338 USEFUL PLANTS OF GUAM. 



capsules variable, turbinate-didymous or hemispheric, terete or 4-ribbed, membra- 

 nous; crown usually exceeding the calyx teeth, loculicidal at the top, many-seeded; 

 seeds subglobose, testa deeply coarsely pitted. 



A variable plant often having the habit of duckweed. Growing in waste places 

 on the island of Guam. Widely spread throughout the Pacific islands, the Philip- 

 pines, China, and the East Indies. The allied Oldenlandia umbellata L., which grows 

 in India, both wild and cultivated, is the source of the chaya root, which with alum 

 yields a beautiful red dye. 

 References: 



Oldenlandia paniculata L. Sp. PL ed. 2. 2: 1667.1763. 

 Oleaceae. The Olive family. 



This family is represented in Guam by Jasminum rnarianum and the cultivated 

 Jasminum officinale and J. sambac. 

 Oleander. See Nerium oleander. 

 Olena (Hawaii). See Curcuma longa. 

 Onion. See Allium cepa and Gardens. 



Operculina peltata. Shield-leaved morning-glory. 



Family Convolvulaceae. 

 Local names. — Lagun (Guam); Wa bula (Fiji). 



A climbing plant with long, tough, w T oody stem, large dark-green leaves, and 

 milky juice. Glabrous or the veins of the leaves hairy beneath; leaves broadly 

 ovate, shortly acuminate, more or less peltate, or the upper ones cordate with a nar- 

 row sinus, 15 to 25 cm. long; flowers large, usually white (they have also been 

 described as purplish and sulphur-colored), in loose cymes on a common peduncle 

 usually shorter than the petiole; sepals broad, obtuse, coriaceous, nearly equal, 

 about 18 mm. long when in flower, larger when in fruit; corolla broadly campanu- 

 late, at least 5 cm. long; anthers large. 



Common in Guam in rocky places along the coast, especially on Orote peninsula, 

 and Apapa Island in the harbor of San Luis de Apia, spreading over bushes and 

 covering the rocks with its dark-green foliage. The species is found in Tahiti, Fiji, 

 Java, Amboina, and the islands on the east coast of tropical Africa. 

 References: 



Operculina peltata (L.) Hallier f. Engler's Bot. Jahrb. 16: 549. 1892. 

 Convolvulus peltatus L. Sp. PI. 2:1194.1753. 

 Jpomoea peltata Choisy, Mem. Soc. Phys. Genev. 6: 452. 1833. 

 Ophioglossales. See Fern-allies. 



Ophioglossum pendulum. Same as Ophiodemvi pendula. See Fern-allies: 

 Opo, opu (Philippines). See Lagenaria lugenaria. 

 Opoponax (Southern United States). See Acacia farnesiana. 



Opuntia sp. Prickly pear. 



Family Cactaceae. 

 Local names. — Lengua de vaca (Spanish, meaning "cow's tongue"). 



A plant probably introduced from Mexico. Flowers yellow; fruit sweetish; not 

 common on the island. The natives do not care for the fruit. 

 Oramai (Ponape). See Boehmeria tenacissima. 

 Orange. See Citrus aurantium. 

 Orange-berry. See Triphasia trifoliata. 

 Orchidaceae. Orchid family. 



The following species of orchids have thus far been collected in Guam: Nervilia 

 aragoana Gaudich. ( Pogonia flabellrformis Lindl.) ; Luisia teretifolia Gaudich. (Epiden- 

 drum triste Forst. ); Taeniophyllum fasciola (Forst.) Reichenb. (Vanilla fasciola 



