, sprengeri fern, smilax, regal fern | Liliaceae | herb |
Asparagus setaceus | English: ornamental asparagus, climbing asparagus fern, plumosa; French: asperge plumeuse; Other: taupo ‘ou (Tonga) | Liliaceae | vine |
Austroeupatorium inulaefolium | Asteraceae | herb | |
Axonopus compressus | English: blanket grass, carpetgrass; Other: kambutu ni vavalangi (Fiji), vaolima (Samoa) | Poaceae | grass |
Azolla pinnata | English: mosquito fern, ferny azolla, water velvet | Azollaceae | fern |
Barleria lupulina | English: hophead, Philippine violet | Acanthaceae | shrub |
Barleria prionitis | English: barleria, porcupine flower | Acanthaceae | shrub |
Bauhinia variegata | English: orchid tree; mountain ebony, butterfly tree (Fiji); French: bois de boeuf, sabot boeuf, arbre de Saint-Thomas | Fabaceae | tree |
Blainvillea gayana | Asteraceae | herb | |
Bocconia frutescens | English: bocconia, plume-poppy, tree celandine, parrotweed | Papaveraceae | shrub |
Boerhavia coccinea | English: boerhavia, hog weed, hog feed, red spiderling, wineflower, tar vine; Other: mata pavo, patagon | Nyctaginaceae | herb |
Breynia disticha | English: snowbush, snowbush breynia, sweetpea bush, foliage-flower | Euphorbiaceae | shrub |
Brillantaisia lamium | Acanthaceae | shrub | |
Bryophyllum delagoense | English: chandelier plant | Crassulaceae | herb |
Buddleja asiatica | English: dog tail; Other: huelo ‘ilio (Hawai'i) | Scrophulariaceae | shrub |
Buddleja davidii | English: orange eye, butterfly bush, summer lilac | Scrophulariaceae | shrub |
Buddleja madagascariensis | English: butterfly bush, smoke bush | Scrophulariaceae | shrub |
Caesalpinia decapetala | English: cats claw, Mysore thorn, Mauritius thorn, wait-a-bit; French: bois sappan; Other: puakelekino (Hawai'i) | Fabaceae | shrub |
Calamus spp. | English: rattan; Other: rotan, bejuko-n-halumtano, rotan bejuro-n-halumtan (Guam); bangerenguis ra ngebard (Palau) | Arecaceae | shrub (palm) |
Calliandra haematocephala | English: red powder puff; French: pompon | Fabaceae | shrub |
Calliandra surinamensis | English: Surinamese stickpea | Fabaceae | tree |
Callisia fragrans | English: fragrant inch plant, basketplant, spironema | Commelinaceae | herb |
Calotropis procera | English: calotropis, rubber bush, apple of Sodom, mudar, madar, king’s crown, roostertree; French: arbre à soie | Asclepiadaceae | shrub/tree |
Cardiospermum grandiflorum | English: balloon vine; heart seed | Sapindaceae | vine |
Cardiospermum halicacabum | English: balloon vine, heart pea, love-in-a-puff; Other: wa niu, vo niu (Fiji); vinivinio (French Polynesia), poniu, haleakai‘a, ‘inalua, pohuehue uka (Hawai'i) | Sapindaceae | vine |
Carpobrotus edulis | English: ice plant, pigface, hottentot fig | Aizoaceae | succulent |
Cecropia obtusifolia | English: trumpet tree, guarumo | Cecropiaceae | tree |
Cecropia peltata | English: trumpet tree; French: parasolier, faux-ricin, pisse-roux, bois cannon | Cecropiaceae | tree |
Cenchrus brownii | English: burgrass, burr grass, sand-bur, slimbristle sandbur | Poaceae | grass |
Cenchrus ciliaris | English: buffelgrass, African foxtail grass, anjan grass; French: cenchrus cilié | Poaceae | grass |
Cestrum parqui | English: green cestrum, willow-leaved jessamine, Chilean cestrum, green poison-berry | Solanaceae | shrub |
Chloris radiata | English: plush-grass, radiate fingergrass | Poaceae | grass |
Chromolaena odorata | English: Siam weed, triffid weed, bitter bush, Jack in the bush; French: herbe du Laos; Other: kesengesil, masigsig (Guam); otuot (Chuuk), ngesngesil (Palau); wisolmatenrehwei (Pohnpei); mahsrihsrihk (Kosrae); hagonoy, agonoi, huluhagonoi (Philippines) | Asteraceae | herb |
Chrysobalanus icaco | English: coco plum, icaco; French: icacier, icaquier, icaque, prune colon; Other: apolo (Fiji) | Chrysobalanaceae | shrub |
Chrysophyllum oliviforme | English: satin leaf, wild star-apple, damson plum; Spanish: caimitillo | Sapotaceae | tree |
Cinchona pubescens | English: quinine tree, red cinchona; French: quinquina rouge; Spanish: cascarilla | Rubiaceae | tree |
Cinnamomum burmanni | English: padang cassia; French: cannelier de Malaisie | Lauraceae | tree |
Cinnamomum camphora | English: camphor tree, camphor laurel; French: camphre, camphrier | Lauraceae | tree |
Cirsium vulgare | English: spear thistle, Scotch thistle, bull thistle, black thistle, plume thistle; Other: pua kali (Hawai'i) | Asteraceae | herb |
Cissus nodosa | English: grape ivy | Vitaceae | liana |
Citharexylum caudatum | English: juniper berry | Verbenaceae | tree |
Citharexylum spinosum | English: fiddlewood; Other: masese (Fiji) | Verbenaceae | tree |
Clausena excavata | English: clausena | Rutaceae | tree |
Clitoria ternatea | English: butterfly pea, Asian pigeonwings; French: honte; Other: buikike, bukike, paokeke, bukike paokeke, capa de la reina, kapa de la raina (Guam); putitainubia (CNMI); pepe (Niue); latoela, nawa (Fiji), paipa (Tonga) | Fabaceae | vine |
Clusia rosea | English: signature tree, autograph tree, copey, Scotch attorney, pitchapple | Guttiferae | tree |
Coccinia grandis | English: ivy gourd, scarlet-fruited gourd; Other: kundru (Fiji); kiuri awia (Marshall Islands); aipikohr (Pohnpei) | Cucurbitaceae | vine |
Coffea arabica | English: coffee; French: café, caféier d’ Arabie; Spanish: café, cafeto; Other: kove (Fiji); kofe (Fiji, Niue, Samoa), kofi (Tonga); kafe (Marquesas); taofe (Tahiti) | Rubiaceae | tree |
Conocarpus erectus | English: sea mulberry, buttonwood, button mangrove | Combretaceae | shrub/tree |
Cordia alliodora | English: laurel, Ecuador laurel, salmwood, Spanish elm; French: bois de Chypre, pardillo; Other: kotia (Samoa, Tonga) | Boraginaceae | tree |
Cordia curassavica | English: black sage | Boraginaceae | shrub |
Cordia glabra | English: broad-leaved cordia | Boraginaceae | tree |
Cortaderia jubata | English: jubata grass, Andean pampas grass, purple pampas grass | Poaceae | grass |
Cortaderia selloana | English: pampas grass, silver pampas grass, Uruguayan pampas grass | Poaceae | grass |
Corynocarpus laevigatus | English: New Zealand laurel, karakara nut | Corynocarpaceae | tree |
Cotoneaster pannosus | English: silver-leaf cotoneaster | Rosaceae | shrub |
Crotalaria micans | English: crotalaria; Other: pine kotalelia, pile (Niue) | Fabaceae | shrub |
Cryptostegia grandiflora | English: rubber vine, India rubber vine, Palay rubbervine; Other: liane de gatope (New Caledonia) | Asclepiadaceae | vine |
Cryptostegia madagascariensis | English: Madagascar rubbervine | Asclepiadaceae | vine |
Cupaniopsis anacardioides | English: carrotwood, tuckeroo | Sapindaceae | tree |
Cuscuta campestris | English: golden dodder, field dodder, five-angled dodder; Other: navereverelangi, wa vereverelangi, wa lawala, wa mbosuthu, wa ndanga, wa tikaivu, ndithangi (Fiji) | Convolvulaceae | vine |
Cyathea cooperi | English: Australian tree fern | Cyatheaceae | fern |
Dalbergia sissoo | English: Indian dalbergia, Indian rosewood, sissoo, shisham; French: ébénier juane | Fabaceae | tree |
Delairea odorata | English: German ivy, Italian ivy, cape ivy | Asteraceae | vine |
Derris elliptica | English: derris; Other: tuba, bagin (Guam); oop, op (Kosrae); dub (Palau); up (Chuuk, Pohnpei); peinuhp, uhp, upanai, upanyap, upkesetik (Pohnpei); yuub (Yap); nduva, duva ni vavalagi, nduva ni vavalangi (Fiji) | Fabaceae | vine |
Dichrostachys cinerea | English: aroma, Kalahari Christmas tree, Chinese lantern tree, sickle bush, marabou-thorn, marabú, Sen Domeng, Saint Domingue, acacia Saint Domingue | Fabaceae | shrub |
Digitaria insularis | English: cottongrass, sourgrass, feather-top grass | Poaceae | grass |
Dillenia suffruticosa | English: shrubby dillenia, shrubby simpoh | Dilleniaceae | shrub/tree |
Echinochloa polystachya | English: aleman grass, carib grass, creeping rivergrass | Poaceae | grass |
Egeria densa | English: egeria, leafy elodea, dense waterweed | Hydrocharitaceae | aquatic herb |
Elaeagnus umbellata | English: autumn olive, oleaster, silverberry | Elaeagnaceae | shrub |
Elaeis guineensis | English: African oil palm; French: palmier à huile d'Afrique; Other: apwiraiasi (Pohnpei) | Arecaceae | tree |
Epipremnum pinnatum cv. 'Aureum' | English: pothos, money plant; Other: yalu, wa yalu, wa lu, alu, halu, waloa, matha, nanggalanggala, nanggalinggali, tonga, tanga (Fiji); alu (Tonga) | Araceae | vine |
Erigeron karvinskianus | English: Mexican daisy, seaside daisy, daisy fleabane | Asteraceae | herb |
Eriobotrya japonica | English: loquat, Japanese plum, Japanese medlar; French: bibassier, néflier du Japon; Other: loketi (Tonga) | Rosaceae | tree |
