Bikkia tetrandra

Bikkia tetrandra (Chamorro: gausåli) is an herbaceous member of the family Rubiaceae. It is native to Papuasia and islands of the western Pacific.[1] The stems ignite easily and can be used to make torches or candles.[2]

Bikkia tetrandra flower. Dededo, Guam.

Bikkia tetrandra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Bikkia
Species:
B. tetrandra
Binomial name
Bikkia tetrandra
Synonyms[1]
  • Portlandia tetrandra L.f.
  • Cormigonus tetrandus (L.f.) Kuntze
  • Bikkia australis var. commersoniana DC.
  • Petesia carnosa Hook. & Arn.
  • Bikkia hombroniana Brongn.
  • Bikkia mariannensis Brongn.
  • Cormigonus mariannensis (Brongn.) W.Wight
  • Bikkia comptonii S.Moore
  • Bikkiopsis comptonii (S.Moore) Baum.-Bod.

Bikkia tetrandra has become a popular symbol of native ecology on the island of Guam.[3][4][5][6][7] Legislation was proposed twice on Guam, in 2014 and 2018, to make Bikkia tetrandra the official territorial flower, although both efforts failed.[8][9] The current territorial flower, the South American Bougainvillea, was introduced to Guam in 1910, and is now considered invasive on Guam.[10]

See also

List of endemic plants in the Mariana Islands

References
  1. "Bikkia tetrandra". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  2. Raulerson, Lynn (1992). Trees and Shrubs of the Mariana Islands.
  3. "Anderson Airforce Base: Guam Visitor's Bureau sign". 2023.
  4. "Marianas Terrestrial Conservation Conference and Workshop". Marianas Terrestrial Conservation Conference and Workshop. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  5. "Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources (DAWR) | DOAG". Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  6. "IHFG | I HAGAN FAMALAO'AN GUÅHAN". Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  7. "Facebook: UOG Press".
  8. "Guam may make native plant its national flower". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  9. Post, Tihu Lujan | The Guam Daily. "Youth Congress proposes change to territorial flower". The Guam Daily Post. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  10. McPherson, Alan (2013-06-10). State Botanical Symbols. AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1-4817-4885-8.


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