Nafe (Kwamera)

n. (collection: Michael J. Balick #5107)

Example: For Asthma, take one handful of shaved stem with 1/2 L water. Boil in a pot 5-10 minutes, a drink 1 warm cup two times a day for one week.

Scientific name: Chamaesyce, Speaker: Johnson Noar

[jaku jaku] n. kind of herb (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3165)

Scientific name: Portulaca oleracea, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. kind of coconut with reddish fibre

Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. 1. kind of tuber pudding baked with edible leaves (nuvas), 2. cup made from rolled young banana leaves, 3. respect, friendship, fellowship

Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. Cassias, type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5110)

Example: Leaves fed to pig. Women string the seeds to make necklaces to sell. If the libido of a male is too strong ("bamboo is too strong"), mix juice from leaves and mix with 1/2 L water and drink 2 cups 1 day.

Scientific name: Leucaena leucocephala, Speaker: Emmanuel Maasi

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5065)

Example: Tricks the rat, sees seeds from bottom, but when climbs herb, can’t see it--so name refers to tricking the rat. If a person drinks too much kava over many years, boil 5-6 whole plant for 15 minutes in water (1.5 L) and put in pot, drink 3 cups, 1x / day for 3 days to detoxify the effects of kava. A person who has drunk too much kava over a long time feels it in the body--weak, hard to wake early, appetite is low, body feels heavy.

Scientific name: Phyllanthus imbricatus, Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5101)

Example: To treat ciguatera disease (fish toxin), boil a double handful of the male flower, in 2 liter water, 10-15 min. Drink all at once warm. Drink one pot daily for 2 days. Leaves and flowers to feed pigs. Fruit edible. Slice the green fruit and boil it to make soup or fry it in oil and make a salad. Ripe fruit to make jam.

Scientific name: Carica papaya, Speaker: Emmanuel Maasi

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5161)

Example: Leaf mixed with Malaxis sp. (MJB 5154) to treat broken bone. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) drip juice from the stem into the eye 2x day 3 days. Fertility: To cleanse womb squeeze on stem into bottle with water and drink 1L a day for four days to get pregnant.

Scientific name: Canavalia, Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. low-growing herb, growing in dense forest heavily impacted by cyclone. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3259)

Example: When a person has diarrhea with blood (dysentery) , this is the plant medicine used to treat it. Take leaves and squeeze juice into a cup of water and give this to the person who is ill. One teaspoon for young children and for an adult 1 full cup in the morning each day until fully cured.

Scientific name: Hemigraphis reptans, Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. shrub, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4233)

Example: 1. The inner skin of the stem is used to weave grass skirts and nambas. 2. Pidgeons eat the fruits.

Scientific name: Wikstroemia indica, Speaker: Martial Wahe

n cat’s cradle game

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. secondary forest growth (e.g., over a garden site)

Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

[konapwit] n. herb to 50 cm, flowers pink (collection: Michael J. Balick #4721)

Example: This plant is used to treat diarrhea. A person takes 1 handful of leaves, washes the soil off, chews them and gets the juice out of the leaves, spits out the fibers and left over parts of the leaves. Chew this regularly until the diarrhea goes away if a person has a bad case; for a mild case, chew only once. It is said that a person has to "listen to the plant" until the diarrhea stops. It is said to be better for this condition than Psidium (guava).

Scientific name: Desmodium, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. herb to 1 m, flowers yellow (collection: Michael J. Balick #4730)

Example: The entire plant is pulled up, the stems bound together and used to make a local broom.

Scientific name: Sida, Speaker: Emmanuel Maasi

[kwarenem akwaŋ] n. herb growing on large rock in middle of flowing stream. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3114)

Example: The stem of this plant is a hollow tube, its local name means "inside out." When a person sings a kaostum song, they chew the stem and it is said to give the person a "big" voice. It also helps a person shout and sing loud as it helps to clear the throat.

Scientific name: Youngia japonica, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. kind of small plant with fragrant leaves

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. pumpkin

(Bislama) kƗmkƗn

Scientific name: Bislama, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. 1. kind of tree, 2. ladder made from a tree branch

Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

kind of yam, produces tubers with white flesh, that are soft and sweet

Example: Only used in soup. The origin of this variety is thought to be Fiji, and the local name means “From Fiji”

Scientific name: Dioscorea spp., Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. mango

(Bislama) magko

Scientific name: Bislama, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

[manariən nəʔpəŋ] n. shrub, 3 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #2971)

Example: Cultural: After a young boy is circumcised, a special kava (“Tapuga”) is prepared. The leaf of this tree is then tied to each branch of the tree to signify the ceremony.

