It often grows in wet areas, like the `ola`a forest, as an abundant epiphytic understory tree (Stone and Pratt 1994: 173).
| These are forest trees
that grow up to 15 m tall.
It is a common tree in the understory of the rainforest. It is easily spotted with its bright yellow-green leaves. It isn't equally abundant, however (Stone and Pratt 1994: 179) through the forest as are some of the other understory trees. Carlquist (1980: 335) identifies this species as frequently being epiphytic although on the sites described in this Guide, it appears to be growing rooted in the ground most of the time. Look for it at Thurston Lava Tube. There are several trees near the entrance but you'll probably have to look for them. Once you recognize its distinctive color leaves, then you'll also see it along the Crater Rim Drive as you travel near Thurston Lava Tube. |
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This small tree is starting as an epiphyte on a tree fern. |
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| The leaves come in
clusters of 3 to 5 leaflets (with up to 7 in a cluster) with the central
leaflet the largest.
The leaves are one-half to nearly as wide as long (Wagner, et al. 1990: 227). The leaves are a lighter, brighter green color than the other tree species in the areas where they are found. Remembering this will help you find them as you look at the understory trees in the forest. |
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| The flowers are perfect, 5-7 mm across, with 5 or 6 purple petals.
They are tiny, rather inconspicuous, green and purple and the petals are not showy. Look for the flowers at the tips of the branches.
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| The fruits are globular berries with a single seed
(called a "drupe") that is up to 7
mm diameter.
The shape of the small fruits is round to 3-sided. They are a brown to purplish color. |
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