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Hog Palm - Spondias mombin

10/31/2016

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Image Source: Starr (commons.wikimedia)

Image Source: Schmidt (commons.wikimedia)

Also known as Yellow mombin.
Can reach up to a height of 75 ft.
Native to South and Central America.
Edible fruit that has a orange-yellow color.
Humid tropical climates.
Bark and flowers have medicinal purposes.
Water from the roots can be drunk when fresh water in unavailable.
They can be planted to provide shade for coffee plants.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

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Hoop Pine – Araucaria cunninghami

10/30/2016

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Image Source: Peter1968 (Wiki Commons)

Height can reach up to 120 ft. (90 ft. in only 40-50 years).
From Northern Quuensland/Melanesian Islands.
Used for their wood (flooring/furniture).
Very common commericially important softwood on Australia.
Introduced to Hawaii in 1880.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

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Hutu - Barringtonia asiatica

10/29/2016

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Image Source: Starr (commons.wikimedia)

Another common name is Barringtonia.
Can grow up to 60 ft. tall.
Dense, spreading canopy.
Harvested for food, medicine and as a source of wood.
Fruit is toxic.
Fresh fruit is used as bait for fish.
Can find them around the shores of the India and Pacific Oceans from Madagascar, Asia, Australia, and Pacific Islands.
Young fruits are cooked for a long time and then eaten as a vegetable in India-China.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

Image Source: Pabrai (commons.wikimedia)

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Indian Banyan – Ficus benghalensis

10/28/2016

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Can reach up to 100 ft. and its canopy can extend out over a large area.
The wood from the aerial roots can be made into a wide variety of products.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Native to India/Pakistan.
Hindus believe that the banyan is the tree “representing eternal life”.
Useful as shade trees.
“Trunk circle” can reach 600 ft. in diameter once aerial roots form outward meandering trunks.
Leaves are oval shape with lateral veins.
Leaves are small 1-2 cm.
Fig fruits are red when ripe.
Wood that is sometimes used to make furniture.

Source: (KRBG)

Grows in almost any well-drained soil and has moderate drought and salt tolerance and good wind tolerance.
Sacred to Hindus.
Aerial roots and accessory trunks.
Moraceae (Mulberry Family).
Other names: Banyan, Vada tree.

Source: (Rauch, 2000)

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Indian Gooseberry - Phyllanthus emblica

10/27/2016

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Image Source: Lalithamba (commons.wikimedia)

Translucent fruit.
High Vitamin C.
Native to Malaya and India.
A drink made from the fruit is used to cure coughs.
Bark and fruit is extracted and used for many different purposes.
Rare in Hawaii.
Used as an ornament.

(Source: Majesty I, 1982)

Also known as the Emblic tree.
Grows from 22.5 - 54 ft. tall, but can sometimes reach up to 60 ft.
Evergreen tree.
Medicinal properties.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

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Indian Rubber - Ficus elastica

10/26/2016

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Image Source: PseudoscienceFTL (commons.wikimedia)

Also known as rubber plant.
Can grow up to 16.5 ft.
Tall, abundant aerial roots from the trunk to the main branches.
Tree is harvested for local use as food, medicine, and a source of latex.
Trade in the latex of this tree stopped by 1920.
Native to East Asia.
Found in a hill forest habitat.
Aerial roots eventually take over host root with dense foliage.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

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Ironwood - Casuarina equisetifolia

10/25/2016

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Image Source: Atamari (Wiki Commons)

Image Source: Bidgee (Wiki Commons)

Very hard wood, but splits and cracks easy, so it is not good for building.
Named after an Australian bird.
In Pacific from Australia to Malaysia.
Introduced in 1882.
Called "toa" or warrior by Tahitians.
They believed the tree sprang up from bodies of fallen warriors whose blood became the red sap, and their hair for leaves.

Source: (Majesty I, 1982)

Good for erosion control and source of firewood.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Grows up to 80 ft. high.
Tolerant of most soils, even pure sand.
Used as a windbreaker at the seashore.

