Blog Archives

Breadfruit Tree – Artocarpus altilis

11/30/2016

Comments

Image Source: Forest and Kim Starr (Wiki Commons)

SE Asia origins.
Wood is light and strong, great for canoes, surfboards, and drums.
Also known as ‘ulu in Hawaii.
Sticky sap was used to catch birds.
Widely cultivated for its edible fruit.
Wasn’t eaten in “Old Hawaii”, was fed to pigs to get fat for luau.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Evergreen tree growing up to 85 ft., but usually 50 ft.
Large leaves can get up to 30 cm.
Wood is resistant to termites which makes it an ideal material for homes/boats.

Source: (KRBG)

Ornamental foliage and alrge green fruits.
Native to the Malay Peninsula.
Poor wind, salt, and drought tolerance.
Plant away from paved surfaces because of fruit falling.

Source: (Rauch, 2000)

A single fruit from breadfruit tree can weight up to 7 pounds.
Trunk was used for the tall drums, paho heiau, that were part of religious observations at heiau.

Source: (Wageman, 2008)

Navigators from Tahiti brought the first breadfruit to Hawaii.
Breadfruit is most valuable food source among members of the Fig family.

Source: (Majesty I, 1982)

Comments

Bunya-Bunya Tree – Araucaria bidwillii

11/29/2016

Comments

Image Source: Line1 (Wiki Commons)

Can grow up to 150 ft. tall.
Natvie to SE coast of Queensland, Australia.
Very similar to its close relatives the Hoop pine and Norfolk pine.
Has not been planted heavily in Hawaii for reforestation.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Comments

Cabbage Palm - Roystonea oleracea

11/28/2016

Comments

Image Source: Kenraiz (commons.wikimedia)

Best grown in full sun.
Good wind and salt resistance.
Used as a street or avenue tree.
Fast growing tree.
Native to Caribbean and South America.
Flower sheath is used in arrangements.

(Source: Rauch, Weissich, 2000)

Also known as Carribean Royal Palm.

(Source: Wageman: 2008)

Evergreen tree with a single stem.
Can grow from 48-66 ft. tall.
Grown as an ornamental tree.
Habitat is mainly in lowland areas.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

Comments

California Feather Duster Palm - Rhopalostylis sapida

11/27/2016

Comments

Native to New Zealand.
Also called the Nikau Palm.
Palm is usually around 45 ft. tall.
Flowers are a pinkish color.
The fruit is red.
Habitat is coastal to lowland forests.

(Source: NZPCN, 2016)

Image Source: Dewees (commons.wikimedia)

Comments

California Pepper Tree - Schinus Molle

11/26/2016

Comments

Image Source: Starr (commons.wikimedia)

Native to the Andes of Peru.
Weeping tree.
Reaches 35 ft. in height.
Flowers are in small clusters with rose colored fruits.
Does its best in cooler, drier conditions in higher elevations.

(Source: Rauch, Weissich, 2000)

Also called the Peruvian Pepper tree.
Fast growing.
Large quantities of their seeds can be toxic.
Pollen can cause asthmatic reactions.
Habitat is in dry lands with accessible underground water.
Dried and roasted berries are used as a pepper substance.
Oil is used in candy and baked goods as a spice.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

Image Source: Barra (commons.wikimedia)

Comments

Camphor Tree – Cinnamomum camphora

11/25/2016

Comments

Image Source: Peripitus (Wiki Commons)

Height can reach up to 80ft.
Native to China and Japan.
The tree contains a fragrance that is a natural insect repellant and has even been used in perfumes.
Hawaiian Monarchy frequently used this for wood cabinets.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Comments

Canary Island Date Palm - Phoenix canariensis

11/24/2016

Comments

Also known as Canary Date Palm.
Native to Canary Islands.
Evergreen tree.
Yellow flowers with reddish color fruit.
Grows around 30 ft. tall.
Habitat is a bushy environment.

