'Jones (ms,) reported that the predominant noncalcareous algae noted 
at Pearl and Hermes in the summer of 1956 were Sargassum sp., which grew 
in clumps in eight to fifteen feet of water within the lagoon. The genus 
» 
was not found on the reefs or rocks intertidally. A related genus, 
Turbinaria sp., was found on the reef flats.^He noted that 5jl 
of these two members of the Sargas 
. 
., .. . " 
ch as this family is 
on 
atoliaJ* j Occasional specimens of Halimeda were seen, and large patches of 
blue-green algae on the sands area.within, the lagoon were identified as 
♦ 
probably hyngbya sp 
ms 
Woodside and Kramer (HDFG,) reported finding the introduction of 
Setaria verticillata on Southeast Island in March 1961 . Ironwood ( Casuarina ) 
trees were planted on Southeast Island by the U.S. Navy sometime in 1963 * 
As this planting was in violation of refuge regulations all trees which 
were not already dead were destroyed in 1964, Setaria was reintroduced 
**■• *■ *•»_ • 
with the ironwoods in 1963 * 
A significant change has occurred in the flora of Southeast Island 
since it was first described in 1923 and 1930. Eragrostis has been re- 
; ■ 
duced from the status of a major plant cover to one of insignificance. 
Only a few isolated clumps remain on the eastern section, which in 1930 was 
nearly solid grass. It is possible that the major vegetation change oc¬ 
curred in late 1930 when George Kaufman reported no live vegetation, only 
tall clumps of dead bunchgrass, after a severe storm (Munro, 19^5) • As 
information on plant succession in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands is 
very limited, it is not known whether the floral’change observed, from 
grasses to herbs and vines, is a result of natural succession or caused . 
by some edaphic catastrophe. 