Ficus altissima | English: lofty fig, false banyan, council tree | Moraceae | tree |
Ficus macrophylla | English: Moreton Bay fig | Moraceae | tree |
Ficus microcarpa | English: Chinese banyan, Malayan banyan, Indian laurel; Other: lulk (Palau); nunu (Chamorro, CNMI) | Moraceae | tree |
Ficus nota | English: tibig | Moraceae | tree |
Ficus rubiginosa | English: rusty-leaved fig, Port Jackson fig, littleleaf fig | Moraceae | tree |
Flemingia strobilifera | English: luck plant, wild hops; French: sainfoin du bengale; Other: besungelaiei (Palau) | Fabaceae | shrub |
Flindersia brayleyana | English: Queensland maple, silkwood | Rutaceae | tree |
Fraxinus uhdei | English: tropical ash, Mexican ash, shamel ash | Oleaceae | tree |
Fuchsia boliviana | English: fuchsia, lady’s eardrops, earring flower | Onagraceae | tree |
Fuchsia magellanica | English: hardy fuchsia, earring flower; Other: kulapepeiao (Hawai'i) | Onagraceae | shrub |
Fuchsia paniculata | English: fuchsia, lady’s eardrops | Onagraceae | shrub |
Funtumia elastica | English: African rubber tree, silkrubber; French: arbre à caoutchouc; Other: pulu vao (Samoa) | Apocynaceae | tree |
Furcraea foetida | English: Mauritius hemp, sisal, maguey, giant cabuya; French: aloès vert, chanvre de Maurice; Other: malina (Hawai‘i (Ni‘ihau)); toua (Niue); lautalotalo papalagi (Samoa); faumalila, fau malila (Tonga) | Agavaceae | succulent |
Furcraea hexapetala | English: Cuban hemp, hemp; Other: cubuya (Galapagos Islands) | Agavaceae | succulent |
Gomphocarpus physocarpus | English: balloon plant, bladderbush | Asclepiadaceae | shrub |
Grevillea banksii | English: kahili flower, Banks grevillea; Other: ha‘iku, kahili (Hawai‘i); ‘oka pua ‘ula‘ula (Hawai‘i (Ni‘ihau)) | Proteaceae | tree |
Grevillea robusta | English: silk oak, silky oak, he oak, silver oak, spider flower; Other: ‘oka kilika, ha‘iku ke‘oke‘o (Hawai'i), oke‘ (Tonga) | Proteaceae | tree |
Grewia asiatica | English: phalsa | Tiliaceae | tree |
Gymnocoronis spilanthoides | English: Senegal tea, temple plant | Asteraceae | herb |
Haematoxylum campechianum | English: logwood, bloodwood tree, campeachy wood, campeche | Fabaceae | tree |
Harungana madagascariensis | English: harungana | Clusiaceae | tree |
Hedychium gardnerianum | English: kahili gingerOther: cevuga dromodromo (Fiji); kahili, ‘awapuhi kahili (Hawai‘i); sinter weitahta (Pohnpei) | Zingiberaceae | herb |
Heliconia spp. | English: heliconia, parrot's-flower, parrot's-plantain, crab claw, lobster claw | Heliconiaceae | herb |
Heliocarpus popayanensis | English: moho, white moho | Tiliaceae | tree |
Heterocentron subtriplinervium | English: pearl flower | Melastomataceae | herb |
Hippobroma longiflora | English: star of Bethlehem, fetia, madamfate; Other: pua hōkū (Hawai'i) | Campanulaceae | herb |
Hiptage benghalensis | English: hiptage; French: liane de cerf | Malpighiaceae | shrub |
Holcus lanatus | English: common velvet grass, Yorkshire fog | Poaceae | grass |
Hydrilla verticillata | English: hydrilla, Florida elodea, water thyme | Hydrocharitaceae | herb |
Hylocereus undatus | English: night-blooming cereus, strawberry pear, red pitaya, dragon fruit, pitahaya; French: pitaya, pitahaya rouge; Spanish: flor de Caliz; Other: paniniokapunahou, papipi pua (Hawai'i) | Cactaceae | succulent |
Hymenachne amplexicaulis | English: hymenachne, trompetilla, West Indian marsh grass | Poaceae | grass |
Hyparrhenia rufa | English: jaragua grass, thatching grass | Poaceae | grass |
Hypochoeris radicata | English: hairy cat’s ear, gosmore | Asteraceae | herb |
Hyptis capitata | English: knobweed; Other: botones, batunes (Guam); t'aiegarabao, pathpath (Yap), maa uupo (French Polynesia) | Lamiaceae | herb |
Hyptis suaveolens | English: wild spikenard, chan; French: gros baume, hyptis à odeur; Other: mumutun (Guam) | Lamiaceae | herb |
Ipomoea aquatica | English: aquatic morning glory, swamp cabbage, water spinach, ung-choi, kang kong; French: liseron d'eau, patate aquatique; Other: ota karisa, ota karisi, wa kumala, ndrinikava, luve ne tombithi (Fiji), cancon, kangkun (Guam); te kang kong (Kiribati); lorenzo (Nauru), ‘umala vai (Samoa); kangkong (Yap) | Convolvulaceae | aquatic herb |
Ischaemum polystachyum | English: paddle grass; Other: mah (Kosrae); reh padil (Pohnpei) | Poaceae | grass |
Ischaemum rugosum | English: muraina grass, wrinkle duck-beak, saramatta grass; Other: tho muraina, co muraina (Fiji) | Poaceae | grass |
Ischaemum timorense | English: centipede grass, stalkleaf murainagrass, lucuntu grass; Other: waidoi grass (Fiji) | Poaceae | grass |
Jacaranda mimosifolia | English: jacaranda | Bignoniaceae | tree |
Jasminum fluminense | English: Brazilian jasmine | Oleaceae | vine |
Jatropha curcas | English: physic nut, purging nut, Barbados nut; French: médicinier, pignon d'Inde, purghère; Other: wiriwiri, wiriwiri ni vavalangi, uto ni vavalangi, banidakai, mbanindakai, manggele, maqele, ndrala (Fiji); fiki (Fiji, Tonga); tuba-tuba (Guam); kuku‘ihi (Hawai‘i), kuikui Pake (Hawai‘i (Ni‘ihau), laupata (Samoa) | Euphorbiaceae | shrub |
Jatropha gossypiifolia | English: bellyache bush, cotton-leaved physic nut | Euphorbiaceae | shrub |
Juncus spp. | English: rush | Juncaceae | rush |
Justicia carnea | English: pink plume-flower, pink jacobinia | Acanthaceae | shrub |
Khaya senegalensis | English: African mahogany, Senegal mahogany | Meliaceae | tree |
Kunzea ericoides | English: tree manuka, tree manuba, kanuka (New Zealand), burgan, white teatree | Myrtaceae | tree |
Kyllinga polyphylla | English: Navua sedge; Other: tuise tele, tuise fiti (Samoa) | Cyperaceae | sedge |
Lablab purpureus | English: hyacinth bean, lablab, bonavist, Egyptian kidney bean, dolichos; French: dolique, dolique d'Egypte, pois nourrice; Other: ndralawa, natomba, tomba (Fiji); cheribilla apaka, chuchumeko (Guam); papapa, pi (Hawai'i); pini lae puaka (Tonga) | Fabaceae | vine |
Lemna spp. | English: duckweed; Other: fala‘o‘oto (Samoa) | Lemnaceae | herb |
Leonotis nepetifolia | English: lion’s tail, lion’s ear, Christmas candlestick; French: gros bouton, gros tête | Lamiaceae | herb |
Leonurus japonicus | English: lion’s tail, Chinese motherwort | Lamiaceae | herb |
Leptospermum scoparium | English: New Zealand tea; manuka (New Zealand) | Myrtaceae | tree |
Licuala grandis | English: ruffled fan palm; French: palmier-cuillère | Arecaceae | tree (palm) |
Lophostemon confertus | English: brush box, Brisbane box, vinegar tree | Myrtaceae | tree |
Ludwigia peruviana | English: ludwigia, Peruvian primrose, water primrose | Onagraceae | shrub |
Macfadyena unguis-cati | English: cat's-claw climber | Bignoniaceae | vine |
Macroptilium atropurpureum | English: siratro, purple bushbean | Fabaceae | herb |
Maesopsis eminii | English: umbrella tree, musizi | Rhamnaceae | tree |
Medinilla magnifica | English: chandelier tree, showy melastome, showy medinilla, Malaysian orchid | Melastomataceae | shrub |
Medinilla venosa | English: holdtight | Melastomataceae | shrub |
Melaleuca quinquenervia | English: melaleuca, cajeput, paper bark tree, punk tree; Other: niaouli (New Caledonia) | Myrtaceae | tree |
Melastoma candidum | English: Asian melastome, Indian rhododendron, Malabar melastome | Melastomataceae | tree |
Melastoma sanguineum | English: fox-tongued melastoma, red melastome | Melastomataceae | shrub/tree |
Melia azedarach | English: Chinaberry, pride-of-India, indian lilac, Persian lilac, white cedar, margosa tree, tira; French: lilas des Indes, arbre à chapelets; Spanish: jazmin (Galapagos Is.); Other: dake, bakain (Fiji), paraiso, para'isu (Guam); ‘inia, ‘ilinia (Hawai‘i)sili, tili (Niue); lelah (Pohnpei); sita (Tonga); prais (Yap) | Meliaceae | tree |
Melicoccus bijugatus | English: Spanish lime | Sapindaceae | tree |
Melinis minutiflora | English: melinis, molasses grass; French: herbe molasses, herbe à miel; Other: puakatau (Tonga) | Poaceae | grass |
Melinis repens | English: Natal redtop, Natal grass, red Natal grass, Holme's grass, blanketgrass; French: herbe du Natal, herbe rose, herbe pappangue; tricholène (New Caledonia); Other: salapona (Tonga) | Poaceae | grass |
Melochia umbellata | English: melochia | Sterculiaceae | tree |
Memecylon floribundum | Melastomataceae | shrub | |
Merremia tuberosa | English: wood rose, Spanish arborvine, yellow morning-glory; French: liane-à-tonelle, liane-jaune; Other: pilikai (Hawai'i) | Convolvulaceae | vine |
Miconia calvescens | English: miconia, velvetleaf, purple plague, bush currant | Melastomataceae | tree |
Microlaena stipoides | English: meadow ricegrass, weeping grass | Poaceae | grass |
