Inventory and Monitoring Program Pacific Island Network Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Inventory and Monitoring Program Pacific Island Network Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands INVENTORY OF THREE INCIPIENT INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE VICINITY OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK Inventory and Monitoring Program Pacific Island Network Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and Commonwealth of The Northern Mariana Islands 1 ROBERT CULBERTSON 1 currently at RR2 Box 3858, Pahoa, HI 96778 May 31, 2005 Agreement Number: CA8012AO001 Funding Sources: National Park Service, Inventory & Monitoring Program and Biological Resources Management Division File Name: I:\inventory\11-12_species-list-dist-status\havo-incipient-invasive-plant-maps- 02_I\CulbertsonR_2005_Invasives_050531.doc Organization Contact Information: National Park Service, Inventory and Monitoring Program, Pacific Island Network, PO Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718, phone: 808-985-6180, fax: 808-985-6111, http://www.nature.nps.gov/im/units/pacn/index.htm Recommended Citation: Culbertson, R. 2005. Inventory of Three Incipient Invasive Species in the Vicinity of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. USDI National Park Service, Inventory and Monitoring Program, Pacific Island Network. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii. 17 pg. Key words: Miconia calvescens, Eleutherodactylus coqui, frog, Sphaeropteris cooperi, Australian tree fern, alien species. Place key words: Hawaii, Pacific Island Network, Big Island, Volcano, Hilo Acronyms: BIISC Big Island Invasive Species Committee BIMAC Big Island Melastome Action Committee BRD Biological Resources Discipline GIS Geographic Information System GPS Global Positioning System HAVO Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park NPS National Park Service PACN Pacific Island Network USGS United States Geological Survey i TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ................................................................................................ ii List of Tables ...................................................................................................... iii List of Figures .................................................................................................... iii Abstract ............................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1 Miconia Calvescens – Background ................................................................... 2 Methods ......................................................................................................... 2 Results ........................................................................................................... 3 Discussion ..................................................................................................... 3 Recommendations ......................................................................................... 5 Eleutherodactylus Coqui - Background ............................................................ 5 Methods ......................................................................................................... 5 Results ........................................................................................................... 6 Discussion ..................................................................................................... 9 Recommendations ......................................................................................... 9 Sphaeropteris cooperi – Background ............................................................. 10 Methods ....................................................................................................... 10 Results ......................................................................................................... 11 Discussion ................................................................................................... 12 Recommendations ....................................................................................... 13 Acknowledgments ............................................................................................ 14 Literature Cited ................................................................................................. 14 Appendix – Public Outreach Flyers Prepared by BIISC ................................ 15 ii LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Miconia survey areas, surveyed from July 16, 2003 to January 21, 2004.. .................................................................................................... 2 Table 2. Coqui frog survey areas, surveyed from July 16, 2003 to January 21, 2004. ..................................................................................................... 6 Table 3. Volcano area reports of coqui and new populations from 1998 to 2003. ........................................................................................ 9 Table 4. Australian tree fern survey area, surveyed from July 16, 2003 to January 21, 2004. ............................................................................... 10 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Map of subdivisions surveyed for miconia, coqui frog, and Australian tree fern from July 16, 3003 to January 21, 2004. ................................ 3 Figure 2. Map showing miconia detections during the survey conducted from July 16, 2003 to January 21, 2004.. ...................................................... 4 Figure 3. Map of coqui frog detections, including captures and unconfirmed reports.. ................................................................................................. 8 Figure 4. Map of Australian tree fern detections made from July 16, 2003 to January 21, 2004. ............................................................................... 