Aneityum

n. Ficus aspera

Example: Juice squeeved from leaves: conjunctivitis

Speaker: Bradacs 2011, p. 443

[aɣes nohos] phr. I eat/bite a banana

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

[alpos] adj. big

Speaker: David Nasauman

[amŋi inɣaɣen] phr. drink kava (traditional)

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

adj. backwards

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

[araheθ] n. round

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

v. apply (as in oil to skin); paint

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. tendrils; small branches

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 71

n. tree, 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3520)

Example: Children sometimes eat this fruit but it smells bad. Adults do not eat it. An introduced species so there is no local name.

Scientific name: Annona glabra

adj. adjacent

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 121

v. respect

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

v. to peel off bark

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 75

n. kind of crab

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

[iɲara] n. Honeyeater, grey and orange (Vanuatu Honeyeater)

Example: Photo by Olivier Boissier, IBC973343. Photo of Vanuatu Honeyeater Gliciphila notabilis at Sola, Vanuatu. License: All rights reserved. Accessible on Internet Bird Collection

Scientific name: Gliciphila notabilis, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. herb to 1 m, flowers blue. In transitional zone from pine forest to ’primary’ forest. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4982)

Example: This is used to treat Ciguatera disease when a person eats fish that is contaminated. Squeeze juice from a handful of leaves of this herb into a cup, add a small amount of water, and drink 1 cup once a day for 3 days, or continue until the person feels better. This illness is a problem on Aneityum with the reef fish. It is better to eat fish that are farther out to sea. This treatment is also used for dogs who eat contaminated fish. Make the same preparation and forcibly pour this in their mouth as they will not drink it willingly. Do this treatment once daily until the dog feels better. The dogs get this illness because they are fed the scraps, especially the bones of the fish, and this is thought to be where the disease is found. This is considered to be a dangerous illness and dogs who get it frequently die.

Scientific name: Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Speaker: Tony Keith

n. shrub to 1 m, flowers white. Growing on ridge of pine forest. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4980)

Example: The leaves are good mulch for taro plants. The stems are used for firewood.

Scientific name: Geniostoma rupestre, Speaker: Tony Keith

n. an old coconut

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 85

n. kind of fish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. croton plant

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 139

n. Artocarpus altilis

Example: shoot: Mix heated over fire and taken out during sunset. Healer clenches the package in his fist, then gently punches the patients left, then right knee, then his forehead and finally squeezes over his head, migraine and headache.

Speaker: Bradacs 2011, p. 443

n. tree to 10 m, dbh 1 m (collection: Michael J. Balick #4991)

Example: The young trees are a good source of lumber as they are straight and can be used as poles or sawn timber. This tree is also a source of firewood and is known to be easy to light and burns well. The fruits are a source of oil. Collect the ripe fruits, remove the seeds from the shell, macerate the seeds to release the white endosperm inside, place this in a pot without water and heat it. The brown-yellow oil will come out from the crushed fruits. It is good for using on the body but not edible. It is a good massage oil, or to lubricate the skin or to heal small wounds. For the latter, drop some oil on the wound once daily until the wound heals.

Scientific name: Aleurites moluccanus, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. tree, 7 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4124)

Scientific name: Trichospermum inmac, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. Tabernaemontana padacaqui

Example: leaf used for for wounds; cold maceration taken internally against "skin cancer" (severe wounds?). Stalk, chewed, influences sex of an embryo in favor of a girl.

Scientific name: Tabernaemontana padacaqui, Speaker: Bradacs 2011, p. 440

n. kind of breadfruit

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 118

n. kind of fish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. vine climbing on Geissois denhamii (GMP #3522), growing in open (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3524)

Example: The word itougo means from a different country or place outside of Aneityum. The plant was introduced by the first missionaries who came to Port Patrick. Calendar plant – sea cost people see this flower in the forest and they know it is time to go into garden and harvest taro or make new gardens– see GMP 3263. This is also good firewood.

