Marquesas Islands: Nuku Hiva: without precise locality, 15 July 1921, F. B. H. Brown 541 (Holotype BISH-500905!).

Ochrosia parviflora sensu F. Br., non (G. Forst.) Henslow

Tree to 13 m tall, trunk to 24 cm diam., branchlets glabrous, leafy twigs 4−4.5 mm in diam, terete, drying wrinkled, older leafless twigs 6−7 mm in diam., latex white. Leaves opposite on smaller branchlets, ternate on larger branchlets, petiolate, leaf axils with dark brown, linear-digitate colleters 1−1.5 mm long secreting pale yellow resin; blades obovate-elliptic, 9.4−16.5 × 3.2−6.4 cm, base narrowly cuneate, attenuate, apex shortly acuminate, glabrous, discolorous, drying brown above, yellowish-brown below, when fresh green to yellow green above, pale green below, both surfaces glossy, secondary veins 15−20 on each side, secondary and tertiary veins visible above, prominulous beneath, margins conspicuously and tightly revolute; petioles 17−33 mm long, 1.7−2 mm in diam. Inflorescence terminal, 7−12 cm long, trichotomous, branching to the third degree, with 2 primary branches at apex of peduncle, each with 12−18 flowers, glabrous, axes with small, scale-like bracts; flowers on pedicels 1.5−4 mm long, 5-merous; calyx lobes obtuse to rounded, 2 × 2.5 mm; corolla in bud to 10 mm long; corolla at anthesis white, fragrant, corolla tube 6−7 × 3 mm, corolla lobes 5, contorted to the right, 6−7 × 2−25 mm, rounded at apex; ovary conical, 0.7−0.8 mm long, bicarpellate, style 0.8 mm long, stigmatic head ovoid, 0.7-0.8 mm long with tuft of hairs at apex and green ring (but no collar) at base, nectary 0.3 mm, 2-lobed, the lobes alternating with and partly covering the carpels. Infructescence with peduncle c. 17 cm long; fruits composed of two fleshy mericarps, when fresh orange at maturity, ellipsoid, 37−53 × 27−37 × 25−36 mm, mesocarp orange, 5 mm thick; endocarp externally fibrous, internally woody, 31−48 × 23−33 × 19−27 mm, the fibers to 1.5 mm in diam. Seed 2 per fruit, ellipsoid, 25 × 23−26 × c. 4 mm.

Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, originally known only from the type collected in the vicinity of the Toovii plateau at about 900 m (Brown 1935). The species was rediscovered by Jean-François Butaud in 2003 on Nuku Hiva where a single tree and some juveniles were located on the Vaioa plateau (at Matahamo, also called Vaipupui) SE of Toovii.

This species occurs in evergreen wet forest between 730 and 900 m elevation, with species of Hibiscus, Ixora, Metrosideros, Pandanus, Phyllanthus, Premna, Wikstroemia, Xylosma, and ferns including Asplenium australasicum (J. Sm.) Hook., Histiopteris incisa (Thunb.) J. Sm., and Microsorum grossum (Langsd. & Fisch.) Brownlie.

When evaluated using the IUCN criteria for endangerment (IUCN 2001) Ochrosia brownii falls into the Critically Endangered (CR) category, which designates species facing the highest risk of extinction in the wild. IUCN Red List Category: Critically Endangered (CR) B1a, b; B2a, B2b (i–iii): B1, extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 km2, and B1a, known to exist at only a single location; B1b (i-iii), continuing projected decline in (i) extent of occurrence, (ii) area of occupancy, and (iii) area, extent and quality of habitat; B2, area of occupancy estimated to be less than 10 km2, and B2a, a single population known. B2b (i–iii), habitat continuing decline inferred. The suitable habitat for Ochrosia brownii on Nuku Hiva (c. 340 km2) is indicated as an endangered environment, threatened by human activity (deforestation and fire), feral animals, and invasive plants, reducing the extent of the forest.

Marquesas Islands: Nuku Hiva: Matahamo, Vaioa, fin de la piste forestière, 758 m, 2 Jan. 2003, Butaud 8 (PAP); Matahamo, Vaioa, 758 m, 9 Feb. 2003, Butaud 10 (PAP); Vaipupui, amont de la piste forestière menant à la dernière parcelle de pins, 737 m, 27 Jan. 2010, Butaud & Benne 2586 (PAP).

Since 2006, a conservation plan proposed by the Environment Direction of French Polynesia has been implemented, with conservation ex situ (seed collection and conservatory plantings) and in situ (fencing enclosure of the population and enrichment planting of seedlings inside).

