Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Report on invasive plant species in Samoa


Appendix 1.  Invasive species of environmental concern

Table 1.   Species that are invasive elsewhere in similar ecosystems but are not known to be present in Samoa
Table 2.  
Introduced species that are invasive or potentially invasive in Samoa
Table 3. 
Species that are reported as invasive or weedy elsewhere and are common, weedy or cultivated in Samoa
Table 4. 
Native species (or Polynesian introductions) that can exhibit aggressive behavior


Table 1. Species that are invasive elsewhere in similar ecosystems but are not known to be present in Samoa

Scientific Name

Common Names

Family

Habit

Acacia aulacocarpa English: brown salwood, brush ironbark wattle, hickory wattle; Other: ākasia (Cook Islands) Fabaceae tree

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 crassicarpa English: northern wattle, Papua New Guinea red wattle; Other: ākasia (Cook Islands) Fabaceae tree

Acacia farnesiana

English: Ellington curse, klu, sweet acacia; French: acacia jaune, cassie; Other: titima (Cook Islands); vaivai vaka-vatona, vaivai vakavotona, ban baburi, oki (Fiji); aroma, popinac, kandaroma (Guam, CNMI); kolu (Hawai'i); te kaibakoa (Kiribati); debena (Nauru) Fabaceae shrub
Acacia glauca English: redwood; French: amourette Fabaceae tree
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; Other: ākasia (Cook Islands) 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), 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 lebbeck English: siris-tree, rain tree, East Indian walnut, kokko, woman's-tongue tree, soros-tree, raom tree; French: bois noir; Other: ‘arapitia (Cook Islands (Miti‘aro)); 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
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 squamosa English: sugar apple, sweetsop, custard apple, sugar apple; French: annone écailleuse, pomme-canelle; Other: tapotapo (Cook Islands, French Polynesia); tapotapo Māori (Cook Islands); kātara‘apa Māori (Cook Islands (Mangaia)); naponapo Māori (Cook Islands (Aitutaki)); atis, ates (Guam); ngel ra ngebard (Palau), ‘apele papalangi, ‘apele Tonga (Tonga), nameana (Tuvalu) Annonaceae tree
Anredera cordifolia English: Madeira vine, mignonette vine, lamb's tails; Other: tāpau (Cook Islands (‘Atiu)); ‘uala hupe (Hawai‘i); filikafa (Niue) Basellaceae vine

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

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: mokorā (Cook Islands); fue paipa holani (Tonga) Aristolochiaceae vine
Arthrostemma ciliatum English: arthrostemma, everblooming eavender Melastomataceae herb
Austroeupatorium inulaefolium Asteraceae herb
Azadirachta indica English: neem, nim, margosa Meliaceae tree
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
Blainvillea gayana Asteraceae herb
Bocconia frutescens English: bocconia, plume-poppy, tree 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
Brillantaisia lamium Acanthaceae shrub
Bryophyllum pinnatum English: life plant, air plant, resurrection plant, Canterbury bells, cathedral bells, Mexican love plant; Spanish: hoja del aire; Other: ngāngā‘ere toka (Cook Islands); bulatawamudu (Fiji); ‘oliwa ku kahakai (Hawai'i); teang (Kiribati); kibilia (Marshall Islands); tupu he lau, tupu noa (Niue); pagi (Samoa); pipi vao (Tonga) 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: cat's 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
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; Other: kopūpū takaviri? (Cook Islands) 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

Casuarina glauca

English: swamp oak, saltmarsh ironwood, longleaf ironwood, gray sheoak Casuarinaceae tree

Cecropia obtusifolia

English:  trumpet tree, guarumo; Other: rau-māniota (Cook Islands) 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 diurnum English: inkberry, day jessamine, day cestrum, China berry; Other: ariki-va‘ine (Cook Islands); thauthau (Fiji); tinta ‘n-China, tentanchinu, tintan China (Guam, CNMI); makahala (Hawai'i); sugi vao, suni vao (Samoa); vaitohi (Tonga) Solanaceae shrub
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: prunier coton, 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
Clerodendrum japonicum English: glorybower Verbenaceae shrub
Clusia rosea English: signature tree, autograph tree, copey, Scotch attorney, pitchapple Guttiferae tree
Conocarpus erectus English: sea mulberry, buttonwood, button mangrove Combretaceae shrub/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

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

Cyathea cooperi

English: Australian tree fern; French: fougère arborescente d’Australia Cyatheaceae fern

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: matie (Cook Islands); 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

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

Desmanthus virgatus

English: slender mimosa, virgate mimosa; French: sensitive de montravel (New Caledonia); Other: anil, jureminha (Brazil) Fabaceae herb

Desmodium nicaraguense

Spanish: engorda-caballo, vara de arco, pie de paloma, vara larga, vara blanca, Juana de Arco, gutao, Juana Larga Fabaceae shrub
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
Erigeron karvinskianus English: Mexican daisy, seaside daisy, daisy fleabane Asteraceae herb
Eugenia uniflora English: Surinam cherry, red Brazil cherry; French: cerisier carré, cerisier de Cayenne; Other: venevene (Cook Islands); menemene (Cook Islands (Mangaia)); kafika, kafika palangi (Niue), pitanga (Brazil) Myrtaceae shrub/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
Flacourtia jangomas English: Indian-plum, runeala-plum; French: prunier d'Inde; Spanish: ciruela forastera; Other: venevene pāma (Cook Islands); palamu (Niue) Flacourtiaceae tree
Flindersia brayleyana English: Queensland maple, silkwood Rutaceae tree
Furcraea hexapetala English: Cuban hemp, hemp; Other: cubuya (Galapagos Islands) Agavaceae succulent
Gmelina arborea English: gmelina, white teak, white beech; Spanish: melina; Other: yemane (Fiji, Philippines) Verbenaceae tree

Gomphocarpus physocarpus

English: balloon plant, balloon cottonbush, bladderbush, wild cotton 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

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 ginger; Other: kōpī (Cook Islands); cevuga dromodromo (Fiji); kahili, ‘awapuhi kahili (Hawai‘i); sinter weitahta (Pohnpei) Zingiberaceae 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

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 suaveolens

English: wild spikenard, chan; French: gros baume, hyptis à odeur; Other: mumutun (Guam) Lamiaceae herb

