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Mary's bean and other small drift materials of plant origin found on Bikini
Atoll

Article  in  Plant Species Biology · March 2006

DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-1984.2006.00149.x

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 Blackwell Publishing AsiaMelbourne, AustraliaPSBPlant Species Biology0913-557XThe Society for the Study of Species Biology, 2006April 20062114148Notes and
CommentsMARY’S BEAN AND OTHER DRIFT FOUND ON BIKININ. VANDER VELDE AND B. VANDER VELDE

Plant Species Biology (2006) 21, 41–48 doi: 10.1111/j.1442-1984.2006.00149.x

NOTES AND COMMENTS

Mary’s bean and other small drift materials of plant origin

found on Bikini Atoll
NANCY VANDER VELDE and BRIAN VANDER VELDE
Biological Consultants, PO Box 1603, Majuro, Marshall Islands

Keywords: Bikini Atoll, drift material, drift seed, Marshall Islands, Mary’s Bean.
Received 24 January 2005; accepted 4 November 2005

Introduction Islands, such as ‘aik’ for cedar driftwood and ‘kâmeej’ for
redwood (Abo et al. 1985).
Bikini Atoll is situated at approximately 11°20′ and 11°44′-
Bikini Atoll was used in the 1940s and 1950s as a
North and 165°10′ and 165°36′-East, and is an island in
nuclear test site (Weisgall 1994) and there is still too much
the Râlik Chain of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
residual radiation to allow permanent habitation.
(Fosberg 1988) (See Fig. 1). This northwestern portion of
Approximately 18 people live on Bikini Atoll, but not
the country is also known as ‘Kabin Meto’ meaning ‘bot-
year-round. They are mainly involved in small-scale tour-
tom’ or ‘far-reaches of the sea’, in part, because of the
ism that caters primarily to divers and fishermen. Thus,
remoteness of the region ( National Biodiversity Team of
only a few people visit Bikini Atoll’s beaches.
the Republic of the Marshall Islands 2000).
For the Marshall Islands as a whole, the predominant
current is the westerly North Equatorial Current. No Materials and methods
large landmass lies between the Marshall Islands and
It was suggested by Nelson (2000) that the majority of
the American continents. Under normal circumstances,
drift material can be divided into three basic categories:
the easterly Equatorial Counter Current reaches only the
‘local, refuse and peregrine’. As he correctly observes,
southernmost atolls (Taylor 1950). Drift materials from all
drift material that is of the most interest can be considered
directions, however, have been found in many areas of
to be peregrine ‘those which have drifted by entirely nat-
the Marshall Islands (Spennemann 1997).
ural means, sometimes for months, from remote oversea
The native land vegetation of Bikini Atoll consists of
locations’ (Smith 1999). Non-organic pumice was
approximately two dozen species of vascular plants (Tay-
observed and collected to a limited extent but was not
lor 1950; Fosberg 1988). A number of these plants are
included in this report.
considered to have been transported by seabirds and have
It is often difficult to know the exact origin of most drift
sticky seeds that tend to attach to bird feathers (e.g. Piso-
seeds and other drift material. As Nelson (2000) correctly
nia grandis and Achyranthes canescens) (See Table 1).
observed ‘no one can tell precisely where any sea bean or
The remaining species have seeds, fruit or plant plants
nickar nut came from, how far it has floated, or how many
capable of drifting long distances at sea and are believed
months or years it took to reach its final destination . . .’
to have spread throughout the Pacific, and beyond, this
This is particularly true for wide-ranging species, which
way (Smith 1999; W. A. Whistler, pers. comm., 2004).
constitute a large percentage of the recent finds from
Numerous other drift seeds and drift fruits are known
Bikini Atoll.
to travel long distances, but rarely or never do they
become established on new shores (Smith 1999). Other
material of plant origin, such as wood and logs, is also Results and discussion
known to drift to the atolls of the Marshall Islands. There
During our visit to Bikini Atoll, over 100 drift seeds, drift
are vernacular words for wood that has never been
fruit and other small drift material of plant origin were
known to grow anywhere even close to the Marshall
found. Larger drift material was only observed and not
Correspondence: Nancy Vander Velde included in the tabulation because of the impracticality of
Email: nancyv@ntamar.net identification and collection. The collected material was

© 2006 The Authors

Journal compilation © 2006 The Society for the Study of Species Biology
42 N . VA N D E R V E L D E A N D B . VA N D E R V E L D E

Fig. 1 Bikini Atoll, Republic of

the Marshall Islands.

