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BATS
AND THE BEACH GARDENIA (Guettarda speciosa) |
The Marianas flying fox pollinates the flowers of the beach gardenia, eats the fruits and disperses the seeds. It also eats the plant's nutritious leaves.(Fujita 1991)(1)
The beach gardenia grows on the shorelines of eastern Africa, tropical Asia and some Pacific Islands The plant has a shrubby aspect. It reaches about 20 metres (about 65 feet)in height.(4)
Beach gardenias are colonizers of salty soils. They are fast growing, sturdy plants. They help to prevent erosion of shorelines and protect inland areas. Beach gardenias reduce the impact of storm waves and salt water spray upon inland settlements, crop fields and water supplies.
Human beings, as well as the Marianas flying foxes, appreciate the nutritional content of beach gardenia leaves using both leaves and the soil from beneath the plants as mulch for pandanus and breadfruit tree cuttings.
Another valuable island plant is the giant swamp taro. The plant is aptly named. It can achieve a height of 9 to 12 feet (3 to 4 metres). A single leaf blade can measure 3 to 6 feet in length (1 to 2 metres).
After 10 years of growth the plant's massive corm can weigh more than 220 pounds (100 kg) and the efforts of two or three men would be required to transport it from the swampy field where it grew. Younger, smaller corms (33 to 55 pounds, 15 to 25 kg) are preferable for boiling, steaming, roasting and frying.
Cultivation of the giant swamp taro on coral atolls is a precise agricultural art. The suckers or sprouts from a growing giant swamp taro must be placed in sweet water which floats on top of the salt water that impregnates an atoll's coral base. A pit is dug that reaches the sweet water lens. The pit is prepared for the young taro sprout with rich soil from beneath stands of beach gardenia plants.(4)
Babies are bathed in beach gardenia leaf water. A warm, moist towel turban that has been soaked in beach gardenia leaf water may relieve a headache. Beach gardenia leaves are also a useful substitute for toilet paper.
For a quick reversal of the effects of fish poisoning, eat beach gardenia fruit mixed with coconut.
Beach gardenia flowers are strongly and deliciously scented. The flowers are woven into fragrant garlands and used to scent oil. Beach gardenia flowers are used in medicines to treat female complaints and hemorrhoids.(3)
Sources differ in their assessment of the durability of beach gardenia wood. Fujita's source says that the soft wood is used locally for paddle construction. In contrast, an article on the biodiversity and natural heritage of the Cook Islands describes beach gardenia wood as being so dense that nails resist being removed. Canoes, houses and furniture are made of beach gardenia wood.(2)
One hundred Pacific Island agroforestry trees lists these additional uses:(4)