t40 PRINCIPES lVoL. 32

Principes,32(4), 1988, pp. I40 146 CollectingPritchardias in Hawai'i RoseRrW. Rneo Curator, Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560

After considerable preparation and a where'we hiked the Power Line Trail to couple of false starts the Smithsonian,/ collect P. hardyi and determined P. wai- World Wildlife Fund-US expedition to alealeana(Figs. 2,3) to be an undescribed study species of in their nat- species. Susan then returned to O'ahu to ural habitats finally got off the ground on collect in the Wai'anae Range with Steve Friday, the l3th of February 1987. The Perlman and John Obata, while Betsy and I met up with Don Hodel on the Big Island. primary purpose of the trip was to identify 'We correctly certain species that might be in were greeted on Hawai'i by Palm Soci- immediate danger of extinction or threat- ety members Bob Egge, Suzette Williams ened in one way or another. It is well and Dan Lutkenhouse, all of whom assisted known that the of Pritchardia in many ways to make our trip successful' was a morass in need of considerable study Throughout the lropics the cutting of and revision. It was toward this end that forest, and degradation ofthe environment I visited the Hawaiian Islands in order to by man is usually the greatest danger to eather data for taxonomic studies, deter- many species. This is not necessarily the mine population size, stability, regenera- present major threat to species of Prit- tion, distribution and natural threats to chardia in Hawai'i. On the island of O'ahu survival. While making the observations the two widely distinct species, P. martii we were afforded excellent- opportunities and P. kaalae are found mostly on fog to collect mature seed which would have shrouded, nearly inaccessible ridges, otherwise fallen and been destroyed by rats, gulches and stream margins. There appears pigs, or goats. The wider the distribution to be adequate protection from felling of of such seed through agencies such as the the surrounding forest since the former is International Palm Society, the greater the commonly in protected watershed areas of chance for species survival in the hands the Ko'olau Range and the latter is of botanical gardens and individual expert restricted to nearly inaccessible ledges in palm collectors and growers. Betsy, my highly undesirable reaches of the Wai'anae wife and field assistant, and I visited O'ahu, Ranse. From what I could see on the Ohi- Kaua'i, Hawai'i, and Maui. Susan Wiser, kilolo Ridge where the vegetation was low my research technician, met us first on and sparse, the area is highly xeric. John O'ahu, and again a week later on Kaua'i Obata, who knows the region very well'

l. Bob Read with a of Pritchardia minorin Koke'e State Park, on cliffs overlooking the Kalalau Valley of Kaua'i.

2. pritchardia waialealeana, a new species formerly confused with P. hardyi, along the Power Line Trail overlooking Mt. Waialeale, on Kaua'i, purported to be the wettest sPot on earth' oI Pritchardia Susan Wiser, using climbing irons and a nylon rope, successfully collects a specimen waialealeana, on Kaua'i. Road 4. Bob Read preparing to collect an from Pritchard.ia beccariana along the Kulani Prison out of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawai'i. READ: COLLECTINGPRITCHARDIAS 142 PRINCIPES lVoL. 32 said that it was normally hot and dry, in vegetative parts as well. On one 5 m tall spite of the fact that it rained and was plant half the had been chewed off windy with a chill factor of about 40o F at the base of the hastula leaving only the or less the day we attempted (but failed) petioles. In a nearby population ofperhaps to reach a small population on a protected l0 individuals, no seedlings or young ridge at about 610 m (2,000 ft) elevation. were seen and the ground was seriously Any threat to P. ltaalae seems to be from disturbed by the rooting of wild pigs. It the activities of numerous feral goats which seems unlikely that any seedlings would have reduced great areas to stubble. The survive.such disturbance. Even if a seed- goats would no doubt eat the fruit and Iine weie to become established it would young plants, or even seedlings, should be only a matter of time before it was they make it that far. Only a few plants consumed by pigs or rats. of this species persist in each of the few We visited populations of Pritchardia known localities. Susan collected seeds from naDaliensis on the Na Pali trial out of a cultivated plant for distribution by the Haena, P. hard,yi along the Power Line International Palm Society. (Pole Line trail) where the forest is already On the other hand P. martii is widely heavily disturbed, and P. minor in rhe distributed throughout the length and slopes Koke'e State Park, but no juvenile plants of the Ko'olau Range. It is fairly common or seedlings were seen. Only mature or in some localities and fruits abundantly. It senescent plants were observed, and sadly is also commonly seen in botanical gardens no mature fruits were collected. The species under various aliases (such as P. gaudi- here seemed to be at the peak of flowering chaudii. P. rockiana, P. kahanae, P. with onlv a few verv immature fruits. martioides, P. kahukuensjs, P. kamap- Practically all the species of Pritchar- uana and P. macdanielsll). Susan col- dia, on the Big Island of Hawai'i were in lected a good assortment offruit from sev- fruit with most of the fruit just approaching eral plants in the Ko'olau Range near the full maturity. We were very happy to find junction of Poamoho and the Summit Trail. P. schattaueri dropping fruit everywhere Susan also reported that in some of the on the ground, and were especially pleased localities at lower elevations, where there to collect them before the numerous cattle were reported to be numerous plants, she or the more destructive wild pigs got to found only a few remaining, which were them. The entire area where the palms infested with scale insects. She believed grow was formerly ohia (Metrosideros) the scale was contributing to their demise. forest that has been cleared for cattle Whether the mongoose has any con- ranching. No plants are known to exist in trolling influence over rats, is a moot point the remaining uncut ohia forest. The only since I am told mongooses are diurnal and known plants are so tall, exceeding 20 m rats tend to be nocturnal (but unreliably height, that it would not have been possible so). Little damage from rats was noted on to reach the crown without extreme mea- O'ahu except in botanical gardens where sures. No younger plants have been found measures must be taken to preYent loss of according to Mr. Schattauer, who led our mature seed. However, on Kaua'i where party along with Don Hodel who described there are apparently no mongooses, the the soecies. Mr. Schattauer said that wild rats are having a field day. We found one pigs are very numerous in the region, whicli isolated plant of P. minor (P. eriophora) was obvious from the disturbed ground (Fig. l) in the Koke'e State Park where around the plants. One recently germi- the rats not only apparently prevent regen- nated seedling was found and a small bar- eration by eating the seed and seedlings, rier of lava rock was erected. I doubt it but they have resorted to chewing up the will survive. Unless a permanent barrier -&t