Mikania scandens | English: climbing hempweed, climbing hempvine | Asteraceae | vine |
Mimosa pigra | English: catclaw mimosa, thorny sensitiveplant, giant mimosa, giant sensitive plant, black mimosa, zaraz, dormilona, bashful plant, amourette violet; French: amourette riviére | Fabaceae | shrub |
Montanoa hibiscifolia | English: montanoa, tree daisy, Anzac flower | Asteraceae | shrub |
Morella faya | English: fayatree, firetree, firebush | Myricaceae | tree |
Moringa oleifera | English: horseradish tree, drumstick tree, ben nut, morango; French: ben ailée, moringa ailée, pois quénique; Other: malungkai, marronggai, marungai, marunggai, malungay, katdes (Guam); sajina (Fiji) | Moringaceae | tree |
Mucuna pruriens | English: cow itch, velvet bean, Bengal bean, Mauritius bean; French: pois pouilleux, poil à gratter; Other: akangkang dangkulo (Guam) | Fabaceae | vine |
Muntingia calabura | English: jam tree, strawberry tree, Jamaican cherry, Singapore cherry, Panama cherry, Panama berry, ornamental cherry, calabura, sirsen; French: bois ramier; Other: budo (Yap, Palau); manzanilla, mansanita, manzanita (Guam, CNMI), capulin (Fiji, French Polynesia) | Tiliaceae | tree |
Murraya paniculata | English: orange jessamine, satin-wood, Chinese box, Hawaiian mock orange | Rutaceae | shrub/tree |
Myriophyllum aquaticum | English: parrot's feather, water feather, Brazilian water milfoil | Haloragidaceae | aquatic herb |
Nassella cernua | English: nodding tussockgrass | Poaceae | grass |
Neonotonia wightii | English: glycine; French: soja pérenne | Fabaceae | vine |
Nymphaea spp. | English: water lily | Nymphaeaceae | herb |
Ochna kirkii | English: Micky Mouse plant, bird’s-eye bush | Ochnaceae | shrub/tree |
Ochna serrulata | English: ochna, Mickey-Mouse plant, bird’s-eye bush | Ochnaceae | shrub |
Ochroma pyramidale | English: balsa, corkwood, down tree | Bombacaceae | tree |
Olea europaea | English: olive; Other: ‘oliwa, ‘oliwa haole (Hawai'i) | Oleaceae | tree |
Ossaea marginata | Melastomataceae | shrub | |
Oxyspora paniculata | English: oxyspora, bristletips | Melastomataceae | shrub |
Paederia foetida | English: stink vine, skunk vine; Other: maile pilau, maile ka kahiki (Hawai'i). | Rubiaceae | vine |
Panicum repens | English: torpedo grass, couch panicum, creeping panic; French: panic rampant, millet rampant; Other: wainaku grass (Hawai'i) | Poaceae | grass |
Paraserianthes lophantha | English: brush wattle, plume albizia, plume acacia, stink bean | Fabaceae | shrub/tree |
Parkinsonia aculeata | English: parkinsonia, Jerusalem thorn, horse-bean, retama; French: arrêtenègre; Spanish: palo verde | Fabaceae | tree |
Parthenium hysterophorus | English: bitterweed, carrot grass, false ragweed, feverfew, parthenium weed, ragweed parthenium, whitetop, Santa Maria | Asteraceae | herb |
Passiflora alata | English: wild passion fruit, wingstem passionflower | Passifloraceae | shrub |
Passiflora caerulea | English: blue passion flower | Passifloraceae | shrub |
Passiflora coccinea | English: scarlet passion flower, red passion flower, red granadilla | Passifloraceae | shrub |
Passiflora edulis | English: passion fruit, yellow passion fruit, purple passion fruit, qarandila, purple granadilla; French: grenadille; Spanish: maracuya (Galapagos Is.); Other: liliko‘i (Hawai‘i), pompom (Pohnpei); pasio (Samoa); vaine (Tonga) | Passifloraceae | vine |
Passiflora laurifolia | English: yellow granadilla, belle apple, yellow water-lemon; French: pomme-liane, pomme d'or; Other: pasio (Samoa); vaine 'ae kuma (Tonga) | Passifloraceae | vine |
Passiflora ligularis | English: sweet granadilla, yellow passionfruit; French: granadille, grenadille douce, barbadine; French: granadille, grenadille douce, barbadine; Other: lemi wai, lani wai, lemona (Hawai‘i) | Passifloraceae | vine |
Passiflora pulchella | English: two-lobed passion flower, wingleaf passionfruit | Passifloraceae | shrub |
Passiflora quadrangularis | English: granadilla, giant granadilla; French: barbadine; Spanish: badea (Galapagos Is.); Other: parapotina maata (Cook Islands); para pautini (French Polynesia); palasini, palatini, vine fua lalahi, vine palasini, tinitini (Niue); kudamono (Palau); pasio (Samoa); pasione (Tonga) | Passifloraceae | vine |
Passiflora rubra | English: red passionfruit, Dutchman's laudanum | Passifloraceae | vine |
Passiflora suberosa | English: wild passionfruit, devil's pumpkin, indigo berry, corky passionflower, corkstem passionflower; French: passiflore, grenadille; Spanish: uvilla (Galapagos Is.); Other: huehue haole (Hawai'i) | Passifloraceae | vine |
Passiflora tarminiana | English: banana poka, banana passionfruit, bananadilla | Passifloraceae | vine |
Paulownia tomentosa | English: paulownia, princess-tree, Chinese empress tree, karri-tree | Scrophulariaceae | tree |
Pennisetum clandestinum | English: kikuyu grass, kikuyo | Poaceae | grass |
Pennisetum polystachion | English: mission grass, feathery pennisetum; French: queue de chat; Other: mechen katu (Chuuk), pwokso, dipw rais (Pohnpei), o tamata (Fiji) | Poaceae | grass |
Pennisetum setaceum | English: fountain grass | Poaceae | grass |
Persea americana | English: avocado, alligator pear; French: l’avocat; Spanish: aguacate; Other: apoka (Cook Islands); pea (Fiji); avoka (Niue, Tonga); aviota (Samoa); avota (Samoa and Tahiti); bata (Palau); alageta (Chamorro, Guam) | Lauraceae | tree |
Philadelphus karwinskyanus | English: philadelphus, evergreen mock orange, syringa | Saxifragaceae | shrub |
Phormium tenax | English: New Zealand flax, New Zealand hemp, bush flax | Agavaceae | herb |
Phyllostachys nigra | English: black bamboo; French: bambou noir | Poaceae | shrub |
Pimenta dioica | English: pimento, allspice; Other: sipaisi (Tonga) | Myrtaceae | tree |
Pimenta racemosa | English: bay tree, bay rum tree, bay oil tree, malagueta; Other: sinamoni (Tonga) | Myrtaceae | tree |
Pinus caribaea | English: Caribbean pine, Bahamas pine; Other: paina (Samoa), paini (Tonga) | Pinaceae | tree |
Piper aduncum | English: spiked pepper; Other: yaqona ni Onolulu, yanggona ni Onolulu (Fiji) | Piperaceae | tree |
Piper auritum | English: eared pepper, anise piper, Veracruz pepper; Spanish: hoja santa, anisillo, hinojo, sabalero, hoja de la estrella; Other: Hawaiian sakau, false sakau, false kava (Pohnpei) | Piperaceae | shrub |
Pistia stratiotes | English: water lettuce, tropical duckweed; French: laitue d'eau, pistie; Other: lechuguita de agua, repollo de agua , apon-apon, apoe-apoe, beo-cai, chawk | Araceae | aquatic herb |
Pithecellobium dulce | English: Madras thorn, Manila tamarind; French: pois sucré; Other: kamachuri (Chuuk); camachili, kamachile, kamachiles, kamachili (Guam); kamachili, kamatire (CNMI Chamorro), ghamasiligh (CNMI-Carolinian); kamatsiri, kamatsíri, opiuma (Palau): 'opiuma (Hawai'i); kataiya (Fiji) | Fabaceae | tree |
Pittosporum pentandrum | English: pittosporum, Taiwanese cheesewood, mamalis | Pittosporaceae | shrub/tree |
Pittosporum tobira | English: tobira, Japanese pittosporum, Japanese cheesewood, mock orange, Australian laurel | Pittosporaceae | shrub/tree |
Pittosporum undulatum | English: Victorian box, Victorian laurel, Australian cheesewood, mock orange, sweet pittosporum, orange pittosporum | Pittosporaceae | tree |
Pittosporum viridiflorum | English: cape pittosporum | Pittosporaceae | tree |
Platycerium bifurcatum | English: elkhorn fern, staghorn fern | Selaginellaceae | fern |
Plectranthus amboinicus | English: Mexican mint, Spanish thyme, Cuban oregano; French: oreille; Other: rhaivoki, sage (Fiji); pasiole (Niue, Tonga); la‘au tai‘e, lau tai‘e, militini (Samoa); kaloni (Tonga) | Lamiaceae | herb |
Pluchea carolinensis | English: sour bush | Asteraceae | shrub |
Pluchea indica | English: Indian fleabane, Indian pluchea, Indian camphorweed | Asteraceae | shrub |
Praxelis clematidea | English: praxelis | Asteraceae | herb |
Prosopis spp. | English: mesquite, algaroba; Spanish: algarrobo | Fabaceae | tree |
Psidium cattleianum | English: strawberry guava, cherry guava, Cattley guava, Chinese guava; French: goyavier de Chine; Other: kuahpa (Pohnpei); waiawi ‘ula‘ula (Hawai'i); ngguava (Fiji), tuava tinito (French Polynesia); kua‘va (Samoa) | Myrtaceae | tree |
Psidium guineense | English: Brazilian guava, Guinea guava; French: goyavier du Brésil | Myrtaceae | shrub/tree |
Pueraria phaseoloides | English: tropical kudzu, puero | Fabaceae | vine |
Pyracantha angustifolia | English: firethorn | Rosaceae | shrub |
Pyrostegia venusta | English: flame vine, flame flower, golden shower, orange trumpet vine | Bignoniaceae | vine |
Quisqualis indica | English: Rangoon creeper | Combretaceae | vine |