Scientific name: Maoutia diversifolia, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

kind of mango, the fruit of this variety is round and has a very nice smell

Scientific name: Mangifera indica, Speaker: Johnson Noar

kind of cassava. When the soil is good, this variety produces the largest root. A man named Charley got it from Port-Vila and brought it to Port Resolution and it is named for him

Scientific name: Manihot esculenta, Speaker: Johnson Noar

kind of pandanus

Example: The green leaves are used to weave mats, baskets and hats. The stem is used for making houseposts and also burned as firewood. The ripe fruits are cut open and the seeds are removed and eaten—they taste like coconut and are eaten fresh

Scientific name: Pandanus tectorius, Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5044)

Example: Collect the branches, scrape into a dish, and mix with water to make soap for washing clothes. One can also bathe with it. Also associated is the legend of a rat who, swimming in the sea, gets hungry and goes to this vine to eat. Preparing for a delicious meal, he defecates when he sees this vine. He climbs up to get the fruits on top of the vine, but has been tricked-- they are below! Once he realizes, the branch he is on breaks and he falls into his own feces. He feels bad, as he is both hungry and dirty.

Scientific name: Rhamnella vitiensis, Speaker: Johnson Noar

kind of taro, has yellow flesh

Example: Good for roasting

Scientific name: Colocasia esculenta, Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5048)

Example: Use with Euodia (MJB 5031; Nisei) when a young girl gets her period to reduce the odor. Put this plant under the skirt. When planting yam, dig the hole, and burn the leaves of this with coconut. Put this flaming concoction into the hole and cover it with soil. Then place the yam in. This will help kill any pathogen, like a virus, that will harm the yam.

Scientific name: Pittosporum campbellii, Speaker: Johnson Noar

[nako̤ŋhar] n. tree, 7-7 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3100)

Example: This plant has an aroma, and people are said to take the leaf and squeeze it on them in a shower or while bathing with the purpose of keeping evil spirts away. In particular, this can be used when a person is doing a Toka dance, or when that person is visiting a cemetary, burying a person--to avoid having a problem with the spirits. This can also be used with Euodia hortensis (Plunkett et al. 3077) or alone.

Scientific name: Pittosporum campbellii, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

[nameramir] n. liana, growing on myristica fatua in dense forest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3041)

Example: Construction: The vine of this tree is used as rope to fasten members of a house or bundles of sugar cane. It is not considered a strong rope.

Scientific name: Hoya australis, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

kinds of yam. There are sub-varieties of this that produce tubers with either red or white flesh

Example: Only used for making lap-lap for kastom ceremonies

Scientific name: Dioscorea spp., Speaker: Johnson Noar

[nami̤rou] n. tree, 6 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3074)

Example: The wood is used to make house posts, it is said to be very hard. It is also burned for firewood.

Scientific name: Glochidion, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

kind of cycad (?)

Example: To make a tabu sign for your land, crops or to block access to the sea, meaning that this area is blocked from fishing and diving, cross two of the leaves in an “X” shape and stick in the soil or sand. People will know to stay away

Scientific name: Microcycas semannii, Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5154)

Example: To treat broken bones combine two handfuls of Commelina diffusa and 2 handfuls of this whole Orchid. Then take half of that and rub on broken bone area (e.g. leg). The Kastom doctor will then make a cut with a sharp piece of bamboo along break. The bone is then wrapped with the leaf of this orchid, then take the pother half of the mixture, mash in water 1.5 liter, and give person to drink. This treatment will help join bone back together.

Scientific name: Malaxis, Speaker: Johnson Noar

[na:pa] n. tree, 6 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #2998)

Example: Construction: The timber of this plant is used as a hardwood for any part of a house. Agricultural: A mushroom (“Karareg”) grows on the deadwood of this plant and is consumed.

Scientific name: Neonauclea forsteri, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5156)

Example: This is female type. MJB 5068 is male type. When person has diarrhea with blood (dysentry) take a double handful of leaves and mash them in 2 liter water, boil, drink warm 1 cup 3x day until the condition goes away. Stem used for roofing- attac hes to the rafters so thatching and leaves can be attached.

