History of plant introductions to Pohnpei, Micronesia and the role of the Pohnpei agriculture station

The history of plant introductions to tropical countries can often be deter mined by studying the history of their botanical gardens, arboreta, and agr icultural experiment stations. Pohnpei has been a center for plant introduc tions in Micronesia for more than 100 years. Beginning in the 1830s foreign visitors and settlers brought in new crops and ornamental plants. Purposef ul introductions to support agricultural development took place during the colonial regimes of Germany, Japan, and the United States. The illustrious history and significant role played by the Pohnpei Agriculture Station-once one of the foremost centers in the world for the study of tropical agricul ture-and its current situation are discussed. For the first time ever, a co mprehensive list is provided of 433 plant species, hybrids, cultivars, and varieties introduced to the island, including 403 taxa grown at the Station .