Figure A-2. Affected Guetturda speciosa with normal appearing Scaevoda sericea.
rmal green color. Ground surveys revealed that
eveda sericea Was Common and nornzal in aparance. Many ofthe Guettarda speciosa appeared
be in poor condition (Figure A-2). In some,all
nearly all the leaves were gone from the termi-
the tree. Several trees had dry and shriveled
fronds, and =6 had deformed bulges 4 to 8 ft below the crown with apparently normal growth
above the bulges.
Photographs of the affected vegetation were
| 1 to 12 in. of the branches, and other leaves
examined by Dr. Fosberg, and he stated that the
ean beach, there was a field of 30 Guet-
veys will be necessary, both on the islands that
received radiation and on those that did not, to
‘re yellowed and shriveled. In other Gueltarda,
arly all the leaves were gone, and the bushes
peared completely dead. More than 50% ofthe
ettarda were affected in whole or part. In one
“a of Naen several hundred yards inland from
ill of which were dead. Some young Prsonza
1 were seen which appearedto be in good
ion. Mature Prsonta were seen which were
ily defoliated, but these did not appear to be
‘ different from those seen on RongelapIslet
southeast corner of Rongelap Atoll. None
mistietoe-like clumps described by Fosberg
te observed. Several Ochrosia oppositifolra were
‘n with nearly complete defoliation, which apared dead. A small grove of coconut trees near
¢ center of Naen Islet contained 4 to 5 dead
es within a radius of = 300 yards, which were
vapitated at heights 5 to £2 ft above the ground
th no evidence of axe or machete marks. Two2aded coconut trees were seen, one with fronds
11 were mostly brown and appeared dead growttrom the trunk 22 ft below the true crownof
changes weresimilar to those he had previously
reported.
It is not possible to evaluate the cause of the
changes from the present observations. More extensive and detailed botanical and ecologicalsur-
determine whether the changes seen bear any
relation to fallout. In particular, it should be noted
that these observations were made during the dry
season.
Weare indebted to Professor Frank Richardson
of the University of Washingtonfor identifying the
plants, and to Commander W. Lyons, USN, for
his assistance in taking the photographs.
REFERENCES
1. Fosneac, F.R., Nature 183, 1448 (1959).
2. Fosaerc, F.R., Atold Research Bulletin 61, 1-11 (1959).
3. Comarn, R.A. et ac., Medical Survey of Rongelap People,
March 1958, Four Years After Exposure to Fallout, BNL
534 (T-E35).
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