Native Plants
Hernandia
labyrinthica
Bikkia
tetrandra
of the
Cycas
micronesica
for wildlife and ornamental use
Mariana Islands Calophyllum
inophyllum
Ficus
obliqua
Eugenia
palumbis
Protect our Sea, Plant a Tree
Native plants of the Northern Mariana Islands for Wildlife and Ornamental Use
Prepared by Lainie Zarones
in partnership with the Laolao Bay Pride Campaign
2014
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Most
ornamental
trees
in
parks,
gardens,
Most ornamental trees in parks, gardens, roadsides are not roadsides
are
not
from
the
Mariana
Islands
from the Mariana Islands Using
local
species
is
benecial
for
Mariana
Using local species is beneficial for Mariana Islands wildlife Islands
wildlife
Endemic: only found in the Mariana Islands Endemic:
na#ve
only
to
the
Mariana
Islands
Indigenous: native to the Mariana Islands, but also found in other regions. Indigenous :
na#ve
to
the
Mariana
Islands
and
elsewhere
Aglaia mariannensis
Aglaia mariannensis
Local name Mapunyao English name CNMI status N/A Endemic
Requirements Needs shade. Grows in limestone or volcanic soils Size Small to medium tree Propagation Uses Wildlife use Transplant seedlings found under mature tree. Hard to germinate from seed Ornamental, fence stakes, firewood Fruit eaten by wildlife
Aidia Cochinchinensis
Aidia Cochinchinensis
Local name English name CNMI status Sumak N/A Indigenous
Requirements Full sun. Colonizer of disturbed areas. Limestone soil Size Propagation Uses Wildlife use Shrub to small tree Seeds, cuttings. Fast-growing Ornamental, Medicinal, fragrance, construction Fruit eaten by birds; attracts butterflies
Bikkia Tetrandra
Bikkia Tetrandra
Local name English name CNMI status Gausali Torchwood Endemic
Requirements Coastal. Grows directly out of limestone rock Size Shrub Propagation Uses Wildlife use Seeds Ornamental, stems used as candles Flowers attract insects
Calophyllum Inophyllum
Calophyllum Inophyllum
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Daok Mastwood Indigenous Variety of soils
Size Large tree Propagation Uses Wildlife benefit Seeds Shade tree, windbreak, construction, medicine Used by wildlife for shelter
Cerbera Dilatata
Cerbera Dilatata
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Size Propagation Wildlife use Chiute N/A Endemic Clay soil, limestone Medium to large tree Seeds, cuttings Flowers attract insects
Uses Ornamental, fragrance
Cordia Subcordata
Cordia Subcordata
Local name English name CNMI status Niyoron N/A Indigenous
Requirements Near coast, limestone. Grows in disturbed areas Size Shrub/small tree Propagation Uses Wildlife use Seeds, cuttings Ornamental use, woodcarving Attracts butterflies
Cycas Micronesica
Cycas Micronesica
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Propagation Wildlife use Fadang Cycad Indigenous Clay/limestone soil Seeds, cuttings Fruit eaten by bats
Size Shrub/small tree Uses Ornamental
Cynometra Ramiflora
Cynometra Ramiflora
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Size Propagation Wildlife use Gulos N/A Indigenous Limestone soils Small to medium tree Seeds (only produces in some years) Nest sites
Uses Ornamental
Discocalyx Megacarpa
Discocalyx Megacarpa
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Otot N/A Endemic Shady areas on limestone, along stream on clay soil
Size Shrub Propagation Uses Wildlife use Seeds Ornamental, edible fruit Fruit eaten by wildlife
Elaeocarpus Joga
Elaeocarpus Joga
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Joga N/A Endemic Limestone soils. Guam and Rota only
Size Large tree Propagation Wildlife use Seeds (need to be digested by birds) Fruit eaten by birds and bats Uses Ornamental
Erythrina variegata var. Orientalis
Erythrina variegata var. Orientalis
Local name English name CNMI status Gaogao Coral tree, tigerclaw Endemic
Requirements Limestone Size Large tree Propagation Uses Wildlife use Seeds, cuttings. Fast-growing Ornamental, shade tree, firewood, medicine Nectar eaten by birds and bats
