Merremia peltata (L.) Merr., Convolvulaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 18 (Go to the risk assessment)

Other Latin names:  Convolvulus peltatus L.; Ipomoea nymphaeifolia Blume; Ipomoea peltata (L.) Choisy

Common name(s): [more details]

Chamorro: lagon, lagoun, lagun

Chuukese: fidau, fitaw, fitay

English: merremia

Fijian: veliyana, viliviwa, viliyawa, wa bula, wa damu, wa mbula, wa ndamu, wiliao

Kosraean: pāla, para, puhlah

Kwara‘ae: kwalo ambui

Maori (Cook Islands): kūrima

Niuean: fue, fue kula, fue vao

Palauan: kebeas

Pohnpeian: ceul, ihoil, iol, iol wah poh mehi, lol, yol, yool

Rotuman: puketeraufasa

Samoan: fue lautetele

Tahitian: pohue

Tongan: fue mea, pula

Yapese: wachathal

Habit:  vine

Description:  "A stout, subwoody twiner, with large tuberous roots; milky sap…" (Stone, 1970; p. 496).

"Coarse glabrous twiner; leaves broadly cordate to orbicular, peltately attached, obtuse in general outline but very shortly and abruptly acuminate, strongly nerved; peduncles with a paniculate cyme of as many as 13 or more flowers; sepals glabrous, strongly concave or somewhat ventricose, to 2 cm long, obtuse, only slightly accrescent but becoming very firm and hard in fruit; corolla white or yellow, 5-6 cm long, ribs slightly glandular-puberulent without, broadly campanulate funnelform; capsule about 15 mm long, splitting into many lanceolate valves; seeds dull brown, densely long-pilose. Both yellow and white-flowered forms are known" (Fosberg and Sachet, 1977; p. 27).

Main diagnostic features of the common weedy species of Merremia found in the Solomon Islands (from Bacon, 1982):

	M. peltata	M. pacifica	M. bracteata
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:  Grows in forests and thickets, crawling up and over shrubs and trees. Prevalent as a primary/secondary species in disturbed areas up to about 300 m in elevation. Where it is especially aggressive, it can smother trees or groups of trees. In Fiji, "occurring from near sea level to about 400 m in forest or on its edges or in thickets, on open hillsides and along roadsides, becoming locally abundant and weedy in disturbed areas" (Smith, 1991; pp. 49-50). In New Caledonia, "peut-être indigène mais tous les spécimens vus sont récents. Trouvé en peuplements dispersés tout le long de la côte Est; généralement abondant là où il existe" (MacKee, 1994; p. 42).

Propagation:  Seed, adventitious rooting from stems.

Native range:  Indo-Pacific. Whether it is native or an aboriginal introduction on many Pacific islands is open to question. It is a recent introduction to others, and still not present on some.