Table 1 Probable native vascular plants and likely means of introduction

Species means of introduction

Cocos nucifera floating seed

Fimbristylis cymosa floating seed
Fimbristylis dichotoma floating seed
Pandanus tectorius (wild varieties) floating seed
Lepturus repens floating “fruit” (caryopsis)
Thuarea involuta floating “fruit” in folded leaf
Achyranthes canescens (perhaps extirpated) sticky seed attached to bird feathers
Cordia subcordata floating fruit
Tournefortia argentea floating seed
Terminalia samoensis floating seed
Ipomoea macrantha floating seed
Caeslpinia bonduc (perhaps extirpated) floating seed
Scaevola taccada floating seed
Hernandia nymphaeifolia (extirpated) floating seed
Cassytha filiformis floating seed
Pemphis acidula floating seed
Sida fallax floating seed
Boerhavia albiflora floating fruit or plant segment
Boerhavia repens floating fruit or plant segment
Boerhavia tetrandra floating fruit or plant segment
Pisonia grandis sticky seed attached to bird feathers
Portulaca australis floating seed and/or plant segment
Portulaca oleracea floating seed and/or plant segment
Guettarda speciosa floating fruit
Dodonaea viscosa floating seed
Soulamea amara (possibly extirpated) floating seed
Suriana maritima floating seed
Triumfetta procumbens floating seed
Laportea ruderalis floating seed
Clerodendrum inerme floating seed

© 2006 The Authors Plant Species Biology 21, 41–48

Journal compilation © 2006 The Society for the Study of Species Biology
 M A RY ’ S B E A N A N D O T H E R D R I F T F O U N D O N B I K I N I 43