(Source: EOL, 2016)

Image Source: Bidgee (commons.wikimedia)

Comments

Caribbean Royal Palm Tree - Roystonea regia

11/23/2016

Comments

Native to Cuba.
Fast growing.
Grown in full sun in well - drained soil.
Can grow up to 70 ft. tall.
The flower sheath is used in arrangements.

Source: (Rauch, 2000)

First seeds were brought by Dr. Gerrit P. Judd from the West Indies.
Prized for elegance in places of honor in the world.

Source: (Majesty I, 1982)

Also known as Cuban Royal Palm.
Brought to Hawaii in 1850.
Also native in Mexico, Honduras, Belize, and Florida.

Source: (Wageman, 2008)

Comments

Caroline Ivory Palm - Metroxylon amicarum

11/22/2016

Comments

Image Source: Starr (commons.wikimedia)

According to the Ornamental Trees of Hawaii by Joseph Rock, Mr. Scott bought and planted the first Ivory Nut Palm in Hawaii in 1886.
Nut is extremely hard.

(Source: Majesty I, 1982)

Also known as the Ivory Nut Palm or Ivory Palm.
Native to Brazil, Columbia, and Ecuador.
Seeds are edible and when it hardens, it resembles ivory.
Used to make small objects.

(Source: Wageman, 2008)

Also native in some islands of Micronesia and Polynesia.
Leaves can be used for roofing.
The starch can be eaten raw.

(Source: Elevitch, 2006)

Comments

Chaulmoogra Oil - Hydnocarpus anthelminthicus

11/21/2016

Comments

Native to East Asia, Southern China, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Evergreen tree and occasionally shrub-like.
Growing 21-60 ft. tall.
Produces chaulmoogra oil which is used medicinally in treatment of skin diseases.
Habitat is mainly rainforests or in evergreen forests or along river banks.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

Comments

Chebulic Myrobalan - Terminalia chebula

11/20/2016

Comments

Image Source: Zhangzhugang (commons.wikimedia)

Also known as Black Myrobalan.
Native to East Asia.
Tree has a rounded crown of spreading branches.
Can reach a height of 75 ft.
Fruit and seeds are edible.
Has medicinal properties.
Produces little yellow and white flowers.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

Comments

Chicle - Manilkara zapota

11/19/2016

Comments

Image Source: H.K Arum (Wiki Commons)

Brown fruit with reddish flesh.
Evergreen was one major source of key ingredients in chewing gum.
Wood is also reddish, brown and is very strong and durable.
Early Mayas used it for heavy construction and for carved figures over temple doors.

Source: (Majesty I. 1982)

Comments

Chinese Banyan – Ficus Microcarpa

11/18/2016

Comments

Grow up to 60 ft. high with a dense canopy.
Produces multiple aerial roots in wet areas.
Tolerant of all soils.
Good wind, smog, vog, and drought tolerance, as well as moderate salt tolerance.
Prominent and invasive root system.

Source: (Rauch, 2000)

From India/SE Asia/Australia/North of Ryukyu islands of Japan.
Naturalized in Hawaii and is most of the most common trees.
Frequently planted due to its large size.
Best used for park and avenue plantings.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Also known as Indian Laurel or Malayan banyans.
Each fig species has its own species of gall wasp, which it needs to pollination.

Source: (Wageman, 2006)

Comments

Coconut Palms – Cocos nucifera

11/17/2016

Comments

Height can reach up to 80 ft. and live over 100 years.
Very common palm tree.
Tallest specimen in U.S.
Extensive root system, slender trunks can resist wave force.
Coconut is important in ali’I and maka’ainana culture.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Native to Eastern tropical zones.

Source: (NTBG, 2016)

Universal symbol for tropics.
World’s most economically important plant.
Coconuts, flowers, or leaves could be green, yellow, or orange.
Good salt tolerance at root zone, but leaves can get salt spray damage if not rain-washed.
They need moisture.