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa Manu‘a Islands	Ta‘u Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 5)
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 5)
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island		Whistler, W. A. (1980) (p. 159)
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1959) (voucher ID: BISH 140348) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1975) (voucher ID: BISH 430199) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Aitutaki Atoll		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Aitutaki Atoll	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 8)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	native	McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	native	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 16)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1991) (voucher ID: BISH 664494) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island	native	McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island	native	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 16)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Miti‘aro Island	native	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 16)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	native	McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	native	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 16)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1990) (voucher ID: BISH 665076) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Chuuk Islands		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1947) (voucher ID: BISH 140381) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Dublon (Tonowas) Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 227)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Dublon (Tonowas) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1935) (voucher ID: BISH 140390) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Fefan Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 227)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Tol Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 227)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 227)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 227)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	native	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. (2000) (p. 6) Vouchers: BMW 5766 (BISH, BRI, GUAM), BMW 5770 (BISH, BRI)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	native invasive	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2010) (p. 15) Widely naturalized, serious weed. Native but invasive.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Josekutty, P. C./Wakuk, E. E./Joseph, M. J. (2002) (p. 63)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	native	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2005) (p. 17) Common vine, scattered to forming dense stands.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 39149) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1938) (voucher ID: BISH 140377) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 140386) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1977) (voucher ID: BISH 429589) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (2000) (voucher ID: BISH 687683) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (2000) (voucher ID: BISH 687766) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Sanney, Jacob A. (2013) (p. 19) "ecological aspects such as their taxonomy, native range and invasiveness can be clarified; and management options considered"
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Glassman, S. F. (1952) (p. 100) Vouchers cited: Glassman 2726 (US), Glassman 2775 (US), Glassman 2769 (US), Takamatsu 828 (BISH), Takamatsu 921 (BISH), Takamatsu 1102 (BISH)
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 38 (NY, PTBG), E. Albert 48 (NY, PTBG), M.J. Balick 4087 (NY), M.J. Balick 4174 (BISH, NY, PTBG), A. Dores 42 (BISH, NY, PTBG), R. Gallen 75 (NY, PTBG), S.F. Glassman 2726 (BISH), S.F. Glassman 2769 (BISH), E.Y. Hosaka 3521 (BISH), F. Sohl 54 (NY, PTBG), M. Takamatsu 828 (BISH), M. Takamatsu 921 (BISH), M. Takamatsu 991a (BISH), M. Takamatsu 1102 (BISH) Native but invasive.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1949) (voucher ID: BISH 140378) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1949) (voucher ID: BISH 140379) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1949) (voucher ID: BISH 140380) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1936) (voucher ID: BISH 140383) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1936) (voucher ID: BISH 140384) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1936) (voucher ID: BISH 140385) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 140387) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1936) (voucher ID: BISH 140391) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2001) (voucher ID: PTBG 39150) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2003) (voucher ID: PTBG 43704) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2004) (voucher ID: PTBG 43501) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Tomil Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 140388) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 227)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	native	Space, James C./Falanruw, Marjorie (1999) (p. Field notes.)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Beqa Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1972) (voucher ID: BISH 448432) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Beqa Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1972) (voucher ID: BISH 448648) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Fiji Islands		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1955) (voucher ID: BISH 22145) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Kandavu Island	native	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 49-50) Voucher cited: Smith 191
Fiji Fiji Islands	Kandavu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1933) (voucher ID: BISH 140364) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Mbengga Island	native	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 49-50) Voucher cited: Weiner 221
Fiji Fiji Islands	Rotuma Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1938) (voucher ID: BISH 612928) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Rotuma Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1938) (voucher ID: BISH 612929) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Rotuma Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1938) (voucher ID: BISH 612930) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Rotuma Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1938) (voucher ID: BISH 612933) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Taveuni Island	native	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 49-50) Voucher cited: Seeman 325
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island	native	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 49-50) Vouchers cited: DA 16958, DA 12930, Smith 6634, DA 10484, Greenwood 528
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1969) (voucher ID: BISH 33882) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1947) (voucher ID: BISH 140362) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Mbalavu Island	native	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 49-50) Vouchers cited: Bryan 584, Garnock-Jones 1135
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Mbalavu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1924) (voucher ID: BISH 140363) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	native	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 49-50) Vouchers cited: Smith 9211, Gillespie 2938, DA 11503, Meebold 16995, DA 11968, DA 11041, Vaughan 3293, H.B.R. Parham 15, DA 6095, Meebold 16988, Meebold 26554
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1938) (voucher ID: BISH 6971) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1988) (voucher ID: BISH 33881) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 140361) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1932) (voucher ID: BISH 140365) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1932) (voucher ID: BISH 140366) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1927) (voucher ID: BISH 140367) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Bora Bora Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 12080 (PAP) Adventice, menace pour la biodiversité.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Bora Bora Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1993) (voucher ID: BISH 662539) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island	native	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 87) Voucher cited: Fosberg 61187
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence & R. Tahuaitu 11760 (PAP), F.R. Fosberg 61187 (PAP) Adventice, menace pour la biodiversité.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1992) (voucher ID: BISH 648835) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1987) (p. 58) Vouchers cited: Gillette 7 (US), Fosberg 64918 (US)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: F.R. Fosberg 64918 (PAP) Adventice, menace pour la biodiversité.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1985) (voucher ID: BISH 614450) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island		University of California (2006) "Covers an extensive amount of canopy in inland rainforest, often not producing leaves or flowers in the understory".
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence 4831 (PAP), J. Florence 5023 (PAP), F.R. Fosberg 63680 (PAP) Adventice, menace pour la biodiversité.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1983) (voucher ID: BISH 492639) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1983) (voucher ID: BISH 574246) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	native	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 87) Vouchers cited: Moore 211, BRY 25405, BRY 26088