tentatively identified to be from 25 species and 15 families Mary’s bean

(Appendix 1).
Along the oceanside beach of Bikini Island on 20 October
We concentrated on peregrine materials. These were
2003, a single specimen of a Mary’s bean (Merremia dis-
divided into five categories according to where the closest
coidesperma) was found. It was two-tone brown in color,
known living plants might be found: on Bikini Atoll, on
approximately 25 mm by 20 mm with the distinctive cru-
other atolls of the Marshall Islands, on other islands of
cifix-like intersecting grooves on one side, and a conspic-
Micronesia, in the Tropical Indo-Pacific and Tropical
uous oval hilum on the other. It was found in the open,
America (Appendix 1).
on the rocky shore.
The only specimens collected from trees known to be
The plant that produces this seed is only found in a
growing on Bikini Atoll were Calophyllum inophyllum and
small area of Central America, parts of Mexico, Guate-
Terminalia catappa. Only a few trees grow on Bikini Atoll,
mala and Hispanola. Because it has such a restricted hab-
all of which are along the lagoon, and the specimens
itat, it has come to be considered the world record holder
collected were from the opposite side, that is, from the
for all drift seeds. In historic times, it would on very rare
ocean beaches. Seeds of these species were uncommon
occasions drift in the Atlantic to Ireland, Scotland and
and rather battered, good indicators that they came from
Norway. This scarcity, combined with the cross markings
somewhere other than Bikini (particularly when con-
on its front, led to it being used as a talisman and many
trasted to the abundance of seeds from other local species
superstitions and legends are connected with it (Gunn &
seen along the beaches).
Dennis 1999; Smith 1999; Perry & Dennis 2003).
Neisosperma oppostifolium and Caesalpinia bonduc had
Merremia discoidesperma is still a rare find among drift
previously been reported growing on Bikini Atoll, but
material anywhere in the world and highly prized by drift
had not been found in latter surveys (Taylor 1950; Fosberg
seed collectors (Katz & Mikkelsen 2001).
1988). Thus, the drift material from these species was
On 22 March 1952, F. R. Fosberg found a single
tabled as coming from other Marshall Atolls and not from
M. discoidesperma on the beach of Mâjruon (Mejruwon)
Bikini Atoll.
Island, Wotho Atoll, also in the Marshall Islands, approx-
A large percentage of the drift material collected was
imately 500 km to the southeast of Bikini Atoll (Gunn
the fruit of Barringtonia asiatica. These fruit evidently came
1977). This has long been considered to be the world
ashore often enough to be known by workers on Bikini
record for any drift seed (Gunn & Dennis 1976; Fosberg
Atoll. According to Fosberg et al. (1979), the closest atoll
et al. 1979). The single seed found on Bikini Atoll would
where this species was found at that time was Lae,
thus extend that record range by approximately 140 km,
although it also grows on Kwajalein, Likiep, Ailinglaplap,
and also appears to indicate that more M. discoidesperma
Arno and Jaluit atolls. Thaman and Vander Velde (2003)
seeds could potentially be found in the Marshall Islands.
found B. asiatica to be well established on Majuro Atoll,
and we observed it on other atolls, including Namu.
Thus, B. asiatica is likely to be growing on most of the Conclusion
southern Marshall atolls. According to Whistler (1992) it
ranges from Madagascar to eastern Polynesia. The drift material found during a single week on Bikini
‘Classic seabeans’ made up a large percentage of the Atoll probably represents a regular occurrence. Without
drift finds. The actual species of these can be very difficult any other landmass to the east to block the major currents,
to determine, but it is most likely that they came from the it is likely that a large amount of peregrine material reg-
genera Dioclea, Entada, Mucuna, Strongylodon and possibly ularly arrives. Four species of drift found during our short
Bauhinia. The seabeans appear to come ashore often visit to Bikini Atoll have not been found on Majuro to
enough to be known by the workers on Bikini Atoll. A date, where we have conducted extensive surveys.
number were encrusted with bryozoa, which might indi- In general, it appears that the Marshall Islands receive
cate a lengthy stay at sea. It is likely that most seabeans a generous amount of drift material. Recording the drift
came from other parts of the tropical central and/or west- seeds and drift material that comes ashore in the respec-
ern Pacific, and there is always the possibility that at least tive atolls can yield valuable insights into ocean currents
some originated in tropical America. and biogeography. Bikini Atoll, with its low population
The wood of ‘woj’ found on Majuro a couple of years and beaches that are free of excessive beach wrack, could
ago revealed that its anatomy matches that of a Venuzu- play an important part in such studies.
lean tree species Molongum laxum (= Ambelania laxa) (D.
Lorence and A. Wiedenhoeft, pers. comm., 2002). The
Acknowledgments
extreme lightness of this wood indicates that it probably
travels by wind as much or more so than by currents, and This report would not have been possible without the
it is known to occur with other drift material (Smith 1999). generosity of the Bikini Atoll Council, to which the

