| Matafao Peak | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 653 m (2,142 ft) |
| Prominence | 653 m (2,142 ft) |
| Coordinates | 14°17′41.64″S170°42′7.92″W / 14.2949000°S 170.7022000°W /-14.2949000; -170.7022000 |
| Geography | |
  Matafao Peak | |
Matafao Peak (Samoan:Fa’asi’usi’uga o Matafao) is a mountain inAmerican Samoa, on the island ofTutuila.[1][2] With an elevation of 653 metres (2,142 ft), it is the highest peak on Tutuila Island.[3][4][5] The mountain, likeRainmaker Mountain acrossPago Pago Harbor, is a remnant of a volcanic plug and is part of the volcanic origins of the island. The mountain can be hiked from the high point of thePago Pago-to-Fagasa Road. It is designated aNational Natural Landmark above the 492-foot (150 m) level,[6] an area known as Matafao Peak National Natural Landmark.
The village ofFagatogo is located at the foot of Mount Matafao.[7]
The name “Matafao” is said to refer to the fact that, from its peak, in fair weather, one can see as far asMount Fao onUpolu Island.[8] The name of the mountain,Matafao, is derived from the Samoan language and translates into English as “Spear Head".[9]
Matafao Mountain is predominantly covered with montane scrub vegetation. The mountain hosts a diverse range of plant species, includingDipteris conjugata,Dicranopteris linearis,Machaerina falcata,Freycinetia storckii, andDavallia epiphylla. Among these,Dipteris, a fern with leaves resembling those ofTacca, is notably rare in theSamoan Islands and has been recorded only on Mount Matafao andRainmaker Mountain. In contrast,Dicranopteris andDavallia are more common across the islands.Machaerina is a large sedge, whileFreycinetia is a coarse-leaved climbing or scrambling vine also found in the cloud forests ofTaʻū Island. The mountain also supports a variety of tree species, includingPandanus reineckei,Rapanea myricifolia,Syzygium brevifolium,Astronidium,Spiraeanthemum samoense,Alstonia godeffroyi,Eurya japonica, andWeinmannia affinis. Remarkably, nearly half of the characteristic tree species on Mount Matafao areendemic to Samoa. Two species, Astronidium andCyrtandra geminata, are entirely restricted to thetrachyte plugs of Tutuila Island, highlighting the ecological and conservation significance of Mount Matafao.[10][11]
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