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Description: This native shrub or small tree can reach heights of about 20 m (65 ft) high, but often is smaller, with white to gray mottled bark and conspicuous lenticels on the bark for the plant’s gas exchange. The leaves are ovate, sometimes lobed, about 6-15 cm (2-6 in) long and 4-10 cm (1.5-4 in) wide with serrated margins. The underside of the leaf is densely covered with yellow to gray hairs. The white flowers are produced in small clusters and are radially symmetrical as is typical for the Mallow or Hibiscus family (Malvaceae). The fruit is a dry, bristly capsule that grows up to 2 cm (1 in) in diameter that splits into five segments each of which contain 2-6 seeds.
Distribution: Commersonia bartramia is reportedly native to areas of Southeast Asia, Australia, New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, New Caledonia, Fiji, the Society and Marquesas Islands, and the Caroline Islands of Micronesia. It is a common woody species occurring in secondary and dry forests as well as in patches of forest or grassland thickets; it is also found occasionally in garden and fallow areas where it is an important pioneer species.
“This is a one of the fast-growing set of secondary ‘bandage trees’ that grow up in disturbed areas, covering soil and reducing erosion. It is adapted to harsh conditions and frequent fires in savannas, resprouting from the base when burned and often flowering and fruiting while shrub-sized” (Falanruw 2015:218).
C. bartramia is indeed common in disturbed places, including for example the savanna (ked or ted) areas of Palau and Yap. Savanna grasslands with associated trees occur on volcanic soil substrates where the primary forest has been removed; most, but not all of these open grassland areas are human-induced, largely due to repeated man-made fires. There are some endemic savanna species on islands such as those in Palau and Yap which suggests that there may have been some isolated pockets of native or natural savanna. The loss of native forest, much of it due to human impact, has resulted in soil erosion and degradation; this has reduced the probability of forest regeneration, at least over the short term. As suggested above, these savanna-grassland systems persist because of repeated burning caused by humans. Savanna is found throughout the island of Babeldaob and in areas of Koror on Palau and over extensive inland areas of Yap. The vegetation consists of grass, sedges, ferns, shrubs and a few scattered tree species including some endemic species. Trees and shrub species, including C. bartramia, that grow in the harsh savanna ecosystem are potential reforestation species.
Uses by Island or Island Group: Throught much of the western tropical Pacific, C. bartramia has a wide variety of traditional uses:
“Wood used in light construction, for fishing floats, and as a fast-burning firewood; light wood used to start fire by friction (e.g., in the Solomon Islands); small poles and sticks used to stake yams; fibrous bark used as cordage for fishing lines, nets, baskets, belts, girdles, headbands, (and bark cloth in Melanesia); strips of bark used as a crude rope to carry produce and firewood, and for lashing in construction; roots used medicinally in Fiji” (Clarke and Thaman 1993).
Uses in Palau: The strong bark fiber of C. bartramia is reportedly used in Palau for making rope that has numerous applications. According to Tuyama (1941), the fibers of C. bartramia were also traditionally “used to make clothing.”
Uses in Yap: The dry fruit of C. bartramia is reportedly used for cleaning sores in Yap, and parts of this woody species are said to be used as brushes and to make temporary wood framing to hold concrete and to brace construction of house frames. The wood is also used for firewood and roof beams. Falanruw (2015:218) pointed out that this woody species is “Sometimes used for house posts.” Falanruw referred to the Yapese name of this species as “guguw,” but also noted that “the name ‘wapof’ is sometimes applied to this tree – and both names are sometimes applied to Melochia, which has a similar habit and white to pink flowers.”
Uses in Pohnpei: Wood from C. bartramia is sometimes used in Pohnpei as construction material, and the stem has been used to make trellises as well as for firewood and lumber. In addition, the fruit is bound together and placed where the rats often eat to poison those pests (see Balick 2009, also see Raynor 1989).