Ravenala madagascariensis | English: traveler’s palm, traveler’s tree, ravenale; French: arbre à voyageur | Strelitziaceae | tree |
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa | English: rose myrtle, downy myrtle, Isenberg bush | Myrtaceae | shrub |
Rhynchospora caduca | Cyperaceae | herb | |
Rivina humilis | English: baby pepper, bloodberry, coral berry, rouge plant; Other: polo (Tonga) | Phytolaccaceae | herb |
Rubus alceifolius | English: giant bramble | Rosaceae | shrub |
Rubus moluccanus | English: Molucca raspberry, broad leafed bramble, Molucca bramble, eelkek; French: piquant lou-lou (Mauritius); Other: kohkihl (Kosrae); soni, wa sori, wa ngandrongandro, wa votovotoa, (Fiji) | Rosaceae | shrub |
Rubus rosifolius | English: roseleaf raspberry, thimbleberry, Mauritius raspberry; French: framboisier; Other: ola'a, ‘akala, akalakala (Hawai'i) | Rosaceae | shrub |
Rubus spp. | English: raspberries, blackberries, brambles | Rosaceae | shrub |
Ruellia brevifolia | Acanthaceae | herb | |
Saccharum spontaneum | English: wild cane, false sugarcane; French: canne à sucre fourragère, canne sauvage; Other: banga ruchel (Palau); ac (Kosrae); tebu salah; ahlek, ahlec, (Pohnpei); to aheo (French Polynesia) | Poaceae | grass |
Sacciolepis indica | English: glenwood grass | Poaceae | grass |
Salvinia molesta | English: salvinia, water fern, kariba weed, African payal | Salviniaceae | fern |
Sanchezia speciosa | English: sanchezia. | Acanthaceae | shrub |
Sansevieria trifasciata | English: bowstring hemp, mother-in-law’s tongue; French: chanvre d'Afrique; Other: tigre (Guam), kitelel (Palau) | Agavaceae | herb |
Schefflera arboricola | English: dwarf brassia, dwarf schefflera, Hawaiian elf schefflera | Araliaceae | shrub |
Schinus molle | English: pepper tree, California pepper tree, Peruvian peppertree, pepperina; French: faux poivrier, molée des jardins, poivrier d'Amérique | Anacardiaceae | tree |
Schizachyrium condensatum | English: little bluestem, bush beardgrass | Poaceae | grass |
Senecio madagascariensis | English: fireweed | Asteraceae | herb |
Senna obtusifolia | English: habucha, coffeeweed, sicklepod | Fabaceae | herb |
Senna septemtrionalis | English: buttercup bush, yellow shower, laburnum; Other: mosimosi, naseni karakarawa, winivinikau (Fiji); kolomona, kalamona (Hawai'i) | Fabaceae | shrub/tree |
Senna siamea | English: cassod tree, kassod tree, Siamese cassia; French: bois perdrix; Other: kasia (Tonga) | Fabaceae | tree |
Sesbania punicea | English: red sesbania, coffee weed, rattle-pod, sesban, red seine bean, Brazil rattlebox, coffee of the coast, tame acacia, false poinciana, black acacia, purple sesbane | Fabaceae | shrub |
Setaria palmifolia | English: palmgrass, short pitpit, hailans pitpit, broadleaved bristlegrass; Other: vao ‘ofe‘ofe (Samoa) | Poaceae | grass |
Setaria pumila | English: foxtail, garden bristle grass, yellow bristlegrass, Queensland pigeon grass (Australia), cat's tail grass (Fiji); French: sétaire glauque | Poaceae | grass |
Solandra maxima | English: golden cup, cup of gold, chalice vine; Spanish: copa de oro | Solanaceae | liana |
Solanum capsicoides | English: cockroach berry, devil’s apple, soda apple; Other: kikania kei, akaaka, akaka (Hawai'i) | Solanaceae | herb |
Solanum mauritianum | English: bugweed, wild tobacco, tree tobacco; Other: pua nana honua (Hawai'i), pula (Tonga) | Solanaceae | shrub |
Solanum seaforthianum | English: potato creeper, Brazilian nightshade | Solanaceae | vine |
Solanum tampicense | English: wetland nightshade, aquatic soda apple | Solanaceae | aquatic herb |
Solanum viarum | English: tropical soda apple | Solanaceae | herb? |
Solenostemon scutellarioides | English: coleus; Other: lata, lau lata (Fiji); weleweka (Hawai‘i); selevese (Niue); koramahd, koaramahd (Pohnpei); pate, patiale, la‘au fai sei (Samoa) | Lamiaceae | herb |
Sporobolus elongatus | English: wiregrass, rat-tail dropseed | Poaceae | grass |
Stapelia gigantea | English: carrion flower, starfish flower, zulu-giant, giant toad plant | Asclepiadaceae | succulent |
Stylosanthes guianensis | English: stylo, Brazilian lucerne, tropical lucerne, Nigerian stylo | Fabaceae | herb |
Syncarpia glomulifera | English: turpentine tree, lustre wood | Myrtaceae | tree |
Syzygium cumini | English: Java plum; jambolan plum; French: faux-pistachier, jamelon-guier, jamélongue, jambolanier; Other: duhat (Guam); mesegerak, mesekerrak, mesekerrák, mesigerak (Palau); jamelonguier (New Caledonia); kavika ni India, jammun (Fiji) | Myrtaceae | tree |
Terminalia myriocarpa | English: hollock, jhalna | Combretaceae | tree |
Tetrazygia bicolor | English: Florida clover ash | Melastomataceae | shrub/tree |
Thevetia peruviana | English: yellow oleander, be-still tree, lucky nut; French: oléandre jaune; Other: koneta (Chuuk); nohomalie (Hawai'i); irelepsech (Yap) | Apocynaceae | small tree |
Thunbergia alata | English: black-eyed susan vine; French: suzanne aux yeux noirs; Other: tagamimi (Samoa) | Acanthaceae | vine |
Thunbergia fragrans | English: white lady, white thunbergia, sweet clock-vine; Other: fue hina (Tonga) | Acanthaceae | vine |
Thunbergia grandiflora | English: Bengal trumpet, blue trumpet vine, clock vine, skyvine, large-flowerd thunbergia; Other: bung el etiu (Palau) | Acanthaceae | vine |
Thunbergia laurifolia | English: purple allamanda, laurel-leaved thunbergia, laurel clock vine | Acanthaceae | vine |
Tibouchina herbacea | English: glorybush, cane ti, tibouchina | Melastomataceae | herb |
Tibouchina urvilleana | English: glorybush, lasiandra, princess flower | Melastomataceae | herb |
Tillandsia usneoides | English: Spanish moss, old man's beard, grandfather’s whiskers, air plant; French: cheveaux du roi, barbe grise, fille de l'air | Bromeliaceae | bromeliad |
Timonius timon | English: liberal (Palau); Other: sakosia (from Ecoport, no source given) | Rubiaceae | tree |
Tithonia diversifolia | English: tree marigold, shrub sunflower, Mexican sunflower, Japanese sunflower; Other: matala (Niue) | Asteraceae | shrub |
Toona ciliata | English: Australian red cedar, toon; Other: tuna (Samoa), sita kula (Tonga) | Meliaceae | tree |
Tradescantia zebrina | English: wandering zebrina, wandering jew, inchplant | Commelinaceae | herb |
Trema orientalis | English: charcoal tree, gunpowder tree; Other: agaunai, banahl, tal amama (CNMI); elodechoel (Palau); uanin (Yap); ndrou, ndroundrou, ndrikanaithembe (Fiji); aere (French Polynesia), mangele, manele, magele (Niue, Samoa, Tonga); bulasisi (from Ecoport, no source given) | Ulmaceae | tree |
Triadica sebifera | English: Chinese tallow tree, popcorn tree, vegetable tallow, white wax berry, chicken tree, Florida aspen; French: arbre à suif, boiré | Euphorbiaceae | tree |
Tribulus cistoides | English: puncture vine, caltrop, burrnut, Jamaican feverplant, goat’s head; Spanish: cacho de chivo; Other: nohu, nohunohu (Hawai‘i); te maukinikini (Kiribati) | Zygophyllaceae | herb |
Tribulus terrestris | English: puncture vine, goat head; French: tribule terrestre | Zygophyllaceae | herb |
Triphasia trifolia | English: limeberry, lemon China; Other: limon-China, lemon de china, limoncito (Guam) | Rutaceae | shrub |
Triplaris weigeltiana | English: long john, long jack | Polygonaceae | tree |
Tripsacum latifolium | English: wideleaf gamagrass | Poaceae | grass |
Triumfetta semitriloba | English: Sacramento bur; Other: dadangsi, masiksik lahe (Guam) | Tiliaceae | shrub |
Turbina corymbosa | English: turbina, Christmas vine, ololiuqui | Convolvulaceae | vine |
Turnera ulmifolia | English: yellow alder, sage rose, West Indian holly, ramgoat dashalong; Other: nõr in jiboñ (Marshall Islands) | Turneraceae | herb |
Ulex europaeus | English: gorse, furze, whin; French: ajonc, bois jonc, jonc marin, vigneau | Fabaceae | shrub |
Vitex parviflora | English: small-leaved vitex, smallflower chastetree; Other: lagundi (Guam); molauin, molave (Philippines); molave (Hawai'i) | Verbenaceae | shrub/tree |
Waterhousea floribunda | English: weeping lilly pilly, weeping myrtle | Myrtaceae | tree |
Zantedeschia aethiopica | English: calla lily, arum lily | Araceae | herb |
Ziziphus mauritiana | English: Indian jujube, Chinese date, Chinee apple; Other: manzanas, manzanita, jujube (Guam); baer, bahir, baher (Fiji) | Rhamnaceae | tree |
NOTE: The common names in this and the following tables are from the PIER data base and web site and include names in use at various locations throughout the Pacific. Additional information, including the locations where the various names are used, can be found in the individual species summaries at the PIER web site.
