Ooststr., Convolvulaceae |
Present on Pacific Islands? yes
Primarily a threat at high elevations? no
Common name(s): [more details]
Fijian: veliyawa |
Kwaraae: kwalo tabui, kwalo tambui |
Habit: vine
Description: "High-climbing vine with fistulose stems...; leaf blades broadly ovate to orbicular, 10-14 cm long and broad, broadly cordate at base, abruptly acuminate at apex; inflorescences 12-40 cm long, the pedicels 2-3.5 cm long, with a thickened, undulate annulus at apex; sepals obovate to suborbicular, 8-12 mm long, accrescent to 18 mm long in fruit; corolla campanulate to hypocrateriform, 3-5 cm long, white with a yellow center; anthers about 2.5 mm long; fruit ovoid to subglobose, about 2 cm in diameter" (Smith, 1991; pp. 50-51).
Main diagnostic features of the common weedy species of Merremia found in the Solomon Islands (from Bacon, 1982):
M. pacifica | |||
Leaf shape | peltate | sagittate | sagittate |
Leaf indumentum | glabrous | pubescent when young, glabrous when mature | densely pubescent when mature |
Leaf texture | smooth | rugose | smooth |
Flower bracts | absent | absent | large and numerous |
Flower colour | creamy white* | pure white | yellow |
Anthers | spirally twisting at dehiscence | not spirally twisting at dehiscence | spirally twisting at dehiscence |
*M. peltata also has a yellow-flowered form.
Habitat/ecology: In Fiji, "infrequent in sometimes dense forest at elevations of 100-400 m" (Smith, 1991; pp. 50-51).
Propagation: Seed
Native range: "Louisiade Archipelago and several islands of the Solomons, where it is abundant, as well as Fiji, where it seems to be infrequent" (Smith, 1991; pp. 50-51).
Presence:
Pacific | |||
Country/Terr./St. & Island group |
Location |
Cited status &
Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction? |
Reference &
Comments |
Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands |
Pohnpei Island |
native
|
Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 81)
Vouchers cited: E. Albert 66 (NY, PTBG), E. Albert 92 (NY, PTBG) Native but invasive. |
Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands |
Pohnpei Island |
National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2004) (voucher ID: PTBG 43705)
Taxon name on voucher: Merremia pacifica |
|
Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands |
Pohnpei Island |
National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2003) (voucher ID: PTBG 43706)
Taxon name on voucher: Merremia pacifica |
|
Fiji
Fiji Islands |
Viti Levu Island |
native
|
Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 50-52)
Voucher cited: DA 13194 |
Papua New Guinea
Bougainville Islands |
Bougainville Island |
native
|
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Louisiade |
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands |
Solomon Islands |
native
|
Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 50-52)
A weedy native species. |
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands |
Solomon Islands |
native
|
Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 91) |
Vanuatu
New Hebrides Islands |
Vanuatu (Republic of) |
native
|
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) |
Comments: "In the Solomons it can be a troublesome weed in forests" (Smith, 1991; pp. 50-51).
Control: If you know of control methods for Merremia pacifica, please let us know.