Source: (Rauch, 2000)

Worn above dancer’s knee in ceremonial dance.
Coconut was generally planted and eaten on by men.

Source: (Wageman, 2008)

Called “tree of heaven” and “tree of life”.
Thrives in sun.
Most dangerous disease to them is the lethal yellowing disease.
Coconut water is the “perfect drink”.
Provides coconut milk.
Falling coconuts can be extremely dangerous.

Source: (Elevitch, 2006)

Comments

Cookpine - Araucaria columnaris

11/16/2016

Comments

Image Source: Starr (commons.wikimedia)

Also known as New Caledonia Pine.
Large evergreen tree.
Can grow up to 200 ft. tall.
Straight, cylindrical tree.
Harvested locally for its timber.
Found in the Pacific region.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

Native to New Calendonia and the Loyalty Islands.
This tree was discovered by Captain Cook while traveling the Pacifics.
Can be grown indoors or outdoors.

(Source: NTBC, 2016)

Comments

Date Palm - Phoenix dactylifera

11/15/2016

Comments

Image Source: Werther (commons.wikimedia)

Missionary Edward Bailey planted the first date palms in the 1850's.
It is a reminder of its significance in other cultures.
Has served many uses in ancient Middle East for the past 5,000 years.
Source of food, sugar, wine, and wood.
It is a symbol of victory and martyrdom.

(Source: Majesty II, 1991)

Grow up to 45-120 ft. tall.
One of the longest cultivated plants in the world.
Topped with a crown of 100-120 leaves that are each 12-27 ft. long.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

Image Source: Olkowicz (commons.wikimedia)

Comments

Divi-Divi - Caesalpinia coriaria

11/14/2016

Comments

Native of West Indies and Central America.
Large shrub or small tree.
Petals on flowers are yellow.
Usually found in the Panamanian dry forests.
Reaches a height of 30 ft.
Fruit is a twisted pod.
Tannins from the pods are used to make healthier.

(Source: EOL, 2016)

Image Source: Lokal Profil (commons.wikimedia)

Comments

Dogbone - Polyscias nodosa

11/13/2016

Comments

Can reach up to 75 ft. tall
Native to Malaysia and the Solomon Islands.
Leaves can be used for ornamental purposes.

(Source: EOL, 2016)

Comments

Doum Palm - Hyphaene thebaica

11/12/2016

Comments

Image Source: Schmidt (commons.wikimedia)

Joseph F.C. Rock planted the first seeds in Honolulu.
Native to upper Egypt and the Sudan.
Fruit tastes like gingerbread.
Also known as gingerbread palm.
Tree was sacred to ancient Egyptians.

(Source: Majesty I, 2005)

Also known as the Egyptian Doum palm.
Can grow up to 30-51 ft. tall.
Forms up to 16 crowns.
Fruit can be pounded to a powder and then added to food for flavor.
Grown on river banks.
Leaves and wood can be used for fuel.
Leaves can be used to make baskets, brooms, mats, and ropes.

(Source: (NTBC, 2016)

Comments

Durian - Durio zibethinus

11/11/2016

Comments

Image Source: Midori (commons.wikimedia)

King Kalakaua brought back the Durian seed when he went on a trip to travel the world in 1881.
Fruit smells terrible, but tastes great.
Fruit is greenish-yellow and is covered in woody prongs.
Cultivated for its fruits in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaya.

(Source: Majesty I, 1982)

They can reach a height of 75-120 ft. tall.
Native to Malaysia.
Habitat is dense, lowland, humid forests.
Flower petals are edible.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

Image Source: AmonHeijne (commons.wikimedia)

Comments

Earpod -Enterolobium cyclocarpum

11/10/2016

Comments

Grows up to 100 ft.
Native to tropical Mexico/Central America/Brazil/Venezuela/Trinidad.
Popular park trees due to large size.
Also known as Guanacaste.
Wood is used for paneling, interior trim, and for fashioning of furniture components.
Has pods of little white/wispy flowers.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)