Timonius timon (Spreng.) Merr., Rubiaceae

Click on an image for links to BIGGER PICTURES

Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Common name(s): [more details]

English: liberal

Kwara‘ae: sakosia

Habit:  tree

Description:  "Shrub or small tree, to 8 m, stems spreading to subappressed or appressed villous, or even silky, internodes 0.5-10 cm long, terete or, when short, somewhat squarish, when young with 4 slightly longitudinal ridges; leaves to 15 x 5 cm, somewhat obovate to elliptic, apex acuminate to prominently so, tip blunt, base contracted, acute or very slightly decurrent, thin, slightly appressed villous on upper side of midrib, slightly or more so beneath, sometimes with tufts of hair in vein axils, main veins 5 to 8 on a side, petioles 1-1.5 cm long, slightly sericeous to villous; stipules linear-lanceolate attenuate, 1-4 cm long, sheathing terminal bud, caducous from about second node, silky-villous without, glabrous within, staminate cymes 1.5-3 cm long, sericeous, pedunculate, few-flowered, compact, only buds seen, corolla in bud, calyx lobes 5, unequal, apices blunt; pistillate flowers solitary or very rarely 2-3 on axillary peduncles, bracts at summit minute, caducous or absent, hypanthium and calyx not much swollen at anthesis, thinly sericeous, lobes slightly unequal, erect, ovate to oblong from an erect collar, corolla sericous without, tube about 5 mm long, lobes 7, 2.5 mm long, erect to spreading, glabrous within; fruit globose, 15 mm in diameter, crowned by remains of calyx, pyrenes in vertical rows, about 2 mm long, dorsiventrally somewhat compressed" (Fosberg et al., 1993; p. 130).

Habitat/ecology:  In Australia, in coastal districts and offshore islands of Queensland, often near beaches but not restricted to them, and always in sheltered areas, e.g. in eucalypt forest or littoral forests (Stanley & Ross, 1986; vol. 2, p. 335).

"Widespread on Angaur and Peleliu.  Individual trees and small stands were found on a number of the Rock Islands.  It was probably introduced to Angaur and Peleliu during or shortly after World War II and has since spread to the Rock Islands.  It is an invader of open, disturbed areas.  As time goes by, it seems to be overtopped and replaced by native species.  Its presence in the Rock Islands indicates that it is spreading to the north and, unless checked, will probably eventually reach Koror and Babeldaob, where it is also likely to be invasive. Single trees (possibly planted) were observed on Kayangel and Ngerkebesang, so it may already be more widespread than our observations suggest."  (Space et al., 2003)

Propagation:  Small fruit contains many seeds. Local people say it's eaten and spread by fruit bats. May also be spread by birds.

Native range:  Timor and the Moluccas, northern Australia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands.

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Palau Kayangel Atoll	Kayangel Islet	introduced invasive cultivated	Miles, Joel (2015) (p. 2) ref states "Cultivated"
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 279)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Falanruw, Marjorie (1999) (p. 9)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 11, 88)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island		Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1987)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Canfield, Joan E. (1980) (p. 200) Vouchers cited: Otobed P-10119 (US), Fosberg 47638 (US), Fosberg 47639 (US), Fosberg 47640 (US)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (pp. 5, 13)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1979) (voucher ID: BISH 438283) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spreng.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1979) (voucher ID: BISH 438284) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spreng.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1978) (voucher ID: BNM 1377) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spr.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1979) (voucher ID: BNM 1374) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spr.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1979) (voucher ID: BNM 1376) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spr.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1979) (voucher ID: BNM 1373) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spr.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1979) (voucher ID: BNM 1375) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spr.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (pp. 5, 13) Planted trees and a small reproducing population. Voucher: Lorence 9902 (PTBG, BNM, BISH, NY, US)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2008) (voucher ID: PTBG 195) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spreng.) Merrill
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Kayangel (Ngcheangel) Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 11, 89)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Ngercheu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 11, 92) Carp Resort
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Ngercheu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (pp. 8, 13) Carp Resort. Voucher: Lorence 9856 (PTBG, BNM, BISH, NY, US)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Ngercheu Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2008) (voucher ID: PTBG 149) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon Val.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 11, 83)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 279)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Falanruw, Marjorie (1999) (p. 9)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 11, 91)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island		Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1987)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Canfield, Joan E. (1980) (p. 200) Vouchers cited: Canfield 177 (US), Canfield 408 (US), Canfield 695 (US), Canfield 701 (US), Canfield 752 (US), Canfield 753 (US)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (pp. 5, 13)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1965) (voucher ID: BISH 427440) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spreng.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1965) (voucher ID: BISH 427441) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spreng.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1965) (voucher ID: BISH 427442) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spreng.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1996) (voucher ID: BISH 661196) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spreng.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (2005) (voucher ID: BNM 993) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spr.) Merr.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1978) (voucher ID: BNM 10119) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spr.) Merr.
Palau Rock Islands (Chelbacheb)	Bkul a Chesemiich Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 11, 92)
Palau Rock Islands (Chelbacheb)	Bkul a Chesemiich Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (pp. 7, 13)
Palau Rock Islands (Chelbacheb)	Ngchelobel Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 11, 92)
Palau Rock Islands (Chelbacheb)	Ngchelobel Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (pp. 7, 13)
Palau Rock Islands (Chelbacheb)	Ngeanges Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 11, 92) Neco
Palau Rock Islands (Chelbacheb)	Ngeanges Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (pp. 7, 13)
Palau Rock Islands (Chelbacheb)	Ngerchong Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 11, 92)
Palau Rock Islands (Chelbacheb)	Ngerchong Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (pp. 7, 13)
Papua New Guinea Bougainville Islands	Bougainville Island		Foreman, D. B. (1971) (p. 56)
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1989) (voucher ID: PTBG 14175) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Malaita Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1957) (voucher ID: BISH 178105) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spreng.) Merr.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Malaita Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1981) (voucher ID: BISH 1002269) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spreng.) Merr.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Mikira (San Cristobal) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1932) (voucher ID: BISH 178102) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spreng.) Merr.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Santa Isabel (Bughotu) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1932) (voucher ID: BISH 178101) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon (Spreng.) Merr.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	Whitmore, T. C. (1969) (p. 261)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 114)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1981) (voucher ID: PTBG 30339) Taxon name on voucher: Timonius timon

Comments:  May have been introduced by military operations on Peleliu and Angaur during World War II, where it is now widespread.

Control:  If you know of control methods for Timonius timon, please let us know.