Scientific name: Polyscias schmidii, Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. kind of tree (var. of napa)

Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

a “female” coconut that only has one fruit on the panicle of the inflorescence

Example: This variety is used for the kastom marriage ceremony, grated with Euodia hortensis and Alpinia purpurata and rubbed on the bride and groom. The significance of this kastom is to ensure that the two people will be truthful to their chief, their parents and their spouse

Scientific name: Cocos nucifera, Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. fruit (in general)

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. palm, Veitchia sp.

Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

[na:riŋ] n. tree, 10-12 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #2997)

Example: Hunting: Flying foxes are attracted to this plant for their fruits. As a result, hunters gather around this plant when they desire to hunt the flying fox. Food: The green leaf of this plant is used as a wrap when cooking fish over a fire. Clothing: The peeled inner bark of this plant is dried and then used as fastener or strap for other clothing during kastom ceremonies.

Scientific name: Ficus granatum, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

kind of breadfruit, produces a very long stem, the highest of any breadfruit, and then forms fruits when it becomes a very tall tree

Example: The wood is no good for making canoes as it is too soft

Scientific name: Artocarpus altilis, Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. kind of fern

Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5024)

Example: To treat a cut or sore, collect leaves, bruise by rubbing in hand and apply directly to the sore. Whole plant dried and used as a broom.

Scientific name: Stachytarpheta cayennensis, Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. tree, 6 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4250)

Example: 1. The fruits are considered a special delicacy for men of Tanna island. Further information withheld.

Scientific name: Pometia pinnata, Speaker: Emmanuel Maasi

[naropaŋ] n. well branched tree, 3-4 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3037)

Example: Hunting: Flying foxes are known to eat the fruit of this tree. When the bats are desired, hunters will gather near this tree. Ceremonial: During kava preparation, chewed kava roots are placed on the green leaves of this plant before extracting. Many leaves are used for this purpose. Fuel: To make a fire, dried sticks are rubbed together on a plane of wood. The friction creates smoldering ash over time, useful for igniting dried material.

Scientific name: Ficus septica, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5038)

Example: Fruits edible when ripe. The stem is used for timber and sawn timber. Flowers attract fruit bats. Hunters, knowing this, hunt the bats at night.

Scientific name: Syzygium malaccense, Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. plant (to be identified)

Example: Photo by Martial Wahe

Scientific name: Syzygium aneityense, Speaker: Martial Wahe

[narwas] n. tree, 8 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3072)

Example: People use the fruits as medicine to treat diabetes, "cancer" and ulcers. Collect ripe fruits, put the juice in a bottle and drink. The bark can be boiled in water and consumed to treat diabetes, 1 handfull of bark to 1 liter of water. Drink 3x daily to treat diabetes. It was said that Sam’s wife’s HA1C score went from 14 down to 6 using this remedy.

Scientific name: Morinda citrifolia, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. sparsely branched shrub, 1.5-2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3083)

Example: This plant is used as an ornamental, and is important to plant on graves. The color signifies a grave.

Scientific name: Codiaeum variegatum, Speaker: Emmanuel Maasi

[nəfwe:ŋ] n. tree, 8 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #2985)

Example: Fuel: Dry portions of this plant are used as firewood. Construction: The timber of this plant is used to create roof members of local houses. It is not considered a strong wood.

Scientific name: Macaranga dioica, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. damaged tree, growing in open forest heavily impacted by cyclone. flowers pale-yellowish tan. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3234)

Example: The wood of this tree is used for building houses. When a person has a large cut, chew the young leaves of this plant until soft, roll up into some of the same leaf, heat on the fire for 5 minutes, put the heated leaves directly on the wound and secure this with a cloth. To treat diarrhea in small children, parents chew the leaves and give the juice that extrudes to the kids, 1 teaspoon, 2x daily for 2 days or until the condition goes away.

Scientific name: Macaranga dioica, Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5162)

Example: Fruits are edible, ripe, break open with hammer and eat seeds fresh. Stems for house posts. Stems for carving.

Scientific name: Cordia subcordata, Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. tree, growing in disturbed forest/garden area. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3107)

Example: Used to trap birds. Cut the stem of this plant and collect the sap. Take a small vine locally known as Nanupi, and roll the vine into a ball, infuse it with white latex which then turns brown, put it in a papaya or banana tree--when a bird comes to feed on the fruit of those trees, it gets stuck to the ball and can’t leave. This is good for harvesting small birds to be eaten.

