Entries from Whistler 1991 in Pollex-Online

Whistler, W. A. (1991). The ethnobotany of Tonga: the plants, their Tongan names, and their uses. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

Language Item Description
Tongan Ango Turmeric (Curcuma longa) (ango kula), also ginger (Zingiber zerumbet) (ango hina) Borrowed
Tongan Akataha A leguminous vine or creeper with a taproot . (Rorippa somentosa)
Tongan Ango/ango Wild ginger (Zingiber zerumbet)
Tongan Ate Shrub sp. (Wollastonia biflora)
Tongan Fanakio Tree sp. (Sterculia fanaiho), found only on Niuafo'ou
Tongan Malamala ʔa fonua Alternative name for fonua mamala
Tongan Fonua malala Niua name for fonua mamala
Tongan Fonua mamala Tree sp. (Omalanthus nutans)
Tongan Fao A tree (Neiosperma oppositifolium)
Tongan Fau (Hibiscus tiliaceus)
Tongan Foʔui Small tree sp. (Grewia crenata)
Tongan Fehi (fisi) Hardwood tree (Intsia bijuga)
Tongan Fetaʔu (Calophyllum inophyllum)
Tongan Filimoto Tree sp. Flacourtia rukam (in the Niuas); Xylosma simulans
Tongan Fue ʔae puaka (Ipomoea indica)
Tongan Futu (Barringtonia asiatica)
Tongan Hongohongo Nettle (Laportea interrupta); also (Acalypha lanceolata)
Tongan Hulufe General name for ferns, most commonly applied to Nephrolepis hirsutula, indigenous sword fern
Tongan Kakamika Weed sp. (Sigesbeckia orientalis)
Tongan Kalaka A tree (Planchonella grayana)
Tongan Kaanume (Diospyros elliptica)
Tongan Kaho Reed spp. (Miscanthus floridulus) and (Arundo donax)
Tongan Kavahaha Derris trifoliata, indigenous liana. An extract of the plant is used as a fish poison.
Tongan Kavahuhu Shrub sp. (Tephrosia purpurea)
Tongan Lautolu General name for several creeping vines (Vigna spp.)
Tongan Kofe Bamboo sp. (Schizostachyum glaucifolium). Green bamboo (Cwd).
Tongan Koli A tree with odoriferous fruit . (Syzygium neurocalyx)
Tongan Kuta, kutu (Eleocharis dulcis)
Tongan Sipi (Entada phaseoloides). Often confused with valai.
Tongan Lala vao Shrub sp. (Wikstroemia foetida)
Tongan Lala ʔuta Shrub sp. (Dendrolobium umbellatum)
Tongan Lala tahi Shrub sp. (Vitex trifolia)
Tongan Leva (Cerbera sp.) (Niuatoputapu)
Tongan Halato (Tafahi) Stinging-nettle tree sp. (Dendrocnide harveyi)
Tongan Magele (Trema cannabina)
Tongan Mako Small tree sp. (Melochia aristata)
Tongan Mala/mala-ʔa-toa Tree sp., Memecylon harveyi
Tongan Mamange A kind of yam; possibly also shrub (Morinda myrtifolia); (Faradaya amicorum) (Buelow); variety of aka (Pueraria lobata)
Tongan Manonu A tree (Tarenna sambucina)
Tongan Mapa (Diospyros major)
Tongan Mahele/hele Any of several large sedges, such as (Mariscus javanicus), (Scleria polycarpa) and (Rhynchospora corymbosa), all with sharp-edged leaves
Tongan Matamoho Abrus precatorius
Tongan Masi General term for several tree spp. including Ficus tinctoria, F.scabra
Tongan Milo A tree (Thespesia populnea)
Tongan Mohokoi A tree (Cananga odorata)
Tongan Ola/vai Small tree sp. (Psychotria insularum); also (Citronella samoensis)
Tongan Pipi Tree with inedible fruit used for oil . (Hernadia moerenhoutiana)
Tongan Pitu Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris)
Tongan Ponga Cyathea lunulata
Tongan Poumuli (Flueggea flexuosa)