Source: (Rauch, 2000)

Also known as "beach she-oak".
Native to Australia and coastal SE Asia.
Rapid growing tree.
In Tahiti, the tree represented the warrior god, Oro.

Source: (Elevitch, 2006)

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Jacaranda - Jacaranda mimosifolia

10/24/2016

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Image Source: Calvert (commons.wikimedia)

Native to northwestern Argentina.
Deciduous tree.
Reaches 50 ft. in height.
Bears flowers in spring and summer.
Seed pods are used in dried arrangements.
Poor salt tolerance.

(Source: Rauch, 2000)

Plant is classified as "Vulnerable" in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Plant has medicinal properties.
Bark and roots are used in treatment of syphilis.
Habitat is bush land, wooded ravines, and riverbanks.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

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Jack-in-the-Box Fruit Tree - Hernandia nymphaeifolia

10/23/2016

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Can grow up to 30 ft. tall.
Ornamental tree.
Evergreen with an open, odd crown.
Found in Eastern Africa through tropical Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.
Plant of lowland tropical climates.
Has some medicinal properties.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

Image Source: Tau'olunga (commons.wikimedia)

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Kamani - Calophyllum inophyllum

10/22/2016

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Image Source: Starr (commons.wikimedia)

Introduced to Hawaii by people of other Pacific islands during a migration that happened over a 1,000 years ago.
Fine grained wood.
Green fruit.
Nut from fruit produced an oil that was used for lighting and for rubbing down canoes.
Old saying that a Kamani was planted wherever a temple for royalty was built.
Evergreen tree.
Known as Alexandrian Laurel.

(Source: Majesty I, 1982)

Native to the shores of the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans.
Reaches a height of 60 ft. in height.
White flowers are used in leis.

(Source: Rauch, 2000)

Image Source: Starr (commons.wikimedia)

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Kapok - Ceiba pentandra

10/21/2016

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Smooth trunk.
Introduced by Dr. William Hillebrand in 1851.
"Floss" called "kapok" is used in life preservers and other water safety equipment because of its buoyant wood.
It can support 20 to 30 times its own weight in water.
Still an important export product in Asia where the seeds in the pods are processed to obtain oil for soaps.

Source: (Majesty I, 1982)

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Kassod - Senna Siamea

10/20/2016

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Image Source: Vinayaraj (commons.wikimedia)

Image Source: Starr (commons.wikimedia)

Also known as Siamese Senna.
Grows up to 54 ft. tall.
Ornamental tree.
Very dense crown.
Wood Produces yellow powder that can cause irritation to the skin.
Native to SE Asia.
Young fruits and leaves are eaten as a vegetable.
Flowers are yellow.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

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Kauila - Alphitonia ponderosa

10/19/2016

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Image Source: Starr (commons.wikimedia)

Native to Hawaii.
Listed "Vulnerable" on the IUCN list.
Reaches 49-79 ft. tall.
Leaves are shiny, green, and hairless.
Red fruit.
Inhabits dry, coastal forests.
Has reddish brown wood.
Was a replacement for metal by Native Hawaiian who used fishing lures and daggers.

(Source: EOL, 2016)

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Kauri (Queensland) – Agathis robusta

10/18/2016

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Image Source: Sue Waters (Wiki Commons)

Up to 150 ft.
From Queensland, Australia.
Rainforests.
Wood used for furniture due to close-grained feature.
Introduced to Hawaii in the 1850’s as a potential wood to be used in shipbuilding/repairs, but ships switched to using metal before a crop of Kauri were ready.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Valued for its fine white straight-grained wood and is an important source of copal.
Copal is a key ingredient in varnishes and printing ink.

