|
|
Artocarpus altilis, Moraceae, breadfruit, 'ulu. Tree with large,
incised leaves, native to Malaysia, brought to Hawaii by migrating Polynesians. In Hawaii
it had several uses: 1) wood was sometimes made into surfboards, 2) bark was used to
produce an inferior grade of tapa, and 3) the softball sized fruit was baked and made into
pudding similar to Kulolo. Breadfruit was a very important food source in Melanesia and
Micronesia but was not as important in Hawaii. Location: Engineering Quad. |
|
|
Artocarpus heterophyllus, Moraceae, jack fruit, jak fruit. Tree
from India and Maylasia with oval leaves up to 8 inches long and warty fruit up to 2 feet
long (weighing up to 40 pounds) borne along the main trunk. The wood is durable and valued
for cabinetry. The unripe fruit can be used as a vegetable and when ripe, the pulp can be
eaten fresh. Location: Makai of Campus Center Bookstore. |
|
|
Asparagus densiflorus, Liliaceae, coarse asparagus fern.
Generally prickly climber from S. Africa, with narrow, flattened "leaves" in
clusters of 1-3; foliage generally not in flattened sprays. Flowers tiny, white or
pinkish, several, in dense clusters; fruits red. Very important foliage plant for floral
arrangements; several varieties are used (e.g. cv. 'Springeri'). Location: Near entrance
to St. John courtyard. |
|
|
Asparagus setaceus, Liliaceae, asparagus fern. Smooth or
slightly prickly climber from S. Africa, with threadlike "leaves" in clusters of
8-20; foliar sprays generally in one plane. Flowers tiny, white, in clusters of 1-4;
fruits black. Several varieties of foliage are used in floral arrangements. Location: St.
John courtyard. |
|
Asystasia gangetica, Acanthaceae, Chinese violet. Perennial herb
from Malaya to Africa, with violet to white flowers, locally naturalized. Location: Flower
beds around St. John and elsewhere. |
|
|
Averrhoa carambola, Oxalidaceae, star fruit, five fingers. Tree
from Malaysia with red flowers often developing from the trunk, producing waxy, juicy,
five-angled, fruits that are eaten raw or preserved. Location: Behind Biomed, amongst
potted nursery plants; Magoon. |
|
|
Azadirachta indica, Meliaceae, nim or neem tree, margosa tree.
Tree from SE Asia and East Indies yielding an antiseptic resin used
medicinally and in toothpaste, soaps, and lotions. Location: near
mauka-Diamond Head corner of Burns Hall. |
 |
Azolla filiculoides, Azollaceae, water fern, fairy moss.
Moss-like, commonly frosty green and reddish, free floating plants from North and South
America with two rows of tiny leaves. The leaves are host to blue green algal cells that
are able to convert nitrogen from the air to a form that the water fern can utilize.
Another water fern genus, Salvinia, has the leaves larger, commonly .5-1 inch long
and hairy. Location: St. John courtyard. |
|
Barringtonia asiatica, Barringtoniaceae, barringtonia. Handsome
tree from the south Pacific with large with large white flowers that open in the evening
and fall in the morning. The poisonous fibrous fruit contains seeds that are grated and
used to catch fish by poisoning them. Location: Campus quad, mauka of Bilger. |
|
|
Bauhinia galpinii,
Caesalpiniaceae. This shrubby, climbing species from Africa is one
of several from the genus that are grown in Hawaii
as ornamentals. The genus is readily recognized by the two-lobed
leaves with a small tooth in the sinus. Location: between Sherman
Hall and Pope Lab. |
|
|
Bauhinia x blakeana, Hong Kong orchid tree. Note the
bilateral symmetry of
the flower and the position of the posterior petal, which is different in size and
coloration in this case. Note also the 5 apparent stamens and the simple leaves.
Sherman Hall courtyard, UH Campus, Honolulu. |
|
|
Bauhinia purpurea, Ornamental tree from India and
China, UH campus, Honolulu, May, 2004. |
|
|
Bauhinia variegata, Caesalpiniaceae, orchid tree. Ornamental
tree from India and China with two-lobed leaves and very showy flowers; used for food,
medicine, and dye. Location: Sherman Hall courtyard UH campus,
Honolulu, April, 2004. |
|
|
Bidens pilosa, Asteraceae, beggar's tick, Spanish needle. Weedy
herb from tropical America, introduced very early into Hawaii, first collected in 1845.
Flowers yellow, in small heads, with or without white petal-like rays around the
perimeter. Fruits needle-like, each with two or three barbed awns at the summit that
readily attach to clothing (or fur or feathers). Several other species, called
ko'oko'olau, are native to hawaii and are used to brew tea. Location: Waste areas; Ewa of
Pope greenhouses. |
|
Bixa orellana, Bixaceae, arnotto dye plant, 'alaea, lipstick
plant. Evergreen shrub from tropical America with attractive pink or white flowers. The
prickly fruits contain 50 or so seeds with a scarlet, waxy covering that yields a bright
yellow dye. The dye is used commercially in cosmetics and to color such foods as butter,
cheese, and chocolates. Location: Mauka side of Sherman, near Ewa end. |
|
|
Blighia sapida, Sapindaceae, akee. Tree from
Guinea, named for Bounty captain, William Bligh. Reportedly, when
the fruit is ripe (just after opening) the fleshy aril at the base of the
seed is wholesome food when eaten raw, fried, or boiled. However,
when green or overripe, the aril is said to be poisonous. According
to Neal, the seed coat is poisonous. Location: In court of temporary
buildings Diamond Head of Bachman. |
|
|
Bombax ceiba, Bombacaceae, red silk cotton tree. Large tree from
tropical Asia with prickly trunk and palmate leaves bearing 3-7 leaflets. The flowers are
large and cup-shaped, bearing dark red petals to 3 inches long and many stamens. The
common name refers to hairs (similar to but inferior to kapok) associated with the seeds
Location: .Diamond Head end of St. John, Ewa of East West Rd. |
|
|
Bombax glabra, Bombacaceae, Guiana chestnut, Malabar chestnut. Tree from
tropical S America with narrow, long, white flowers 4 - 6 inches long. The fruit is woody,
4 - 12 inches long, and contains rounded seeds that are edible raw or roasted.
Apparently confused in Hawaii with Pachira aquatica. Location: Young
trees, Ewa of Henke, Ewa side of walk; between St. John and Sherman. |
