Vascular plants recorded from Christmas Island 
by C. R. Long 
Sixty-three species of vascular plants are recorded for Christmas 
Island. One known hybird is noted. Collections of vascular plants from 
Christmas Island have been made by the following: Dr. Streets, 1873; 
Mr. Dali, 1873; H. F. Bergman, August 1924; G. P. Wilder, December 1924; 
H. St. John and F. R. Fosberg, October 1934; H. St. John and C. M. Cooke, Jr. 
October 1934; F. R. Fosberg, August 1936; F. R. Fosberg and A. M Metraux, 
August 1936; F. R. Fosberg and E. M. Metroux, August 1936; M. D. Gallagher 
(RAF Natural History Society), October 1958; D. C. Hamilton, April 1962; 
and C. R. Long, June and November 1964, June 1965. The specimens, as 
designated below, are deposited in the United States National Museum (USNM), 
the B. P. Bishop Museum (BISH) and the University of Hawaii (UH). 
Pandanaceae 
Pandanus tectorius Sol. 
Bergman 32 (BISH). Apparently all of the Pandanus sp. and var. have 
been introduced to the island. Rougier (1914) mentions the introduction 
of a taxon which he called P. odoratissimus by the Lewers Company who 
worked the island for copra. Since the importation of Gilbertese labor 
species or cultivars from the Gilbert Islands may be expected. The plants 
observed in the village of London in 1965 were used for plaiting and food 
according to three informants. 
Gramineae 
Cenchrus echinatus L. 
Hamilton 2 (BISH). Probably introduced after 193^ as Fosberg (1943) 
does not list this species. This species was observed in 1964 and 1965 
in the village of London and near the abandoned military installations on 
the north side of the island. 
Digitaria pacifica Stapf. 
Bergman 7 (BISH), Fosberg 13218,, 13231, 13262 (BISH); St. John and 
Fosberg 17^92 (BISH); Long 1850, 1903, 3424, 3J+7O (UH). Mentioned by 
Rougier (1914) as "Paragrass". This species has naturalized over the north 
and southeast portions of the island forming a grassland type vegetation 
with Lepturus . Probably of nineteenth century introduction. 
Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. 
Hamilton 17 (BISH); Long 5407 (UH). Probably introduced during the 
second world war or later as it is not present in earlier collections or 
mentioned by Fosberg (1943)- Naturalized along the northwest portion but 
not abundant. 
