It's been quite some time since the last GPEPP update, so prepare to be inundated with GPEPP news.
As we ended 2016 the survey crew completed rare plant surveys in Pati Point and found an abundance of Heritiera longipetiolata and Tabernaemontana rotensis, a multitude of dead and alive Cycas micronesica, and just a few Drypetes dolichocarpa, Psychotria malaspinae, and Dendrobium guamense.
The survey team is now focusing efforts on rare plant surveys in the Munitions Storage Area of Andersen Air Force Base. In this area the team has come across Tuberolabium guamense, Tabernaemontana rotensis, and Drypetes dolichocarpa.
John, Jason, and Mario discussing data in the field. (Photo taken by Goro, he was there too)
Tuberolabium guamense in the field growing on an Entada pursaetha vine.
The nursery got a shipment of new fiberglass benches that give the nursery a whole new feel. Many Heritiera, Tabernaemontana, Psychotria, Drypetes, Fagraea, and Serianthes have found new homes out in protected outplanting sites. All the orchids have flowered and been hand pollinated and some pods have set. The Zehneria have flowered and fruits ripened and the plants look very healthy.
Tuberolabium guamense flowering in the nursery.
Tuberolabium flowering in the nursery.
Ripe Zehneria guamensis fruit.
Zehneria flowers
Zehneria buds, flowers, and immature fruit.
Tissue culture has been successful propagating orchids and some of the smaller seeded rare plants as well as Serianthes. The next task on the list is propagation of Cyathea lunulata spores.
Seed storage has been taking in the many Serianthes seeds collected from the mother tree, Hedyotis, Tabernaemontana, and Solanum.
Ron working on tissue under the microscope.
Bulbophyllum guamense in media.
Serianthes nelsonii in media.
Bulbophyllum guamense in media.