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

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 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
Kunzea ericoides English: tree manuka, tree manuba, kanuka (New Zealand), burgan, white teatree Myrtaceae tree
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--Chamorro); 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; Other: vavai tara (Cook Islands (Miti‘aro) 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

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: tīra (Cook Islands); 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: mélinis, 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

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

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: venevene (Cook Islands (Penrhyn)); capulin (Fiji, French Polynesia); manzanilla, mansanita, manzanita (Guam, CNMI), budo (Palau, Yap) Tiliaceae tree

Myriophyllum aquaticum

English: parrot's feather, water feather, Brazilian water milfoil Haloragidaceae aquatic herb
Neonotonia wightii English: glycine; French: soja pérenne Fabaceae vine

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

Operculina ventricosa

English: paper rose, St. Thomas lidpod; Other: alalag (Guam); palulu (Samoa); fue hina (Tonga) Convolvulaceae vine

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

Paspalum fimbriatum

English: fimbriate paspalum, winged paspalum, Panama paspalum, Panama crowngrass, Columbia grass Poaceae grass

Paspalum scrobiculatum

English: rice grass; creeping paspalum, ditch millet, Indian paspalum, kodo millet, water couch; Spanish: mijo koda; Other: mātā (Cook Islands); co duru levu, tho nduru levu, tho ndina, tho ni ndina (Fiji); karasi (Solomon Islands) Poaceae grass
Paspalum urvillei English: Vasey grass; French: herbe de Vasey, paspalum d'Urville; Other: tinikarāti (Cook Islands (Mangaia)) Poaceae grass

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: pārapōutini papa‘ā (Cook Islands); ka‘atene papa‘ā, katinga papa‘ā (Cook Islands (Mangaia)); liliko‘i (Hawai‘i), pompom (Pohnpei); pasio (Samoa); vaine (Tonga) Passifloraceae vine

Passiflora maliformis

English: hard-shelled passionfruit, sweet calabash, sweet cup; French: pomme calabas; Other: pārapōutini ‘enua, pārapōutini Maori (Cook Islands); ka‘atene Maori, katinga Maori (Cook Islands (Mangaia)); pasio (Samoa), vaine kai (Tonga) Passifloraceae vine

Passiflora pulchella

English: two-lobed passion flower, wingleaf passionfruit Passifloraceae shrub
Passiflora rubra English: red passionfruit, Dutchman's laudanum; Other: pōkutekute (Cook Islands (‘Atiu)) 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

Philadelphus karwinskyanus

English: philadelphus, evergreen mock orange, syringa Saxifragaceae shrub

Phormium tenax

English: New Zealand flax, New Zealand hemp, bush flax Agavaceae herb
Phyllostachys bissetii Poaceae shrub

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
Piper aduncum English: spiked pepper; Other: yaqona ni Onolulu, yanggona ni Onolulu (Fiji) Piperaceae tree

Pistia stratiotes

English: water lettuce, tropical duckweed; French: laitue d'eau, pistie; Spanish: lechuguita de agua, repollo de agua Araceae aquatic herb

Pithecellobium dulce

English: Madras thorn, Manila tamarind, sweet inga; 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

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 guineense English: Brazilian guava, Guinea guava; French: goyavier du Brésil Myrtaceae shrub/tree
Pueraria phaseoloides English: tropical kudzu, puero; Other: kūkū (Cook Islands (‘Aitu)) Fabaceae vine

Pyrostegia venusta

English: flame vine, flame flower, golden shower, orange trumpet vine Bignoniaceae vine

Quisqualis indica

English: Rangoon creeper Combretaceae vine

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa

English: rose myrtle, downy myrtle, Isenberg bush; French: myrte-groseille, feijoa 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 argutus English: prickly Florida blackberry; Other: ōhelo ‘ele ‘ele (Hawai‘i) Rosaceae shrub

Rubus ellipticus

English: yellow Himalayan raspberry Rosaceae shrub
Rubus glaucus English: Andean blackberry, Andean black raspberry; French: mûre des Andes; Spanish: mora, mora blanca, mora de Castilla, zarzamora azul 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 niveus English: Ceylon raspberry, hill raspberry, Mysore raspberry; Spanish: frambuesa Rosaceae shrub

Rubus rosifolius

English: roseleaf raspberry, thimbleberry, Mauritius raspberry; French: framboisier; Spanish: frambueso de Africa; Other: ōla‘a, ākala, ākalakala (Hawai‘i) Rosaceae shrub
Rubus sieboldii English: Molucca raspberry Rosaceae shrub

Rubus spp.

English: raspberries, blackberries, brambles Rosaceae shrub
Ruellia brevifolia Acanthaceae herb
Salvinia molesta English: salvinia, water fern, kariba weed, African payal Salviniaceae fern
Sanchezia parvibracteata English: sanchezia Acanthaceae shrub

Schinus molle

English: pepper tree, California pepper tree, Peruvian peppertree, pepperina; French: faux poivrier, molée des jardins, poivrier d'Amérique Anacardiaceae tree

Schinus terebinthifolius

English: Christmas-berry, Brazilian pepper, Brazilian holly, Florida holly; French: faux poivrier, poivre du Brésil, poivre rose; Other: warui (Fiji); wilelaiki (Hawai‘i), naniohilo (Hawai‘i (Moloka‘i)) 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, pheasantwood, Thailand shower; 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
Solandra maxima English: golden cup, cup of gold, chalice vine; Spanish: copa de oro Solanaceae liana

Solanum mauritianum

English: bugweed, wild tobacco, tree tobacco; Other: rau ‘ava‘ava (Cook Islands); 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?

