american samoa - University of Hawaii at Manoa

Mariscus secmannianus (Boeck.) Palla Scleria lithosperma (L.) Sw.
Medium-sized sedge with basal leaves and terminal
inflorescences of brown spikelets borne on several
rays. Occasional in lowland to montane forest,
rcportcd from near sea level to 600 m elevation.
Indigenous, ranging from Fiji to Tahiti. Setchell 26,
506; Bryan 989; Eames T22; Christophersen 1819
(n.~.); Long 3060; Whistler 2806, 2860, 2900, 2916,
3648,8414,8415?, 9032!.
*Mariscus sumatrensis (Retz.) Raynal
Medium-sized sedge with green spikelets in several
cylindrical spikes borne on spreading rays and
subtended by several, long, leaf-like bracts. Un-
common to occasional in disturbed places, reported
only from the lowlands. Indigenous or perhaps a
Polynesian introduction, originally native to the Old
World tropics. Eames T12; Wilder 40, 72; Garber
83 1 ; Whistler 2930.
Medium-sized sedge with thin, erect stems and
few-flowered inflorescences bearing tiny, hard,
white, globose fruits. Occasional in coastal to
lowland forest, reported from near sea level to 300
m elevation. Indigenous, pantropic in distribution.
Garber 828, 875; Wisner 146; Whistler 1478, 2846,
8510!.
Scleria polycarpa Boeck.
tafatolu; selesele
Coarse sedge with triangular stems, sharp-edged
leaves, and branching inflorescences bearing tiny,
hard, white globose fruits. Occasional in lowland to
montane forest, reported fiom near sea level to 650
m elevation. Indigenous, ranging fiom Australia to
Samoa. USEE s.n. (n.s.); Graeffe 1230; Reinecke
484; Setchell 224, 527; Wilder 82; Garber 874;
Christophersen 1030, 126 1, 3572; Meebold 17007;
McKee 2947; Whistler 2888,2898, 3.289, 863 1 !.
I'ycreus polystachyos (Rottb.) Beauv.
Small, erect sedge - with basal leaves and brown
spikelets in irregular, head-like terminal clusters.
*Torulinium odoratum (L.) S. Hooper
Medium-sized sedge with basal leaves and a termi-
Common on roadsides and disturbed places, repor- nal inflorescence bearing numerous linear spikelets
ted only from the lowlands. A modem introduction, arranged perpendicular to the spreading rays. Occanow
pantropic in distribution. Lamoureux 3080; sional in coastal marshes, on streamsides, and in
Whistler 8964!. montane marshes, reported from near sea level to
950 m elevation. Probably indigenous, pantropic in
*Rhynchospora corymbosa (L.) Britten distribution. Setchell 94, 523; Yuncker 9401; Whiselesele
stler 2858, 3604, 8450, 8896.
Coarse sedge with long, sharp-edged leaves and
branching terminal corymbs bearing red-brown
DIOSCOREACEAE
spikelets. Common in coastal and montane marshes, Dioscorea bulbifera L.
reported from near sea level to 950 m elevation. [bitter yam] soi
Indigenous, pantropic in distribution.
Wilder 253; Kuruc 44; Whistler 3232.
USEE s.n.;
Herbaceous climbing vine with bulbils born on the
stem, alternate cordate leaves, tiny flowers in
*Scirpodendron ghaeri (Gaertn.) Merr.
hanging in racemes, and longitudinally winged,
oblong fruits. Common in disturbed places and
secondary forest, reported from near sea level to 400
m elevation. A Polynesian introduction, widespread
from Africa to Hawai'i. Setchell 100; Garber 823;
Christophersen 101 6; Whistler 1421, 3303, 8398,
8444.
Large pandanus-like sedge with basal, spine-edged
leaves and large, irregularly globose inflorescences.
Rare on Tutuila in mangrove forest at Tafuna, else-
where in Samoa occurring in coastal marshes, estu-
aries, montane craters, and swamp forests, reported
from near sea level to ca. 400 m elevation. Indige-
nous, ranging from Ceylon to Samoa. USEE s.n.
(n.s.); Whistler 8056, 8506.
*Dioscorea pentaphylla L.
[five-fingered yam] pilita
Vine with alternate, palmately divided leaves and
tiny flowers in hanging racemes (but flowering