5. Pritchardia beccariana growing in the brush near Volcano National Park, above Hilo on the Big Island of Hawai'i. 6. Betsy Read and Jon Hermsdorf collecting fallen seed of Pritchardia beccariana above Hilo on the Big lsland of Hawai'i. t44 PRINCIPES [Vor. 32 is built to exclude cattle and pigs no seed- undisturbed region of Ohia forest. I pre- lings will survive to replace the population' sume they are P. beccariana but since On the Kohala Ridge, where the fog they are on the slopes of Mauna Kea at shrouded, swamp-like plateau supports about the same elevation as the type local- numerous plants of P. lanigerawe obtained ity of P. fiiontis-kea there is a remote a quantity of mature fruit. Here too, the possibility of their being that species. This total absence of younger plants is probably needs further investigation. the direct result of wild pigs. We noted Along the Kailua-Kona coast we visited obvious rooting disturbances throughout several very small natural populations of the area, as if some careless farmer har- P. afi.nis(Figs. 7,8). Only a few individuals rowed the ground, barely missing the scat- remain at each locality on private property tered shrubby vegetation and palms. A in areas under great pressure for devel- quick trip up to the type locality of P. opment. The largest population, of ques- eriostachya also resulted in getting good tionably natural origins, is at the Puna seed. This species is suspiciously like P. black sand beach site. A number of indi- lanigera. Although we found only 3 mature viduals were obviously formerly planted individuals, a few very immature plants alone what was once the curve in the road. were also found on rock outcrops nearby. The road is now located further out along In between the rocks signs of wild pigs the edge of the beach dunes. Next door in were quite evident. Rats were apparently a vacant lot there are about I 0-20 mature, not a real problem although only a few heavily fruiting individuals. Seed was col- miles down the trail are vast fields of sugar lected from the trees along the curved cane, a favorite habitat for rats. drive. It appears that it is only a matter Nearer to Hilo, we visited a population of time before development takes its toll, of P. beccariana (Figs. 4-6) on a palm not only at the black sand beach area but collector's property where again the only the several other localities as well. Two plants were exceptionally tall, with no very interesting populations of P. ffinis immature plants. Two freshly germinated were studied in the very dry zone neatthe seedlings were found, one was provided a hotels of Kailua-Kona. One population with small barrier of sticks and the other was several individuals, is along the shoreline transplanted for better care. Only a few road in the last remaining relatively undis- fallen fruits were found here. Nearby, along turbed vacant lot of the area. There is now the old Kulani prison road numerous plants a sale sign on it. Directly across the street of shorter stature were observed, but none is a public bathing beach. It will be sad if was in flower or fruit. Again no younger one of the last remaining natural popula- immature plants, or seedlings, were tions, dating from before the advent of the observed. In this area, only a narrow bor- Hawaiians, is not joined to the park across der along each side of the road remains the street and preserved for posterity. The uncut, while the areas beyond have been next most interesting population of this or are being cleared and planted with species contains about 7 individuals, almost Eucalyptus. We witnessed massive clear- directly uphill, by about 244 m elevation. ing of one area for the purpose of chipping They too persist in the only remaining wood for fuel. I do not know how long the vacant lot in a local development. These road borders, with their scattered palms, trees, like the others at the coast, were will survive and I wondered how extensive obviously revered by the early Hawaiians. the population was. When we flew, via In the lower population the plants were, helicopter, along the slope of Mauna Kea as is usual with palms in dry areas, growing out of Hilo, we observed quite a large pop- near a source of underground seepage. ulation of Pritchardia throughout a totally Apparently the early Hawaiians built rock r98Bl READ: COLLECTINGPRITCHARDIAS

7. Pritchardia afr.nis above Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Several of these trunks have foot notches. There are two or more dead trunks here and plants on the adjoining property have been cut down.

