Boerhavia (repens)
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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: | Nyctaginaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Four-o'clock Family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Boerhavia repens L. | ||
| Common Synonym: | Boerhavia . diffusa gymnocarpa | ||
| Common Name: | Alena | ||
| Species Code: | BOUREP | ||
| Ecotype: | Midway Atoll | ||
| General Distribution: |
Indigenous to Hawai'i. Alena is distributed from Africa to Hawai'i. In Hawai'i, occasional, probably formerly much more common, on shores and moderately dry coastal areas and leeward, at least semi-dry lower slopes, on Kure, Midway, and Pearl and Hermes Atolls, Lisianski, Laysan, French Frigate Shoals, and all of the main islands. Alena is presently common on all three islands of Midway Atoll. Alena can be collected from coastal sites or from any site where it is abundant. |
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| Propagation Goal: | plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Time To Grow: | 6 Months | ||
| Target Specifications: | Height: N/A<br> Caliper: N/A<br> Root System: Firm root plug in container.<br> | ||
| Propagule Collection: |
Collecting seeds: Collect ripe or mature seeds from plants and place in zip-lock or plastic bags. Collect only what you need. Collect from plants that have a large enough seed source so that the habitat will not suffer from the collection. Seeds should be cleaned before they are sown. |
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| Propagule Processing: | Leave seeds out or in a paper bag at room temperature to dry. Then, set a strainer over a bowl.Empty seed material into the strainer and gently rub so that the seeds fall through thestrainer and the debris is left. Discard the debris. | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: |
Place seeds in a 24 hour water soak. 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: |
Seeds germinate quickly as evenly. 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: | 4 to 6 months | ||
| 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) Boerhavia repens L. plants 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.
