Apocynaceae (Cerbera)

Protocol Information for:

Label_title:
Cerbera (dilatata)

Family Names:

Family Scientific Name:
Apocynaceae

Family Common Name:
Plumeria family

Scientific Names:

Genus:
Cerbera

Species:
dilatata

Scientific Classification:

Scientific SubSpecies:

Species Authority:
Markgraf.

Scientific SubAuthority:

Authors:

David Limtiaco

Common Synonym:

Genus:

Species:

Synonym Classification:

Synonym SubSpecies:

Species Authority:

Synonym SubAuthority:

Other Information:

Common Name:
Chiute

Species Code:
CERDIL

Ecotype:
Guam

General Distribution:
Chiute is an endemic species to the Mariana islands; found on Guam, Saipan,Rota, Tinian and Pagan. It inhabits moist forests and may be foundon limestone soils. It is a very attractive native with large, showy plumeria-like flowers.

Known Invasiveness:

Propagation Goal:
plants

Propagation Method:
vegetative

Product Type:
Container (plug)

Stock Type:
3L (1 gal) containers

Grow Time:
4 Months

Target Specifications:
Height: 20 cm
Caliper: N/A
Root System: Firm Root Plug in container.

Propagation Collection:
Collect softwood stem cuttings when the leaves have expanded and the stems are firm. During collection, stem cuttings need to be kept moist and cool, and must be treated immediately after collection.

Propagation Processing/Propagule Characteristics:

Pre-Planting Propagule Treatments:
Each cutting must have a healthy, terminal shoot bud. Stems are cut to 15 cm (6.0 in) lengths, and all mature leaves are removed except the terminal leaves. Leaf buds in the axils of leaves are not removed and will form new leaves once the cuttings are well rooted. Cuttings are directly stuck into containers filled with moistened, well aerated medium. We do not use rooting hormones.

Growing Area Preparation / Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
The Guam Forestry nursery has a year round growing season with periods of high rainfall.
The facility is comprised of shade structures and an outdoor growing compound. All propagation environments are utilized at different stages of seedling growth to protect seedlings from heavy rains, and provide to temperature and shading variance during production. We irrigate all containers by hand, but are investigating a sub-irrigation system for the nursery.

Establishment Phase:
Cuttings begin to form roots about 4 weeks after sticking. We plant them in polybags filled with a growing medium of 2:1:1 (v:v:v) sand, commerical medium, and crushed rock. Cuttings are kept evenly moist during establishment.

Length of Establishment Phase:
4 weeks

Active Growth Phase:
Once cuttings are well rooted, new leaves from the axillary leaf buds begin to form. We keep cuttings in the shelterhouse during active growth to protect them from wind and heavy rains.

Length of Active Growth Phase:
8 weeks

Hardening Phase:
Irrigation frequency and duration is gradually reduced for 4 to 8 weeks prior to outplanting. We move cuttings to open growing compound at this stage.

Length of Hardening Phase:
4 weeks

Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:
Containerized seedlings are stored in the open growing compound until moved to outplanting site.

Length of Storage:
Variable; depends on outplanting date.

Guidelines for Outplanting / Performance on Typical Sites:

Other Comments:

References:

Citation:
Limtiaco, David. 2005. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Cerbera dilatata Markgraf. plants 3L (1 gal) containers; USDA FS - Guam Division of Forestry and Soil Resources Mangilao, Guam. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/07/02). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.

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