american samoa - University of Hawaii at Manoa

Thuarca involuta (Forst. f.) Roemer & Schultes
Prostrate grass with lanceolate leaves and a fruit
which at maturity is enclosed within a subtending
bract to make a water-tight case. Occasional to
locally abundant on sandy shores, reported only on
the coast. Indigenous, ranging from Southeast Asia
to the 'I'uamotu Islands. USEE s.n.; Whistler 2948,
8922!.
*Zoysia tenuifolia Willd. ex Trin.
[Japanese temple grass]
Small, mat-forming grass with narrow, involute
leaves and a short spike bearing tiny awnless
spikelets. Locally common in villages in coastal
areas, sometimes in littoral habitats, reported only
from the lowlands. A modem introduction, native to
Southeast Asia? (Whistler).
TACCACEAE
Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze
[Polynesian arrowroot] masoa
Erect stemless herb with tall, deeply lobed, longstalked
basal leaves and green flowers and fruits
borne atop a long, longitudinally grooved scape.
Common in littoral to lowland forest, reported from
near sea level to 200 m elevation. Indigenous or a
Polynesian introduction, ranging from India to
Hawai'i. Setchell 129, 185; Meebold 265 10;
Whistler 2844,9029!.
ZINGIBERACEAE
Costus speciosa (Koenig) Sm.
[crepe ginger]
Coarse unbranched herb up to 2 m or more in height
with alternate leaves, terminal inflorescences
bearing reddish bracts, and large, showy white,
crepe-like flowers. Uncommon in disturbed places,
probably an escape from cultivation, reported from
near sea level to ca. 300 m elevation. A modem
introduction, indigenous from the Himalayas
eastward to perhaps New Guinea. Whistler 8706!.
Etlingera cevuga (Seem.) R.M. Smith
'avapui vao?
Tall herb 2 or more m in height with very short,
leafless inflorescences of orange flowers. Occasional
to locally abundant in lowland to montane
forest, especially along streams, reported from 300
to 800 m elevation. Indigenous, or perhaps a
Polynesian introduction, ranging from Fiji to the
Society Islands. Christophersen 1 124! .
Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith
[shampoo ginger] 'avapui
Medium-sized ginger with white fragrant flowers
borne among bracts of an ovoid terminal inflorescence
on a leafless stalk. Occasional in
secondary forest and plantations, reported from near
sea level to 600 m elevation. A Polynesian
introduction, widespread from tropical Asia to
Hawai'i. Setchell 37; Garber 900; Diefenderfer 1;
Wisner 68; Whistler 1275; Whistler 3848, 8986!.