Claoxylon fallax Müll.Arg.

• Region

  Oceania

• Country

  Vanuatu

• State/Province

  Tafea

• County/Municipio

  North Tanna Area Council

• Locality

  Tanna Island, North Tanna, Nusemetu Conservation Area.

• Elevation

  Alt. 256 m. (840 ft.)

• Coordinates

  -19.3849, 169.287

• Distribution

  Map all specimens of this taxon

New York Botanical Garden: NY
Vanuatu National Herbarium: PVNH
The Ethnobotany of Vanuatu
Tom A. Ranker #2239
N.V. Ticlupe [Naka]
03509362
leaf Many leaves were used by elders to offer to
the taro stone. A bunch of leaves was squeezed
over the stone and then placed on the stone be-
fore planting the taro. The chief would perform
the ritual, and, in doing so, secure a good future
harvest. N.B. Stones are magical characters in lo-
cal lore. It is believe before the islands were in-
habited by men, stones roamed freely, each with
their own powers. Nowadays, they are inanimate,
but villagers maintain connection with these an-
cestors through rituals.
Source: Johnny Nakabue (M, 32), Marie Kating Kew (F,32),
Willie Nalin Nadikas (M, 39) Kating Kew Enauta (m, 70),
Numake Tom Kapalu (M, 57), Kuwau Tom Keuai (M, 60),
Nausan Kamsak (M, 48)
New York Botanical Garden: NY
Vanuatu National Herbarium: PVNH
The Flora of Vanuatu
(Euphorbiaceae)
Claoxylon fallax Mull. Arg.
Vanuatu: Tafea Province. Tanna Island. North Tanna,
Nusemetu Conservation Area.
S 19° 23’ 05.5”; E 169° 17’ 12.9"; 256 m elev.
Tree ca. 7-8 m tall; ca. 20 cm DBH. DNA, digital
image. Duplicates: 6.
Tom A. Ranker, #2239	June 19,2014
Gregory M. Plunkett, Kate Armstrong, R. Sean
Thackurdeen, Chanel Sam, Laurence Ramon, Frazer
Alo, Jean-Pascal Wahe
A collaboration ofNYBG and PVNH, funded by The Christensen Fund,
The National Geographic Society, and The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.
03509362