Plant Species Biology 21, 41–48 © 2006 The Authors

Journal compilation © 2006 The Society for the Study of Species Biology
44 N . VA N D E R V E L D E A N D B . VA N D E R V E L D E
authors are very grateful. Thanks also to Brenda Waltz of
Bikini Divers and Jack Niedenthal, Bikini Liaison Officer,
for their efforts in making arrangements for our visit. All
those on Bikini Atoll were of immense help in making a
success of this report: Tim Williams, John Salas, Edward
Maddison, Brown Lalimo, Joseph John, and all the others
who worked so hard during our week of exploration.
References
Abo T., Bender B. W., Capelle A. & DeBrum T. (1985) Marshallese-
English Dictionary, 3rd edn. University of Hawai’i Press,
Honolulu.
Fosberg F. R. (1988) Vegetation of Bikini Atoll, 1985. Atoll Research
Bulletin 315: 1–28.
Fosberg F. R., Sachet M.-H. & Oliver R. (1979) A geographical
checklist of the Micronesian Dicotyledonae. Micronesica 15:
41–295.
Gunn C. R. (1977) Merremia discoidesperma: Its taxonomy and
capacity of its seeds for ocean drifting. Economic Botany 31:
237–252.
Gunn C. R. & Dennis J. V. (1999) World Guide to Tropical Drift Seeds
and Fruits. Krieger Publishing Co, Malabar.
© 2006 The Authors
Journal compilation © 2006 The Society for the Study of Species Biology
Katz C. & Mikkelsen P. (2001) The Little Book of Sea-Beans and
Other Beach Treasures. Atlantic Press Inc, Melbourne Beach.
National Biodiversity Team of the Republic of the Marshall
Islands (2000) The Marshall Islands – Living Atolls Amidst the
Living Sea: The National Biodiversity Report of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands. RMI Biodiversity Project, Majuro.
Nelson E. C. (2000) Sea Beans and Nicker Nuts. Botanical Society
of the British Isles, London.
Perry E. & Dennis J. V. (2003) Sea-Beans from the Tropics. Krieger
Publishing Co, Malabar.
Smith J. (1999) Australian Driftseeds: A Compendium of Seeds and
Fruits Commonly Found on Australian Beaches. University of
New England, New South Wales, Australia.
Spennemann D. H. R. (1997) On the origin of drift materials in
the Marshall Islands. Atoll Research Bulletin 445: 1–7.
Taylor W. R. (1950) Plants of Bikini and Other Northern Marshall
Islands. University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor.
Thaman R. R. & Vander Velde N. (2003) Comprehensive listing
of the Vascular Flora of Majuro Atoll. Atoll Research Bulletin
503: 10–141.
Weisgall J. M. (1994) Operation Crossroads. Naval Institute Press,
Annapolis.
Whistler W. A. (1992) Flowers of the Pacific Island Seashore. Isle
Botanica, Honolulu.
Plant Species Biology 21, 41–48
 M A RY ’ S B E A N A N D O T H E R D R I F T F O U N D O N B I K I N I 45

Appendix I
Preliminary Table and Checklist of Small Drift Material of Plant
Origin Found on Bikini Atoll
general information living plant found islet driftseed
(according to found other information
closest site known)
Scientific name

on Bikini at.
other Marshalls

Micronesia
Trop. Indo-Pac

Tropical Am.

total found
Bikini

Enyu

other
English name(s)
comments
Marshallese name;
scan of sample from
specimens collected
Monocots
Acrecaceae (palm family)
Acrocomia sp. one found on O-dik; a
prickly palm true long distance
• 2 1 3
drifted, seed not viable

Nypa fruticans frequently found drifted

nypa palm to Marshalls, some still
• 1 1 living, sprouted but none
known to survive; plant
of estuaries, river mouths
Dicots
Anacardiaceae
Pleiogynium timoriense inner portion of fruit
burdekin only drifts, some could
plum possibly be very eroded
•

10 10
Guettarda speciosa fruit

Apocynaceae (dogbane family)

Cerbera previous Marshalls
manghas record for this tree either
• 1 1 an unlikely record or
long extirpated

Molongum laxum (?) driftwood well known

palo de boya; wÔj (wood) throughout Marshalls;
specimens not retained
? ±15 ±10 ±25
from Bikini (Majuro
specimen shown)

Neisosperma oppisifolium; previously grew on

kÔjbar Bikini but not found in
recent surveys
•

1 1

Plant Species Biology 21, 41–48 © 2006 The Authors

Journal compilation © 2006 The Society for the Study of Species Biology
46 N . VA N D E R V E L D E A N D B . VA N D E R V E L D E

on Bikini at.
other Marshalls

Micronesia
Trop. Indo-Pac

Tropical Am.