Sorghum halepense

English: Johnson grass, Aleppo grass, Aleppo milletgrass; French: sorgho d' Alep, sorgo de Alepo, herbe de Cuba; Spanish: cañuela, Don Carlos; Other: kola (Tonga) Poaceae grass
Sporobolus elongatus English: wiregrass, rat-tail dropseed Poaceae grass

Stylosanthes guianensis

English: stylo, Brazilian lucerne, tropical lucerne, Nigerian stylo; Other: mauku puakatoro (Cook Islands (‘Atiu)) Fabaceae herb

Syncarpia glomulifera

English: turpentine tree, lustre wood Myrtaceae tree
Syzygium cumini English: Java plum; jambolan plum; French: faux-pistachier, jamelonguier, jamélongue, jambolanier; Other: pistati, ka‘ika (Cook Islands); paramu (Cook Islands (Aitutaki); duhat (Guam); mesegerak, mesekerrak, mesekerrák, mesigerak (Palau); jamelonguier (New Caledonia); kavika ni India, jammun (Fiji) Myrtaceae tree
Tabebuia heterophylla English: pink tecoma, pink trumpet tree, white cedar; Other: calice du pape Bignoniaceae tree
Terminalia myriocarpa English: hollock, jhalna Combretaceae tree

Tetrazygia bicolor

English: Florida clover ash Melastomataceae shrub/tree
Tibouchina herbacea English: glorybush, cane ti, tibouchina Melastomataceae herb
Timonius timon English: liberal (Palau); Other: sakosia (from Ecoport, no source given) Rubiaceae 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

Urena lobata

English: hibiscus burr, aramina, caesarweed, pink Chinese burr, urena burr, bur mallow; French: jute africain, cousin urène; Other: mautofu (American Samoa and Samoa); nognuk, ocher (Chuuk); qatima, gataya, nggatima (Fiji); vavai tara tītā (Cook Islands (Ma‘uke)); piripiri (Cook Islands, French Polynesia); dadangsi, dadangsi apaka, dadangsi machingat, dádangse (Guam); motipo, mosipo (Niue); chosuched e kui, osuched a rechui (Palau); karap, korop (Pohnpei); mo'osipo Tonga (Tonga) Malvaceae shrub

Urochloa mutica

English: California grass, para grass, buffalo grass, Mauritius grass, signal grass; French: herbe de Para; Other: mauku puakatoro (Cook Islands); puakatau (Tonga) Poaceae grass

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 can be found in the individual species summaries at the PIER web site or on the PIER CD.

Table 2. Introduced species that are invasive or potentially invasive in Samoa

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, Polynesian peanut; French: bois de condori; Other: lopa (American Samoa, French Polynesia, Samoa and Tonga); mata kōviriviri (Cook Islands); kōviriviri, tavara (Cook Islands (Mangaia)); pitipiti‘ō (Cook Islands ('Atiu)); lera, lere ndamu, vaivai, vaivai ni vavalangi (Fiji), pomea (Fiji, Niue), la‘au paina, pitipitio (French Polynesia); colales, culalis, kolales, kulales, kulalis (Guam, CNMI); hua‘ula‘ula (Hawai‘i); (metekam, metkam, metkem, mwetkwem (Kosrae); telengtúngd, telentundalel (Palau); kaikes (Pohnpei) Fabaceae tree
Albizia chinensis English: Chinese albizia, silktree; Other: ‘arapitia (Cook Islands); tamaligi uliuli, tamaligi ena‘ena (Samoa) Fabaceae tree
Ardisia elliptica English: shoebutton ardisia; Other: venevene tinitō (Cook Islands); ati popa‘a, atiu (French Polynesia); togo vao (Samoa) Myrsinaceae shrub
*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: remu (Cook Islands); taupo ‘ou (Tonga) Liliaceae vine
Carludovica palmata English: Panama hat plant; French: carludovique palmée; Spanish: chidra, palma de sombrero, palma jipijapa, toquilla; Other:  Panamā (Cook Islands) Cyclanthaceae shrub
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); pītate māma‘o, tiare tupapaku? (Cook Islands); pikake hohono, pikake wauke (Hawai'i) Verbenaceae shrub

Clerodendrum quadriloculare

English: bronze-leaved clerodendrum; Other: tirooj in belle (Marshall Islands); kleuang (Palau); tuhkehn palau (Pohnpei); bagauac (Philippines); losa, losa Fiti (American Samoa and Samoa) 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); la‘au lau mamoe (Samoa), kaurasiga (from Ecoport, no source given) Melastomataceae shrub
*Coccinia grandis English: ivy gourd, scarlet-fruited gourd; Other: kundru (Fiji); kiuri awia (Marshall Islands); aipikohr (Pohnpei) Cucurbitaceae vine
Cordia alliodora English: laurel, Ecuador laurel, salmwood, Spanish elm; French: bois de Chypre, pardillo; Other: kotia (Samoa, Tonga) Boraginaceae tree
Dieffenbachia seguine English: dieffenbachia, dumb cane; Other: yalu ni vavalagi (Fiji) Araceae herb
Dissotis rotundifolia English: dissotis, Spanish shawl, pink lady Melastomataceae herb
Eichhornia crassipes English: water hyacinth; French: jacinthe d'eau; Other: riri vai (Cook Islands (Mangaia)); mbekambekairanga, ndambendambe ni nga, jal khumbe, bekabekairaga, dabedabe ne ga, jal khumbe (Fiji); bung el ralm (Palau) Pontederiaceae aquatic herb
Elaeocarpus angustifolius English: blue fig, blue marble tree, quandong (Australia); Other: sapatua, siapoatua, siapatua (American Samoa and Samoa) Elaeocarpaceae tree
Epipremnum pinnatum cv. 'Aureum' English: pothos, money plant; Other: ‘ara (Cook Islands (Ma‘uke)); yalu, wa yalu, wa lu, halu, waloa, matha, nanggalanggala, nanggalinggali, tonga, tanga (Fiji); alu (Fiji, Tonga) Araceae vine
Falcataria moluccana English: Molucca albizia; Other: tamaligi palagi (American Samoa); ‘ārapitia (Cook Islands); tuhke kerosene, tuhkehn karisihn (Pohnpei); ukall ra ngebard (Palau); tamaligi paepae (Samoa) Fabaceae tree

Flemingia macrophylla

Fabaceae tree

Flemingia strobilifera

English: luck plant, wild hops; French: sainfoin du bengale; Other: besungelaiei (Palau) Fabaceae shrub
Funtumia elastica English: African rubber tree, silkrubber; French: arbre à caoutchouc; Other: pulu vao (Samoa) Apocynaceae 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

Hedychium coronarium

English: white ginger, butterfly lily, ginger lily, garland flower; Other: teuila paepae (American Samoa and Samoa); tunun, sinser (Chuuk); kōpī teatea, re‘a teatea (Cook Islands); 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: teuila (American Samoa and Samoa); kōpī rengarenga, re‘a rengarenga (Cook Islands); opuhi rea rea (French Polynesia); ‘awapuhi melemele (Hawai'i) Zingiberaceae herb

