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Description: The genus Fagraea includes a diverse group of trees, shrubs, scrambling lianas, and epiphytic stranglers that are well-known for having hard wood and fragrant, showy flowers. Fagraea berteroana is a shrub to large tree that grows to variable heights of 1.5 - 20 m (5 - 65 ft). It produces many branches and is commonly epiphytic (grows upon other woody plants or stone surfaces). It bears rather thick leaves, is quite fragrant and produces white tubular flowers that turn yellow as they age. The succulent, ellipsoid to globular fruit change from yellowish orange to bright red and contain many very small black seeds immersed in pup when ripe. The Fagraea berteroana trees found in Micronesia have long puzzled botanists as to their belonging to one or more species or, if one species, belonging to a more than one variety. For example, in his comprehensive flora of Guam, Stone (1970:42) referred to these taxonomic questions when describing the distribution of Fagraea in Guam:
“…although the species found in Guam is here called F. galilai, there is considerable evidence to show that it has at least a close relationship with F. berteriana [which is a synonym for F. berteroana] Gray [ex. Benth.], a species originally described from Tahiti. What the real boundaries of the species are may well require an intensive study of the whole genus, a matter which is beyond the scope of a flora, but would form a monograph. But, until such a study is performed, we will have to remain in some doubt as to the correct name of the Guam plants of Fagraea.
A decade later, Fosberg et al. (1979), argued that F. berteroana trees vary enough from one island or island group to another (primarily on the basis of the length of the flower “throat”) that these botanists divided the Micronesian populations of the species into a number of varieties; however, more recently, Whistler and Elevitch (2006c:3) commented on these putative varieties of F. berteroana:
“…var. galilai (Palau), var. kusiana (Kosrae), var. ladronica (Guam and the Northern Marianas), var. pogas (Chuuk), and var. sair (Pohnpei and Kosrae), but these varieties are of questionable value because this kind of separation, based mostly on minor and variable characteristics, has not been done elsewhere over the range of the species.”
For now, here we recognize Fagraea berteroana, and possibly F. ksid, as the only Fagraea species occurring in Micronesia.Some aspects of this taxonomic confusion are discussed in more detail below:
Distribution: The diverse assemblage of approximately 70-75 species in the genus Fagraea is distributed from Southeast Asia, Malesia, to the archipelagos of the Pacific Ocean, according to Costion and Lorence (2012:78). The woody plants of Fagraea are found growing at sea level to altitudes of 3000 m (about 9500 ft), mostly in forests gaps, forest edges, along stream beds in wet tropical forests, and less commonly in mesic forests, savannas, and mangrove swamps. The center of Fagraea species diversity is “Malesia and Papuasia” (i.e., much of Southeast Asia, tropical Australia, New Guinea and tropical islands in the Southwest Pacific), members of this genus are also apparently indigenous to regions of Sri Lanka, India, southeastern Asia to southern China, Hainan, and Taiwan, northern Australia, New Caledonia, and throughout the Pacific Islands from the Marianas to the Marquesas. One of these species, Fagraea berteroana, the species focused on here, is found more or less commonly in lowland to montane forests including those on some tropical Pacific islands, especially on lowland lava flows, as on Savaii in Samoa, and on narrow ridges. as on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands (Merlin, personal observations; also see Whister and Elevitch 2006c:2, Merlin 1985, Costion and Lorence 2012). F. berteroana, is now a popular ornamental in the tropical Pacific, particularly in the Hawaiian Islands, but is only native to parts of Australia, New Guinea, Micronesia and east to the Marquesas. Birds and bats commonly eat the fruit of F. berteroana and therefore probably have played an important role in dispersing its relatively small seeds. Indeed, Motley (2004:397) pointed out that the seeds of F. berteroana are spread by birds and bats “internally or externally attached to feathers and fur by a sticky latex present in the mesocarp,” and the naturalist Guppy (1906) referred to the floating ability Fagraea fruits that can stay afloat for several days which suggests that some Fagraea species growing near moving fresh water could be stream dispersed. Motley (2004:407) described how Pacific Island biogeography, the distribution of native fruit-doves and pigeons, and the voyages Pacific Islanders might be connected:
“The widespread island species F. berteroana is interesting with respect to island biogeography and Polynesian voyages. This species, which has similar uses throughout Polynesia and Melanesia, occurs naturally on most islands except the Hawaiian archipelago. It has been reported that the fruits of this species are a favorite food of [native] fruit-doves and pigeons (Brown 1935; Parham 1972), which are present on most of the islands in the Pacific with the exception of Hawai'i (1995). This correlation in distributions may account for the absence of Fagraea in Hawai'i. However, this is probably only a partial explanation for the dispersal of F. berteroana. This species was important to early human voyagers who no doubt aided its dispersal [because of the “showy, fragrant flowers, hard wood, habit, and overall attractiveness of the tree species” (Guppy 1906)]. F. berteroana is an ideal ethnobotanically important plant for studying the genetic diversity of populations between and among islands. This type of study may help elucidate the voyaging patterns of Pacific Islanders. Since the plants were important to these cultures, but not important as crop plants like taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) or banana (Musa L. spp.), there may have been less reticulate [complex, network-like] movement of plants between islands, a phenomenon that confounds genetic investigations. In addition, Fagraea was not as important to the European settlers in the past or present, so there has been little or no immigration of ‘foreign’ genotypes into the island populations during modern times. This should make F. berteroana an ideal candidate for studying human/plant migration patterns across the Pacific.”
