Notes on the Flora of Kahoolawe . 5 



On account of the unusuall}- long period of drought the num- 

 ber of plants observed was very small, and the specimens collected 

 of poor quality. Mr. I^ow, the lessee of the island, informs me 

 that after heavy rains many annual grasses and weeds spring up, 

 so perhaps the complete number of plants of the island should be 

 three or more times what is given below. However, any one 

 familiar with Hawaiian vegetation should gain a fairly good idea 

 of the flora from the following list of plants actually observed. 

 As far as possible I have tried to use the latest accepted name for 

 the plants in the enumeration, but have sometimes failed for lack 

 of proper references. Where different I have given the name 

 used in Hillebrand's Flora in italic. 



FILICES. 



Doryopteris decipiens (Hk. ) J. vSm. 

 Pteris decipiens Hook. 



Rather rare, growing under ledges and in the shade of rocks. 



ORAMINEAE. 

 Cenchrus echinatus L. 

 Cynodon dactylon Pers. 

 Heteropogon contortus Roem & Sch. 



The most abundant plant on the island. 



AMARYIvEIDACEAE. 

 Agave americana L. 



About seven plants observed, which were probably planted at 

 some time. 



CHENOPODIACEAE. 

 Chenopodium sp. 



Seedlings, material not sufficient for determination. 



NYCTAGINACEAE. 

 Boerhavia diflFusa L. 



Not uncommon in various parts of the island, its somewhat 

 enlarged roots probably aiding it to withstand the drought. 



[87] 



