atoll research bulletin no. 392 the flora of - Smithsonian Institution ...

lanceolate or subulate, awl-shaped scales at each branchlet node; flowers, unisexual, in
catkins; male flowers, brown, terminal, with whorled bracts, in spike-like inflorescences
at the ends of branchlets; female flower heads, reddish-brown, condensed, lateral, each
flower in the axil of a bract, protected by two lateral bracteoles, the female catkin
enlarging, the bracts becoming woody in fruit; fruit, 1 to 2 cm long, globose, cone-like,
dull-green ripening to brown, many-seeded. Planted, occasionally as a street tree or
windbreak, and spontaneous on the coastal strip, and as a naturalized pioneer on some
mined areas to where they have spread from trees planted near the Topside workshops.
Although a common indigenous tree on sandy and rocky shores, and sometimes inland,
throughout most of the western Pacific, and possibly an aboriginal introduction to some
groups, such as Samoa, the casuarina seems to have been a recent post-European
introduction to Nauru. 2, 3(58776), 5(81), 6, 7.
CHENOPODIACEAE (Goosefoot or Saltbush Family)
Atriplex nurnmularia Lindl. "Australian saltbush"
Said to have been introduced in 1916, but not seen in 1978 or later.
Beta vulgaris L. var. cycla L. "Swiss chard", "silverbeet", "leaf beet"
Recent introduction. Europe. Rare. Biennial glabrous herb, up to 40 cm or taller;
leaves, up to 40 by 20 cm or more, dark green, shiny, alternate, simple, feather-shaped,
fleshy with thickened white midribs; flowers, rare, small, 3- to 4-flowered cymes
arranged on a spike, each subtended by a small narrow leaf; fruit, mostly an aggregate
formed by the cohesion of 2 or more fruits forming an irregular nutlike cluster held
together by swollen perianth bases. Food plant in Chinese garden at Location. Leaves
cooked as a spinach. 5, 6.
Spinacea oleracea L.
poh ts'oi (C)
"spinach"
Recent introduction. S. W. Asia. Rare. Small biennial herb, up to 25 cm high;
leaves, 5 to 15 cm long and 3 to 8 cm wide, ovate to cordate, acuminate or somewhat
sagittate; petioles, 2 to 10 cm long; fruit, an aggregate formed by the cohesion of 3 to 6
fruits forming an irregular nutlike cluster. Food plant in garden at Location. Leaves
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