Scientific Name | Common Names | Family | Habit |
Adenanthera pavonina | English: Coral bean tree, red sandalwood tree, red bead tree, lopa, bead tree, false wiliwili, peacock flower-fence; French: bois de condori; Other: kaikes (Pohnpei); mwetkwem (Kosrae); colales, culalis, kolales, kulales, kulalis (Guam, CNMI); metekam, metkam, metkem, (Kosrae); telengtúngd, telentundalel (Palau); pomea (Fiji, Niue), lera, lere ndamu, vaivai, vaivai ni vavalangi (Fiji), lopa, la‘au lopa (American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga); paina, pitipitio (French Polynesia) | Fabaceae | tree |
Antigonon leptopus | English: Mexican creeper, mountain rose, Confederate vine, chain-of-love, hearts on a chain, love-vine, coral bells, coral vine, queen’s jewels, kadena de amor, corallita; Other: dilngau (Palau); rohsapoak (Pohnpei) | Polygonaceae | vine |
Bryophyllum pinnatum | English: life plant, air plant, resurrection plant, Canterbury bells, cathedral bells, Mexican love plant; Spanish: hoja del aire; Other: bulatawamudu (Fiji); ‘oliwa ku kahakai (Hawai'i); teang (Kiribati); kibilia (Marshall Islands); tupu he lau, tupu noa (Niue); pipi vao (Tonga) | Crassulaceae | herb |
Castilla elastica | English: Panama rubber tree, Mexican rubber tree, uletree; Other: pulu mamoe (American Samoa) | Moraceae | tree |
Cinnamomum verum | English: cinnamon tree; French: cannelier de Ceylan; Other: ochod ra ngebard (Palau). tinamoni, tigamoni (American Samoa and Samoa) | Lauraceae | tree |
Clerodendrum chinense | English: Honolulu rose, stickbush, glory bower; Other: losa Honolulu, losa onolulu (American Samoa and Samoa); pikake hohono, pikake wauke (Hawai'i), pitate mama (Cook Islands) | Verbenaceae | shrub |
Clidemia hirta | English: Koster’s curse, soap bush; French: canot-macaque; Other: kui, kúi (Palau); kauresinga, kaurasinga, roinisinga, ndraunisinga, mara na bulumakau, mbona na mbulamakau, vuti (Fiji); kaurasiga (from Ecoport, no source given) | Melastomataceae | shrub |
Costus speciosus | English: crepe ginger, crape ginger, wild ginger, Malay ginger, canereed; Other: isebsab (Palau) | Zingiberaceae | herb |
Dieffenbachia seguine | English: dieffenbachia, dumb cane; Other: yalu ni vavalagi (Fiji) | Araceae | herb |
Falcataria moluccana | English: Molucca albizia; Other: tamaligi palagi (American Samoa); tuhke kerosene, tuhkehn karisihn (Pohnpei); ukall ra ngebard (Palau); tamaligi uliuli (Samoa) | Fabaceae | tree |
Imperata cylindrica | English: blady grass, cogon grass, satintail; French: paille de dys, paillotte, impérata cylindrique, impérate; Other: gi, ngi (Fiji); alang-alang, lalang (Indonesia, Malaysia); kasoring (Palau) | Poaceae | grass |
Lantana camara | English: lantana; Other: latana (American Samoa and Samoa); taramoa (Cook Islands); kauboica, kaumboitha, mbonambulumakau, mbona ra mbulumakau, tokalau, waiwai, lanitana (Fiji); taratara hamoa, taratara moa (French Polynesia); latora moa, tatara moa (French Polynesia (Tahiti)); lakana, la‘au kalakala, lanakana (Ni‘ihau), mikinolia hihiu, mikinolia hohono, mikinolia kuku (Hawai'i); ros fonacni (Kosrae); te kaibuaka, te kaibuaja (Kiribati); migiroa (Nauru), landana, rantana, rahndana, tukasuweth (Pohnpei); talatala, talatala talmoa (Tonga) | Verbenaceae | shrub |
Leucaena leucocephala | English: leucaena, wild tamarind, lead tree; French: graines de lin, faux-acacia, faux mimosa (New Caledonia); Other: koa haole, lili-koa, ekoa (Hawai'i); tangantangan, tangan-tangan, talantayan (Guam, CNMI, Marshall Islands); talntangan (CNMI); ganitnityuwan tangantan (Yap); tuhngantuhngan, rohbohtin (Kosrae); telentund (Palau); lopa Samoa (American Samoa and Samoa); fua pepe (American Samoa and Samoa); lusina (Samoa); pepe (Niue and Samoa); tavahi kaku (Niue); nito, toromiro (Cook Islands); siale mohemohe (Tonga); vaivai, vaivai ni vavalangi, vaivai dina, balori (Fiji); atiku (Marquesas); cassis (Vanuatu); te kaitetua (Kiribati); namas (from Ecoport, source not given) | Fabaceae | tree |
Ligustrum spp. | English: privet | Oleaceae | shrubs/small trees |
Lonicera japonica | English: Japanese honeysuckle, Hall’s honeysuckle; Other: honekakala (Hawai'i) | Caprifoliaceae | vine |
Merremia peltata | English: merremia; Other: wachathal (yap); lohl, iol, yol (Pohnpei); kebeas (Palau); lagon, lagun (Guam); fitau, fitaw (Chuuk); pala, pul, puhlah (Kosrae); fue, fue vao, fue kula (Niue); fue lautetele (American Samoa and Samoa); fue mea (Tonga); abui, grobihi, arosumou (Solomon Islands); wa mbula, wa bula, wa damu, wa ndamu, viliyawa, wiliviwa, veliyana, wiliao (Fiji); pohue (French Polynesia) | Convolvulaceae | vine |
Mikania micrantha | English: mile-a-minute weed, Chinese creeper, American rope, bittervine; French: liane américaine, liane-serpent; Other: fue saina (American Samoa, Samoa and Niue); fou laina (Niue), teb ‘l yas (Palau); wa mbosuthu, wa mbosuvu, wa mbutako, wa ndamele, ovaova, wa bosucu, usuvanua (Fiji); kwalo koburu, (from Ecoport, no source given) | Asteraceae | vine |
Mimosa diplotricha | English: giant sensitive plant, nila grass; French: grande sensitive, sensitive gèante; Other: singbiguin sasa (Saipan); mechiuaiuu (Palau); limemeihr laud (Pohnpei); vao fefe palagi (American Samoa and Samoa), la'au fefe tele, la'au fefe palagi (Samoa); wa ngandrongandro levu, wa ngandrongandro ni wa ngalelevu, co gadrogadro (Fiji) | Fabaceae | shrub |
Spathodea campanulata | English: African tulip tree, fireball, fountain tree; French: tulipier du Gabon, pisse-pisse; Spanish: tulipan africano; Other: apär (CNMI); rarningobchey (Yap); orsachel kui (Palau); tuhke dulip (Pohnpei); tiulipe (Tonga), taga mimi (Fiji) | Bignoniaceae | tree |
Syngonium angustatum | English: arrowhead plant, goosefoot plant | Araceae | vine |
Tradescantia spathacea | English: oyster plant, boat plant, boat lily, moses in a boat; Other: talotalo, laupapaki (Niue) | Commelinaceae | herb |
Scientific Name | Common Names | Family | Habit |
Clerodendrum quadriloculare | English: bronze-leaved clerodendrum; Other: tirooj in belle (Marshall Islands); kleuang (Palau); tuhkehn palau (Pohnpei), bagauac (Philippines) | Verbenaceae | shrub |
Desmodium nicaraguense | Spanish: engorda-caballo, vara de arco, pie de paloma, vara larga, vara blanca, Juana de Arco, gutao, Juana Larga | Fabaceae | shrub |
Flemingia macrophylla | Fabaceae | tree | |
Sambucus mexicana | English: elderberry, Mexican elder | Caprifoliaceae | small tree |
Sesbania grandiflora | English: hummingbird tree, sesban, scarlet wisteria tree; French: agati a grandes fleurs; Other: agati, agathi (Fiji); oufai, ofai, ouai (French Polynesia); katurai (Guam); sepania (Samoa) | Fabaceae | small tree |
Scientific Name | Common Names | Family | Habit |
Abelmoschus moschatus | English: fautia, musk mallow, musk okra; French: ambrette, gombo musqué, ketmie musquée, graine de musc; Other: kamang, ka‘mang (Guam); karereon, karereon nikapwerik nik, kareron, likonokon (Chuuk); gongul (Palau); metei, mety, methey (Pohnpei); hathongethong, kamwayang, nikapwerik, setmwechin, sotumo (Yap); wakiwaki, wakewake, wakeke, vakeke, aukiki, okeoke, o‘e‘e (Fiji); fou ingo (Niue), fau ingo (Wallis and Futuna); ‘aute toga, fau tagaloa, fua samasama (American Samoa and Samoa); loa, fau‘ingo (Tonga) | Malvaceae | herb |
Acacia auriculiformis | English: Papuan wattle, auri, earleaf acacia, northern black wattle, ear-pod wattle; Other: tuhkehn pwelmwahu (Pohnpei) | Fabaceae | tree |
Acacia mangium | English: mangium; Other: tuhkehn pwelmwahu (Pohnpei) | Fabaceae | tree |
