THE PHANEROGAMS OF THE JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLANDS 2 r I 



fuera. As was foreseen, not many species in Masatierra expected their discovery: 

 two were added in 1908 and six more in 1916 — 17, not counting such as were 

 known before but have obtained their proper position in this paper (Greigia 

 Berteroi, Halorrhagis masatierrana, Dendroseris pruinata). The meagre flora 

 of Santa Clara was enriched by one species only (Plantago *Skottsbergii). But 

 my high expectations as to Masafuera were quite fulfilled. Of the 72 species 

 now recorded from this island, 8 were discovered in 1908 and 28 in 191 6 — 17, 

 which means an increase of IOO %. The high mountains yielded many new 

 and interesting things. I do not flatter myself that we have come across 

 everything, even if I am confident that future explorations will not alter the 

 present picture of the flora very much. 



In this place I wish to draw attention to certain gaps in our knowledge 

 of some interesting plants. Of Greigia Berteroi flower and fruit are unknown; 

 Centaurodendron has only been found with a few old achenes, and it is of 

 considerable importance that the flowers be found. The earlier floral stages of 

 the Gunnera hybrids are not known. Further, nobody has seen the male flowers 

 of Robinsonia macrocephala, and our knowledge of the flowers of Dendroseris 

 neriifolia and D. pinnata var. insignis is too imperfect. All these species belong- 

 to Masatierra. Of the new species from Masafuera, Berberis masafuerana and 

 Dendroseris regia were described from sterile specimens, and Ranunculus capra- 

 rum and Fagara externa have only been found with fruit. 



The distribution of the phanerogams within the Juan Fernandez group is 

 made clear in the table below. 



We learn from these figures that there is a considerable difference between 

 the islands. Of 142 species, only 27, or 19 %, are common to Masatierra and 

 Masafuera. The more fertile valleys of the former offer better conditions to a 

 forest flora, while the alpine species of the latter are wanting: Masatierra is 

 c. 950, Masafuera c. 1500 m high. The poorness of the flora of Santa Clara 

 no doubt results from very unfavorable climatic conditions; we must not forget 

 that also the western part of Masatierra is very poor in species compared with 

 the central and eastern parts. 



The Juan Fernandez Islands are famous for their numerous and peculiar 

 endemic types. Of the genera, 81 in number, only 10 are endemic, but, with 

 the exception of Ochagavia, all of them are strongly marked; Lactoris is the 

 type of a separate order, and all the others occupy a very independent position 

 and have no very near relatives. Further, the species of Bromus (formerly 

 known as Megalachne) and Eryngium (once described under the name Lessonia) 

 form separate sections. Of 142 species not less than 98 or 69% are endemic; 



