hala
Hala (Pandanus
tectorius) is a small to 
medium-sized tree. It has a distinctive
growth form due to its dichotomous branching pattern. Dichotomous branching involves
forking at the tip so that two branches result. Most of the trunk is bare as the large leaves are clustered at the stem tips. The fruits are also
distinctive and superficially resemble a Pineapple. They are Multiple Fruits because the
"Fruit" is a composite of many fruits from individual flowers. The
fruits were eaten by ancient Hawaiians.They were also used to make designs on kapa. Leis
of hala fruits were made for personal adornment. However, since hala
also meant death, hala leis were not presented to other people (Abbott, 1992). 'Ie'ie
is in the same family
(Pandanaceae) and its female inflorescence is similar to hala.
The stems produce many "Prop Roots". These support the stems as they grow upwards. Without them, the brittle stems would break.
Hala had many uses for ancient Hawaiians! Its leaves are waxy and leathery. They were used as thatch, and for various types of woven artifacts. They were especially used to make various types of mats. Pillows were also made from hala leaves. Cordage was sometimes made from the leaves, as well.
 Archival photograph of a woman weaving a mat from hala leaves |
 Pillow fashioned from hala leaves |
The leaves associated with the male inflorescence are fragrant and white. They are called hinano and were used to make fine mats used only by the ali'i.
| The word hinano refers to the white, fragrant leaves associated with Male Flowers. | |
 |
 |
 Pandanus Leaves and Fruits: The leaves are waxy, thick and strong. |
 Pandanus Fruit is actually an assembly of many small fruits (Fruitlets). |
| The picture to the right shows the individual fruitlets attached to the flowering stem of Pandanus. Each unit is the fruit of an individual flower. Pineapple has the same fruit type (Multiple Fruit). |  |
 |
 |
Pandanus Leaf Section Stained with Phloroglucinol and seen with Polarized Light: The fibers associated with the Vascular Bundles appear bright yellow. These supply the structural support for the leaf and form the basis for much of its utility. The other bright objects are crystals. |
Unstained Pandanus Leaf Section seen with Polarized Light: The fibers associated with the Vascular Bundles appear bright. Due to the close association of the Fibers and the Vascular Tissues, the entire composite structure is called a Fibrovascular Bundle. Note the Photosynthetic Tissue (Chloroenchyma) |