Hemigraphis alternata

English: metal leaf; red ivy, cemetery plant (Fiji); Other: suipi (American Samoa and Samoa) Acanthaceae herb
Hevea brasiliensis English: hevea, Brazilian rubber tree, Para rubber tree; French: arbre de Para, hévéa; Spanish: árbol del caucho, cauchotero de Pará, jebe, siringa; Other: rapa (Fiji) Euphorbiaceae tree
Kyllinga polyphylla English: Navua sedge; Other: tuise tele, tuise fiti (Samoa) Cyperaceae sedge
Lantana camara English: lantana; Other: latana (American Samoa and Samoa); tātarāmoa papa‘ā (Cook Islands); tātarāmoa (Cook Islands, French Polynesia); kauboica, kaumboitha, mbonambulumakau, mbona ra mbulumakau, tokalau, waiwai, lanitana (Fiji); tarataramoa, taratara hamoa (French Polynesia); latora 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
*Ligustrum spp. English: privet Oleaceae shrubs/small trees
Merremia tuberosa English: wood rose, Spanish arborvine, yellow morning-glory; French: liane-à-tonelle, liane-jaune; Other: alarrak (Saipan); pilikai (Hawai‘i) 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); pōkutekute (Cook Islands (‘Atiu)); wa mbosuthu, wa mbosuvu, wa mbutako, wa ndamele, ovaova, wa bosucu, usuvanua (Fiji); fou laina (Niue), teb ‘l yas (Palau); kwalo koburu, (from Ecoport, no source given) Asteraceae vine

Mimosa diplotricha

English: giant sensitive plant, nila grass; French: grande sensitive, sensitive gèante; Other: vao fefe palagi (American Samoa and Samoa); pikika‘a papa‘ā (Cook Islands (Aitutaki)); wa ngandrongandro levu, wa ngandrongandro ni wa ngalelevu, co gadrogadro (Fiji); mechiuaiuu (Palau); limemeihr laud (Pohnpei); singbiguin sasa (Saipan); la'au fefe palagi (Samoa) Fabaceae shrub
Odontonema tubaeforme English: fire spike, cardinal flower; Other: totoe (American Samoa and Samoa) Acanthaceae shrub
Panicum maximum English: Guinea grass, green panic, buffalograss; French: herbe de Guinéa, panic élevé, capime guiné, fataque; Other: vao kini (American Samoa and Samoa); tinikarāti (Cook Islands); talapi? (Cook Islands (Ma‘uke); saafa (Tonga) Poaceae grass
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); ‘ava Tonga (Samoa), kava Hawai‘i (Tonga) Piperaceae shrub

Psidium cattleianum

English: strawberry guava, cherry guava, Cattley guava, Chinese guava; French: goyavier de Chine; Other: tūava papa‘ā (Cook Islands); ngguava (Fiji), tuava tinito, tuvava tinito (French Polynesia); waiawi ‘ula‘ula (Hawai'i); kuahpa (Pohnpei); ku‘ava (Samoa) Myrtaceae tree

Psidium guajava

English: guava; French: goyavier; Spanish: guayaba, guayabo; Other: ku‘ava (American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Fiji, Samoa); kuafa (Chuuk); tūava, tūvava (Cook Islands, French Polynesia); quwawa, nguava, ngguava ni India, amrut (Fiji); tumu tuava (French Polynesia); abas guayaba (Galapagos); abas (Guam, Saipan-Chamorro, Yap); kuawa, kuawa ke‘oke‘o, kuawa lemi, kuawa momona, pauwa (Hawai‘i); kuhfahfah (Kosrae); te kuava, te kuawa (Kiribati); kuwawa (Nauru); kautoga, kautonga, kautoga tane, kautonga tane (Niue); guabang, kuabang (Palau); guahva, kuahpa (Pohnpei); apas (Saipan); abwas (Saipan-Carolinian) Myrtaceae tree
Sesbania grandiflora English: sesbania, hummingbird tree, sesban, scarlet wisteria tree, corkwood tree; French: agati a grandes fleurs; Other: agati, agathi (Fiji); oufai, ofai, ouai (French Polynesia); katurai (Guam); ohai ke‘oke‘o (Hawai‘i); sepania (Samoa) Fabaceae small tree
Solanum capsicoides English: cockroach berry, devil’s apple, soda apple; Other: poro‘iti taratara (Cook Islands); kikania kei, akaaka, akaka (Hawai'i) Solanaceae herb
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), lapiti (Samoa) Solanaceae shrub
Spathodea campanulata English: African tulip tree, fireball, fountain tree; French: tulipier du Gabon, pisse-pisse; Spanish: tulipan africano; Other: kō‘ī‘ī, mimi, pātītī vaipatiti vai, pititi vai (Cook Islands); mata kō‘ī‘ī ko‘i‘i (Cook Islands (Mangaia)); apär (CNMI); taga mimi (Fiji); orsachel kui (Palau); tuhke dulip (Pohnpei); fa‘apasi (Samoa); tiulipe (Tonga); rarningobchey (Yap) Bignoniaceae tree
Sphagneticola 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
Stachytarpheta cayennensis English: blue rat's tail, dark-blue snakeweed, false verbena, nettleleaf velvetberry; French: herbe bleue; Other: mautofu tai, mautofu vao, mautofu fualanumoana (American Samoa and Samoa);ouchung, sakura (Chuuk); tiāki (Cook Islands (Miti‘aro)); turulakaka, tumbutumbu, serakawa, lavenia, se karakarawa (Fiji), te uti (Kiribati); mautofu Samoa, motofu Samoa (Niue); louch beluu (Palau); hiku ‘i kuma, hiku‘kuma, ‘iku ‘i kuma, iku ‘ikuma (Tonga) Verbenaceae herb
Syngonium angustatum English: arrowhead plant, goosefoot plant Araceae vine
Tephrosia candida English: white tephrosia, white hoary-pea; French: indigo sauvage, indigo blanc Fabaceae shrub
Tibouchina urvilleana English: glorybush, lasiandra, princess flower Melastomataceae herb
*Tradescantia spathacea English: oyster plant, boat plant, boat lily, moses in a boat; Other: riri mangio (Cook Islands (Ma‘uke)); riri raei (Cook Islands (Miti‘aro)); talotalo, laupapaki (Niue); faina kula (Tonga) Commelinaceae herb
*Tradescantia zebrina English:  wandering zebrina, wandering jew, inchplant; Other: mauku papa‘ā (Cook Islands (Mangaia)) Commelinaceae herb

