Heliotropium procumbens Mill., Boraginaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Common name(s): [more details]

Chamorro: hunek tasi, hunek tasi

English: four-spike heliotrope, heliotrope, prostrate heliotrope, slender heliotrope

Spanish: cotorrera de agua

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Pale green to gray, erect to decumbent perennial herbs 1-5 dm tall, moderately to densely appressed pubescent; stems 1 to several from base, usually branched above.  Leaves numerous, linear-lanceolate, narrowly oblanceolate to elliptic, flat, sometimes revolute, 1-4 cm long, 0.2-1 cm wide, apex acute or short-acuminate, gradually narrowed toward the base.  Flowers in clusters of 1-4 elongate, open, bracteate, scorpioid cymes 2.5-10 cm long, peduncles 0.5-3 cm long; calyx deeply divided, the lobes unequal, linear to lanceolate, at anthesis 1-1.2 mm long, at maturity nearly doubling in size and becoming progressively more unequal; corolla white, 1.5-3 mm long, the tube sparsely strigose externally.  Nutlets 4, 1-seeded, ovoid, 1-2 mm long, densely strigose."  (Wagner et al. 1999; p. 396)."Low herb with narrow, pubescent, alternate leaves and tiny white sympetalous flowers in scorpioid cymes" (Whistler, 1988; p. 8).

Habitat/ecology:  In Hawai‘i, "naturalized in low elevation, dry, often coastal sites" (Wagner et al. 1999; p. 396). "Uncommon in grassy places in Samoa" (Whistler, 1988; p. 8).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  "Southern United States south to Central and South America and the West Indies" (Wagner et al. 1999; p. 396). For Micronesia, Fosberg et al. (1979; p. 231) list as var. depressum, native.