12 iii ABSTRACT This report describes survey activities related to three invasive species: (Miconia calvescens, (miconia); Eleutherodactylus coqui, (coqui frog); and Sphaeropteris cooperi, (Australian tree fern), which are incipient threats to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO). The project consisted of conducting surveys in and around HAVO to develop distribution and abundance maps for three of the most serious alien species threats on land proximal to HAVO. The results of this survey indicate that miconia is present in the Eden Roc and Fern Forest subdivisions located approximately seven miles east of HAVO. Numerous isolated male frogs and two or three new breeding populations were recorded. In total, 51 male frogs were captured by hand, and an estimated 12 to 15 were exterminated with citric acid spray. At this time, frogs are not present in HAVO, and most sightings in the Volcano area are isolated frogs that have not established breeding colonies. Australian tree ferns are located primarily in three areas within several miles of HAVO, including the Volcano Golf Course and Country Club, Volcano Village and Mauna Loa Estates. As a result of this project, 36 Australian tree ferns were destroyed by nine homeowners. INTRODUCTION Managers at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) have developed a comprehensive strategy for managing alien-plant invasions inside the park. The central strategy is control of multiple widespread species in high priority sites called Special Ecological Areas. Also controlled are invasive species newly established in the park, typically on roadways or developed areas. Additionally, HAVO participates in partnerships with other agencies on Hawai`i Island such as the interagency Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC), to control incipient invasive species on an island-wide basis. This includes control of species which have not yet spread to the park. Such a partnership has been successful in controlling Miconia calvescens, a tropical rain-forest tree found outside the park. The need to develop maps of distribution and abundance of the most serious alien-species threats proximal to the park was considered a high priority by the convened panel of plant taxa experts at the Vegetation Working Group of the National Park Service Biological Inventories Workshop held in Kona, Hawaii on January 27, 2000. Since then, the National Park Service (NPS) has developed a multi-park Exotic Plant Management Team to defend the Hawaiian parks from weed invasion. The team not only works on alien species inside the parks but also incipient species outside the parks. Three incipient species identified for control around HAVO are Miconia calvescens, (miconia), Eleutherodactylus coqui, (coqui frog), and Sphaeropteris cooperi, (Australian tree fern). For this study, continuous loop surveys were conducted in and around HAVO from July 16, 2003 to January 21, 2004 in an effort to determine the distribution of these three invasive species. 1 MICONIA CALVESCENS – BACKGROUND Miconia calvescens is considered the most invasive and damaging of alien plant species to wet forests in the Pacific islands, and poses a threat to all habitats in Hawaii receiving 1,800-2,000 mm (75-80 inches) or more of annual precipitation (Loope 1997). The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) considers miconia the State’s most dangerous noxious weed. The plant is native to Central and South America and was brought to Hawaii State in the 1950’s. It was introduced to the Big Island in the vicinity of Onomea along the Hamakua Coast in the 1960’s (Loope 1997) and currently occupies over 25,000 acres (BIISC 2004). The core infestation extends from Onomea to Pahoa, and the perimeter of the infestation extends from the slopes above Onomea, south to Fern Forest in upper Puna, and Leilani Estates in lower Puna. The plant produces prodigious seeds, which are transported
Recommended publications
  • Download Document
    African countries and neighbouring islands covered by the Synopsis. S T R E L I T Z I A 23 Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands by J.P. Roux Pretoria 2009 S T R E L I T Z I A This series has replaced Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa and Annals of the Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens which SANBI inherited from its predecessor organisations. The plant genus Strelitzia occurs naturally in the eastern parts of southern Africa. It comprises three arborescent species, known as wild bananas, and two acaulescent species, known as crane flowers or bird-of-paradise flowers. The logo of the South African National Biodiversity Institute is based on the striking inflorescence of Strelitzia reginae, a native of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal that has become a garden favourite worldwide. It sym- bolises the commitment of the Institute to champion the exploration, conservation, sustain- able use, appreciation and enjoyment of South Africa’s exceptionally rich biodiversity for all people. J.P. Roux South African National Biodiversity Institute, Compton Herbarium, Cape Town SCIENTIFIC EDITOR: Gerrit Germishuizen TECHNICAL EDITOR: Emsie du Plessis DESIGN & LAYOUT: Elizma Fouché COVER DESIGN: Elizma Fouché, incorporating Blechnum palmiforme on Gough Island PHOTOGRAPHS J.P. Roux Citing this publication ROUX, J.P. 2009. Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands. Strelitzia 23. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. ISBN: 978-1-919976-48-8 © Published by: South African National Biodiversity Institute. Obtainable from: SANBI Bookshop, Private Bag X101, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • Growing Ferns Indoors
    The British Pteridological Society For Fern Enthusiasts Further information is obtainable from: www.ebps.org.uk Copyright ©2016 British Pteridological Society Charity No. 1092399 Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales c/o Dept. of Life Sciences,The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD The British Pteridological Society For Fern Enthusiasts 125 th Anniversary 1891-2016 Phlebodium pseudoaureum in a living room Some further reading: Sub-tropical ferns in a modern conservatory Indoor ferns: caring for ferns. Boy Altman. (Rebo 1998) House Plants Loren Olsen. 2015. Gardening with Ferns Martin Rickard (David and Charles) From Timber Press: Fern Grower’s Manual Barbara Hoshizaki and Robbin Moran The Plant Lover’s Guide to Ferns Richie Stefan and Sue Olsen Growing Ferns Indoors The BPS would like to thank the Cambridge University Tropical epiphytic ferns in a heated greenhouse Botanical Gardens for their help with the indoor ferns RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016 Growing Ferns Indoors Growing ferns in the home can be both relaxing and beneficial guard heaters to ward-off temperatures below 5C, although as the soft green foliage is pleasing to the eye and may also help many tender ferns fare better if the minimum winter Ferns that will grow in domestic living rooms, conservatories and in purifying air. It would appear that some ferns and their root- temperature is 10C. glasshouses can provide all-year interest and enjoyment. Some associated micro-organisms can biodegrade air and water ferns that will tolerate these environments are listed below but pollutants. Growing humid and tropical ferns there are many more to be found in specialist books on fern Glasshouses that have the sole purpose of growing plants offer culture.