Scientific name: Operculina turpethum, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. Tahitian chestnut (RPV #47)

Scientific name: Inocarpus fagifer, Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. island

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. dry land planted

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 89

n. well branched tree, 6 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3202)

Example: 1. Young shoots are peeled and made into grass skirts. Scrape the stem and take the green part off, tie strips together and put under stones in the sea for retting, let sit 5 days in sea, but check these on a daily basis. When the fiber becomes soft, that is the time to take it from under the stones, clean off the excess materials, and hang it in the sun to dry for 3 days--this will bleach it and give it a whitish color, at which point it can be woven into a skirt. 2. The fiber can be used to make a small rope that is tied with shells and used for custom dances. 3. When the stems of this tree are older, the wood is very hard and it can be used to make the main frame that is arched for a cyclone house. According to Reuben these houses are not made much anymore on Aneityum Island. 4. To cook the intestines of fish that are eaten, take several leaves and put them in a small pile, making a wrapping, then use a local fiber to tie this together and cook on charcoal for as long as needed to prepare the fish parts. 5. In this area, sometimes knowledge of the plants and flowering are used as a calendar to indicate the time for planting of specific crops. Reuben will provide more details on a future trip. 6a. This species is an important "message plant." If a person is not home and you are visiting from the East--e.g. an Eastern part of the Island--that person can leave a 12 inch piece of stick in front of the door of the house so that the inhabitant knows that an eastern visitor (from Anawonjei district) has come by your home. The reason that person has come to visit is to pass an important message to you--good or bad "luck". The bad luck message might be a death, and is not told directly to the person. The good luck message might be a birth, or conflict that has been resolved. These messages are communicated using sticks--each district has a different species of plant. Reuben’s is the hibiscus. 6b. Message plant for Eastern people. If someone dies, use this plant, clip it in front of hem, in front of home, they ask “who” and you can tell them. In Eastern culture you cannot tell them directly. 7. When a person is too drunk with kava, take a branch of this and brush him with it to help make the effects go away. 8. Traditional plates for food.

Scientific name: Hibiscus tiliaceus, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. kind of plant, grass, or fern

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. tree, 9 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4053)

Example: 1. Timber is often harvested and sold from this tree. 2. Flying foxes enjoy the fruits of this tree. Hunters gather nearby this species when the flying foxes are hunted.

Scientific name: Sideroxylon aneityense, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. dragon plum (RPV #3)

Scientific name: Dracontomelon vitiense, Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. herb to 0. 75 m, fruits brown. Growing in cultivated area near village. (collection: Michael J. Balick #5012)

Example: Children use this fruit as a rattle. When parents go to the gardens or fields with their children, they collect the pods for the children to use as a rattle and amuse themselves. Unspecified medicinal use.

Scientific name: Senna occidentalis, Speaker: Tony Keith

v.n. to walk abroad

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 92

n. sterile herb, juvenile form (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3438)

Example: This plant is used as a starchy food. To prepare it, grarte it into a dish, wash with water, the starch settles to the bottom, pour off the water, dry the starch in the sun and make it into a powder. The starch can be cooked with coconut milk and eaten.

Scientific name: Tacca leontopetaloides, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. kind of fish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

[ŋmoroŋmora] n. ants

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. day

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 114

[nahanemek] n. kind of breadfruit, old name for "naho"

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. a burden of pandanus leaf

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 94

n. a plant from which twine is made

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 94

n. well branched tree, 10 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4083)

Example: 1. The ripe fruits (yellow) are eaten. It is considered very sweet. 2. Young saplings are used to fashion a digging stick to plant kava and taro.

Scientific name: Garcinia pseudoguttifera, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. half-tide when ebbing

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 94

n. kind of sugarcane

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. terrestrial plant, 60 cm tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3498)

Example: Children take a shoot of this plant and make a whistle from it. However, when children do this, they are told not to, as it will attract the rains, or a snake, that will hear the noise and come to the person. This is a folk belief. The base of the shoot of this plant is chewed and applied to fresh cuts as a styptic. Pull out top growth of plant that has not flowered and blow on it like a whistle. Ancestors used this as a whistle to attract snakes for edible – not today. Name means “balls or heaps of snakes” refer to their attraction.