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		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1991) (voucher ID: PTBG 10237) Taxon name on voucher: Heliotropium procumbens
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 8)
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1999) (voucher ID: PTBG 297) Taxon name on voucher: Heliotropium procumbens
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1994) (voucher ID: PTBG 43362) Taxon name on voucher: Heliotropium procumbens
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Pagan Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 231) var. depressum
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 231) var. depressum
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1966) (voucher ID: PTBG 41513) Taxon name on voucher: Heliotropium procumbens Mill. var. var. depressum (Cham.) Fosberg
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Saipan Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 231) var. depressum
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 231) var. depressum
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Ulithi Atoll	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 231) var. depressum
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 231) var. depressum
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1949) (voucher ID: PTBG 22822) Taxon name on voucher: Heliotropium procumbens var. depressum
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1966) (voucher ID: PTBG 41514) Taxon name on voucher: Heliotropium procumbens var. depressum
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1980) (voucher ID: PTBG 41515) Taxon name on voucher: Heliotropium procumbens var. depressum
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1936) (voucher ID: PTBG 45142) Taxon name on voucher: Heliotropium procumbens var. depressum
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Herbst, Derral R./Wagner, Warren L. (1999) (p. 15) Voucher cited: Lorence 7638 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 396)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 396) Voucher cited: Ishikawa 5466 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Tern Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Martz, Kim (1999) (p. 6) Scattered on both sides of runway.
Japan (offshore islands) Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	introduced	Kato, Hidetoshi (2007) As Euploca procumbens (Mill.) Diane et Hilger
Kiribati Phoenix Islands	Kanton Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Stoddart, D. R. (1994) (pp. 14-15) Vouchers cited: Fosberg & Stoddart 54897 (US, HAW, K), Fosberg & Clapp 54898 (US, HAW)
Kiribati Phoenix Islands	Orona (Hull) Atoll	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Stoddart, D. R. (1994) (pp. 14-15) Vouchers cited: Fosberg & Stoddart 54842 (US, HAW, K), Fosberg 55741 (US, BISH), Clegern 119 (BISH)
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Tarawa Atoll	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Imada, Clyde T. (2004) (p. 74) Voucher: Imada 2003-36 (BISH 697651)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Bikini (Pikinni) Atoll	introduced invasive	Whistler, W. A./Steele, O. (1999) (p. 41) var. depressum
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Bikini (Pikinni) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1988) (p. 14)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Bikini (Pikinni) Atoll		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2003) (voucher ID: PTBG 39895) Taxon name on voucher: Heliotropium procumbens Mill.
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Enewetak (Ãnewetak, Eniwetok) Atoll	introduced invasive	Whistler, W. A./Steele, O. (1999) (p. 41) var. depressum
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Enewetak (Ãnewetak, Eniwetok) Atoll		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1975) (voucher ID: PTBG 45143) Taxon name on voucher: Heliotropium procumbens var. depressum
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kili (Kõle) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian (2006) (p. 6) Var. depressum. "Rare; few plants found near houses, drier section of ocean road, in town".
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 231) var. depressum
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced invasive	Whistler, W. A./Steele, O. (1999) (p. 41) var. depressum. Vouchers cited: Fosberg 34124, Fosberg 48022, Fosberg 65132, Herbst 8934, Herbst 8990, Whistler 11228
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R. (1955) (p. 18) Voucher cited: Fosberg 34124 (US)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1998) (voucher ID: PTBG 43937) Taxon name on voucher: Heliotropium procumbens
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Arno Atoll	introduced	Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian (2007) (p. 6) "Rare; small patch near MIMRA base".
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 231) var. depressum
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced invasive	Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 76) var. depressum
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Maloelap Atoll		Imada, Clyde (2006) var. depressum (Cham.) Fosb.
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Mili (Mile) Atoll	introduced invasive	Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian (2010) (p. A11) Uncommon; few plants observed on runway, Mili.
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Wotje (Wõjjã) Atoll		Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian (2009) (p. 2) Voucher cited: Vander Velde 0514200913
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Wotje (Wõjjã) Atoll		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2009) (voucher ID: PTBG 49761) Taxon name on voucher: Heliotropium procumbens
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	native	Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (p. 107) Vouchers cited: Scully 141N (US), Thaman & Manner 22316 (SUVA)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Angaur Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 63) Voucher: Lorence 9726 (PTBG, BISH, BNM, NY, US)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Angaur Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2008) (voucher ID: PTBG 19) Taxon name on voucher: Heliotropium procumbens Mill.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Raulerson, L./Rinehart, A. F./Falanruw, M. C. (1996) (p. 25)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Peleliu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 106)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Peleliu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 63)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Malaita Island		Orapa, Warea (2005) Auki
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Midway Atoll	Midway Atoll	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 396)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Midway Atoll	Sand Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd (2008) (pp. B-9) var. depressum
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Midway Atoll	Spit Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd (2008) (pp. B-9) var. depressum
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Wake Islands	Wake Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 231) var. depressum
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Wake Islands	Wake Island	introduced invasive	Whistler, W. A./Steele, O. (1999) (p. 41) var. depressum
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Wake Islands	Wake Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1969) (p. 13) Vouchers cited: Sachet 904 (US), Fosberg 43537 (US)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Chile (continental) Chile	Chile (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Colombia Colombia	Colombia (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Costa Rica Costa Rica	Costa Rica (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
El Salvador El Salvador	El Salvador (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Guatemala Guatemala	Guatemala (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Honduras Honduras	Honduras (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Nicaragua Nicaragua	Nicaragua (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Panama Panama	Panama (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Perú Perú	Perú (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Taiwan Taiwan	Taiwan Island		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 179)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
British Indian Ocean Territory Chagos Archipelago	Diego Garcia Island	introduced invasive	Whistler, W. Arthur (1996) (p. 26)
British Indian Ocean Territory Chagos Archipelago	Diego Garcia Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1995) (voucher ID: PTBG 37878) Taxon name on voucher: Heliotropium procumbens Mill.

Additional information:
Additional online information about Heliotropium procumbens is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Information about Heliotropium procumbens as a weed (worldwide references) may be available from the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).

Taxonomic information about Heliotropium procumbens may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Falanruw, Marjorie C./Maka, Jean E./Cole, Thomas G./Whitesell, Craig D. 1990. Common and scientific names of trees and shrubs of Mariana, Caroline, and Marshall Islands. Pac. SW Forest and Range Expt. Stn. Resource Bulletin PSW-67. 91 pp.

Fosberg, F. R. 1955. Northern Marshall Islands Expedition, 1951-1952. Land biota: vascular plants. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 39. Pacific Science Board, National Academy of Sciences, Washington. 22 pp.

Fosberg, F. R. 1988. Vegetation of Bikini Atoll. Smithsonian Institution, Washington. Atoll Research Bulletin 315:1-28.

Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. 1969. Wake Island vegetation and flora, 1961-1963. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 123. Smithsonian Institution, Washington. 15 pp.

Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce. 1979. A geographical checklist of the Micronesian dicotyledonae. Micronesica 15:1-295.

Fosberg, F. R./Stoddart, D. R. 1994. Flora of the Phoenix Islands, central Pacific. Smithsonian Institution, Washington. Atoll Research Bulletin 393. 60 pp.

Herbst, Derral R./Wagner, Warren L. 1999. Contributions to the flora of Hawai‘i. VII. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucius G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1998. Part 1: Articles. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 58:12-36.

Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. 1979. A geographical atlas of world weeds. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 391 pp.

Imada, Clyde. 2006. Flora of the Marshall Islands: Maloelap Atoll. Species determinations by Clyde Imada, Bishop Museum Herbarium, Hawai‘i. Unpublished checklist, 2 pp.

Kato, Hidetoshi. 2007. Herbarium records of Makino Herbarium, Tokyo Metropolitan University. Personal communication.

National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.). 1966. Voucher specimen #PTBG41513(Michael Evans 1928).

National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.). 1995. Voucher specimen #PTBG37878(Art Whistler 9764).

National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.). 1999. Voucher specimen #PTBG297(Tim Flynn 6542).

National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.). 2003. Voucher specimen #PTBG39895(Nancy Vander Velde 00121-d).

National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.). 2008. Voucher specimen #PTBG19(David H. Lorence 9726).

Orapa, Warea. 2005. Warea Orapa, Weed Mangement Officer, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, pers. com. (Trip Report, Solomon Islands, 19 April to 10 May, 2005).

Raulerson, L./Rinehart, A. F./Falanruw, M. C. 1996. A botanical reconnaissance of the proposed Compact-impact road alignment on Babeldaob Island, Republic of Palau. U. of Guam Herbarium Cont. No. 32. 78 pp.

Space, James C./Imada, Clyde T. 2004. Report to the Republic of Kiribati on invasive plant species on the islands of Tarawa, Abemama, Butaritari and Maiana. Cont. no. 2003-006 to the Pac. Biol. Surv. USDA Forest Service and Bishop Museum, Honolulu. 103 pp.

Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie. 2009. Report to the Republic of Palau: 2008 update on Invasive Plant Species. USDA Forest Service, Hilo, Hawai‘i. 227 pp.

Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar. 2003. Report to the Republic of Palau on invasive plant species of environmental concern. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 174 pp.

Starr, Forest/Martz, Kim. 1999. S. S. Midway expedition, May 21, 1999 - June 16, 1999. Trip report prepared for: United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Unpublished. 22 pp. plus photos.

Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd. 2008. Botanical survey of Midway Atoll. Prepared for: United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 27 pp. plus appendices.

Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. 1994. The flora of Nauru. Smithsonian Institution, Washington. Atoll Research Bulletin 392:1-223.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. 2011. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online searchable database.

Vander Velde, Nancy. 0. Nancy Vander Velde, pers. com.

Vander Velde, Nancy. 2003. The vascular plants of Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Smithsonian Institution, Atoll Research Bulletin No. 503:1-141.

Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian. 2006. Plants of Kili Island, Marshall Islands. Unpublished checklist. 12 pp.

Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian. 2007. Arno plants [preliminary working listing of plant species]. Unpublished checklist, 13 pp.

Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian. 2009. Specimens from Likiep, Majuro, Wotje and Arno (unpublished checklist). 4 pp.

Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian. 2010. Survey of Invasive Plant Species and Other Plants of Mili Atoll, Marshall Islands. USDA Forest Resource Management Grant Program. Unpublished report. 6 pp, plus tabulation of plants of Mili Atoll, 23 pp.

Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. 1999. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. Revised edition. Bernice P. Bishop Museum special publication. University of Hawai‘i Press/Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 1919 pp. (two volumes).

Whistler, W. A. 1988. Checklist of the weed flora of western Polynesia. Technical Paper No. 194, South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia. 69 pp.

Whistler, W. A./Steele, O. 1999. Botanical survey of the United States of America Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) Islands. Prepared for Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education and the U. S. Army Environmental Center. 111 pp.

Whistler, W. Arthur. 1996. Botanical survey of Diego Garcia, Chagos Archipelago, British Indian Ocean Territory. Isle Botanica. 49 pp.