    [Show full text]
  • Beetles of the Tristan Da Cunha Islands
    ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: Koleopterologische Rundschau Jahr/Year: 2013 Band/Volume: 83_2013 Autor(en)/Author(s): Hänel Christine, Jäch Manfred A. Artikel/Article: Beetles of the Tristan da Cunha Islands: Poignant new findings, and checklist of the archipelagos species, mapping an exponential increase in alien composition (Coleoptera). 257-282 ©Wiener Coleopterologenverein (WCV), download unter www.biologiezentrum.at Koleopterologische Rundschau 83 257–282 Wien, September 2013 Beetles of the Tristan da Cunha Islands: Dr. Hildegard Winkler Poignant new findings, and checklist of the archipelagos species, mapping an exponential Fachgeschäft & Buchhandlung für Entomologie increase in alien composition (Coleoptera) C. HÄNEL & M.A. JÄCH Abstract Results of a Coleoptera collection from the Tristan da Cunha Islands (Tristan and Nightingale) made in 2005 are presented, revealing 16 new records: Eleven species from eight families are new records for Tristan Island, and five species from four families are new records for Nightingale Island. Two families (Anthribidae, Corylophidae), five genera (Bisnius STEPHENS, Bledius LEACH, Homoe- odera WOLLASTON, Micrambe THOMSON, Sericoderus STEPHENS) and seven species Homoeodera pumilio WOLLASTON, 1877 (Anthribidae), Sericoderus sp. (Corylophidae), Micrambe gracilipes WOLLASTON, 1871 (Cryptophagidae), Cryptolestes ferrugineus (STEPHENS, 1831) (Laemophloeidae), Cartodere ? constricta (GYLLENHAL,
    [Show full text]
  • The Spore Exchange “The Life of the Exchange Depends on Your Spore Contributions.” Neill Hall, Spore Exchange Curator, Serving from 1962 to 1988
    Volume 39 Number 4 & 5 Sept.-Dec. 2012 Editors: Joan Nester-Hudson and David Schwartz The Spore Exchange “The life of the Exchange depends on your spore contributions.” Neill Hall, Spore Exchange curator, serving from 1962 to 1988. One of the goals of the American Fern Society is to promote the cultivation of ferns. The AFS Spore Exchange makes hundreds of ferns available that would otherwise be unobtainable for most members. Members can share spores from rare or endangered ferns thereby safeguarding the species so that our grandchildren may also enjoy these beautiful plants. The American Fern Society would like to thank Denia Mandt for her many years of service and dedication to the Spore Exchange. Insporations by Brian Aikins, Spore Exchange Curator This has been a year of transition for the spore ex- us. My initial efforts as curator have been to streamline change. In May I accepted the role of Spore Exchange the entire system. It is my hope that the changes I am Curator and shortly thereafter received two large boxes making will enhance the spore exchange for all its par- from Denia Mandt, the outgoing curator, who had aptly ticipants. served since 2004. Prior to sending the boxes she pains- The first step was setting up a database for species in- takingly purged outdated material from the spore bank formation, current inventory, and transaction history. I and prepared a complete inventory. The species count decided to modify a fern database I started when I joined was about 300, each contained in a regular-sized enve- the AFS in 1987.