Scientific name: Dianella ensifolia, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. tree, 8-10 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4017)

Example: 1. Aerial roots have a natural curve that allows them to be used as a clothing hanger. The outer bark is peeled and dried all day in the sun, before the roots are used. 2. Leaves are used to help remove fish bones lodged in one’s throat. When bones are stuck in one’s throat, then you apply young leaves to the outside of the throat. Apply once and leave until the bones are removed.

Scientific name: Myristica fatua, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

[naleθpeɲ] n. Barn Owl

Example: Photo by Matt Knoth, License: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 via Flickr

Scientific name: Tyto alba, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. shrub, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3485)

Example: 1. The larger stems of this plant can be used to build houses, for rafters. 2. It is also a good source of firewood. 3. Ancestors, before go to chief’s canal and want to talk about a complicated issue – a person would cut a branch and bring it to the sea and tap the water surface and would say what he wants, ask that he would want that issue to be solved and that others would follow his ideas and then go back to the meeting place and take stick, keep wind at his back, moving stick in all directions and then he will convince the people of his ideas. This is done by the chief’s spokesman. Helps convince the opposition. Helps keep power in hands of parent(??) chief rather than subchiefs who might have other ideas.

Scientific name: Glochidion ramiflorum, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. shrub to 3 m, dbh 3 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4876)

Example: When a person is walking a long way, put pieces of the branches in your basket to make the journey shorter (easier). Leaves used for unspecified traditional medicine.

Scientific name: Croton insularis, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. shrub to treelet, 3 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3266)

Scientific name: Syzygium aneityense, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. shrub, 1 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3553)

Example: 1. A stimulant plant. If a person is going to their garden early in the morning before the sun come up, break 2 top young leaves and chew and swallow the liquid, spitting out the fiber. This makes the person able to work harder and not feel tired while in the fields. It was noted that "a person can do the work of many people if they chew this." 2. The leaves are used for fertilizer for taro--put a bunch of leaves in a hole were taro is to be planted as a compost/antibiotic. This practice is said to kill all of the bad organisms such as bacttively impact the health of the taro plant. 3. This one collected from coastal area, ?? one collected in forest area. People take 4 leaves, chew leaves, swallow juice, gives energy to work hard the entire day. For fishing, take lots of ripe fruits and put in pocket, you will be able to catch a lot of fish. It brings good fortune when fishing. Roots – take one root, wash where a woman is giving birth to a newborn baby, give a drop of the juice from the root to clear the mucus in the throat.

Scientific name: Scaevola taccada, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. Pacific yellowtail emperor

Example: Photo by Jeffrey T. Williams / Smithsonian Institution, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia

Scientific name: Lethrinus atkinsoni via FishBase, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. a gathering of inmops or horse-chestnuts

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 96

n. epiphytic orchid, growing in dense rainforest. Flowers orange. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4113)

Example: 1. Children often take the leaves of this plant and blow across the surface of a taut leaf to make a whistle sound. Older folks say this blowing invited rain.

Scientific name: Liparis condylobulbon, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. grass to 20-30 cm tall, florets brown. Growing along trail. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4970)

Example: This plant is used to make a medicine to stop bleeding, as a styptic. Squeeze a handful of leaves together and apply the leaves as a poultice to the wound or drip the juice on the wound when it does not seem wise to put pressure on the bleeding. This will stop the blood from flowing from the wound and is only to be used on a small wound.

Scientific name: Paspalum conjugatum, Speaker: Tony Keith

n. treelet, 1 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3622)

Example: People use the leaf of this plant to tie over grated banana, taro or other foods for cooking in an earth oven or boiling in a pot. The root of this species is edible. Cook it for 2-3 nights in an earth oven and then chew and squeeze the juice into your mouth, spitting out the fiber.

Scientific name: Cordyline fruticosa, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. kind of banana

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 118

[nawitõŋa] n. machete

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

n. hemlock

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 157

n. herb, growing in partially drained marsh and along weedy areas of road. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3600)

Example: This plant is used as an ornament in the hair.