Tree 10−14 m tall, trunk 15−20 cm in diam., branchlets glabrous, leafy twigs 2.5−7 mm in diam., bark wrinkled when dry, latex white. Leaves opposite on smaller branchlets, apparently ternate on larger branchlets; blades elliptic, 5.8−20.2 × 2.4−10.1 cm, base narrowly cuneate, apex shortly acuminate, glabrous, discolorous, when fresh dark green above, pale green below, drying brown, margins slightly revolute; secondary veins 9−20 on each side, prominulous on both surfaces, intersecondaries and tertiaries prominulous on both surfaces; petioles 14−36 mm long. Inflorescence terminal, tri- or quadrichotomous, branching twice, cymose-corymbiform, 52−88 mm long, axes and flowers glabrous, sessile, with 3 primary branches (6−)20−64 × c. 2 mm, subquadrangular, bracts ovate-triangular, 1−1.2 × 1−1.2 mm, ultimate axes with flowers crowded in cymules; flowers with pedicels 2−5 mm long, each with a single bract, calyx cup 2.5 mm long, calyx lobes 5, triangular-ovate, 2.5 × 3 mm, apex obtuse; corollas in bud to 10 mm long; corolla at anthesis white, fragrant, corolla tube 7−8 × 3 mm, corolla lobes 5, contorted to the right, 9−10 × 2−2.5 mm; ovary and nectary not seen. Infructescence with peduncle c. 11.5 cm long. Fruits apocarpous, composed of 2 fleshy mericarps, when fresh orange at maturity, ovoid-ellipsoid, 61−78 × 32−44 × 30−40 mm, mesocarp c. 7 mm thick; endocarp 54−72 × 27−40 × 23−34 mm, fibrous without, woody within, single-seeded. Seed 2 per fruit, ellipsoid, 29−37 × 18−19 × 3−4 mm.

Marquesas Islands, Fatu Hiva where originally known only from the type collected in Ouia Valley at 800 m.

This species was recently rediscovered in 2009 by Jean-François Butaud and Ravahere Taputuarai following the directions of Joseph Mititai. This population in Hanativa valley, a remote hanging valley north of Ouia, consists of 13 adult plants and numerous juveniles and seedlings at 480 m elevation. It occurs in mesic to wet forest with species of Aleurites, Allophylus, Artocarpus, Boehmeria, Cerbera, Inocarpus, Macropiper, Metrosideros, Musa troglodytarum L., Pandanus, Phyllanthus, Pipturus argenteus (G. Forst.) Wedd., Wikstroemia, the introduced Coffea arabica L. and Dioscorea spp., and the ferns Nephrolepis biserrata (Sw.) Schott, Pteris comans G. Forst., and Tectaria jardinii (Mett. ex Kuhn) E. D. Br.

Ochrosia fatuhivensis is currently known only from a single population. When evaluated using the IUCN criteria for endangerment it falls into the Critically Endangered (CR) category, which designates species facing the highest risk of extinction in the wild. IUCN Red List Category: Critically Endangered (CR) B1a, b; B2a, B2b (i–iii): B1, extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 km2, and B1a, known to exist at only a single location; B1b (i-iii), continuing projected decline in (i) extent of occurrence, (ii) area of occupancy and (iii), area, extent and quality of habitat; B2, area of occupancy estimated to be less than 10 km2, and B2a, a single population known. B2b (i–iii), habitat continuing decline inferred. The suitable habitat for Ochrosia fatuhivensis on Fatu Hiva (c. 85 km2) is indicated as an endangered environment, threatened by human activity (deforestation and fire), feral animals, and invasive plants, reducing the extent of the forest.

Marquesas Islands: Fatu Hiva: Hanativa, Affluent Sud de la vallée, vallon perché, 481 m, 7 Novembre 2009, Butaud, Taputuarai & Mititai 2458 (PAP).

Fosberg & Sachet (1972) suggested Ochrosia fatuhivensis may be related to Ochrosia compta K. Schum. of Hawaii, but no molecular-phylogenetic studies have been carried out involving these two species. The local name is ho’ei in Fatu Hiva, similar to the name holei used for species of Ochrosia in Hawaii (Wagner et al. 1990). On Fatu Hiva the seeds were eaten in time of famine according to Brown (1935) and several present day inhabitants.

Marquesas Islands: Nuku Hiva: without precise locality, ca. 1000 m, 20 June 1921, F. B. H. Brown 432(Holotype BISH-500695!).