total found
Bikini

Enyu

other
Scientific name
English name(s) comments
Marshallese name

Bombaceae
Ceiba pentandra the tree’s thorns, when
kapok (thorns) they fall off, can drift
long distances in much
• 2 1 3 the way that driftseeds
do

Burseraceae
Canarium decumanum large tree of rainforests
pili nut
• 1 1

Clusiaceae or Guttiferae (mangosteen family)

Calophyllum inophyllum seeds found on ocean
beauty leaf; lukwej side, quite worn, likely
having been at sea longer
• 7 1 8 than would those from
the few trees near lagoon
of Bikini islet

Chrysobalanaceae
Atuna racemosa one from Bok-doulul;
ajet well-known by
• 2 1 3 Marshallese people and
used to scent coconut oil

Combretaceae (terminalia family)

Terminalia catappa very worn, smaller than
tropical almond; kotÔl seeds produced by
planted trees
• 3 3

Convolvulaceae (morning-glory family)

Merremia discoidesperma rare find; world famous,
Mary’s bean long distance drifter;
previous Pacific record
• 1 1 was Wotho Atoll, 140
km to southeast

© 2006 The Authors Plant Species Biology 21, 41–48

Journal compilation © 2006 The Society for the Study of Species Biology
 M A RY ’ S B E A N A N D O T H E R D R I F T F O U N D O N B I K I N I 47

on Bikini at.
other Marshalls

Micronesia
Trop. Indo-Pac

Tropical Am.

total found
Bikini

Enyu

other
Scientific name
English name(s) comments
Marshallese name

Euphorbiaceae
Aleurites moluccana previously planted on
candelnut Kwajalein but did not
survive
• 4 4

Hippomane mancinella trees form thickets along

manchineel coasts of Central and
South America, both
• 1 1 Pacific and Atlantic

Fabaceae (pea family)

Caesalpinia bonduc previously found by
nicker nut, stay-a-while, others growing on some
kâl ôkl ôk beaches, but not seen
• 1 1 2 during recent visit

Dioclea javanica lowland forest and

saddle swamp climber
bean
• 2 1 3

Dioclea reflexa can be confused with

sea purse certain species of
Mucuna
• 2 2

Entada gigas previously found

hot bean growing on Jaluit after a
• 1 1 typhoon, but did not
survive

Mucuna gigantea; this species and Entada

burny bean are often rubbed
• 1 1 vigorously by children
and put on others’ skin
as a prank
Mucuna urens; hamburger difficult to distinguish
bean from M. sloanei
• 16 3 19

Plant Species Biology 21, 41–48 © 2006 The Authors

Journal compilation © 2006 The Society for the Study of Species Biology
 48 N . VA N D E R V E L D E A N D B . VA N D E R V E L D E

on Bikini at.
other Marshalls

Micronesia
Trop. Indo-Pac

Tropical Am.

total found
Bikini

Enyu

other
Scientific name
English name(s) comments
Marshallese name

Strongylodon lucidus climbing vine of tropical

jade vine rainforests, especially
near rivers
• 5 5

unidentifiable “sea beans” several species hard to

tell apart aside from
? ? ? ? 2 1 3 growing the plants; may
come from any tropical
location
Lecythidaceae (brazilnut family)
Barringtonia asiatica common shore tree of
fish-poison tree, box fruit; other Marshalls’ atolls
wÔp
• 11 10 21

Meliacea
Xylocarpus sp. only a remnant piece
monkey-puzzle tree

• 1 1

Sapotaceae
“Calocarpum” sp. tentative identification,
only broken piece
• 1 1

uncertain species
amber (fossilized resin) as remains of ancient
resin, very difficult to
determine species or
? 5 11 origin; two major
6 sources of commercial
amber, but other species
and sources documented

© 2006 The Authors Plant Species Biology 21, 41–48

Journal compilation © 2006 The Society for the Study of Species Biology

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