Fiji native palms

[Walter John]

That post #38 pic is amazing!!

agree and #31. What a superb habitat photo, ah the wonder of it all.

[bgl]

Jim,

Always great to see habitat photos from Fiji.l Brought back some memories! Especially post #31. Is that on the way up the mountain (forgot the name) on Taveuni? When my wife and I were there in 2000 we were able to rent a 4 wheel drive (WITH driver fortunately!) and made it all the way to the top, and saw hundreds, if not thousands, of C. exorrhizum on the way up to the summit. Fortunately we had great weather, with just a few clouds right on the summit (I mean we were IN the clouds up there).

Bo-Göran

[amazondk]

Thanks for the pictures Jim. It is great to see pictures of the palms in the forest there.

dk

[fiji jim]

Glad you like them guys.

Post 31 is near the summit of Des Voeux Peak on Taveuni.

Even though we were in the clouds and wet cold drizzle it was a beautiful hot sunny day on the coast.

This pic shows the view from about half way down looking westwards at Vanua Levu.

[fiji jim]

This is Cyphosperma trichospadix

[fiji jim]

C.trichospadix inflorescence

[fiji jim]

A seedling of the same C.tri.

[paulgila]

the shot with sky is beautiful as well.thanks for posting all the wonderful pix!

[fiji jim]

This is a group of Hydriastele boumae

[fiji jim]

We first encountered these palms at 140 meters when the bush started and they could be seen through the canopy right up to the ridge tops above 1000 meters elevation where the rainfall is between 7 and 10 meters annually.

[fiji jim]

A look at the base

[fiji jim]

This juvenile H.boumae of about 20 feet or 6-7 meters tall still has its large, almost undivided leaves.

[fiji jim]

Here is another H.boumae that has bent its trunk to get some space away from its neighbour.

[fiji jim]

The top of a juvenile H.boumae leaf

[fiji jim]

An underside look

[fiji jim]

A group of the young ones.

[fiji jim]

A look at the trunk of one of the tallest that had not lost its almost-entire leaf form to the pinnate look

[fiji jim]

The crown of the same palm

[fiji jim]

Physokentia thurstonii

[fiji jim]

A look at its stilt roots

[fiji jim]

The trunk

[Moose]

Spectacular!

[Al in Kona]

Mahalo Jim, really enjoyed seeing those native Fiji palms.

[MaryLock]

This topic might be a blast from the past, but hoping these lovelies are still around 16 years later!  Thanks Fiji Jim!  We are going to Fiji for the first time - breaking up the trip from Hawaii to New Caledonia for the IPS 2024 biennial.  I’ve got a 2011 Palms Journal article describing a trip Christine Bacon took to Col-i-Suva (Balaka microcarpa, Vetchia vitiensis) and to the Navai village at the base of Mt Victoria/Tomaniivi Nature Reserve (Physokentia petiolata, Balaka longirostris, Cyphosperma tanga, and Clinostigma exorrhizum), hoping we can get a good guide to retrace steps if possible.  We have 10 days not counting travel days.  Any local tips on guides?  I’d like to see what there is left of those Metroxylon vitiensis forests.  

excited to see your lovely paradise and your birds! 
 

I’ll search out more Fiji posts on PT.

 

[fiji jim]

Hi Mary,

That seems like another lifetime ago.

Not sure how you will find your way as all the old-timers who used to work for forestry department are now dead.

Very few people care about palms here.

Plenty of Metroxylon still in habitat and a few here in Flora Tropica Garden along with many local spp but we are on Vanua Levu island.

What dates are you in Fiji.

Jim

 

[Barry]

Hi Mary and Jim,

I am spending 4 days in Nadi, Viti Levu before New Caledonia. I am very excited about this trip. This post is incredible, hope to be able to explore while I am there adjusting from jet lag coming from Florida. Thank you Mary for reviving this post.
 

Jim, any suggestions around Nadi or anywhere on Viti Levu? Definitely want to explore the island while there. Probably will rent a car to travel around the island. I have not locked in accommodations yet, but have some Airbnb’s saved. I appreciate any suggestions you can offer.

Barry

[ASHCVS]

Hi Mary, Jim and Barry. Arlene and I will also be spending time in Fiji prior to the biennial. Additionally, there are several other members who will be in Fiji as well. Let’s start planning!

[Barry]

Hi all,

Yes, I would love to meet up with you. I am flying Fiji Airways on Saturday Sept 14th from LAX, arriving on Monday Sept 16th. Then the Thursday afternoon flight to New Caledonia. 

[MaryLock]

Awww, local palms like prophets are taken for granted in their own land.  Here in Hawaii we seem to be losing the old guard in forestry as well.  I'm hoping there is a new guard stepping up.

We are arriving in Nadi September 9th then flying to Suva and staying at the Col-i-Suva rainforest lodge until September 12, then we were thinking about going to Taveuni, but we have made no plans yet.  We have a flight to New Caledonia on September 19 from Nadi - provided the airport is open and Noumea is not burning.

Very glad to hear that there are wild Metroxylon groves still around.  Where would you suggest we go in Fiji?  We are flexible and can change our plans once we land.  We like meeting local people, and we are willing to hike to see palms, other endemic plants, and birds.

It's not a long flight to Fiji from Honolulu, so we can always make two trips!  😀

Vinaka! 

[bgl]

Mary,

I can definitely recommend Taveuni! I have been there twice and intend to visit again. A beautiful island and small enough that it's easy to get around. Plus, lots of palms! 

Go for it! 🙂

Bo-Göran

[fiji jim]

Like Bo says- Taveuni island is a great palm place where 9 Fiji species can be accessed in habitat and in close proximity and local taxi drivers know where these walkways begin. The Crater Lake (swamp) walk from above Somosomo village, Nagara on the west side is a good but steep walk. On the east side the Vidawa Village walk is worth doing. Also great bird life. I did these a couple of times a decade plus back. Once with Don Hodel.

However if you only have time for Viti Levu, locations are much more spread apart.

Try to get a copy of Palms of the Fiji Islands by Dick Watling. It has much information.

A possibility to find a guide would be through Dick. His email contact is watling@connect.com.fj

Finding the various habitat locations would be very difficult without someone in the know.

Also, we here are hearing a lot about the civil unrest and violence in New Cal at present.

Best obtain fresh information on the place before you decide where is safe to go. Most of the violence has been in the capital, Noumea.

However, at present they say it is settling down.

Be safe, have fun

jv

 

[realarch]

Bump! I had never seen this post before from fiji jim, and successive follow ups…….amazing. 

I hope those of you who made it to Fiji, in spite of the biennial cancellation, will post your adventures.

Tim