Capparis (sandwichiana)
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Kim Martz and Forest Starr Biologists USDI USFWS - Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge,1082 Makepono St. Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 http://www.ggnpa.org |
| Family Scientific Name: | Capparaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Caper Family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Capparis sandwichiana DC. | ||
| Common Synonym: | Capparis sandwichiana DC. zoharyi | ||
| Common Name: | Maiapilo | ||
| Species Code: | CAPSAN | ||
| Ecotype: | Hawaii | ||
| General Distribution: |
Endemic to Hawai'i. Scattered on coral, basaltic rocks, or in soil along the coast or somewhat inland, 0-100 m elevation. Historically known from Midway Atoll, Pearl and Hermes Atoll, and Laysan, but thought to be extirpated from these locations today. It is present on all of the main islands. On Midway, Maiapilo was known from Eastern Island where it was last collected in 1923 by E. L. Caum in the central plain of the island. |
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| Propagation Goal: | plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Stock Type: | 3.5 in containerized seedling | ||
| Time To Grow: | 1 Years | ||
| Target Specifications: | Height: N/A<br> Caliper: N/A<br> Root System: Firm root plug in container.<br> | ||
| Propagule Collection: |
Because it no longer occurs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, seeds will have to be obtained from the main islands where Maiapilo is also declining due to loss of habitat. It is locally abundant in rocky, lava, coastal sites of the main islands. It would have to be decided whether seeds should be cleaned before shipping, which would decrease potential introduction of invertebrates, or if fruit should be shipped whole, which would allow seeds to retain moisture during shipping. Collect the fruits when ripe (soft, orange, and pulpy). |
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| Propagule Processing: |
To prepare seeds from fruit that is fleshy or pulpy, place ripe fruits in a bucket or bowl of waterand gently separate seeds from pulp by mashing or massaging fruit. Pour off remainingwater and pulp. Seed Storage: None. Seeds are recalcitrant and should be sown after cleaning. |
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| Pre-Planting Treatments: |
Pretreat seeds with a 24 hour soak in cold water. Seeds do not store, sow immediately. Sowing Method:Once seeds are ready to be sown, prepare seed tray or pots with well drained potting mix. Seeds can be sown in pots or trays. Seed trays are preferred because they will allow for proper development of roots and easy up-potting. Wet down tray before sowing. Sow seeds evenly on tray or pots. A general rule of seed sowing is to sow them as deep, or up to 3 times as deep, as seed diameter.Water well and evenly. |
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| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
The nursery's irrigation system is comprised of sprinkler heads which are manually operated. The sprinklers are misters and should be maintained so that they flow freely. Potted plants are watered daily, either in the morning or the evening. Potting media is Sunshine Mix potting soil, and is used in a 2 to 1 or 3 to 1 (v:v) potting soil to sand ratio. Diseases and insects are controlled by removing them manually off plants, sticky traps or using a solution of soapy water. Be sure to rinse soapy solution off plants after a few hours. Row covers physically prevent insects and birds from landing on plants. |
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| Establishment Phase: |
Transplanting seedlings: Seedlings will be ready to up-pot from trays when they have at least 2 sets of mature leaves. Use a pencil or your fingers to gently pry each seedling apart from others, try to touch or injure roots as little as possible. Arrange clean 3 « " pots in tray, 25 pots will fit in a tray. Currently, there are a few potting trays and some 3 « " pots, it is suggested that more be purchased and used in the future. This system allows for quick and efficient growth of plants and ease of moving large amounts of plants to out-planting sites. Fill pots with well drained potting mix about 1/3 full. |
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| Length of Establishment Phase: | 1 to 2 months | ||
| Length of Active Growth Phase: | 8 to 10 months | ||
| Other Comments: |
Pests and diseases: Leaves are mined by native Plutella moths on the main islands and it is suspected the alien diamond back moth (Plutella xylostemma) here on Midway would also mine leaves, however, plants usually survive. None others known. |
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| References: |
Bornhorst, H. L. 1996. Growing native Hawaiian plants, a how-to guide for the gardener. The Bess Press, Inc., Hong Kong. Bruegmann, M. M. 1998. Report on a botanical survey of Midway Atoll, April 1-7, 1995. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Christophersen, E. and E. L. Caum. 1931. Vascular Plants of the Leeward Island. Hawai'i. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 81, Tanager Expedition Publication Number 7, Honolulu. Lilleeng-Rosenberger, K. date unknown. Propagation techniques for native Hawaiian plants. National Tropical Botanical Garden. Morin, M. and S. Conant. 1998. Laysan Island ecosystem restoration plan. University of Hawai'i. Neal, M. C. 1965. In gardens of Hawai'i. Bishop Museum Press, special publication 50, Honolulu. Wagner, W. L., D. R. Herbst, S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawai'i, 2 vols. Bishop Museum Special Publication 83, Honolulu. Whistler, W. A. 1992. Flowers of the Pacific island seashore. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. |
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Citation:
Martz, Kim; Starr, Forest. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Capparis sandwichiana DC. plants 3.5 in containerized seedling; USDI USFWS - Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Honolulu, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/01/31). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