Aleurites moluccana | English: candlenut, Indian walnut; French: bancoulier, bancoulier, noyer de bancoul, noyer des Moluques; Other: lumbang (Guam), raguar (Caroline Islands); sakan, shakan (Pohnpei); lama (American Samoa and Samoa); kukui (Hawai’i); tuitui (Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga), 'ama (Marquesas); lauci, lauthe, lauthi, toto, tuitui, tutui, waiwai, sekeci,sikethi, sikeli, nggerenggere (Fiji); tahii tiairi, ti’a’iri, tutui, tahiri (French Polynesia) | Euphorbiaceae | tree |
Allamanda cathartica | English: yellow trumpet vine, golden trumpet, allamanda, brownbud allamanda, golden allamanda, golden cup; French: monette jaune, li’ane s’aime; Other: pua taunofo (American Samoa and Samoa), lani-ali‘i (Hawai‘i) | Apocynaceae | shrub |
Anacardium occidentale | English: cashew, cashew nut; French: anacardier, pomme de cojou, acajou a pommes, pommier d’acajou; Other: kasoi (Guam), ‘apu ‘initia (Samoa); kesiu (Tonga) | Anacardiaceae | tree |
Asystasia gangetica | English: Chinese violet, Philippine violet, coromandel | Acanthaceae | herb |
Axonopus fissifolius | English: caratao grass, narrow-leaved carpetgrass | Poaceae | grass |
Azadirachta indica | English: neem, nim, margosa | Meliaceae | tree |
Bambusa spp. | English: bamboo; French: bambou; Other: moor (Yap); iich (Chuuk); pehri en sapahn (Pohnpei); bambuu (Palau); bambu (Kosrae); pi‘ao, pi‘ao palaoan (Guam and Northern Marianas-Chamorro); bwai (Guam and Northern Marianas-Carolinian); bae, koba (Marshall Islands); kaho palangi (Niue); ‘ohe (French Polynesia); ofe (French Polynesia, Samoa), ‘ofe fiti, ‘ofe papalagi (Samoa); kofe, pitu (Tonga); koe (Rarotonga, Cook Islands) | Poaceae | tree |
Bauhinia monandra | English: orchid-tree, St. Thomas-tree, Napoleon's plume; flamboyant (Pohnpei), flores mariposa (CNMI); mariposa (Guam); pink butterfly tree (Fiji); Other: pine fua loloa (Niue), vae povi (American Samoa and Samoa) | Fabaceae | tree |
Bauhinia purpurea | English: purple orchid tree; purple butterfly tree, pink butterfly tree (Fiji); French: fleurs pourpres | Fabaceae | tree |
Blechum pyramidata | English: green shrimp plant, blackweed (Samoa), Browne’s blechum; Other: yerbas babui (Guam), vao uliuli (Samoa) | Acanthaceae | herb |
Bothriochloa bladhii | English: blue grass, Australian beardgrass, Caucasian bluestem; Other: desum (Palau); latoka grass, thamboni grass (Fiji) | Poaceae | grass |
Calliandra calothyrsus | English: powderpuff red calliandra; Other: kaliana (Samoa) | Fabaceae | shrub |
Calopogonium mucunoides | English: calopo; Other: akankan-guakag (Guam) | Fabaceae | vine |
Calotropis gigantea | English: calotrope, crown flower, bowstring hemp, madar; French: mercure végétal, mudar; Other: pua-kalaunu (Hawai'i); tahinu (French Polynesia) | Ascelepiadaceae | shrub |
Cananga odorata | English: perfume tree; French: canang odorant; Other: ilang-ilang, alang-ilang (Guam, Philippines); ylang-ylang, lengileng (CNMI); chiráng, irang (Palau); ilanlang, ilahnglahng (Kosrae); pwanang, pwuur, pwalang (Chuuk); pur-n-wai, pwurenwai, sair-n-wai, seirin wai, seir en wai (Pohnpei); ilanilan, ilañlañ (Marshall Islands); motoi (Niue); makasoi, makosoi, makusui, mokohoi, mokosoi (Fiji); moso‘oi (American Samoa and Samoa); mohoki, mohokoi, mohokoi (Tonga); moto‘oi, mata‘oi (Cook Islands, Niue, Tahiti); moto‘i (Tahiti); lanalana (Hawai‘i) | Annonaceae | tree |
Casuarina equisetifolia | English: casuarina, ironwood, Australian pine, she-oak, horsetail tree, beefwood; French: arbe de fer; Spanish: arbol de hierro; Other: nach (Yap); lach (Ulithi); laash (Woleai); weeku (Chuuk); gagu, gago (Guam, CNMI); weighu (CNMI-Carolinian); pientri (pinetree), nidil, bû ukam (bluegum on some atolls), nidõ (needle" on some atolls) mejinoki (Marshall Islands); toa (American Samoa, French Polynesia, Hawai‘i, Niue, Samoa and Tonga); ‘aito (French Polynesia); nokonoko, nakure, qaro (Fiji); te katurina (from Ecoport, source not given) | Casuarinaceae | tree |
Casuarina glauca | English: swamp oak, saltmarsh ironwood, longleaf ironwood, gray sheoak | Casuarinaceae | tree |
Cedrela odorata | English: cigar box cedar, Mexican cedar, West Indian cedar, Spanish cedar, Barbados cedar; French: cèdre acajou, cèdre des barbares; Spanish: cedro cubano (Galapagos Is.); Other: sita hina (Tonga) | Meliaceae | tree |
Ceiba pentandra | English: kapok, kapok tree, silk-cotton tree, pacae; French: kapokier, capoc, bois coton; Spanish: ceibo; Other: koton (Chuuk); algodon de Manila, atgodon di Manila, algidon, atgidon de Manila (Guam); koatoa, atagodon, arughuschel (Saipan), batte ni gan' ken (Yap); bulik, kotin (Marshall Islands); cottin, koatun, koatoa (Pohnpei); kuhtin, cutin (Kosrae); kalngebard, kalngebárd, kerrekar ngebard (Palau); vauvau ni vavalangi, semar (Fiji); vavae (American Samoa, Samoa, Niue, Tonga); vavau ni lokoloko (from Ecoport, source not given) | Bombacaceae | tree |
Cenchrus echinatus | English: burgrass, sand-bur, southern sandbur, Mossman River grass (Australia); French: herbe a cateaux (Mauritius); Other: tuitui, vao tuitui, vao papalagi (American Samoa and Samoa); se mbulabula (Fiji); piri-piri, pipiri (French Polynesia); mau‘u kuku, ‘ume‘alu (Hawai'i); te anti, te kateketeke (Kiribati); cram-cram (New Caledonia); motie vihilago, mosie vihilango (Niue); lõklõk, kãlõklõk, lellik, lekelik, liklik, karmwijmwij, karumwij (Marshall Islands); cauit-cauitan (Philippines); hefa (Tonga) | Poaceae | grass |
Centrosema pubescens | English: centro, butterfly-pea; French: fleur-languette, pois bâtard; Other: pi ni ndola (Fiji) | Fabaceae | herb |
Cestrum diurnum | English: inkberry, day jessamine, day cestrum, China berry; Other: thauthau (Fiji); tinta ‘n-China, tentanchinu, tintan China (Guam, CNMI); makahala (Hawai'i); sugi vao, suni vao (Samoa); vaitohi (Tonga) | Solanaceae | shrub |
Cestrum nocturnum | English: night-flowering cestrum, night-flowering jasmine, queen (or lady) of the night; Other: teine o le po, ali‘i o le po (American Samoa and Samoa); thauthau, thauthau ni mbongi, kara (Fiji); dama-de-noche (Guam); ‘ala aumoe, kupaoa, onaona Iapana (Hawai‘i); joñoul ru awa (Marshall Islands); iki he po (Niue); lakau po‘uli (Tonga) | Solanaceae | shrub |
Chamaecrista nictitans | English: partridge pea, Japanese tea senna; Other: lauki (Hawai‘i); kobo-cha, nemu-cha (Japan) | Fabaceae | shrub |
Chloris barbata | English: swollen fingergrass, purpletop chloris (Australia), airport grass (Fiji); Other: mau’u lei (Hawai'i) | Poaceae | grass |
Clerodendrum buchananii var. fallax | English: red clerodendrum, pagoda-flower; Other: talufe (Niue); amo’ula, amo’ule (Tonga), lau'awa (Hawai'i) | Verbenaceae | shrub |
Clerodendrum japonicum | English: glorybower | Verbenaceae | shrub |
Clerodendrum paniculatum | English: pagoda plant, pagoda flower; Other: butcherechár, butecherechar (Palau); tukehn sousou (Pohnpei) | Verbenaceae | shrub |
Commelina diffusa | English: commelina, dayflower, wandering Jew, spiderwort; Spanish: chiriyuyo; Other: semprebiban-damalong (Guam); honohono (Hawai‘i); mau‘utoga, mau‘u Tonga (American Samoa and Samoa); mohuku vai, musie matala pulu (Tonga); ai rorongi, ai rongorongo, airogorogo, cobulabula, rongomatailevu, thombulambula, matembulambula, drano,duludauwere, ndrano, ndulandauwere, luna, tho nggalonggalo (Fiji), ma‘apape (French Polynesia) | Commelinaceae | herb |
Crassocephalum crepidoides | English: thickhead, fireweed, redflower ragleaf; Other: fua lele, pualele (American Samoa and Samoa); maraburubo (Solomon Islands); fisi puna (Tonga); se vuka (Fiji) | Asteraceae | herb |
Cynodon dactylon | English: Bermuda grass, giant Bermuda grass, bahama grass, devil's grass, couch grass, Indian doab, grama, devilgrass, couchgrass, balama grass; French: chiendent, petit chiendent, chiendent pied-de-poule; Other: manini, manienie (Hawai'i); motie molulu (Niue); kambuta, kabuta (Fiji); mosie molulu (Niue); herbe de couverture (New Caledonia); pasto bermuda, zacate bermuda, grama dulce, gramón, hierba fina, grama-seda, (from Ecoport, no source given) | Poaceae | grass |