*Only seen or reported to be in cultivation

Table 3. Species that are reported as invasive or weedy elsewhere and are common, weedy or cultivated in Samoa

Scientific Name

Common Names

Family

Habit

Abelmoschus moschatus English: fautia, musk mallow, musk okra; French: ambrette, gombo musqué, ketmie musquée, graine de musc; Other: ‘aute toga, fau tagaloa, fua samasama (American Samoa and Samoa); karereon, karereon nikapwerik nik, kareron, likonokon (Chuuk); vavai tara (Cook Islands); ta‘uri‘au (Cook Islands (Mangaia)); wakiwaki, wakewake, wakeke, vakeke, aukiki, okeoke, o‘e‘e (Fiji);kamang, ka‘mang (Guam); fou ingo (Niue), gongul (Palau); metei, mety, methey (Pohnpei); loa, fau‘ingo (Tonga); fau ingo (Wallis and Futuna); hathongethong, kamwayang, nikapwerik, setmwechin, sotumo (Yap) Malvaceae herb
Acacia auriculiformis English: Papuan wattle, auri, earleaf acacia, northern black wattle, ear-pod wattle; Other: ākasia (Cook Islands); tuhkehn pwelmwahu (Pohnpei) Fabaceae tree
Acacia mangium English: mangium, brown salwood, black wattle, hickory wattle; Other: ākasia (Cook Islands); 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), tiare rengarenga, pua (Cook Islands); lani-ali‘i (Hawai‘i) Apocynaceae shrub

Alpinia purpurata

English: red ginger; Other: kōpī muramura (Cook Islands); thevunga (Fiji); ‘awapuhi ‘ula‘ula (Hawai‘i); teuila (Samoa); tevunga (Tonga) Zingiberaceae herb
*Anacardium occidentale English: cashew, cashew nut; French: anacardier, pomme de cojou, acajou a pommes, pommier d’acajou; Other: kātū (Cook Islands); kasoi (Guam); ‘apu ‘initia (Samoa); ‘apu, kesiu (Tonga) Anacardiaceae tree
*Annona muricata English: soursop, prickly custard apple; French: corossolier, cacheimantier épineux, cachiman épineux, corossol épineux; Other: kātara‘apa (Cook Islands); kātara‘apa papa‘ā (Cook Islands (Mangaia)); naponapo taratara (Cook Islands (Aitutaki)); 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
*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
Arundo donax English: giant reed, Spanish reed, wild cane; French: canne de Provence, grand roseau; Other: ngasau ni vavalangi (Fiji); fiso palagi (Samoa); kaho folalahi (Tonga) Poaceae grass
Asystasia gangetica English: Chinese violet, Philippine violet, coromandel Acanthaceae herb

Axonopus compressus

English: blanket grass, carpetgrass; Other: kambutu ni vavalangi (Fiji) Poaceae grass

Axonopus fissifolius

English: caratao grass, narrow-leaved carpetgrass Poaceae grass
Bambusa spp. English: bamboo; French: bambou; Other: iich (Chuuk); ko‘e papa‘ā (Cook Islands); bitu (Fiji); ‘ohe (French Polynesia, Hawai‘i); ‘ofe (French Polynesia, Samoa), pi‘ao, pi‘ao palaoan (Guam and Northern Marianas-Chamorro); bwai (Guam and Northern Marianas-Carolinian); bambu (Kosrae); te kaibaba (Kiribati); bae, koba (Marshall Islands); kaho palangi (Niue); pehri en sapahn (Pohnpei); bambuu (Palau); ‘ofe Fiti, ‘ofe palagi (Samoa); kofe (Tonga, Tuvalu); pitu (Tonga); pampu (Tuvalu); moor (Yap) 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: vae povi (American Samoa and Samoa); pine (Cook Islands (Rarotonga), French Polynesia); pīpī (Cook Islands (Aitu)); pī (Cook Islands (Ma‘uke and Miti‘aro)); pine fua loloa (Niue) Fabaceae tree

Bauhinia purpurea

English: purple orchid tree; purple butterfly tree, pink butterfly tree (Fiji); French: fleurs pourpres Fabaceae tree

Bauhinia variegata

English: orchid tree; mountain ebony, butterfly tree (Fiji); French: bois de boeuf, sabot boeuf, arbre de Saint-Thomas Fabaceae tree
Bothriochloa bladhii English: blue grass, Australian beardgrass, Caucasian bluestem; Other: desum (Palau); latoka grass, thamboni grass (Fiji) Poaceae grass
*Bryophyllum delagoense English: chandelier plant Crassulaceae herb
Calliandra calothyrsus English: powderpuff red calliandra; Other: kaliana (Samoa) Fabaceae shrub
*Calliandra surinamensis English: Surinamese stickpea Fabaceae tree