Uses by Island or Island Group: “The nearly constant profusion of fragrant flowers is the hallmark of this tree” (Whistler and Elevitch 2006c:8). F. berteroana is relatively easy to cultivate and can produce many flowers with their attractive appearance and scent, but flowering can sometimes be uneven throughout the year. In parts of the Pacific the inner bark and leaves of related Fagraea species are used for medicinal purposes, and some parts of Polynesia such as the Cook Islands and Tahiti F. berteroana has had sacred traditional associations; Motley (2004:401) reviewed the literature focused on the past and present highly regarded Pacific Island status of this species in Polynesia:
“In Polynesia the flowers of F. berteroana were so highly regarded for use in leis (flower necklaces) and for scenting coconut oil to perfume the hair and body that a Tahitian legend states that the first pua tree was brought to earth from the tenth heaven by Tane (god of forests) [pua,the Polynesian name for F. berteroana,means “flower,” essentially referring to it being the archetypical Polynesian flower]. As a result of this legend any images (tikis)carved of Tane were made of Fagraea wood (Neal 1965). In the Cook Islands, Mangaian legend states that the Fagraea tree(pu pua or puapua)guards the entrance to the underworld (Neal 1965) and that the branches are regarded as the road by which the spirits of the dead descend to the land of spirits, called po (Whistler 1990). Brown (1935) considered F. berteroana to be so highly valued by the Marquesan people that he thought it should be their national flower. The yellow color of aging Fagraea flowers may also have contributed to their value in Polynesian culture since yellow and red were colors usually reserved for use by royalty. In modern times the floral fragrance of F. berteroana is considered useful for aroma therapy. The Hawaiian Paradise Trading Company (1996) reports that Fagraea essence reduces cravings for drugs (especially Cannabis sativa L.) as well as urges toward sexual promiscuity. The essence is also used to restore mental clarity and purposefulness.”
Whister and Elevitch (2006c:7) summarized the diversity of uses in Pacific for F. berteroana:
“It is esteemed mostly for its fragrant, white flowers, as a garden ornamental, and for its timber. The long-tubed blossoms are widely worn, singly over the ear or strung into fragrant leis. They are also highly favored for making scented coconut oil. The durable, light brown, fine grained wood is of good quality and can be smoothed into a high polish. The wood was much valued for making tool handles, tools, house posts, furniture, drums, and in modern times, handicrafts. Its relatively small size does not give it much potential for timber. Today it is mainly cultivated as a garden ornamental and for its fragrant flowers used in personal adornment.”
On the other hand, Motley (2004:402) also commented on the potential toxicity of Fagraea:
“No recorded poisonings have been attributed to the consumption of Fagraea fruits or decoctions made from the plant parts. However, this by no means verifies that there have not been unrecorded poisonings and deaths as the result of improper consumption. This point can be driven home by the report of Grant, Fosberg, and Smith (1974), which stated the Tahitians used the fruit to treat bronchitis, but that in large quantities the fruits are poisonous. The delicate balance of folk medicine is that it can be either a cure or a curse to human health. For this reason, casual experimentation or use of these plants internally is not recommended.”
Uses in Palau: Fagraea berteroana, known as Chelilai (or Galilai) in Palau,is mostly valued for its beautiful fragrant flowers; but its wood is also appreciated for use in making handicrafts as well as for other building material (e.g. see Tuyama 1941). Overall, it is an attractive woody species with scented flowers and “would make an excellent landscaping species” (Kitalong et al. 2008:71).
Uses in Guam: Stone (1970:475) described what he classified as Fagraea galilai with some doubt:
“Endemic in Micronesia (“galilai” in Palau; “sair” or “seir” or “sour” in Ponape [Pohnpei] and Truk [Chuuk]; vernacular name in Guam not known), but perhaps not distinct from F. berteriana [F. berteroana] A. Gray [ex. Benth.] of Tahiti. In combining F. galilai and F. sair I depend on my own experience of plants in Guam. There is certainly only a single species in Guam, and of the several trees I have seen, some have leaves with acute-acuminate tips (as in F. sair), some with rounded tips (as F. galilai), indeed sometimes both kinds on the same tree. This difference is therefore of no significance. The fruits, however, are always more or less globose, and do not assume the long obovoid shape of F. ksid G. & B. of Palau, which may therefore be a valid species. The flowers seem to be smaller than is normal in F. berteriana [F. berteroana], but this may not be important; and the fruits are also a little smaller. The Guam plants would seem to be at least a distinct form or variety, if not a separate species from the Polynesian plants” [?]