Eugenia Palumbis
Eugenia Palumbis
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Agatelang N/A Endemic Limestone, shaded areas
Size Shrub Propagation Uses Wildlife use Seeds Ornamental, hedges, edible fruit Fruit eaten by birds
Ficus Tinctoria
Ficus Tinctoria
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Hoda Dyers Fig Endemic Limestone, shoreline
Size Medium tree Propagation Wildlife use Seeds Fruit eaten by birds Uses Medicinal
Guamia Mariannae
Guamia Mariannae
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Paipai N/A Endemic Limestone soils. Shades areas
Size Small tree Propagation Uses Wildlife use Seeds Ornamental, shade tree Fruit eaten by birds and bats
Hernandia Labyrinthica
Hernandia Labyrinthica
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Oschal N/A Indigenous High elevations
Size Large tree Propagation Uses Wildlife use Seed, cuttings Ornamental, shade tree Nesting sites, food for Rota White-eye
Hernandia Sonora
Hernandia Sonora
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Nonak Lantern tree Indigenous Coastal areas
Size Large tree Propagation Uses Wildlife use Seed, cuttings Ornamental, shade tree Used by birds for nesting
Hibiscus Tiliaceus
Hibiscus Tiliaceus
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Size Propagation Pago Beach hibiscus Indigenous Tolerates a wide range of conditions Small to medium tree Seed, cuttings
Uses Ornamental, shade tree, rope, medicine, furniture, canoes Wildlife use Attracts butterflies
Intsia Bijuga
Intsia Bijuga
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Size Propagation Uses Wildlife use Ifit N/A Indigenous Suited to most sites Medium to large tree Seeds Ornamental, shade tree, wood carving, construction Used by birds for nesting
Melanolepis Multiglandulosa var. Glabrata
Melanolepis Multiglandulosa var. Glabrata
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Size Propagation Wildlife use Alum N/A Endemic Limestone, volcanic soils, pioneer in disturbed areas Small to medium tree Seeds, cuttings Fruit eaten by birds
Uses Ornamental, medicinal
Melochia Villosissima var. Compacta
Melochia Villosissima var. Compacta
Local name English name CNMI status Sayafe N/A Indigenous
Requirements Limestone, open areas, forest edges Size Propagation Wildlife use Shrub to small tree Seeds, cuttings Attracts butterflies
Uses Ornamental
Morinda Citrifolia
Morinda Citrifolia
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Lada Indian mulberry Indigenous Variety of soils. Colonizer of disturbed areas. Very hardy
Size Shrub/small tree Propagation Uses Wildlife use Seeds, cuttings Medicinal, ornamental, dyes Fruit eaten by wildlife
Ochrosia Mariannensis
Ochrosia Mariannensis
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Size Propagation Langiti Lipstick tree Endemic Limestone, exposed areas Small to medium tree Seeds/cuttings
Uses Ornamental, medicinal, fragrance, firewood, dyes Wildlife use Seeds eaten by wildlife
Piper Guahamense
Piper Guahamense
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Propagation Wildlife use Pupulu-n-aniti Wild pepper Endemic Wet areas/streams, limestone Seeds/root stock N/A
Size Shrub Uses Medicinal
Pipturus Argenteus
Pipturus Argenteus
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Amahadyan Silvery pipturus Indigenous Coast/open areas/forest edge, limestone. Colonizer of disturbed areas
Size Small tree Propagation Wildlife use Seeds/cutting Butterfly attractant, fruit eaten by birds Uses Dyes, cloths
Pisonia Grandis
Pisonia Grandis
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Size Propagation Uses Wildlife use Umumu N/A Endemic Limestone, sand Medium to large tree Seeds, cutting Canoe parts, fences Trees used for nesting by seabirds
Premna Obtusifolia
Premna Obtusifolia
Local name English name CNMI status Ahgoa False elder Indigenous