    [Show full text]
  • Return to the American Fern Society Home Page
    Return to the American Fern Society Home Page. AFS Spore Exchange List as of 1-Jan-2020 If you wish to request or donate spores, please visit the spore exchange page of the American Fern Society: AFS spore exchange page Listed below is a snapshot of the entire spore bank inventory as of the date at the top of the page. It is arranged alphabetically by botanical name and includes unique order numbers to simplify requesting and processing orders. Key to column headings: pic: Link to donor supplied picture(s) of the fern the spores were collected from. Most rcnt mo / yr - donor : For the most recently donated spores, the month and year of spore collection and the donor initials. Packets rcnt (tot): The number of spore packets available of the most recent donation and the total number of packets available including past donations. Each packet contains approximately 3 to 10 cubic millimeters of spores (several thousand spores). Those marked as “Small qnty” in the notes column contain less than 3 cubic millimeters. Fr SZ: Approximate maximum frond size. Very Small = less than 4 inches, Small = 4 inches to 1 foot, Medium = 1 to 3 feet, Large = 3 to 6 feet, Very Large = greater than 6 feet. USDA Zone: Minimum and maximum growing zones based on various books and the internet. Notes: Common synonyms and miscellaneous notes. Viability Test: Spores sown on sterilized Pro-Mix HP soil and maintained for 16 weeks at room temperature 11 inches below two 20W cool white fluorescent tubes (or equivalent) illuminated 14 hours per day.
    [Show full text]
  • New Species and Records of Tree Ferns (Cyatheaceae, Pteridophyta) from the Northern Andes
    Org. Divers. Evol. 6, Electr. Suppl. 13: 1 - 11 (2006) © Gesellschaft für Biologische Systematik URL: http://www.senckenberg.de/odes/06-13.htm URN: urn:nbn:de:0028-odes0613-1 New species and records of tree ferns (Cyatheaceae, Pteridophyta) from the northern Andes Marcus Lehnert Albrecht-von-Haller Institut, Abt. Systematische Botanik, Universität Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073 Göttingen, Germany e-mail: [email protected] Received 7 September 2005 • Accepted 6 December 2005 Abstract Four new species of Cyatheaceae from Ecuador are described: Alsophila conantiana Lehnert, Cyathea brucei Lehnert, C. mora- nii Lehnert, and C. sylvatica Lehnert. Range extensions are documented for Alsophila esmeraldensis R.C. Moran and Cyathea macrocarpa (C. Presl) Domin. Keywords: Alsophila; Cyathea; Andes; Colombia; Ecuador; Guayana Highlands Introduction The pteridophyte flora of Ecuador is one of the richest of most species. These advances enable us to resurrect in the world. About 1300 species have been registe- some species that had been united with others; they red (Jørgensen and León-Yánez 1999), including 177 also allow several new species to be described. endemic species (Valencia et al. 2000). Though mem- bers of the tree fern family were collected and studied New species frequently in the past (Tryon 1970, 1971, 1976, 1986; Gastony 1973; Stolze 1974; Barrington 1978; Conant Alsophila conantiana Lehnert, sp. nov. 1983; Tryon and Stolze 1989), new discoveries are (Fig. 1) still being made (Moran 1991, 1995a, 1998; Lehnert Etymology. This species is named for David S. Co- 2003, 2004). The complex taxonomy of the tree ferns, nant, Lyndon State College, Vermont, to honor his fragmentary collections, inadequate descriptions, and work on Cyatheaceae and especially Alsophila, from special descriptive vocabulary all contribute to our which my studies have greatly benefitted.