Tree 8−15 m tall, trunk 40−50 cm in diam., bark furrowed, pale orange to beige in color, leafy branchlets 3−3.5 mm in diam., glabrous, bark wrinkled, brown, leafless branchlets 6 mm in diam., gray-brown, latex white. Leaves ternate, leaf axils and adjacent petiole bases with brown, glandular digitate colleters 1−2 mm long; blades narrowly ovate to narrowly elliptic or oblong-elliptic, 6−17.6 × 1.5−6.2 cm, base narrowly cuneate to cuneate, apex acute, chartaceous, glabrous, when fresh pale green, discolorous, margin slightly revolute, secondary veins 21−25 on each side, intersecondary and tertiary veins prominulous on both surfaces, petioles 12−36 × 1.2−1.5 mm, adaxially flattened. Inflorescences terminal, displaced by terminal shoot growth, 5−7 × 7−10 cm, including the verticellate peduncles 1.7−5.4 × 2 mm, branchlets slightly zigzag, glabrous, branching three to four times, ultimate branches trichotomous, bracteoles 1.5 mm long, triangular, acute; calyx total width distally 3.2−4 mm, calyx lobes 5, broadly triangular-ovate, 1.5-2 ×1.5-2 mm, obtuse at apex; corolla cream color when fresh, tube 8−13 mm long, lobes 2−3.5 × 2−2.5 mm, slightly contorted to the left, anthers 1.2-1.3 mm long, narrowly triangular-subulate, sagittate at base, ovary conical, 1.5 mm long, nectary disc annular, 0.4-0.5 mm long, style 5 mm long, stigma head cylindric, 0.4 mm long, with membranous collar at base. Fruit subglobose when mature, 12−15 mm in diam., fleshy, turning black at maturity, drupaceous with 1−3 seeds. Seeds compressed, obliquely oblong-ovoid, with one straight and one curved edge, base sub-truncate, apex diagonal from straight edge upward to a blunt point, sides coarsely and shallowly rugose.

Marquesas Islands, known only from Nuku Hiva between 198 and 627 m elevation.

Rauvolfia nukuhivensisis very rare and localized with fewer than 50 living trees currently known in valley or plateau dry forest with species of Cerbera, Ficus, Maytenus, Phyllanthus, Sapindus, and Xylosma. Currently known in the Terre-Deserte region in the valleys of Motuee, Hakaavao, Haahopu, Haatuatua, Hakaoa, Tapueahu and Uea, and on the plateaus of Tohuahee, Vaiteheii, Maauu, and Putata. As many dead trees as living trees are known. Formerly known from the north coast of Nuku Hiva, between the Haataivea peninsula and behind Aakapa village.

The suitable habitat for Rauvolfia nukuhivensis on Nuku Hiva (c. 340 km2) is indicated as an endangered environment, threatened by human activity (deforestation, exploitation for leaves and bark), feral animals, and invasive plants, reducing the extent of the forest. Following the criteria and categories of IUCN (2001) IUCN Red List Category: Critically Endangered (CR) B1a, B1b (i-iii), D; B1, extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 km2, and B1a, severely fragmented (several small subpopulations); B1b (i-iii), continuing projected decline in (i) extent of occurrence, (ii) area of occupancy, and (iii) area, extent, and quality of habitat; D population size estimated to number fewer than 50 mature individuals (fewer than 50 total individuals).

Marquesas Islands: Nuku Hiva: Tapueahu (labels erroneously says Matatekouaehi) Valley, 650 ft. (198 m), 1 July 1988, Perlman 10014 (AD, BISH, K, MO, MU, P, PAP, PTBG, US); Terre Déserte, branche gauche de la moyenne vallée de la Baie Marquisienne, face au Keiaki, 340 m, 30 July 1987, Florence 8434 (BISH, PAP, US); broad interfluve above Uea Valley, near Baie Marquisienne, 20 Apr. 1964, Decker 2046 (US); Ivipuovoteahi, NO de Keiaki, 400 m, 8°55’ S, 140°12’ W, February 1987, Jourdan 128 (PAP); Terre Deserte, Pipiheihe, 400 m, 8 April 1989, Toutain 4275 (PAP); Plateau de Maauu, au Sud du deuxième vallon de la forêt naturelle, 456 m, 9 April 2004, Butaud 418 (PAP).

Collectors’ notes indicate the leaves and bark are used for traditional medicine, another factor likely contributing to the decline of this species. Since 2006, a conservation plan lead by the Environment Direction of French Polynesia was implemented, with conservation ex situ (seed collection and conservation plantings) and in situ (enclosure of several populations). Local name: tueiao

Marquesas Islands: Hiva Oa: dry crest above Taaoa, SW of village, 350 m, M.-H. Sachet 2115 (Holotype US!; Isotype BISH-598409!).