Requirements Beach/forest edge/colonizer of disturbed areas. Limestone Size Small/medium tree Propagation Seeds/cuttings. Fast-growing Uses Construction, medicinal, fence posts Wildlife use Fruit eaten by birds and bats
Psychotria Mariana
Psychotria Mariana
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Aploghating N/A Endemic Edge or interior species
Size Small tree Propagation Uses Wildlife use Seeds/cuttings Ornamental, shade tree Fruit eaten by wildlife
Scaevola Sericea
Scaevola Sericea
Local name English name CNMI status Nanaso Half-flower Indigenous
Requirements Limestone Size Shrub Propagation Uses Wildlife use Seeds, cuttings, transplanted seedlings Hedge plant, medicinal, construction Fruit eaten by birds
Terminalia Catappa
Terminalia Catappa
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Propagation Talisai Pacific almond Indigenous Shady limestone soils Seeds/cuttings
Size Medium tree Uses Shade tree, ornamental, medicine, edible seeds Wildlife use Seeds eaten by birds
Thespesia Populnea
Thespesia Populnea
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Propagation Banalo Rosewood Indigenous Coastal areas, wetlands Seeds/cuttings
Size Medium tree Uses Fenceposts, dyes, shade tree, windbreak, ornamental Wildlife use Used by wildlife for shelter
Tournefortia Argentea
Tournefortia Argentea
Local name English name CNMI status Requirements Propagation Uses Wildlife use Hunik Velvet leaf Indigenous Coastal areas Seeds Shade tree, ornamental Butterfly attractant
Size Medium tree
Top
5
recommended
plants
f or
w ildlife
Top 15 1 recommended plants for wildlife
Scientific name Aglaia
mariannensis Aidia
cochinchiniensis Calophyllum
inophyllum Cerbera
dilatata Cordia
subcordata Eugenia
palumbus
Guamia
mariannae Intsia
bijuga Melanolepis
mul#glandulosa Piper
guahamense Pipturus
argenteus Premna
obtusifolia Pouteria
obovata Psychotria
mariana Terminalia
catappa Local name Mapunyao Sumak Da'ok Chiute Niyoron Agatelang
Paipai It Alum pupula-n-ani# P Amahadyan Ahgao Lahala Aplogha#ng Talisai English
name
N/A
N/A Mastwood N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Wild Pepper
Size
Small
to
medium
tree
Shrub
to
small
tree
Large
tree
Medium
to
large
tree
Shrub
to
small
tree
Shrub
Small
tree
Medium
to
large
tree
Small
to
medium
tree
Shrub
Small
tree
Small
to
medium
tree
Small
to
medium
tree
Small
tree
Medium
tree
Silvery
pipturus False
elder
N/A N/A
Pacic
almond
Plants suitable for disturbed areas
Aidia conchinchinesis Sumak Cordia subcordata Niyoron Melanolepis multiglandulosa var. glabrata Alum
Morinda citrifolia Lada Pipturus Amahadyan Premna obtusifolia Ahgoa
A natural forest
High diversity Multiple layers Structure and composition depends on variety of factors including soil, slope, elevation,aspect, water
Plant selection
Not all plants grow everywhere. Plants will grow best if the right species is chosen for the site. Look at the species descriptions to find out what each species needs What is the soil type? What direction does the site face? Is it open or shady? Is it near the coast? Is it at high elevation? Find a species that grows in similar conditions in the wild
Sourcing native plants
Native plants can be grown from cuttings or seeds, or seedlings can be transplanted from the wild See species descriptions for best method of propagation Consider how big the plant will grow. Is there room for a large tree or do you need a smaller tree or a shrub?
Thanks to contributors:
Lainie Zarones Haldre Rogers Laura Bussolini Mike Hitchcock Julia Boland Ann-Marie Gawel Jihan Buniag Avra Heller Lynn Raulerson and Agnes Rinehart 1991 Tree and shrubs of the Northern Mariana islands Scott Vogt and Laura Williams 2004 Common Flora and Fauna of the Mariana Islands
Laolao Bay
Pr id
mp Ca
aign
Laolao Bay Pride Campaign
Pro
nt Pla tect Our Sea,
A Campaign Dedicated to Environmental Stewardship, Community Engagement, and Conservation
Tr ee
Plant Natives
Visit our website at www.deq.gov.mp for more information. Laolao Bay Pride Campaign