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence 3698 (PAP), P. Morat 6925 (PAP) Adventice, menace pour la biodiversité.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 491521) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 492172) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: F.R. Fosberg 63526 (PAP) Adventice, menace pour la biodiversité.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1988) (voucher ID: BISH 582794) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	native	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 87)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence 3620 (PAP), J. Florence, C. Ollier & R. Tahauitu 11487 (PAP) Adventice, menace pour la biodiversité.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1992) (voucher ID: BISH 643431) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Raivavae (Raevavae) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence & W.R. Sykes 11240 (PAP) Adventice, menace pour la biodiversité.
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Raivavae (Raevavae) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1992) (voucher ID: BISH 643998) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 6130 (PAP) Adventice, menace pour la biodiversité.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	native	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 496) Presence not verified.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 227)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wood, Kenneth R. (2012) (pp. 91-92) Voucher cited: Keith Robinson s.n. (BISH, PTBG)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced invasive	Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 85)
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 94)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	possibly native invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 42) Vouchers cited: MacKee 20038, MacKee 23301, MacKee 29260, MacKee 29261, MacKee 32099, MacKee 36091
Niue Niue	Niue Island	native	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 73) Voucher cited: CHR 169782
Niue Niue	Niue Island	native invasive	Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 14)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	native invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 8)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	native	Whistler, W. A./Atherton, J. (1997) (p. 30) Voucher cited: Whistler 10855
Niue Niue	Niue Island	native	Yuncker, T. G. (1943) (p. 98) Vouchers cited: Yuncker 9769 (BISH), Yuncker 9850 (BISH), Yuncker 10018 (BISH) "Common in thickets where it covers trees and shrubs with a vigorous growth".
Niue Niue	Niue Island	native invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 16)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 227)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	native	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 18, 85)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	native	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim (2010) (p. 26) Voucher cited: Lorence 8205 (PTBG)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	native	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 22) Voucher: Lorence 9820 (PTBG, BNM, NY, US)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 39146) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1968) (voucher ID: BISH 410837) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1968) (voucher ID: BISH 438004) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1996) (voucher ID: BISH 651021) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1996) (voucher ID: BISH 661203) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1968) (voucher ID: BNM 295) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1996) (voucher ID: BNM 26385) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2008) (voucher ID: PTBG 113) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1998) (voucher ID: PTBG 27918) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merrill
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Kayangel (Ngcheangel) Island	native	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 18, 89)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 227)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	native	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 18, 81)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	native	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 22)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1950) (voucher ID: BISH 140389) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1974) (voucher ID: BISH 410844) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1974) (voucher ID: BISH 561314) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1974) (voucher ID: BNM 10058) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Malakal (Ngemelachel) Island	native	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 18, 81)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	native	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 18, 81)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Palau Islands (main island group)		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1936) (voucher ID: BISH 140382) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago		Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty] (1984) (p. 467) Common
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	native	Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (p. 362) Often common in secondary forests at low and medium altitudes.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island	possibly native invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 13)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1968) (voucher ID: BISH 28796) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1931) (voucher ID: BISH 140345) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1929) (voucher ID: BISH 140347) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1905) (voucher ID: BISH 140349) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1929) (voucher ID: BISH 140350) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1931) (voucher ID: BISH 140396) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island	possibly native invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 13)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1972) (voucher ID: BISH 83896) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Mikira (San Cristobal) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1932) (voucher ID: BISH 140368) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 94) See also M. bracteata
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 91)
Tonga Tonga Islands	Tonga Islands		Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 224) "Rather frequent throughout Tonga".
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	probably native	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 12)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	native	Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 17) Vouchers cited: Lister s.n., Hurlimann 171, Yuncker 15382, Sykes 838
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island		Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 224) Voucher cited: Yuncker 15382
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 140341) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Ellison, Joanna C. (1990) (p. 31) On outlier islet of Nuku
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Tafahi Island	native	Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 17) Voucher cited: Whistler 6225
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	probably native	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 12)
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	native	Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 17) Vouchers cited: Harvey s.n., Crosby 131, Yuncker 16186, Buelow 1439
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island		Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 224) Voucher cited: Yuncker 16186
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island		Burkill, I. H. (1900) (p. 48)
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 140342) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1960) (voucher ID: BISH 140574) Taxon name on voucher: Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Vanuatu New Hebrides Islands	Vanuatu (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Shine, C./Reaser, J. K./Gutierrez, A. T., eds. (2003) (p. 179)
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Alofi Island	introduced invasive	Orapa, Warea (2005)
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Futuna Island	introduced invasive	Orapa, Warea (2005)
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Futuna Island	invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves/Jourdan, Hervé/Malau, Atoloto (2008) (p. 8) "Covers entire lowland slopes".
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Wallis (‘Uvea) Island	introduced invasive	Orapa, Warea (2005)
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Wallis (‘Uvea) Island	possibly introduced invasive abo. intro.	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2007) (pp. 11, 32) Cette liane ligneuse rampante et grimpante est abondamment naturalisée. Elle pourrait être indigène ou d’introduction polynésienne.
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Wallis (‘Uvea) Island	invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves/Jourdan, Hervé/Malau, Atoloto (2008) (p. 8) "Thriving in abandoned cultivated areas".
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Wallis and Futuna Islands		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 14)
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Wallis and Futuna Islands	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2000) (p. 107) Forest edge.