Calopogonium mucunoides

English: calopo; Other: akankan-guakag (Guam) Fabaceae vine

Calotropis gigantea

English: calotrope, crown flower, madar; French: mercure végétal, mudar; Other: pua-kalaunu (Hawai'i); tahinu (French Polynesia) Ascelepiadaceae shrub
Canna indica English: canna, canna lily, Indian shot; French: balisier comestible, tous-les-mois; Other: fanamanu, fagamanu, fa‘i masoa (American Samoa and Samoa); nūāenga (Cook Islands); tiare papa‘ā (Cook Islands (Mangaia)); pia renga (Cook Islands (Aitutaki)); gasau ni ga (Fiji); pia-raroto‘a (French Polynesia); fagafaga (Futuna); mongos halum-tano (Guam); ali‘ipoe, li'ipoe, poloka (Hawai'i); riti (Kiribati), luiuenwai (Pohnpei); apeellap, oruuru (Puluwat); te misimisi (Tonga) Cannaceae herb
Casuarina equisetifolia English: casuarina, ironwood, Australian pine, she-oak, horsetail tree, beefwood; French: arbe de fer; Spanish: arbol de hierro; Other: toa (American Samoa, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Hawai‘i, Niue, Samoa and Tonga); weeku (Chuuk); nokonoko, nokonoko ndamu, nggaro, thau, velau, nakure, qaro (Fiji); ‘aito (French Polynesia (Society Islands)); gagu, gago (Guam, CNMI); weighu (CNMI-Carolinian); pientri (pinetree), nidil, bû ukam (bluegum on some atolls), nidõ (needle" on some atolls) burukam (Kiribati); mejinoki (Marshall Islands); agas, agasu, ngas, ngasu (Palau); ueuhir (Satawal); neokuk, ueoku, ueokuk (Satawan); lach (Ulithi); laash (Woleai); noc, nach (Yap); te katurina (from Ecoport, source not given) 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:  vavae (American Samoa, Samoa, Niue, Tonga); koton (Chuuk); vavai (Cook Islands and French Polynesia); vavai mama‘u, vavai maori (Cook Islands); mama‘u (Cook Islands (Mangaia, Aitutaki?)); vauvau ni vavalangi, semar (Fiji); algodon de Manila, atgodon di Manila, algidon, atgidon de Manila (Guam); kuhtin, cutin (Kosrae); koatoa, atagodon, bulik, kotin (Marshall Islands); kalngebard, kalngebárd, kerrekar ngebard (Palau); cottin, koatun, koatoa (Pohnpei); arughuschel (Saipan), batte ni gan' ken (Yap); 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 (American Samoa and Samoa); piripiri (Cook Islands); pārango (Cook Islands (Ngaputoru)); 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: piriarero (Cook Islands (Miti‘aro)); pi ni ndola (Fiji) Fabaceae herb
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); tiare ariki-va‘ine, ariki-va‘ine (Cook Islands); 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: rākau tupopoku (Cook Islands (‘Atiu)); talufe (Niue); lau‘awa (Hawai‘i); amo’ula, amo’ule (Tonga) Verbenaceae shrub
Clerodendrum paniculatum English: pagoda plant, pagoda flower; Other: butcherechár, butecherechar (Palau); tukehn sousou (Pohnpei) Verbenaceae shrub
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
*Coffea arabica English: coffee; French: café, caféier d’ Arabie; Spanish: café, cafeto; Other: kaope, kaope Maori (Cook Islands); kove (Fiji); kofe (Fiji, Niue, Samoa), kofi (Tonga); kafe (Marquesas); taofe (Tahiti) Rubiaceae tree
Commelina diffusa English: commelina, dayflower, wandering Jew, spiderwort; Spanish: chiriyuyo; Other: mau‘u toga, mau‘u Tonga (American Samoa and Samoa); mauku-vai, mauku ‘oro‘enua, mauku puakatoro (Cook Islands); ai rorongi, ai rongorongo, airogorogo, cobulabula, rongomatailevu, thombulambula, matembulambula, drano,duludauwere, ndrano, ndulandauwere, luna, tho nggalonggalo (Fiji), ma‘apape (French Polynesia); semprebiban-damalong (Guam); honohono (Hawai‘i); mohuku vai, musie matala pulu (Tonga) Commelinaceae herb
Costus speciosus English: crepe ginger, crape ginger, wild ginger, Malay ginger, canereed; Other: isebsab (Palau) Zingiberaceae herb
Crotalaria micans English: crotalaria; Other: pine kotalelia, pile (Niue) Fabaceae shrub
Cuscuta campestris English: golden dodder, field dodder, five-angled dodder; Other: tiaea (Cook Islands (Mangaia)); navereverelangi, wa vereverelangi, wa lawala, wa mbosuthu, wa ndanga, wa tikaivu, ndithangi (Fiji) Cuscutaceae vine

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: mauku ‘ōniāni, ‘ōniāni (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
Derris malaccensis English: New Guinea creeper; Other: ‘ava niukini (American Samoa and Samoa); ‘ora pāpua, rakau papua (Cook Islands); nduva, tuva, nduva ni niukini (Fiji); hora papua (French Polynesia); akau niukini (Niue); kava fisi (Tonga) Fabaceae vine
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
*Duranta erecta English: duranta, golden dewdrop, pigeon-berry, sky-flower; Other: ‘olive (Tonga) Verbenaceae shrub
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); mauku mārōki‘aki‘a (Cook Islands); kavoronaisivi, vorovoroisivi, ghoraya (Fiji); tamamau (French Polynesia), umog (Guam); manienie ali‘i (Hawaii); 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

Ficus benghalensis

English: banyan, Indian banyan, vada tree; French: figuier des pagodes; Other: pulu (Samoa) Moraceae tree

Ficus benjamina

English: weeping fig, baka, Java fig, weeping fig, Benjamin tree; Other: ‘ovava Fisi (Tonga) Moraceae tree

Ficus elastica

English: India rubber tree, rubber plant; Other: rapa (Cook Islands); komunokí (Palau); rapah (Pohnpei); gak‘iynigoma (Yap) Moraceae tree
Flacourtia rukam English: Indian plum, Indian prune, governor's plum; French: prunier café, prunier de Chine, prunier malgache; Other: filimoto (American Samoa, Fiji, Futuna, Samoa, Tonga) Flacourtiaceae tree
Furcraea foetida English: Mauritius hemp, sisal, maguey, giant cabuya; French: aloès vert, chanvre de Maurice; Other: piāni, rōpiāni (Cook Islands); malina (Hawai‘i (Ni‘ihau)); toua (Niue); faumalila, fau malila (Tonga) Agavaceae succulent
Gliricidia sepium English: mother of cacao, quickstick, Mexican lilac; Spanish: madre de cacao Fabaceae tree
Heliconia spp. English: heliconia, parrot's-flower, parrot's-plantain, crab claw, lobster claw; Other: tiare pārata‘ito (Cook Islands), vae paa (Samoa) Heliconiaceae herb

Hyptis capitata

English: knobweed; Other: botones, batunes (Guam); t'aiegarabao, pathpath (Yap), maa uupo (French Polynesia) Lamiaceae herb