Stone (1970:475) noted that “Fagraea galilai” is nearly identical to the “pua-keni-keni [F. berteroana] of Hawaiian gardens, having smaller but equally lovely-scented large flowers.” Stone also referred to “the southern hills” of Guam as the only known place where “Fagraea galilai” was known to occur on that island:
“Glassman collected specimens (his no. 233) on Mt. Lamlam; Moore (260) collected it in the same general locality in the same month (January). My collections are from Mt. Almagosa, just above the Almagosa Spring, nos. 4109; 4340; and 4899. It is also known from Rota [Island in the Marianas]. Flowers of F. berteriana [F. berteroana] are known in Hawaii as "pua kenikeni" (ten-cent flower) and are favorites for their rich perfume. The Guam plants are equally desirable in gardens, but I know of none so planted. The rich orange or even vermilion fruits are also very handsome” (Stone 1970:475).
Uses in Chuuk: Known as Pééngas or Pogas in Chuuk, Fagraea berteroana is considered by some botanists to be a unique variety within its species, F. berteroana var. pogas (Hosok.) Fosb. Like Panaw (Semecarpus kraemeri), a rare, putatively endemic tree species in Chuuk, F. berteroana is found in some upland regions of Chuuk such as at or near the top of Mt. Winipwéét, Chuuk’s highest mountain on Tol Island (Merlin, personal observation, 1996). In Chuuk, the fragrant flowers of this native tree (F. berteroana = Pééngas) are used for special decorations and garlands (e.g., see Goodenough and Sugita 1980:279).
Uses on Namoluk Atoll: According to Marshall (1975:43), Fagraea berteroana can grow to heights of at least 10 m (about 30 ft or more) on Namoluk, where the botanical specimen of the tree that Marshall collected was growing as woody plant in understory of “mixed coconut-breadfruit forest near the seaward side” of Namoluk Islet of the atoll. The flowers of F. berteroana are prized in Namoluk for use in garlands or lei. Indeed, the plant’s local name on Namoluk, “apet,” means literally “to anoint with a fragrance,” and the yellowed leaves and the flowers are thought to have medicinal properties on this atoll.
Uses in Pohnpei: Motley (2004:404) tells us the “folk” names of Sair or Seir in Pohnpei are attributed to Fagraea berteroana, but the most common name used on this island in reference to F. berteroana is Pwur which literally means ‘‘to return,” in other words, the “flowers are commonly used in the necklaces given to visitors upon their departure from the island as a symbol of the host’s wishes that they will return again.” Balick et al. (2009:400) recorded additional information regarding the name and uses of F. berteroana in Pohnpei:
“To use as a flytrap, the peeled fruit is placed near the toilet or on a table to draw flies away from the food (the flies are attracted to the sticky flesh of the fruit but get stuck when they land on it) …. The flowers are used for three types of mwaramwar: elin sohpeidi (or elin soupeidi) for Nahnmwarki and for Nahnken; elin soupwur, to give a person who is not expected to come back, as if in war; and for the standard mwaramwar …. To use as a charm for protection against sorcery…. To treat kilsarawi (shingles, Herpes zoster) …. To treat kanahria (gonorrhea, causing painful urination in men) …. To treat soumwahu en mwidihlik (kidney stones, including pain in the back and numbness in the legs).…To treat an unspecified kidney ailment.…To treat swollen testicles associated with soumwahu en ohl (men’s sickness).…To treat boils….”
Uses in Kosrae: Similar to other islands in Micronesia, the flowers of F. berteroana used in the making of necklaces or lei, and the “image of the well-recognized species adorns one of their postage stamps” (Motley 2004:404).
Uses in Kiribati: Luomala (1953) referred to a number of traditional uses of F. berteroana, (Te uri) in Kiribati.Flowers have been used in Kiribati to make corona garlands or head lei and in necklaces (especially on Onotoa island), and the wood of this species has been utilized for construction of canoe ribs and as a wooden canoe charm known as te kainonoki;this charm was in the form of a wooden wand that was held up “like a fishing pole in the direction of danger to protect the canoe from attack by dolphins or sharks” (Motley 2004:401, citing Luomala 1953). Luomala also indicated that the native people of Kiribati referred to “the first days of the phases of the moon the leaf of the Fagraea tree (ba-n-uri).”
Uses in Nauru: F. berteroanais reportedly extinct on Nauru Island where its name may have been Eijinut; “reported by Hambruch in 1910, but not seen in 1933 or thereafter” (Thaman et al. 1994:153).