Scientific name: Ochrosia, Speaker: Emmanuel Maasi

n. tree, 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3026)

Example: Hunting: The wood of the tree is used, as the body of a spear, to hunt fishes and turtles. To fashion the spear, an appropriate length of wood is cut, debarked, heated (to straighten) and then topped with an iron point. Note: Iaruman is the name of the male form of this plant. Prane is the female form of this plant.

Scientific name: Rapanea amischocarpa, Speaker: Emmanuel Maasi

n. liana growing on trunk of hedycarya dorstenioides, in dense forest along ridge. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3004)

Example: Hunting: Flying foxes are attracted to this plant for their red fruits. As a result, hunters gather around this plant when they desire to hunt the flying fox.

Scientific name: Piper austrocaledonicum, Speaker: Emmanuel Maasi

[makeihimap] n. small, sparsely branched shrub (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3033)

Example: Ceremonial: During kava preparation, chewed kava roots are placed on the green leaves of this plant before extracting. One of many leaves used for this purpose.

Scientific name: Macropiper latifolium, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

[nemra:pɨp] n. epiphyte growing in dense forest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #2991)

Example: Hunting: Flying foxes are attracted to this plant for their flowers. As a result, hunters gather around this plant when they desire to hunt the flying fox.

Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. kind of tree with stinging leaves

Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5145)

Example: Cut branches, dry in the sun until the leaves fall out, and then tie branches together to make broom. Stem used for canoe outrigger.

Scientific name: Murraya paniculata, Speaker: Emmanuel Maasi

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5114)

Example: Weave bark fiber to make slings, grass skirt for ladies, hats and baskets. To do this, rett outer bark in sea for 1 week to rot everything but the fiber, take remaining fiber, dry in sun and use as a fiber for weaving.

Scientific name: Hibiscus tilliaceus, Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. plant (to be identified)

Example: Photo by Martial Wahe

Scientific name: Hibiscus dilicieus, Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5092)

Example: Wood is hard to make house posts. Stem to make bow for hunting birds, fruit bat.

Scientific name: Casuarina equisetifolia, Speaker: Emmanuel Maasi

[njiemis] n. tree to 6 m tall, dbh 30 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4726)

Example: Green fruits are edible. To eat the leaves, cook them in boiling water for 5-10 minutes, eat with coconut milk. The younger leaves should be the ones harvested for eating. The leaves can also be used to bake a pig in an earth oven, wrap the leaves around the pig. The wood is good for firewood and a person can start the dried wood with no match. The leaves of this plant can be eaten with another, unspecified leaf to stop vomiting. When the fruits are ripe the flying fox and birds like to eat these fruits.

Scientific name: Ficus, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. parasitic epiphyte growing on upper branches of fagraea berteroana, in dense forest along ridge.

Example: Photo by Martial Wahe

Scientific name: Amyema aneityensis, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

[nɨkərə] n. small tree, 2.5-3 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3076)

Example: If a person has a sore body or headache, someone else chews the leaf of this plant and spits the chewed leaf on the specific part of the person where the pain is found. The herb should stick to that part of the body and be applied 1x in the morninig and 1x in the afternoon, leaving the plant on the person as long as it stays.

Scientific name: Breynia disticha, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. large, well branched tree (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4220)

Example: 1. Flying foxes, pidgeons and rats consume the fruits. 2. The wood is used as a commercial timber.

Scientific name: Elaeocarpus angustifolius, Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. kind of thick grass

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. decayed stump

Speaker: Martial Wahe

[nisi erman] n. shrub to 1.5 m, flowers white (collection: Michael J. Balick #4728)

Example: The leaves of this plant are used to make a women’s grass skirt. Men use these leaves to put in a band around the arm as decoration. These leaves are also used to tie a kava root for a ceremony in the nakamal. For kastom ceremony, take coconut endosperm, chew with this leave and covery body. It makes the body smell very nice. When a person has a fever, mix this leaf with other leaves including Annona muricata and Citrus species. Then the person sits over a steaming pot and inhales it to reduce the fever and symptoms. ...

Scientific name: Euodia hortensis, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. type of fern (collection: Michael J. Balick #5142)

Example: Children collect young leaves to decorate their exercise books in school. If a person does not want to get too drunk on kava, they will chew 3 leaves before drinking, and spit out remains while swallowing the juice. This plant has the power to reduce effects of Kava.

