Vascular plants of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, Hawai'i

Abstract

Three ferns and 123 flowering plants are recorded from Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Park. Ninety two (74%) are alien (introduced after 1778). Six species - common sandbur, fountaingrass, lantana, nutgrass, puncture vine, and sourgrass - have been declared noxious by the State of Hawaii. The following nine species could disrupt archaeological sites if left unchecked: Christmasberry, coral berry, kiawe, klu, koa haole, monkeypod, noni, 'opiuma and shrubby fleabane. Six grasses (buffelgrass, Californiagrass, fountaingrass, Guineagrass, Natal redtop and pili) provide a fine fuel that carries hot fires very rapidly when dry. Some management recommendations are made for alien plant control, fire control, and research on the impact of fire on archaeological resources.