Ethnobotany field final

This term a series of events of the home front collided with an overloaded course schedule and final examinations. For the first time the route was not prepared the weekend before final exams. Nor was the route walked the morning of the final. Rainy weather suggested that there was a low probability that the weather dependent final would happen. The result was unexpected alterations to the plant list.

A plant list spreadsheet is used to edit the plant list from term to term. The plant list is only a reference for use in the field allowing for notes on late arriving students. The answer sheet is a grid of 24 blanks. A printed class list was used for attendance.

Spare answer sheets were in a plastic grocery bag tied to a belt loop. The Tripltek was not brought along allowing for a hands free walk.

In the following the local names are Pohnpeian. The class is dominantly Pohnpeian and the class is being held on Pohnpei. A set of transposed tables in a spreadsheet cross references some of the plants and languages.

Launch was by around 16:30. The newly planted Premna seratifolia, oahr, was the first plant. Premna obtusifolia, topwuk, was the second. 

Volkameria inermis was number three.

Scaevola taccada was fourth.

Artocarpus altilis was fifth. The tree is the "if you do not know this tree in your own language, that's a course level fail."

 Faithjewel and Vinola study Scaevola taccada.

Sixth was to be Campnosperma brevipetiolata (dohng) but the tree was chain sawed down. Losing this indigenous tree is a blow to the garden. A replacement might be available to the west for future walks.

The clueless cutting crew dropped the tree on the Gardenia jasmnoides (iosep) and the Cyathea nigricans (katar).

Crystal, Frita, Hope, Kidaney, Melaine, Melissa, Faithjewel. In back is Jayron, Madmartigan (obscured), Kealoha, Franson, Mitchy.

At number 11 on the list was a dual listing of Colocasia esculenta (sawa) and Hibiscus tiliaceus (keleu). The Colocasia isn't always present (weed whacking takes it out), the Hibiscus tiliaceus was a fall back plant. 

Melaine, Melissa, Faithjewel, Israel, Jeremy.

Seven, now number six, was Asplenium nidus, tehnlik. This proved harder to point out than expected. The Morinda citrifolia (weipwul) is particular wispy and thin due to be shaded out by the mango tree. No fruit, no flowers. A stronger specimen is growing to the west. 

Vinola, Nicole, Ashley 

Eight, formerly nine, was Microsorum scolopendria (kideu). Ten was Cyathea nigricans (katar). 

The remnants of the Colocasia was plant ten. 

Hibiscus tiliaceus was subbed in for the earlier lost Campnosperma brevipetiolata at position number eleven.

Senna alata (tuhke en kilinwai) at twelve. Palhinhaea cernua was thirteen (kidien mall or perhaps kidim en mall).

After the lycopodium, the class walks south to pick up Ocimum tenuiflorum (kadiring) at fourteen.

Jasminum sambac (sampakihda) was fifteen. This section of the route is intended to bring the class back to shelter to allow for passing rain bands. This term no afternoon rain bands came through.

Adding to the unexpected losses, the Centella asiatica (liwadawad marer, 16) was recently weed whacked. A few leaves shielded by a covered walkway post kept this plant on the final. A few plants are located in the lawn to the northwest of the above location.

The dumpster fire of plant losses continued at the former location of the Cymbopogon citratus (reh pwo mwahu, 17). The whole plant had been ripped out of the ground and dumped off to one side. The event was recent enough that the leaves were still fragrant. The plant was used as an example of the loss of cultural knowledge and specifically plant knowledge. An example of not knowing the use and importance of a plant. A form of green blindness where the groundskeepers, themselves locals, cannot distinguish culturally useful plants from useless weeds.

This term the route was not planning to use the back way into Haruki, so Cordyline fruticosa (dihng, 18) was picked up at the Yapese cultural hut.

A number of varieties are extant in a hedgerow.

Another variant.

Israel, Vinola, Jeremy, Pamela, Tommylee at the ti plants.

Alpinia carolinensis just barely visible on right above.

The next segment of the walk was a bush scramble back to the Coffea robusta (koahpi, 19). The Bambusa vulgaris has collapsed onto the Coffea. This is a plant high on the list for moving elsewhere on campus. 

The Alpinia carolinensis (iuiu, 20) was also difficult to reach. Loppers and a machete would both be needed to clean up Haruki cemetery at this point. Perhaps a chain saw.

Clean up is increasingly necessary as hidden rebar now poses a risk to moving through the thicket. 

The Ixora casei (ketieu, 21) might also be worth moving out onto campus.

Musa paradisiaca (uht, 22) provides a nice easy plant after the bush scramble. 

Crystal throwing a shaka. For the students this is an automatic reaction. Nicole and Franson write their answers.

Franson with Beverly behind him.

A telephone telephoto of the Alpinia carolinensis.

The class nearing the end of the final.

The weather was surprisingly cooperative.

Saccharum officinarum (sehu) was plant 23.

The class coming up into the agricultural area.

Jeremy, Mitchy, Madmartigan, Franson

Cocos nucifera (nih) wrapped up the 24 plant final. The tree of life is an appropriate metaphor for a course that focuses on the plants that have kept Micronesians alive for eons.

The class then moved to the gym for those who chose to recopy their exam paper.

This field final is very much on an honor system. Which, by and large, the students respect. They understand the goal is for them to learn their own language, their own plant names.

Tommylee, reflective.

Faithjewel, working in isolation from the rest of the class.

Franson also diligently working alone.

Maryam, Beverly.

Beverly  Maryam, Kimberly.

Gratuitous selfie