Tree 6−10 m tall, trunk 20−25 cm in diam., bark furrowed, branches more or less horizontal, twigs and leaves in whorls of 3−4, entire plant glabrous, latex abundant; branchlets 4−6 mm in diam., proximal internodes to 9 cm long, distal ones 0.5−1 cm long toward end of season’s growth, terminal buds with abundant clear, brown resin. Leaves elliptic to broadly elliptic, 5.5−22 × 2.5−6.8 cm apex acute to obtuse, base acute to occasionally obtuse, slightly decurrent on petiole, glabrous, chartaceous, light to bright yellowish green when dried, secondary veins 12−15 on a side, brochidodromous, forming a wide angle with costa, secondary and tertiary veins prominulous on both surfaces; petioles 15−35 × 1−2 mm in diam. with 20−30 brown digitate, glandular colleters 0.5−1.2 mm long in each leaf axil. Inflorescences terminal, pseudoaxillary by displacement, compound cymes 3−6 × 8−12.5 cm including the corollas, peduncles verticellate, 1.5−3 cm long, 3−6 times ramified, branches open, widely divergent, ultimate branches trichotomous with central branch usually represented by a single pedicellate flower, most flowers early caducous from all but the most distal branches, each lateral branch subtended by a scale-like, ovate-triangular bract 1−1.5 × 1−1.5 mm, a bract pair subtending each lateral bud, axils of bracts glandular as those of leaves, pedicel of central flower 2−2.5 mm long, lateral buds of a triad subsessile, globose, tending to develop into a new triad with only the central flower of a triad developing to anthesis; calyx turbinate-campanulate, lobed almost to base, lobes 1.5−2 × 1.5−1.7 mm, imbricate, obtuse, margins thin; corolla yellow in bud, at anthesis cream colored, 12−14 mm long including limb, tube 9.5−14 × 1−1.5 mm in diam. medially, slightly dilated at apex and base, lobes slightly left-contorted, ovate, 2.5−3.5 × 2 mm, obtuse or rounded at apex, anthers narrowly ovate, somewhat bluntly acuminate, sagittate at base, subsessile, 1.5 mm long, inserted 1.5 mm below throat, a very few hairs around and below insertion on inside surface of corolla tube; ovary surrounded by cup-like nectary disk with minutely crenulate margin, carpels oblong, free distally, united in lower half, style glabrous, 7−9 mm long, style head thickened, cylindrical (not seen: floral description from Fosberg 1981). Fruit subglobose to globose, 12−15 mm long, fleshy, turning black at maturity (at least when dry), apex rounded or emarginate, subtended by persistent spreading calyx. Seed 1 by abortion (only one mature fruit examined) 12 × 8 × 5 mm, obliquely oblong-ovoid, with one straight and one curved edge, base sub-truncate, apex diagonal from straight edge upward to a blunt point, sides coarsely and shallowly rugose.

Marquesas Islands, Hiva Oa, previously known only from a single tree at the type locality above Taaoa. In 2011 one dead trunk probably representing this species was found in a small gulch above Tanaeka valley, at around 430 m elevation (Butaud, pers. obs.).

Dry secondary forest or shrubland with Casuarina.

Despite careful searches this species has not been found since the last collection was made at the type locality in 1977. In 2010 the area was observed to be overgrazed by goats and invaded by Syzygium cumini.(L.) Skeels (Butaud, pers. obs.). Rauvolfia sachetiaefalls into the Critically Endangered (CR) category, which designates species facing the highest risk of extinction in the wild. IUCN Red List Category: Critically Endangered (CR) B1a, b; B2a, B2b (i–iii): B1, extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 km2, and B1a, known to exist at only a single location; B1b (i-iii), continuing projected decline in (i) extent of occurrence, (ii) area of occupancy, and (iii) area, extent and quality of habitat; B2, area of occupancy estimated to be less than 10 km2, and B2a, a single population known. B2b (i–iii), continuing habitat decline inferred. The suitable habitat for Rauvolfia sachetiae on Hiva Oa (c. 315 km2) is indicated as an endangered environment, threatened by human activity (deforestation and fire), feral animals, and invasive plants, reducing the extent of the forest.

Marquesas Islands: Hiva Oa: Ridge above Taaoa, SW of village, 350 m, 20 Nov 1974, Sachet & Decker 1885 (BISH, CBG, CHR, L, MO, NSW, P, PTBG, US), Taaoa, sur la presqu’île, versant SW, 350 m, 8 March 1977, Schäfer & Oliver 5293 (BISH, CBG, CHR, MO, NSW, PTBG, US).