THE FLORA OF RAROTONGA. 299 
Musa PARADISIACA, Linn.—Abundant in suitable localities throughout the island. The 
Banana always has been and still is the staple article of food among the Rarotongans, 
and has been cultivated by them from time immemorial, The following list of 15 
different varieties known before the arrival of Europeans was supplied to me by the chief 
Tarare, and he admitted that other kinds were grown, the names of which he had 
forgotten :—(1) Zurita, the best variety, the fruit of which was reserved for the use of 
the chiefs; (2) Koputea; (3) Ravi; (4) Toanga; (5) Aumari; (6) Ai; (7) Raumaru ; 
(8) Unauna; (9) Pivaikura; (10) Mava; (11) Kaivao; (12) Torota: (13) Kirimangio; 
(14) Tapua; (15) Rokivi. 
Universally cultivated in warm climates. 
Mvsa Ern, Bertero.—Native name Uatu, meaning the “ fruit which stands up," in 
allusion to the erect bunches of fruit, the bunches being pendulous in all the varieties 
of M. paradisiaca. It is also often called by its Tahitian name of Fehi, or rather Fei. 
It is most abundant in the central portions of the island, particularly at the sources of the 
mountain-streams, where it often forms groves of several acres in extent. It is rarely 
cultivated, the natives preferring to make regular expeditions to the heads of the valleys 
for the fruit. This is usually baked, seldom eaten raw. 
Pacifie Islands. 
BROMELIACE.E. 
* ANANAS SATIVA, Linn.—The Pine-apple is largely cultivated, the fruit being regularly 
exported to Auckland. It has gone wild in several localities, and I noticed plants 
erowing in the forest on the summit of Tekou, at an elevation of 1800 ft., far away from 
all plantations. 
Tropical America. 
AMARYLLIDACE.E. 
CRINUM PEDUNCULATUM, R. Br.— Very plentiful near the villages of the natives, and 
often planted in their gardens. Doubtless an introduced plant. 
Pacifie Islands, Australia, Malaya. 
DIOSCOREACE.E. 
DIOSCOREA ALATA, Linn.—Native name U-parai. Abundant throughout the lower 
portions of the island, but not so frequently cultivated as the following species. 
Pacific Islands, India, Malaya. 
DIOSCOREA sativa, Linn.—Native name Oi. Thisis the Yam which is most frequently 
cultivated in Rarotonga. The natives distinguish eight or ten varieties. 
Cultivated in most warm climates. 
DIOSCOREA PENTAPHYLLA, Linn.—Native name Pirita. Common on the lower parts 
of the island, festooning trees. It is much prized by the natives for food, but I did not 
see it in cultivation, like the two preceding species. 
Pacific Islands, India, Malaya, tropical Africa. 