Cyperus involucratus | English: umbrella sedge, umbrella plant, dwarf papyrus grass; Other: ‘ahu‘awa haole, pu‘uka‘a haole (Hawai‘i) | Cyperaceae | sedge |
Cyperus rotundus | English: nut grass, nutsedge, purple nutsedge, cocograss; French: souchet rond, souchet à tubercules, herbe à oignon; Other: oni ani (Cook Islands); soro na kambani, sora na kambani, soro ni kabani, ivako, malanga, vucesa, motha, vuthesa mot ha (Fiji); chaguan humatag (Guam); kili'o'opu, mau‘u mokae (Hawai‘i); te mumute (Kiribati); tuteoneon (Marshall Islands); mumuta (Samoa, Tokelau); pakopako (Tonga) | Cyperaceae | sedge |
Delonix regia | English: flame tree, flamboyant, poinciana; Spanish: flamboyan; Other: ngatipa, avarua (Rarotonga, Cook Islands); fayarbaw (CNMI–Carolinian); sekoula (Fiji); puke (Tahiti, French Polynesia); arbol del fuego, atbot, atbot det fuegu, atbut (Guam and CNMI–Chamorro); ‘ohai ‘ula (Hawai'i); pine (Niue); nangiosákura, nangyo (Palau); pilampwoia weitahta (Pohnpei); ‘ohai (Tonga); sakuranirow (Yap) | Fabaceae | tree |
Derris malaccensis | English: New Guinea creeper; Other: ‘ava niukini (American Samoa); nduva, tuva, nduva ni niukini (Fiji); akau niukini (Niue); fue fa‘i ‘ava (Samoa); kava fisi (Tonga) | Fabaceae | vine |
Desmanthus virgatus | Other: anil, jureminha (Brazil) | Fabaceae | herb |
Desmodium tortuosum | English: Florida beggarweed, Spanish clover, dixie ticktrefoil | Fabaceae | herb |
Digitaria ciliaris | English: Henry's crabgrass, smooth crabgrass, tropical crab grass, large crab grass, southern crabgrass, fingergrass, summer grass; French: digitaire ciliée; Other: kukaepua'a (Hawai'i); Saulangi (Niue) | Poaceae | grass |
Digitaria violascens | English: smooth crabgrass, violet crabgrass; Other: sau (Palau) | Poaceae | grass |
Dissotis rotundifolia | English: dissotis, Spanish shawl, pink lady | Melastomataceae | herb |
Duranta erecta | English: duranta, golden dewdrop, pigeon-berry, sky-flower; Other: ‘olive (Tonga) | Verbenaceae | shrub |
Eichhornia crassipes | English: water hyacinth; French: jacinthe d'eau; Other: bung el ralm (Palau); mbekambekairanga, ndambendambe ni nga, jal khumbe, bekabekairaga, dabedabe ne ga, jal khumbe (Fiji); riri vai (Cook Islands) | Pontederiaceae | aquatic herb |
Eleusine indica | English: goosegrass, wiregrass, goose foot, crow's foot, bullgrass; French: pied de poule; Other: fahitalo, lau ta‘a ta‘a, ta‘a ta‘a (American Samoa and Samoa); kavoronaisivi, vorovoroisivi, ghoraya (Fiji); tamamau (French Polynesia), umog (Guam); manienie ali‘i (Hawai'i); mahkwekwe (Kosrae); katejukjuk (Marshall Islands); mosie fahitalo (Niue); deskim, keteketarmalk (Palau); reh takai (Pohnpei); takataka, takataka ‘a leala, mohuku siamane (Tonga); te uteute (from Ecoport, source not given) | Poaceae | grass |
Eugenia uniflora | English: Surinam cherry, red Brazil cherry; French: cerisier carré, cerisier de Cayenne; Other: kafika, kafika palangi (Niue), pitanga (Brazil) | Myrtaceae | shrub/tree |
Ficus benghalensis | English: banyan, Indian banyan, vada tree; French: figuier des pagodes | Moraceae | tree |
Ficus benjamina | English: weeping fig, baka, Java fig, weeping fig ; Other: ‘ovava fisi (Tonga) | Moraceae | tree |
Ficus elastica | English: India rubber tree, rubber plant; Other: komunoki, komunokí (Palau); rapah (Pohnpei); gak'iynigoma (Yap) | Moraceae | tree |
Gliricidia sepium | English: mother of cacao, quickstick; Spanish: madre de cacao | Fabaceae | tree |
Hedychium coronarium | English: white ginger, butterfly lily, ginger lily, garland flower; Other: tunun, sinser (Chuuk); ndrove, cevuga vula, dalasika (Fiji); thevunga (Fiji, Tonga); ‘awapuhi ke‘oke‘o (Hawai‘i), sinter pwetepwet (Pohnpei); tolon (Puluwat) | Zingiberaceae | herb |
Hedychium flavescens | English: yellow ginger, cream ginger; French: longoze; Other: opuhi rea rea (French Polynesia); ‘awapuhi melemele (Hawai'i), teuila (Samoa) | Zingiberaceae | herb |
Hemigraphis alternata | English: metal leaf; red ivy, cemetery plant (Fiji) | Acanthaceae | herb |
Hyptis pectinata | English: comb hyptis, comb bushmint, mint weed, purple top; French: fausse menthe; Other: mumutun lahe, mumutun palaoan, mumutan ademelon (Guam); tamole ni veikau, tamoli ni vavalangi, timothi ni vavalangi, wavuwavu, ndamoli, ben tulsia (Fiji) | Lamiaceae | herb |
Indigofera suffruticosa | English: indigo; Other: aniles (Guam); ‘iniko, inikoa, kolu (Hawai'i); la‘au mageso (Samoa); ‘akau veli (Tonga) | Fabaceae | shrub |
Kyllinga brevifolia | English: green kyllinga, green water sedge; Other: kili‘o‘opu, kaluha, manunene, mau‘u mokae (Hawai‘i); tuise (Samoa); pakopako (Tonga) | Cyperaceae | sedge |
Kyllinga nemoralis | English: white kyllinga, whitehead spikesedge, whitewater sedge; Other: kili‘o‘opu (Hawai‘i), ta‘a ta‘a, ta‘a ta‘a vili taliga, matie upo‘o, matie tahiti, mo‘u upo‘onui, mo‘u upo‘o, tuise (Samoa); pakopako, pakopako ‘ae kuma (Tahiti); tuise (Tonga) | Cyperaceae | sedge |
Mimosa pudica | English: sensitive plant, sleeping grass; French: sensitive; Other: la‘au fefe, vao fefe, vao tuitui, tuitui (American Samoa and Samoa); ra kau pikikaa, rakau pikika (Cook Islands); tho ngandrongandro, tho kandrodandro, cogadrogadro (Fiji); betguen sosa (Guam); pua hilahila (Hawai‘i); memege (Niue); mechiuaiu (Palau); limemeihr (Pohnpei); pohe ha‘avare, pope ha‘avare (Tahiti); mateloi (Tonga) | Fabaceae | herb |
Momordica charantia | English: balsam-apple, bitter-melon, bitter gourd, balsam pear, squirting cucumber, cerasee, peria; French: momordique, margose (Réunion, Mauritius Islands), margose amère, momordique amère, concombre amer, concombre africain; Spanish: achoccha silvestre; Other: almagosa, atmagosu (Guam); atmagoso (Guam, CNMI); markoso (Palau); kerala (Fiji); meleni 'ae kuma, vaine 'initia (Tonga) | Cucurbitaceae | vine |
Ocimum gratissimum | English: wild basil, clove basil, tree basil; French: basilic, menthe gabonaise; Other: la’au sauga (Samoa) | Lamiaceae | herb |
Odontonema tubaeforme | English: fire spike, cardinal flower | Acanthaceae | shrub |
Operculina ventricosa | English: paper rose, St. Thomas lidpod; Other: alalag (Guam); palulu (Samoa); fue hina (Tonga) | Convolvulaceae | vine |
Panicum maximum | English: Guinea grass, green panic, buffalograss; French: herbe de Guinéa, panic élevé, capime guiné, fataque; Other: saafa (Tonga) | Poaceae | grass |
Paspalum conjugatum | English: T grass, ti grass, sour grass; sour palpalum, buffalo grass, carabao grass, Hilo grass (Hawai'i); French: herbe sure, herbe créole; herbe de tauère (New Caledonia); Other: fetin wumwune (Chuuk); mau‘u Hilo (Hawai‘i), muhsrasre (Kosrae); moise vailima, motie vailima (Niue and Tonga); udel ra ngebei (Palau); rehn wai (Pohnpei); vao lima (American Samoa and Samoa), vailima matafao (Samoa); vailima, (Samoa, Tonga, Niue) | Poaceae | grass |
Paspalum paniculatum | English: Russell river grass, galmarra grass | Poaceae | grass |
Paspalum urvillei | English: Vasey grass; French: herbe de Vasey, paspalum d'Urville | Poaceae | grass |
Passiflora foetida | English: love-in-a-mist, wild passion fruit, passionflower, stinking passionflower; French: passiflore; Spanish: bedoca (Galapagos Is.); Other: pasio vao (American Samoa and Samoa); bombom (Chuuk), sou, loliloli ni kalavo, qaranidila (Fiji); pohapoha (Hawai‘i); lani wai (Hawai‘i (Ni‘ihau)); tea biku (Kiribati); vine vao (Niue); kudamono (Palau); pompom, pwomwpwomw (Pohnpei); kinahulo‘ atdao, dulce (Saipan); vaine ‘initia (Tonga); tomates (Yap) | Passifloraceae | vine |
Passiflora maliformis | English: hard-shelled passionfruit, sweet calabash, sweet cup; French: pomme calabas; Other: pasio (Samoa), vaine Tonga, vaine kai (Tonga) | Passifloraceae | vine |
