Rare Plants of Tonga
Authors: W. A. Whistler and Michael B. Thomas
Citation: Whistler, W.A. 2011. The Rare Plants of Tonga. Conservation International. CEPF.
Locality: Kingdom of Tonga (-21.178933, -175.198042)
Abstract:

A checklist of 97 rare flowering plant species are presented. 30 species have been selected for recommendation for inclusion on the Red List of Tonga plants produced by the IUCN. These are discussed in more detail, arranged in the following categories: Tongan endemics, represented by six species; indigenous non-orchid species, represented by 19 species; and indigenous orchid species, represented by five species. Additionally, eight non-native species have also be selected for recommended for inclusion on the Red List. These species should also be considered for some kind of status, since these are either ancient Polynesian weeds possibly threatened over their entire range, or traditional cultigens possibly threatened over their entire range. They are divided into Polynesian adventives, represented by three species; and Polynesian cultigens, represented by five species. For details on the 30 recommended species, see their complete descriptions in the species profiles.

Funded by Conservation International and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.
http://www.cepf.net/SiteCollectionDocuments/poly_micro/FinalReport_ArthurWhistler_RarePlantsTonga.pdf


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Families: 45
Genera: 88
Species: 98
Total Taxa: 98

Page 1 of 1: 1

Indigenous, Shrub, infrequency of collection
Endemic, Tree, reduction in cultivation
Indigenous, Liana, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Indigenous, Tree, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Polynesian cultigen, Herb, reduction in cultivation
Indigenous, Tree, Its frequency on Niuafo‘ou should be determined, and an effort should be made to protect the native forests in which it occurs.
Indigenous, Palm, restricted distribution and infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Vine, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Polynesian adventive, Herb, infrequency of modern collection
Indigenous, Herb, restricted in Tonga to a pair of islands, and its disappearance from elsewhere in Polynesia (Samoa)
Indigenous, Herb, infrequency of collection and restriction to a threatened habitat
Polynesian adventive, Herb, infrequency of collection, especially modern collection
Indigenous, Herb, infrequency of collection, and restricted in Tonga to one island
Polynesian adventive, Herb, infrequency of modern collection
Indigenous, Tree, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Indigenous, Shrub, infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Liana, infrequency of collection
Crateva religiosa G. Forst. - sacred garlic pear
Indigenous, Tree, restricted in Tonga to one island (with one old collection on another)
Polynesian cultigen, Tree, reduction in cultivation
Polynesian cultigen, Tree, reduction in cultivation
Polynesian cultigen, Tree, reduction in cultivation
Indigenous, Herb, infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Vine, infrequency of modern collection
Indigenous, Vine, infrequency of modern collection
Polynesian cultigen, Vine, reduction in cultivation and infrequency of collection
Cucumis melo L. - snake cucumber
Polynesian cultigen, Vine, reduction in cultivation and infrequency of collection
Luffa aegyptiaca Mill. - sponge gourd
Indigenous, Vine, infrequency of modern collection
Indigenous, Herb, Little can be, or needs to be done for this plant, since although rare, it occurs on two isolated islands in a habitat there that does not appear to be threatened.
Polynesian adventive, Sedge, Little can be done for this plant, other than to collect it and grow it in gardens. However, it is lawn weed that very amenable to growing in gardens.
Indigenous, Sedge, restricted to a single locality in a threatened habitat
Indigenous, Shrub, restricted in Tonga to one island (with one old collection from another) Status: rare indigenous or perhaps a Polynesian introduction
Indigenous, Shrub, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Indigenous, Shrub, infrequency of collection
Endemic, Shrub, endemic to one Tongan island
Indigenous, Shrub, infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Liana, infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Liana, infrequency of collection
Polynesian adventive, Sub-Shrub, apparently disappearing
Indigenous, Tree, restricted in Tonga to one island (with one other island record)
Indigenous, Shrub, restricted in Tonga to one island group and infrequency of collection
Polynesian adventive, Sub-Shrub, infrequency of modern collection
Endemic, Shrub, infrequency of collection and endemic to one island
Indigenous, Shrub, restricted in Tonga to a pair of islands, limited elsewhere to Kermadecs
Polynesian cultigen, Tree, It is likely that the tree is no longer being planted or tended, and is in danger of disappearing from Tonga once the old trees die. The seeds should be planted in gardens, and seedlings distributed to any one who is interested.
Indigenous, Herb, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Indigenous, Shrub, infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Sub-Shrub, apparently disappearing in Tonga
Indigenous, Tree, restricted in Tonga to one island (with one record from another)
Endemic, Tree, endemic to one island
Endemic, Tree, endemic to one Tongan island
Myoporum sandwicense A.Gray - false sandalwood
Indigenous, Shrub, Other than surveying the cliffs of ‘Eua to determine if it is more common than the only known collection would indicate, nothing much can be done for this shrub other than to protect its habitat in Tonga. It is known in Tonga only from ‘Eua, and the
Endemic, Shrub, endemic to one Tongan island
Polynesian cultigen, Tree, infrequency of collection and probably extirpated from Tonga
Polynesian cultigen, Tree, reduction in cultivation
Indigenous, Tree, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Indigenous, Tree, Nothing much can be done for this tree other than to protect its habitat in Tonga. It is known in Tonga only from ‘Eua, and the preservation of native forest on this island, especially in the National Park, is very important.
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to a pair of islands
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to a pair of islands
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to a pair of islands
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to a pair of islands
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to a pair of islands
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Indigenous, Orchid, infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Vine, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to a pair of islands (and an old record from a third)
Indigenous, Herb, infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Vine, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Indigenous, Tree, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Endemic, Shrub, endemic to one Tongan island (with an old collection from another)
Indigenous, Herb, infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Sub-Shrub, infrequency of collection and restriction in Tonga to one island
Cenchrus caliculatus Cav. - Polynesian burr-grass
Indigenous, Grass, apparently disappearing and modern collections restricted to one island Status: rare indigenous
Indigenous, Grass, infrequency of collection
Polynesian cultigen, Grass, reduction in cultivation and infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Herb, infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Liana, infrequency of collection
Indigenous, Shrub, restricted in Tonga to one island
Indigenous, Tree, infrequency of collection
Endemic, Tree, endemic to one Tongan island
Indigenous, Tree, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Endemic, Shrub, endemic to one Tongan island
Indigenous, Tree, infrequency of collection
Polynesian cultigen, Tree, reduction in cultivation
Indigenous, Shrub, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to a pair of islands
Indigenous, Herb, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to one island
Solanum ferox L. - Polynesian tomato
Polynesian cultigen, Shrub, infrequency of collection, and probably extirpated from Tonga
Indigenous, Tree, infrequency of collection and restricted in Tonga to a pair of islands
Laportea interrupta (L.) Chew - Polynesian nettle
Polynesian adventive, Herb, apparently disappearing