Hyptis pectinata

English: comb hyptis, comb bushmint, mint weed, purple top; French: fausse menthe; Spanish: poleo o iso (Galapagos); Other: miri tītā (Cook Islands (‘Atiu)); tamole ni veikau, tamoli ni vavalangi, timothi ni vavalangi, wavuwavu, ndamoli, ben tulsia (Fiji); mumutun lahe, mumutun palaoan, mumutan ademelon (Guam); vao mini (Samoa) Lamiaceae herb
Indigofera suffruticosa English: indigo; Other: ‘initiko (Cook Islands); aniles (Guam); ‘iniko, inikoa, kolu (Hawai'i); la‘au mageso (Samoa); ‘akau veli (Tonga) Fabaceae shrub
Ipomoea aquatica English: aquatic morning glory, swamp cabbage, water spinach, ung-choi, kang kong; French: liseron d'eau, patate aquatique; Other: aseri, seeri, seri (Chuuk); rukau taviri? (Cook Islands); ota karisa, ota karisi, wa kumala, ndrinikava, luve ne tombithi (Fiji), akankong, cancon, kangkun, kangkung, kankan (Guam); te kang kong (Kiribati); lorenzo (Nauru), kangum, kangkum (Palau); lili vai (Samoa); kangkong (Ulithi, Yap); kangking, kongkong (Yap) Convolvulaceae aquatic herb
Jatropha curcas English: physic nut, purging nut, Barbados nut; French: médicinier, pignon d'Inde, purghère; Other: tuitui pakarangi, pakarani (Cook Islands); fiki (Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga); wiriwiri, wiriwiri ni vavalangi, uto ni vavalangi, banidakai, mbanindakai, manggele, maqele, ndrala (Fiji); tuba-tuba (Guam); kuku‘ihi (Hawai‘i), kuikui Pake (Hawai‘i (Ni‘ihau), laupata (Samoa) Euphorbiaceae shrub
Kyllinga brevifolia English: green kyllinga, green water sedge; Other: tumu ‘enua (Cook Islands (Ma‘uke)); 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: neke ‘enua (Cook Islands (Ma‘uke, Ngaputoru?)); chaguan lemae, botoncillo (Guam—Chamorro); 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
Leucaena leucocephala English: leucaena, wild tamarind, lead tree; French: graines de lin, faux-acacia, faux mimosa (New Caledonia); Other: fua pepe (American Samoa and Samoa); nītō, mara‘inu (Cook Islands); vaivai, vaivai ni vavalangi, vaivai dina, balori (Fiji); atiku (French Polynesia (Marquesas)); ipel-ipel (Galapagos); tangantangan, tangan-tangan, talantayan (Guam, CNMI, Marshall Islands); talntangan (CNMI); koa haole, lili-koa, ekoa (Hawai‘i); te kaitetua (Kiribati); tuhngantuhngan, rohbohtin (Kosrae); tavahi kaku (Niue); pepe (Niue and Samoa); telentund (Palau); lusina (Samoa); siale mohemohe (Tonga); cassis (Vanuatu); ganitnityuwan tangantan (Yap); namas (from Ecoport, source not given) Fabaceae tree
Macroptilium atropurpureum English: siratro, purple bushbean Fabaceae herb
Mimosa pudica English: sensitive plant, sleeping grass; French: sensitive; Other: vao fefe, vao tuitui, tuitui (American Samoa and Samoa); pikika‘a, rākau pikika‘a, rākau ‘avare, rākau ‘avarevare, tiare pikika‘a, tītā pikika‘a, rākau pikika (Cook Islands); paope ‘āvare (Cook Islands (Ngaputoru)); tho ngandrongandro, tho kandrodandro, cogadrogadro (Fiji); pohe ha‘avare, pope ha‘avare (French Polynesia); betguen sosa (Guam); pua hilahila (Hawai‘i); memege (Niue); mechiuaiu (Palau); limemeihr (Pohnpei); mateloi (Tonga) Fabaceae herb
*Murraya paniculata English: orange jessamine, satin-wood, Chinese box, Hawaiian mock orange; Other: tiare ‘ānani (Cook Islands, French Polynesia) Rutaceae shrub/tree
*Nymphaea spp. English: water lily; Other: riri vai (Cook Islands) Nymphaeaceae herb
Ocimum gratissimum English: wild basil, clove basil, tree basil; French: basilic, menthe gabonaise; Other: miri tītā, miri tūtae puaka, miri nganga‘ere, miri tūpāpaku (Cook Islands); miri papa‘ā, miri taratoni (Cook Islands, French Polynesia); la’au sauga (Samoa) Lamiaceae herb
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: vaolima, (American Samoa, Samoa, Tonga, Niue); fetin wumwune (Chuuk); mauku taravao, mauku katini (Cook Islands); mau‘u Hilo (Hawai‘i), muhsrasre (Kosrae); moise vaolima, motie vaolima (Niue and Tonga); udel ra ngebei (Palau); rehn wai (Pohnpei); vaolima matafao, vaolima papalagi (Samoa) Poaceae grass
Paspalum dilatatum English: paspalum, dallis grass, water grass; French: paspalum dilaté, herbe sirop, herbe de miel, herbe de dallis, millet bâtard; Other: hiku nua (Niue) Poaceae grass
Paspalum paniculatum English: Russell river grass, galmarra grass; Other: matie manutai (Cook Islands); taravao ‘uru‘uru (Cook Islands (Mangaia)) 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 laurifolia

English: yellow granadilla, belle apple, yellow water-lemon; French: pomme-liane, pomme d'or; Other: pasio vao (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 quadrangularis English: granadilla, giant granadilla; French: barbadine; Spanish: badea (Galapagos Is.); Other: papatini, pārapōtini, pārapōtini maata? (Cook Islands); kūukuma (Cook Islands (‘Atiu)); maratini (Cook Islands (Ma‘uke, Miti‘aro)); para pautini (French Polynesia); palasini, palatini, vine fua lalahi, vine palasini, tinitini (Niue); kudamono (Palau); pasio (Samoa); pasione (Tonga) 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
Pennisetum purpureum English: elephant grass, napier grass, merker grass; French: herbe éléphant, fausse canne à sucre; Spanish: pasto elefante; Other: ‘erepani (Cook Islands (‘Atiu)); acfucsracsracsr (Kosrae); bokso (Palau); puk-soh (Pohnpei); vao povi (Samoa) Poaceae grass
*Pinus caribaea English: Caribbean pine, Bahamas pine; Other: paina papa‘ā (Cook Islands (Mangaia)); paina (Samoa); paini (Tonga) Pinaceae tree
Plectranthus amboinicus English: Mexican mint, Spanish thyme, Cuban oregano; French: oreille; Other: rhaivoki, sage (Fiji); pasiole (Niue, Tonga); la‘au tai‘e, militini (Samoa); kaloni (Tonga) Lamiaceae herb
Pueraria montana var. lobata English: kudzu, Japanese arrowroot; Other: aka (American Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Wallis and Futuna); a‘a (American Samoa and Samoa); yaka , wa yaka, nggariaka (Fiji); akataha, fue‘aepuaka (Tonga); deday (Yap); 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); tuitui papa‘ā (Cook Islands); 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 (American Samoa and Samoa); tītā ‘aruru (Cook Islands (Miti‘aro)) Acanthaceae herb