Scientific name: Adiantum diaphanum, Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. trunk of tree

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5157)

Example: When young baby is loosing weight, give young tops--cooked-- to mother to eat for one month to help increase milk. You can also scrape a handful of inner bark of Ficus kajewskii (5163) into small pieces with a knife, mix with a handful of the young tops of (5157) in 1L of water and cook it, and squeeze the juice into a bottle. Drink one cup twice daily for one month to help a mother who is not providing enough milk for her baby. Kids put inflorescences in hair as a sort of rasta fashion.

Scientific name: Boehmeria macrophylla, Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. banana leaf, frond

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. morning glory

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. kind of tree, Bislama: ’milk tree’

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. kind of liana

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. wild kava

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. kind of tree used for house posts

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5076)

Example: Leaves used in cooking to flavor soup. To cure sore known as "yaush" that is the size of a 50 vatu coin or larger, take 2-3 branches, collect leaves, put in pot, and warm. Wash the sore 3x day wash for 1-2 weeks. This disease is caused by flies and mosquitos. Yaush is the English name. Mosquito or fly bites the person, passes worm similar to filariasis, then a boil erupts and scratch it becomes big sore. Dry leaves and flowers, put in tin, and light it up to keep mosquitoes away. The smoke from this burning plant chases away mosquitoes like a coil.

Scientific name: Ocimum, Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. kind of sugarcane (see -mƗmis)

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. kind of tree with small green fruit

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. kind of vine with edible leaves

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. kind of sweet potato

Speaker: Martial Wahe

Ficus sp. (kind of nukwesi)

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. tree, 6 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3239)

Example: This is a toxic plant for cows. When they eat it, they die. But the bark can be used to cover food for cooking--cover taro, cassava and other tubers with the leaves when they are being cooked on the fire. The leaves are not toxic to people--only cows.

Scientific name: Parasponia andersonii, Speaker: Emmanuel Maasi

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5093)

Example: For an earache, take a double handful of leaves, mash, and squeeze in your ear.

Scientific name: Calyptocarpus vialis, Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. kind of plant with large leaves used to wrap tuber puddings for baking

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5047)

Example: To increase milk flow in a nursing mother, take a double handful of leaves and put in 1 liter of water. Drink one bottle twice a day for three days.

Scientific name: Alternanthera brasiliana, Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. small shrub with red sap

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. kind of banana, large green plantain

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5023)

Example: The wood can be used to make poled for cattle fences. Fruits are sweet and edible. They are also very juicy, and can satisfy thirst. Take bark off of the tree and scrape the green inner bark of tree off. Cover a boil with these pieces to reduce the size and help it heal. Apply once a day for three days.

Scientific name: Pipturus argenteus, Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. type of tree

Example: Photo by Martial Wahe

Scientific name: Homalanthus nutans, Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. tree, 6 m tall

Example: Photo by Martial Wahe

Scientific name: Claoxylon fallax, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

[tɨpurpaɪ] n. tree, 6 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #2980)

Example: Construction: The timber of this plant is used as a hardwood for any part of house. It is considered a strong wood.

Scientific name: Claoxylon fallax, Speaker: Jean Pascal Wahe

n. semi-inalienable aerial root

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. kind of flowering shrub with prickly seed pods

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. inalienable sprout, shoot (of a plant which sends up multiple sprouts such as kava, banana, bamboo, etc.)

Speaker: Martial Wahe

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5090)

Example: Take a coconut leaf, take out the midribs so it becomes a sharp spine, impale the seeds on this, and light them for use as a torch. Leaf used to cover earth oven, and can be put between the stones and the wrapped cooking leaves in order to keep the food clean. Children play with the seeds as marbles

Scientific name: Ricinus communis, Speaker: Emmanuel Maasi

kind of yam, thought to be from Wallis and Futuna, considered a “traveling yam” that has gone to many islands. The flesh is somewhat hard and not sweet

Example: Used to make lap-lap to guests and family to welcome them

Scientific name: Dioscorea spp., Speaker: Johnson Noar

n. type of flowering plant (collection: Michael J. Balick #5118)

Example: Young stems are used to support the roof of ther house. Use yellow sap for glue. Fruits and flowers eaten by flying fox. Same effect as poison tree, they do not fly correctly, often falling and can be harvested to eat.

Scientific name: Melicope latifolia, Speaker: Emmanuel Maasi