E. whitneyi var. cau mii (from the Hawaiian Leewards) is recognized as distinct 
"the taxon formerly found on Baker Island would be var. whitneyi . This species 
has not been collected since 1924. Christophersen found this native grass 
"on the beach" which suggests that this species is a wave carried adventive. 
Lepturus repens (Forst.) R. Br. 
Christophersen 51 (BISH), Coman s. n. (BISH), Bryan 1523 (BISH)? 
Marshall 10, 11 (USNM), Long 2151, 2153, 2162, 2372, 2387 (UH). The Pacific 
bunchgrass is found inside the beach ridge and most commonly on the flat 
interior area. Thick clumps found along the west beach ridge form pure stands. 
First collected in 1924 from "beach sand" by Christophersen and later by Bryan 
from the central.basin forming an association with Boerhavia and Portulaca. 
Setaria vetticellata (L.) Beauv. 
• * 
Long 2150 (UH). Four clumps were found on the southwest side in sand. 
‘ Probably introduced during the Second World War and not spreading. 
Cyperaceae 
Fimbristylis cymosa R. Br, 
Christophersen 32 (BISH) as F. pycnocephala Hbd. and F. cymosa var. 
microcephala F. Brown, Bryan s. n. (BISH) as F. cymosa v ar. microcephala ^ 
F. Brown, Long 2399 (UH). Reported from ’’pockets in conglomerate bedrock” 
(Christophersen) and from ’’moist spot amid dunes” (Bryan). Found in 19&* 
in soil pockets of ste&l matting of runway built during the Second World 
War. Long’s specimen is not identical with the earlier collections and may 
represent a later introduction. 
Palmae 
Cocos nucifera L. . 
An attempt was made to introduce this species during the 1930*While 
the trees seemed to thrive under cultivation they eventually succumbed to the 
ravages of rats and crabs (Rodman, 1955; Piianaia, 195&). 
Nyctaginaceae 
Boerhavia sp. 
Christophersen 37 (BISH) as B. tetrandra Forst., Bryan 1324 (BISH) 
as B. tetrandra Forst., Marshall 12 XUSKM)^, Long 2152, 2159> 21ol, 2163, 
y 23 66 , 2373, 2377, 2401 (UH). This native herb is common over the island especially 
in sandy soils. The taxonomy of this genus in the central Pacific is confused 
and until studies now underway are completed it seems best not to designate 
a specific epithet. This white flowered species may be identical to the probably 
new taxon referred to by Fosberg and as yet unnamed (Fosberg, 1959 )t 