Source: (Majesty I, 1982)

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Kiawe - Prosopis pallida

10/17/2016

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Image Source: Forest and Kim Starr (Wiki Commons)

Planted in 1828.
Originally planted by Father Bachelot from the Royal Gardens in Paris.
Originating in Peru, Columbia, and Ecuador.
Tough wood.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Can grow up to 50 ft. high.
Thrives in hot, dry locations in deep soils.
There is also a thornless for of this tree.

Source: (Rauch, 2000)

Also known as algaroba or mesquite in other places,
Shade tree and source of nectar for honeybees.

Source: (Wageman, 2008)

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Koa - Acacia koa

10/16/2016

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Image Source: Starr (commons. wikimedia)

Image Source: Starr (commons.wikimedia)

Grows up to 50 ft. tall.
Wide spreading canopy.
Not recommended on Oahu due to an unknown pathogen fatal to young trees.

(Source: Rauch, 2000)

Koa grows on all the main islands, except Ni'ihau and Kaho'olave.
Trees in high moist elevations can reach up to 100 ft. in height.
Red wood with a wavy grain.
Sometimes called Hawaiian mahogany.
Prized for furniture and surfboards.
"Koa" means brave, bold, fearless.
It's a name given to boys.

(Source: Majesty II,1991)

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Kopiko ‘ula Tree – Psychotria hawaiiensis

10/15/2016

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Image Source: David Eickhoff

Can reach up to 60 ft.
Endemic to Hawaii and found in rainforests an Big Island, Molokai, and Maui.
Formerly used for firewood.
The hard, whitish wood was used for making kapa – beating anvils.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

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Kou Tree – Cordia subcordata

10/14/2016

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Image Source: Gil Hampshire (Wiki Commons)

Came from East Africa.
Brought over to Hawaii by Polynesian settlers.
Values for its superbly grained wood.
The wood is useful as dishes as here is no flavor added to contents inside these wooden dishes.
Heat and salt tolerant.
The orange flowers are used to make leis.
Is important in Tuamotus and Tonga cultures.
Wood is very difficult to obtain.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Height can reach up to 50 ft. tall.
Open, wide spreading canopy.
Thrives in poor soils.

Source: (Rauch, 2000)

Odorless flowers.
Leaves were a source of a light dye used for kappa.

Source: (Wageman, 2008)

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Kukui Tree – Aleurites moluccana

10/13/2016

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Brought to Hawaii in the time of the Polynesian migration more than a thousand years ago.
Up to 50 ft.
Among the largest grove in the state.
Used to make black dye, light wood to make canoes (Important in Hawaii economy).
The white seed contains oil that helped to make candles and to fuel stone lamps.
The Kukui nuts are used to make leis.
Official tree of Hawaii.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Used as a specimen or massed in a grove.
Works best in full sun in soil with good drainage.
Leaves, flowers, and seeds are used in leis.

Source: (Rauch, 2000)

Designated Hawaii’s state tree in 1959.
Symbol for enlightenment.

Source: (Wageman, 2008)

Grown as a boundary or wind breaker.
Oil extracted from the seeds was traditionally used by Hawaiians as a preservative for surfboards.
Many types of birds find shelter in its canopy.

Source: (Elevitch, 2006)

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Litchi (Lychee) - Litchi chinensis

10/12/2016

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Image Source: B. Navez (Wiki Commons)

Came to Hawaii in 1852.
Dense-foliaged tree that may produce more than 200 pounds of its fruit.
Native to Southern China and the Philippines.

Source: (Majesty I,1982)

Up to 40 ft. high.
Edible reddish, marron fruit.
Good shade tree.

Source: (Rauch, 2000)

Grown in subtropical and tropical regions.
It has been cultivated for over 2,000 years in China and Vietnam.