    [Show full text]
  • Marattiaceae)
    FERN GAZ. 20(1):15-18. 2015 15 NOTE ON THE REDISCOVERED TYPE SPECIMEN OF ANGIOPTERIS INDICA DESV. (MARATTIACEAE) J. MAZUMDAR Department of Biological Sciences, Burdwan Town School, Burdwan-713101, India Email: [email protected] Key words: Angiopteris indica , Herb. Desvaux, India, Marattiaceae, type. ABSTRACT The type of the tree fern Angiopteris indica Desv. (Marattiaceae) was rediscovered in Herb. Desvaux at P and its status is discussed. INTRODUCTION Three species of the marattioid fern genus Angiopteris Hoffm. (Marattiaceae) are generally accepted to occur in India (Fraser-Jenkins, 2008; Fraser-Jenkins & Benniamin 2010), namely Angiopteris indica Desv., A. helferiana C.Presl, and A. palmiformis (Cav.) C.Chr. Fraser-Jenkins (2008) accepted A. indica as the oldest available name for plants characterized by the combination of the following characters: the soral lines are located close or at the margin, the lamina segments possess prominent teeth near their tips, the lamina colour is darker than in other Indian species, and with the false (recurrent) veins reaching the soral line or just passing beyond it. In contrast, A. helferiana is distinguishable from A. indica by its inframarginal sori, whereas A. palmiformis has long false veins extended up to the pinnule-midrib. Angiopteris indica was described by Desvaux in 1813 (Desvaux 1813: 267) and not in 1811 (Desvaux 1811: 207), as misquoted by Moore (1857: 75) and Christensen (1906: 57), but see Hooker & Greville (1831) for the correct citation of the name. In the protologue, Desvaux (1813: 267) described the plants as “frondibus pinnatis, pinnis lanceolatis utrinque attenuates” and mentioned the area of origin as “Habitat in India orientali”.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Tree Fern Is a Tropical, Single-Trunked, Giant Foliage Fern That Can Reach a Height of 15 to 30 Feet
    Fact Sheet FPS-557 October, 1999 Sphaeropteris cooperi1 Edward F. Gilman2 Introduction Growth rate: slow Texture: fine The Australian Tree Fern is a tropical, single-trunked, giant Foliage fern that can reach a height of 15 to 30 feet. It has long, bipinnately compound, lacy leaves that give it a fine texture. Leaf arrangement: spiral The 1- to 1 1/2-foot-long leaves form a handsome canopy and Leaf type: odd-pinnately compound impart a tropical effect. The fern produces one trunk that is Leaf margin: entire wooly or russet in appearance, and it may attain a diameter of 1 foot. This plant reproduces by spores which are found on the Leaf shape: lanceolate underside of mature leaves. Leaf venation: none, or difficult to see Leaf type and persistence: evergreen Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches General Information Leaf color: green Fall color: no fall color change Scientific name: Sphaeropteris cooperi Fall characteristic: not showy Pronunciation: spheer-rop-TEER-riss KOOP-per-rye Common name(s): Australian Tree Fern Flower Family: Cyatheaceae Plant type: tree Flower color: no flowers USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11 (Fig. 1) Flower characteristic: no flowers Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round Origin: not native to North America Fruit Uses: near a deck or patio; specimen; border; suitable for growing indoors Fruit shape: no fruit Availablity: generally available in many areas within its Fruit length: less than .5 inch hardiness range Fruit cover: dry or hard Fruit color: no fruit Fruit characteristic: no fruit Description Height: 12 to 18 feet Trunk and Branches Spread: 8 to 15 feet Plant habit: upright Trunk/bark/branches: no thorns; usually with one stem/trunk Plant density: open Current year stem/twig color: not applicable 1.This document is Fact Sheet FPS-557, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.
    [Show full text]
  • Curriculum Vitae
    CURRICULUM VITAE ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0186-6546 Gar W. Rothwell Edwin and Ruth Kennedy Distinguished Professor Emeritus Department of Environmental and Plant Biology Porter Hall 401E T: 740 593 1129 Ohio University F: 740 593 1130 Athens, OH 45701 E: [email protected] also Courtesy Professor Department of Botany and PlantPathology Oregon State University T: 541 737- 5252 Corvallis, OR 97331 E: [email protected] Education Ph.D.,1973 University of Alberta (Botany) M.S., 1969 University of Illinois, Chicago (Biology) B.A., 1966 Central Washington University (Biology) Academic Awards and Honors 2018 International Organisation of Palaeobotany lifetime Honorary Membership 2014 Fellow of the Paleontological Society 2009 Distinguished Fellow of the Botanical Society of America 2004 Ohio University Distinguished Professor 2002 Michael A. Cichan Award, Botanical Society of America 1999-2004 Ohio University Presidential Research Scholar in Biomedical and Life Sciences 1993 Edgar T. Wherry Award, Botanical Society of America 1991-1992 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award, Ohio University 1982-1983 Chairman, Paleobotanical Section, Botanical Society of America 1972-1973 University of Alberta Dissertation Fellow 1971 Paleobotanical (Isabel Cookson) Award, Botanical Society of America Positions Held 2011-present Courtesy Professor of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University 2008-2009 Visiting Senior Researcher, University of Alberta 2004-present Edwin and Ruth Kennedy Distinguished Professor of Environmental and Plant Biology, Ohio