Scientific name: Palhinhaea cernua, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. large tree, 15-20 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4062)

Example: 1. The trunk of this tree is used to make the body and outrigger of a traditional canoe. 2. The inner bark is used as a bandage for cuts and wounds. When the inner bark is grated it yields a sticky substance. The sap acts as a liquid stitch and reduced the chance of scarring. When this is dry one must use a knife to remove the residue.

Scientific name: Hernandia moerenhoutiana, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. kind of sugarcane

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. tree, growing in forest at edge of wide tidal stream (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3535)

Example: 1. The wood is strong and good to make house posts. People use these for this purpose on the coast as salt water does not bother this wood. 2. People eat fruit, split fruit in half, carefully scrape the inner part into a pot of water, keep over night – next day rinse, fry or cook with coconut milk and can add tinned tuna for example, very hard work.

Scientific name: Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. Skipjack tuna

Example: Photo by Krw130lm / Fishes of Australia, License: CC BY-A-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia

Scientific name: Katsuwonus pelamis via FishBase, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

[nɛlop] n. back fin (of fish)

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. kind of bush

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. lithophyte, growing on rock in dense rainforest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4038)

Scientific name: Antrophyum plantagineum, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. a leaf

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 100

n. tree, 1. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3685)

Example: Sharpen the end of a straight pole of this tree and use it to plant taro in a swampy area. For family planning. Scratch away the inner bark into your hand and mix with 1/4 cup salty water. Woman the uses (not specified how to use) it after her monthly period to protect her from getting pregnant.

Scientific name: Decaspermum neoebudicum, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. shrub to small tree, growing in clumps among rocks in open area along river. Fruits green. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4064)

Example: 1. This plant is an indication of good soil. 2. Dry wood is used as a firewood.

Scientific name: Ficus adenosperma, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. tree, 3 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3213)

Example: 1. When a person has a headache from being out in the sun too long, scrape the outer bark off of the stem of this tree, take scrapings of the inner bark, wrap with a leaf of breadfruit and put in a fire for 15-20 minutes. Not a hot fire, but only in the flame. Squeeze the water out of the bark when it is warm and rub all over the forehead and face to help the headache go away. 2. Use the stems of this tree as a stick to carry taro from the field, as the stick is strong but not too heavy. The taro is tied to each end to balance on a person’s shoulders. 3. Leaf used for wrapping local medicines. This is the best leaf and put it on the charcoal to heat it. 4. Good firewood.

Scientific name: Macaranga dioica, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. brow of a hill

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 131

n. large tree, 18 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4076)

Example: 1. The name means "I come". This plant is used to convey messages. When a branch of this plant is left at the house of a person it indicates someone had visited them and they were not there. 2. Children eat the nut of the ripe (yellow) fruits.

Scientific name: Finschia chloroxantha, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. small tree-fern, 1 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3269)

Scientific name: Cyathea, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. the center rib of the coconut leaflet; wire

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 103

[niʧin neijaŋ] n. coconut shell

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. small basket

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, Dec. 2018, Aneityum island.

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. Morinda citrifolia L.

Example: Fruit: eaten raw, constipation

Speaker: Bradacs 2011, p. 444

n. plat (a map, drawn to scale, showing divisions in a piece of land)

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 172

n. the red star, the "hand" in the constellation Orion; also "necye"

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 113

n. the ebbing tide

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 104

n. the early morning

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 104

n. leaves for an oven

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 105

n. non-fish creatures in the sea

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. the south-south-west wind

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 113

n. Polyscias samoensis

Example: leaf -- cold maceration taken internally against ciguatera

Scientific name: Polyscias samoensis, Speaker: Bradacs 2011, p. 440

v.n. to bear fruit as a tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 105

[owaŋ] num. six

Speaker: David Nasauman

adv. seaward here

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 107

adj. beginning to be ripe, as fruit

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 112

v.n. to go down

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 109