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Melia azedarach, Meliaceae, Chinaberry; pride-of-India. Tree from S. E. Asia
with compound leaves, lilac and purple flowers, and golden fruits about half an inch in
diameter; introduced into Hawaii in 1839 or perhaps 1850. Location: Center of parking lot
Diamond Head of Physical Sciences. |
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Merremia tuberosa, Convolvulaceae, woodrose. Vine from tropical America with
yellow flowers producing fruits that when dry are often used in floral arrangements.
Location: Diamond head fence of Andrews Amphitheater. |
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Metrosideros polymorpha, Myrtaceae, 'ohi'a-lehua, lehua. One of the most common
native forest trees between the elevations 340 and 3000 m in the Hawaiian Islands; the
island flower of Hawaii. Extremely variable from very small shrubs to very large trees;
flowers red (rarely pink, yellow, or white). The beautiful wood is dark red and is
sometimes used as a luxurious paneling. It was formerly used for spears, and for the
construction of temples and idols for high chiefs. Location: St. John courtyard. |
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Michelia champaca, Magnoliaceae, won-lan, mulang, orange champak. Tree, native
to Himalayas, wood used for buildings and furniture. The fragrant yellow or orange flowers
made into leis and perfume in Malaya. Esteemed by the Hindu and Buddhists and often
planted on temple grounds. Location: mauka side of KHPR Bldg., mauka side of Klum Gym. |
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Mimosa pudica, Mimosaceae, sensitive plant. Herb to small shrub from tropical
America, with purplish stems and recurved prickles. The leaves and leaflets fold quickly
in response to heat or touch. As in many other members of the family, the leaves also
undergo a much slower "sleep movement" in response to the setting sun. These
movements are effected by changes in fluid pressure in swollen areas at the bases of
leaves and leaflets. Location: Waste places; Mauka and Diamond-Head of Thrift Shop. |
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Monstera deliciosa, Araceae, monstera. A spreading or climbing ornamental plant
from Central America, with large, naturally perforated (fenestrated) leaves. The fruit is
considered tasty by some, and has been said to combine the flavors of bananas and
pineapples. Location: Climbing the rock wall at Henke; makai court of Porteus; makai of
Sinclair; Porteus. |
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Montezuma speciosissima, Malvaceae, maga. Tree from Puerto Rico, grown in
Hawaii as an ornamental but valued elsewhere for its durable timber for fence posts and
furniture. The large red, pendant flowers have petals with shiny inner surfaces. Location:
Ewa end of Spalding Hall. |
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Morinda citrifolia, Rubiaceae, noni, Indian mulberry. Small tree or shrub of
Polynesian introduction to Hawaii, originally from SE Asia to Australia, now naturalized
in dry sites. The bark and roots yield red and yellow pigments, respectively, used to dye
tapa or kapa. The fruits were used as an insecticide, as a poultice, and in a medicinal
drink. Location: Near kiosk, makai-Ewa of Sinclair Library. |
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Moringa oleifera, Moringaceae, horse-radish tree, ben tree. Small tree from E.
India with "pods" about a foot long that split lengthwise into three segments.
The young pods, shoots, and flowers are used as a cooked vegetable, especially in the
Philippines. Even the roots are source of edible condiment. A nondrying oil, "oil of
ben," is obtained from the seeds. Location: Near entrance kiosk to visitors parking,
between lot and makai side of Sinclair. |
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Morus alba, mulberry. The pendulous spike-like male
inflorescences in the top right photos are called catkins or aments. The
clusters of female flowers (bottom center) develop into the familiar dark purplish
to black mulberries that were a fairly dependable source of sustenance for
pioneers in western North America. The species is not commonly
planted in Hawaii. Location: adjacent to "mini - power
station" near Manoa stream on lower E-W Road. |
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Murraya paniculata, Rutaceae, mock orange. Small tree or shrub from India to
Malaya, common in Honolulu by mid 1800's. This common hedge planting bears sweet-scented
white flowers about half an inch across, and similarly sized inedible red fruits
resembling miniature limes. Location: Ewa of Dean; Ewa and Diamond Head of Crawford. |
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Musa x paradisiaca, Musaceae, banana, Mai'a. Treelike herbaceous plant from old
world tropics, grown mainly for edible fruits. Alexander the Great's army found bananas
cultivated in the Indus Valley as early as 327 B.C. Brought to Hawaii by migrating
Polynesians. By Cook's time the Hawaiians had about 50 varieties. Probably all seedless
edible bananas have their origin from a hybrid between M. acuminata and M.
balbisiana. The "apple" banana is just one of the several varieties that one
may find in local market places. The inedible but ornamental pink velvet banana (M.
velutina) is one of the relatively few seeded forms grown in Hawaii. Another seeded
form grown in Hawaii (M. textilis) is an important Philippine fiber plant (Manila
hemp). Location: Sherman courtyard; mauka of Ewa wing of Sinclair. |
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Mussaenda 'Queen Sirikit'. A large shrub of
hybrid origin, possibly resulting from the cross M. erythrophylla x
M. philipica 'Aurorae.' In this hybrid as in one of the parents, the calyx lobes are greatly
enlarged, producing an attractive unit more conspicuous than the
corolla (two of the sepals have been cut away in the flower on the
right). Location: Maile Way side of St. John. |
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Myoporum sandwicense, Myoporaceae, naio, bastard sandalwood.
Shrub or tree native to coastal and subalpine habitats on all of the major Hawaiian
Islands. The odor of the heartwood is similar to that of sandalwood and when the
sandalwood trade was at its peak naio was sometimes exported as a substitute. The wood is
hard and durable and naio timbers were used by the Hawaiians as the main support of
houses. Location: St. John courtyard. |