8. Pritchrtrdia ffinis with climbing notches cut by the ancient Hawaiians for collecting thatch or weaving materials. Notches may have also been used for lookouts'

walls about the water holes, enclosing the as progress encroaches on the last remain- palrns also. The palms had climbing notches ing naturally occurring plants. cut in one side which were no doubt used Another species, first observed in cul- for gathering thatch and perhaps fruit or tivation, but not yet seen by me in the wild immature leaves for weaving. At some is P. hillebrandii from Moloka'i. We col- point, long ago, the cutting of climbing lected seed from a cultivated plant above notches was discontinued and the trees Kailua-Kona with stiff, leathery blue-gray- continued to grow, with the crown now green glaucous leaves and black shiny fruit. well out of reach from the top notch. The Each fruit has a slight straight ridge down palm population at the higher elevation was one or both sides which was not observed also no doubt in a seepage area. again as clearly on fruit of other species. After accounting for the presence of palms in careful consideration we decided this must such a dry region. We visited a few scat- be the speciesfrom Moloka'i. Lacking time tered individuals in large open fields, but myself, I asked Don Hodel to have a quick there was insufficient time to test my the- look around Moloka'i on his way back to ory regarding the seepagearea and palms. Honolulu. He later reported that there are Although naturally occurring plants of P. numerous plants of the blue-green glau- ffinis are few and far between, this species cous form in cultivation on Moloka'i, but is widely cultivated along the Kailua-Kona there are also numerous gradations to plain coast, and may survive only in cultivation green. Quite a bit more work needs to be t46 PRINCIPES lVoL. 32 done, especially a more thorough visit to of Pritchardia in Hawai'i:John Obata, and Moloka'i. his colleague Steve Perlman (now with Meanwhile, Betsy and I went over to P.T.B.G. and the Nature Conservancy) Maui where we collected P. glabrata,the both highly respectedfield collectorson midget of the genus. Unfortunately after O'ahu, Tim Flynn of Pacific Tropical a rather strenuous climb up behind the Iao BotanicalGarden, Paul Weissichof Foster Needle we found only immature fruits. Gardens,Ray Baker of Lyon Arboretum, Pritchardia glabrata was found growing SuzetteWilliams and Bob Egge of the local on very steep scree slopes where the wind chapterof the Palm Society,Dan Lutken- was strong enough to blow you up the hill. houseof Hawai'i Tropical BotanicalGar- If you have never been through a Hau den, Timi Juddfrom Kailua-Kona,George (Hibiscus tiliaceus) forest don't try that Schattauer and Jimmy Stewart, Robert one. Later at the Maui Zoological Park Hobdy of Maui, Don Hodel (formerly of and Botanical Garden we obtained some P.T.B.G. now in Los Angeles)who was ripe seed that were labeled P. remota. responsiblefor excellent arrangementsto From having seen P. remota in cultivation visit a number of type localities on the Big at Lyon Arboretum and Foster Gardens I Island, and last but not least the Inter- believe the identification was fairly accu- national Palm Society SeedBank for fund- rate. ing assistancein collecting, cleaning,pack- ing, labeling and shipping the seed. Also Acknowledgments this trip would not have been possiblewith- out the support of World Wildlife Fund- We wouldlike to acknowledgewith great US, and the Smithsonian Institution appreciationall those who made it possible ResearchOpportunities Fund. to collect seedand observewild populations

PalmExpedition to Golombia1989

Explore one of the world's richest palm floras guided by Colombian palm specialists. Travel safely to the most interesting places. * Discover 24 palm genera and about 50 speciesin their natural habitats. * Stand by the world's tallest palms and enjoy the unforgettable Ceroxylon stands. * Explore for palms in the rain forests of Choc6, the world's rainiest region. * Admire the ceroxylonsand geonomasaboye 3000 meters(I0,000 ft), the highest altitude for any palm in the world. * Dictyocaryum, Socratea, Wettinia, by the hundredsin the Andeanforests. July 6-17, 1989. Maximum 20 PeoPle. 'Writeforinformation. ExpedicionesTropicales ck Rodrigo G. Bernal Apartado 41595 Bogot6, Colombia