normal green color. Ground surveys revealed that
Scaevola sericea was common and normal in ap-

pearance. Manyof the Guettarda speciosa appeared
to be in poor condition (Figure A-2). In some,ali
or nearly all the leaves were gone from the terminal 1 to 12 in. of the branches, and other leaves

were yellowed and shriveled. In other Guettarda,
nearly all the leaves were gone, and the bushes
appeared completely dead. More than 50% of the

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
examined by Dr. Fosberg, and hestated that the
changes were similar to those he had previously

area of Naen several hundred yards inland from

reported.
It is not possible to evaluate the cause of the
changes from the present observations. More extensive and detailed botanical and ecological sur-

tarda, all of which were dead. Some young Pisonia
grandis were seen which appeared to be in good

received radiation and on those that did not, to
determine whether the changes seen bear any

the ocean beach, there was a field of 30 Guet-

condition. Mature Pisonta were seen which were

partially defoliated, but these did not appearto be
greatly different from those seen on Rongelap Islet
on the southeast corner of Rongelap Atoll. None
of the mistletoe-like clumps described by Fosberg
were observed. Several Ochrosia oppositifolia were

seen with nearly complete defoliation, which appeared dead. A small grove of coconut trees ne%r
the center of Naen Islet contained 4 to 5 dead
trees within a radius of 300 yards, which were
decapitated at heights 5 to 12 ft above the ground
with no evidence of axe or machete marks. Two 2headed coconut trees were seen, one with fronds

that were mostly brown and appeared dead grow-

ing from the trunk 2 ft below the true crownof

veys will be necessary, both on the islandsthat

- 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
_

Guettarda were affected in whole or part. In one

. Fospere, F.R., .Vature 183, 1448 (1959).

2. Fosperc, F.R., Atoll Research Bulletin 61, 1-11 (1959).
3. Conarn, R.A. et at., Medical Survey of Rongelap People,
March 1958, Four Years After Exposure to Fallout, BNL

534 (T-135).

.

a

Figure A-2. Affected Guettarda speciosa with normal appearing Scaevola sericea.

ee MeO

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