Pennisetum purpureum | English: elephant grass, napier grass, merker grass; French: herbe éléphant, fausse canne à sucre; Spanish: pasto elefante; Other: bokso (Palau); puk-soh (Pohnpei); acfucsracsracsr (Kosrae). | Poaceae | grass |
Psidium guajava | English: guava; French: goyavier; Spanish: guayaba, guayabo; Other: ku‘ava, ku‘avu, tu‘avu (American Samoa and Samoa); kuafa (Chuuk); kuava (Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa); quwawa, nguava, ngguava ni India, amrut (Fiji); tuava, tumu tuava, tuvava (French Polynesia); abas guayaba (Galapagos); (Guam, Saipan-Chamorro, Yap); kuawa, kuawa ke‘oke‘o, kuawa lemi, kuawa momona, pauwa (Hawai‘i); kuhfahfah (Kosrae); te kuawa (Kiribati); kuwawa (Nauru); kautoga, kautonga, kautoga tane, kautonga tane (Niue); guabang, kuabang (Palau); guahva, kuahpa (Pohnpei); apas (Saipan); abwas (Saipan-Carolinian); tu‘ava (Samoa) | Myrtaceae | tree |
Pueraria montana var. lobata | English: kudzu, Japanese arrowroot; Other: deday (Yap); aka (American Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Wallis and Futuna); a'a (American Samoa and Samoa); yaka , wa yaka, nggariaka (Fiji); akataha, fue’aepuaka (Tonga); acha, nepalem | Fabaceae | vine |
Ricinus communis | English: castor bean, castor-oil plant; French: ricin; Spanish: higuerilla; Other: lama palagi, lama papalagi (American Samoa and Samoa); mbele ni vavalagi, toto ni vavalagi, utouto (Fiji); agaliya (Guam); koli, pa‘aila, ka‘apeha, kamakou, la‘au, ‘aila (Hawai‘i); tuitui, tuitui fua ikiiki (Niue); gelug, maskerekur, uluchula skoki (Palau); lepo, lepohina (Tonga) | Euphorbiaceae | shrub |
Ruellia prostrata | English: black weed, bell weed; Other: vao uli, vao uliuli (Samoa) | Acanthaceae | herb |
Samanea saman | English: monkeypod, rain tree, saman; French: arbre de pluie; Other: tronkon mames, trongkon-mames (CNMI-Chamorro); filinganga (CNMI-Carolinian); gumor ni spanis (Yap); 'ohai, pu ‘ohai (Hawai'i); vaivai ni vavalangi, vaivai ni vavalagi (Fiji), malapa (Samoa); kasia (Tonga) | Fabaceae | tree |
Sanchezia parvibracteata | English: sanchezia | Acanthaceae | shrub |
Schefflera actinophylla | English: octopus tree, umbrella tree, ivy palm; French: arbre ombelle | Araliaceae | tree |
Schinus terebinthifolius | English: Christmas-berry, Brazilian pepper, Brazilian holly, Florida holly; French: faux poivrier, poivre rose; Other: warui (Fiji); wilelaiki (Hawai‘i), naniohilo (Hawai‘i (Moloka‘i)) | Anacardiaceae | tree |
Senna alata | English: candle bush; candelabra bush, Roman candle tree, emperor's candlesticks, ringworm bush (Australia), alcapulco; French: epis d’or, bois dartre, dartres; Other: arakak (Chuuk); akapuku, andadose, candalaria, take-biha (Guam); kerula besokel, yult (Palau); rakau honuki, truke-n-kili-n-wai, tuhkehn kilin wai, tirakahonuki (Pohnpei); flay-n-sabouw (Yap); mulamula (Niue); bakau plant (Solomon Islands); mbai ni thangi (Fiji); fa‘i lafa, la‘au fai lafa (American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga); te‘elango (Tonga) | Fabaceae | shrub |
Senna tora | English: foetid cassia, stinking cassia, Java-bean, sickle senna, sicklepod, Chinese senna, peanut weed, sickle senna; French: cassier sauvage, pois puant, séné; Other: kaumoce, kaumothe, pini, tarota (Fiji); mumutun admelon, mumutun palaoan, amot-tumaga carabao (Guam), vao pinati (Samoa); te’epulu, tengafefeka (Tonga) | Fabaceae | shrub |
Solanum torvum | English: prickly solanum, devil's fig, turkeyberry, terongan; French: fausse aubergine, aubergine sauvage épineuse; Other: piko (Vanuatu); tisaipale (Tonga); kausoni, soni, kauvoto-votua, kaisurisuri, katai, bhankatiya, soni ni vavalagi (Fiji) | Solanaceae | shrub |
Sorghum halepense | English: Johnson grass, Aleppo grass, Aleppo milletgrass; French: sorgho d' Alep, sorgo de Alepo, herbe de Cuba; Other: kola (Tonga); gumai (Russia); zacate Johnson, grama China, cañuela, Don Carlos | Poaceae | grass |
Spagneticola trilobata | English: wedelia, trailing daisy, Singapore daisy, creeping ox-eye; Other: ngesil ra ngebard (Palau); dihpw ongohng, tuhke ongohng (Pohnpei); rosrangrang (Kosrae); ut mõkadkad, ut telia (Marshall Islands); atiat (Puluwat); ate (Tonga) | Asteraceae | herb |
Sporobolus indicus | English: smutgrass, wiregrass, Indian dropseed; Other: fisihina (Tonga) | Poaceae | grass |
Stachytarpheta cayennensis | English: blue rat's tail, dark-blue snakeweed, false verbena, nettleleaf velvetberry; French: herbe bleue; Other: ouchung, sakura (Chuuk), louch beluu (Palau); mautofu tala, mautofu vao, matofu fualanumanoa (American Samoa and Samoa); te uti (Kiribati); mautofu Samoa, motofu Samoa (Niue); hiku ‘i kuma, hiku‘kuma, ‘iku ‘i kuma, iku ‘ikuma (Tonga); turulakaka, tumbutumbu, serakawa, lavenia, se karakarawa (Fiji) | Verbenaceae | herb |
Syzygium jambos | English: malabar plum, rose apple, Malay apple; French: jambosier, pommier rose; Spanish: pomarrosa; Other: kavika, kavika ni vavalangi, kavika ni India (Fiji), ahi‘a popa‘a (French Polynesia), ‘ohi‘a loke (Hawai‘i); iouen wai, youenwai, apel en wai (Pohnpei); seasea papalagi (Samoa); fekika papalangi (Tonga) | Myrtaceae | tree |
Tabebuia heterophylla | English: pink tecoma, pink trumpet tree, white cedar; Other: calice du pape | Bignoniaceae | tree |
Tecoma stans | English: yellow bells, yellow-elder, yellow trumpetbush; Other: peeal (Puluwat), piti (French Polynesia, Tonga) | Bignoniaceae | small tree |
Triumfetta rhomboidea | English: Chinese burr, paroquet burr, burr bush; Other: dadangsi, masiksik lahe (Guam); mo‘osipo (Tonga); mosipo (Niue); manutofu, mautofu, mautofu vao (American Samoa and Samoa); qatima (Fiji), urio (French Polynesia) | Tiliaceae | shrub |
Urena lobata | English: hibiscus burr, aramina, caesarweed, pink Chinese burr, urena burr, bur mallow; French: jute africain, cousin urène; Other: dadangsi, dadangsi apaka, dadangsi machingat, dádangse (Guam); chosuched e kui, osuched a rechui (Palau); karap, korop (Pohnpei); nognuk, ocher (Chuuk); motipo, mosipo (Niue); mautofu, manutofu (American Samoa and Samoa); qatima, gataya, nggatima (Fiji); mo'osipo Tonga (Tonga), piripiri (French Polynesia) | Malvaceae | shrub |
Urochloa mutica | English: California grass, para grass, buffalo grass, Mauritius grass, signal grass; French: herbe de Para; Other: puakatau (Tonga) (Swarbrick, 1997) | Poaceae | grass |
Urochloa subquadripara | English: brachiaria, green summer grass, tropical signalgrass, cori grass | Poaceae | grass |
*Uncommon or rare in American Samoa
Table 5. Native and naturalized species that exhibit aggressive behavior
Scientific Name | Common Names | Family | Habit |
Canna indica | English: canna, canna lily, Indian shot; French: balisier comestible, tous-les-mois; Other: mongos halum-tano (Guam); luiuenwai (Pohnpei); apeellap, oruuru (Puluwat); fanamanu, fagamanu, fa‘i masoa (American Samoa and Samoa); gasau ni ga (Fiji); te riti (Kiribati), misimisi (Tonga); fagafaga (Futuna); ali‘ipoe, li'ipoe, poloka (Hawai'i); pia-raroto‘a (French Polynesia) | Cannaceae | herb |
Chrysopogon aciculatus | English: Mackie's pest, lovegrass, seed grass, golden beardgrass, seedy grass (Solomon Islands); French: herbe plate, herbe à piquant; Other: papapa (French Polynesia); inifuk, palaii (Guam); manienie ‘ula, pi‘ipi‘i, pilipili ‘ula (Hawai‘i); mosie fisi (Niue); iul (Palau); mutia tai, mutia vao (Samoa); matapekepeke, matapekapeka matapekepeka (Tonga); herbe plate (Vanuatu) | Poaceae | grass |
Flacourtia rukam | English: Indian plum, Indian prune, governor's plum; French: prunier café, prunier de Chine, prunier malgache; Other: filimoto (Fiji, Futuna, Samoa and American Samoa, Tonga) | Flacourtiaceae | tree |
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This page updated 22 April 2006