Source: (Wakeman, 2008)

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Loulu Palm – Pritchardia lowreyana

10/11/2016

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Image Source: David Eickhoff (Wiki Commons)

Height can reach up to 90 ft.
Endemic to Hawaii and the tallest.
Cool, moist habitat.
George Schattauer saved the trees from bulldozing.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

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Loulu Lelo Palm – Pritchardia hillebrandii

10/10/2016

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Image Source: David Eickhoff (Wiki Commons)

Height can reach up to 20 ft.
Endemic plant in Hawaii.
Blue/green leaves makes it a commonly used palm for landscaping.
Immature fruit has a coconut-like flower.
Named in honor of Dr. Williams Hillebrand.
Hawaiians formerly used the large, fun-shaped leaves for thatch.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Native to Hawaii.
Best in full sun.
Bluish silver color of foliage.
Prefers well – drained moderately moist soil.
Leaves, flowers, and fruit are used in arrangements.

Source: (Rauch, 2000)

Early Hawaiians constructed temporary temples from the fronds of loulo palm.
Prayers and offerings to Lono, god of agriculture and fertility.

Source: (Wageman, 2008)

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Macadamia Nut - Macadamia integrifolia

10/9/2016

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Image Source: Forest and Kim Starr (Wiki Commons)

Growth and processing of macadamia nuts is a major industry for the state.
E.W. Jordan planted the first macadamia nut tree on Oahu around 1890.
Tree had been previously introduced to Big Island in 1885 by E.W. Purvis.
Native to Australia.

Source: (Majesty I, 1982)

Important commercial crop.
Important source of timber.

Source: (Wakeman, 2008)

Height reaching up to 30 to 40 ft. high and almost as wide.
Another common name is the Australian nut.

Source: (NTBG, 2016)

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Mahogany - Swietenia macrophylla

10/8/2016

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Image Source: Daderot (Wiki Commons)

Seeds of Mahogany trees had been sent to Hawaii from the West Indies by Gerrit P. Wilder in 1909.
Made for elegant furniture in the 18th century.

Source: (Majesty I, 1982)

One of tropical America's most valuable timber trees.
Native to the rainforests of the Caribbean coast of Central America, South America, and into the upper regions of the Amazon.
It can grow up to 150 ft. tall.
Thrives in higher rainfall areas.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Overharvested for timber resulting in genetic mixing with indigenous trees.

Source: (Wageman, 2008)

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Mammee Apple - Mammea americana

10/7/2016

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Image Source: Iskander HFC (commons.wikimedia)

Image Source: (commons.wikimedia)

Alexander Adams, who was a Scottish sea captain, introduced this tree to Hawaii.
Native to the West Indies.
Bitter rind of the fruit gives the tree its name.
Sweet tasting orange fruit that can be eaten raw or cooked or preserved.
Dark green foliage.

(Source: Majesty I, 1982)

Large, heavy-branched evergreen tree with a dense, columnar crown.
Can grow up to 65 ft. in height.
Super shiny leaves.
Ornamental tree for shade.
Tropical or moist to wet climates.
Medicinal properties in folk medicine.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

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<<Previous

Hog Palm - Spondias mombin

Hoop Pine – Araucaria cunninghami

Hutu - Barringtonia asiatica

Indian Banyan – Ficus benghalensis

Indian Gooseberry - Phyllanthus emblica

Indian Rubber - Ficus elastica

Ironwood - Casuarina equisetifolia

Jacaranda - Jacaranda mimosifolia

Jack-in-the-Box Fruit Tree - Hernandia nymphaeifolia

Kamani - Calophyllum inophyllum

Kapok - Ceiba pentandra

Kassod - Senna Siamea

Kauila - Alphitonia ponderosa

Kauri (Queensland) – Agathis robusta

Kiawe - Prosopis pallida

Koa - Acacia koa

Kopiko ‘ula Tree – Psychotria hawaiiensis

Kou Tree – Cordia subcordata

Kukui Tree – Aleurites moluccana

Litchi (Lychee) - Litchi chinensis

Loulu Palm – Pritchardia lowreyana

Loulu Lelo Palm – Pritchardia hillebrandii

Macadamia Nut - Macadamia integrifolia

Mahogany - Swietenia macrophylla

Mammee Apple - Mammea americana

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