Saccharum spontaneum

English: wild cane, false sugarcane; French: canne à sucre fourragère, canne sauvage; Other: to aheo (French Polynesia); ac (Kosrae); banga ruchel (Palau); tebu salah; ahlek, ahlec, (Pohnpei); vao tolo (Samoa) Poaceae grass
Sacciolepis indica English: glenwood grass Poaceae grass
*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

Sambucus mexicana

English: elderberry, Mexican elder Caprifoliaceae small tree

Sanchezia speciosa

English: sanchezia. Acanthaceae shrub
Sansevieria trifasciata English: bowstring hemp, mother-in-law’s tongue; French: chanvre d'Afrique; Other: riri (Cook Islands); tigre (Guam), kitelel (Palau) Agavaceae herb
*Schefflera actinophylla English: octopus tree, umbrella tree, ivy palm; French: arbre-pieuvre, arbre ombelle Araliaceae tree
*Schefflera arboricola English: dwarf brassia, dwarf schefflera, Hawaiian elf schefflera Araliaceae shrub
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: fa‘i lafa, la‘au fai lafa (American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga); arakak (Chuuk); mbai ni thangi (Fiji); akapuku, andadose, candalaria, take-biha (Guam); mulamula (Niue); kerula besokel, yult (Palau); rakau honuki, truke-n-kili-n-wai, tuhkehn kilin wai, tirakahonuki (Pohnpei); bakau plant (Solomon Islands); te‘elango (Tonga); flay-n-sabouw (Yap) 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: vao pinati (American Samoa and Samoa); pī ‘aungakino (Cook Islands (Ma‘uke)); kaumoce, kaumothe, pini, tarota (Fiji); mumutun admelon, mumutun palaoan, amot-tumaga carabao (Guam), te’epulu, tengafefeka (Tonga) 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, hairy-tail grass, yellow bristlegrass, Queensland pigeon grass (Australia), cat's tail grass (Fiji); French: sétaire glauque Poaceae grass
Sporobolus indicus English: smutgrass, wiregrass, Indian dropseed; Other: fisihina (Tonga) Poaceae grass
Syzygium jambos English: malabar plum, rose apple, Malay apple; French: jambosier, pomme-rose, pommier rose; Spanish: pomarosa; Other: ka‘ika papa‘ā (Cook Islands except Ma‘uke), ka‘ika takataka (Cook Islands); ka‘ika varani (Cook Islands (Mangaia)); ka‘ika (Cook Islands (‘Atiu)); kavika, kavika ni vavalangi, kavika ni India (Fiji), ahi‘a papa‘a, 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
Tecoma stans English: yellow bells, yellow-elder, yellow trumpetbush; Other: tekoma (Cook Islands); piti (French Polynesia, Tonga); peeal (Puluwat) Bignoniaceae small tree

Thevetia peruviana

English: yellow oleander, be-still tree, lucky nut; French: oléandre jaune; Other: koneta (Chuuk); venevene (Cook Islands (Mangaia)), ‘enere (Cook Islands (Ma‘uke, Miti‘aro)); nohomalie (Hawai'i); irelepsech (Yap) Apocynaceae small tree

Thunbergia alata

English: black-eyed susan vine; French: suzanne aux yeux noirs 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); palulu (Samoa) Acanthaceae vine

Thunbergia laurifolia

English: purple allamanda, laurel-leaved thunbergia, laurel clock vine Acanthaceae vine
Tithonia diversifolia English: tree marigold, shrub sunflower, Mexican sunflower, Japanese sunflower; Other: pua renga (Cook Islands); tiare rengarenga (Cook Islands (Aitutaki)); kavakava, pua renga (Cook Islands (Ma‘uke)); matala (Niue) Asteraceae shrub
Toona ciliata English: Australian red cedar, toon, surian, Indian mahogany; Other: wood pikake (Hawai‘i); tuna (Samoa); sita kula (Tonga) Meliaceae tree
Triumfetta rhomboidea English: Chinese burr, paroquet burr, burr bush; Other: mautofu, mautofu vao (American Samoa and Samoa); vavai tara tītā (Cook Islands); piripiri (Cook Islands (Aitutaki)); qatima (Fiji), urio (French Polynesia); dadangsi, masiksik lahe (Guam); mosipo (Niue); mo‘osipo (Tonga) Tiliaceae shrub
Urochloa subquadripara English: brachiaria, green summer grass, tropical signalgrass, cori grass Poaceae grass

*Only seen or reported to be in cultivation

Table 4. Native species (or Polynesian introductions) that can exhibit aggressive behavior

Scientific Name

Common Names

Family

Habit

Merremia peltata English: merremia; Other: fue vae (American Samoa), fue lautetele (American Samoa and Samoa); fidau, fitau, fitaw, fitay (Chuuk); kūrima (Cook Islands (‘Atiu)); wa mbula, wa bula, wa damu, wa ndamu, viliyawa, wiliviwa, veliyana, wiliao (Fiji); pohue (French Polynesia); lagon, lagoun, lagun (Guam); pala, pul, para, puhlah (Kosrae); fue, fue vao, fue kula (Niue); kebeas (Palau); ceul, lohl, iol, yol, yool (Pohnpei); abui, grobihi, arosumou (Solomon Islands); fue mea (Tonga); wachathal (Yap) Convolvulaceae vine

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This page revised 22 April 2006