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	native	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1993) (p. 17)
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	uncertain if native	Lavergne, Christophe (2006) "Naturalisé (indigène?)"
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	Invasive Species Specialist Group (2017)

Comments:  Quite invasive on Tutuila, American Samoa. Local sources say it was introduced about 1970, although this may just have been when it became a noticeable problem (Space & Flynn, 2000).

Introduced and invasive on Aitutaki, Cook Islands (collected by Bill Sykes there in1974 (pers. com.)). Present as a native species or Polynesian introduction on Rarotonga,‘ Atiu and Ma‘uke (Space & Flynn, 2002).

Very invasive in Samoa (Space & Flynn, 2002).

May be a native species or an early introduction, but aggressive behavior was observed on Kosrae, Palau and Yap.

May be native or more likely an early introduction to Tonga, as it only occurs on some islands.

Thought to have been introduced to Vanuatu about the time of World War Two.

May be an old introduction rather than a native on Tahiti.

Naturalizing on Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Control: 

Physical: Since it requires full sunlight, minimizing disturbance will inhibit growth. Hand control is difficult due to resprouting and rooting of stem fragments.  "Pulling and harvesting underground tubers is difficult, but it can be effective if done repeatedly for an extended period"  (Englberger, 2009; p. 22).

Chemical: Where they can be applied, such herbicides as 2,4-D, dicamba, triclopyr, picloram and glyphosate are effective.

"Triclopyr (Garlon 4) or glyphosate (Roundup) can be applied as a foliar application or as a cut-stem application with undiluted herbicide"  (Englberger, 2009; p. 22).

"Trials have shown glyphosate to be an effective herbicide for use against Merremia sp., major weed problems in forestry plantation areas of the Solomon Islands. Results indicate that 1.5 kg a.i./ha would be sufficient" (Miller, 1982; pp. 347-354).