    [Show full text]
  • Polypodiophyta): a Global Assessment of Traits Associated with Invasiveness and Their Distribution and Status in South Africa
    Terrestrial alien ferns (Polypodiophyta): A global assessment of traits associated with invasiveness and their distribution and status in South Africa By Emily Joy Jones Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in the Faculty of Science at the Nelson Mandela University April 2019 Supervisor: Dr Tineke Kraaij Co-Supervisor: Dr Desika Moodley Declaration I, Emily Joy Jones (216016479), hereby indicate that the dissertation for Master of Science in the Faculty of Science is my own work and that it has not previously been submitted for assessment or completion of any postgraduate qualification to another University or for another qualification. _______________________ 2019-03-11 Emily Joy Jones DATE Official use: In accordance with Rule G4.6.3, 4.6.3 A treatise/dissertation/thesis must be accompanied by a written declaration on the part of the candidate to the effect that it is his/her own work and that it has not previously been submitted for assessment to another University or for another qualification. However, material from publications by the candidate may be embodied in a treatise/dissertation/thesis. i Table of Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................ iii List of Tables ...........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation and Management Plans for Angiopteris Evecta (Forst.) Hoffm
    http://www.siu.edu/~ebl/leaflets/pteris.htm 11/13/08 11:01 AM Ethnobotanical Leaflets 12: 23-28, 2008. Conservation and Management Plans for Angiopterisevecta (Forst.) Hoffm. (Marattiaceae: Pteridophyta): An Endangered Species KAMINI SRIVASTAVA, M.Sc, D.Phil. Department of Botany, University of Allahabad, Allahabad-211002, India E-mail: [email protected] Issued 22 January 2008 Abstract Angiopteris evecta, due to its rarity, is potentially a species of high value for fern enthusiasts. This is a threatened species which is included in the endangered categories in the ‘Red Data Book’ of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Since this species is also known to be of importance for its ethnomedicinal uses, this is a matter of great concern. If we do not think about its conservation and protection, this species could very well disappear from the face of this earth. For these reasons, the present paper deals with the habitat, cultural value and medicinal uses of Angiopteris evecta. It also presents a plan for its recovery, conservation and management. Key Words: Angiopteris evecta, habitat, uses, exploitation, proper management. Introduction Ferns, at one time, were regarded primarily as ornamental plants. More recently, however, people have come to realize the wide- spectrum utility of ferns. A lot of work is being done on both the harmful and useful aspects of ferns. Although a large variety of ferns are available on the earth, there are some ferns that are slowly and gradually becoming extinct. Day by day the number of ferns is dwindling and this is a matter of great concern.
    [Show full text]
  • (Cyatheaceae), a New Scaly Tree Fern from Papua New Guinea
    Blumea 61, 2016: 20–23 www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea RESEARCH ARTICLE http://dx.doi.org/10.3767/000651916X691204 Alsophila weidenbrueckii (Cyatheaceae), a new scaly tree fern from Papua New Guinea M. Lehnert1 Key words Abstract The scaly tree fern Alsophila weidenbrueckii is described and illustrated as new to science. It occurs in the Bismarck range in north-eastern New Guinea at 1200–2100 m in evergreen wet mountain forest. The species Bismarck range reaches maturity at a comparatively old age and large size and regenerates only in intact forests on mineral soil Malesia exposed by small landslides or tree falls. scaly tree ferns sphaeropteroid indusia Published on 26 February 2016 INTRODUCTION Sen 1961), few new discoveries have been reported from the Malesian region (Hovenkamp & De Joncheere 1988, Kato Cyatheaceae or scaly tree ferns comprise c. 600 spp. distributed 1990, Takeuchi 2007). This may speak for Holttum’s insight and in the tropics, subtropics and southern temperate regions (Smith thoroughness, but certainly also reflects the logistic difficulties et al. 2006). For a long time two conflicting generic systems an island archipelago poses to scientific exploration. existed for the family. Holttum (1963) recognized only one Within the Malesian region, the island of New Guinea is still universal genus Cyathea with subgenera and sections based covered with pristine forests and is suspected to harbour many on his studies focused on Paleotropical species (Holttum 1957, species unknown to science (Mittermeier et al. 2003). I was Holttum & Sen 1961), whereas Tryon (1970, 1976) recognized fortunate to study New Guinean scaly tree ferns in vivo during six genera from his insights gained mainly from Neotropical two botanical fieldtrips, first to the Vogelkop Peninsula and the taxa.
    [Show full text]