Part 3

(21) DORYOPTERIS OR LANCE FERN

Native only to the Hawaiian Islands but having no Hawaiian name, the lance fern is common from Hilina Pali to the seacoast and throughout the Kau Desert. The plants are small, tufted, and from six to fifteen inches high. They often are abundant around the bases of lava outcroppings.

(22) SILVERFERN

A non-native plant which escaped from garden cultivation, the silverfern often grows in large clumps in dry washes in the Hilina Pali area, and extends out onto the Kau Desert. Also called “goldfern” these plants derive their name from a waxy gold or silver-colored powder on the underside of the fronds.

(23) IWAIWA OR MAIDENHAIR

Maidenhair fern, often used in floral decoration, is a plant familiar to many. Preferring shady, moist places it is common in the vicinity of Hilina Pali. The black glossy stalks provided ornamentation for Hawaiian baskets and hats. The native species apparently is being replaced by a non-native which was introduced about 50 years ago.

(24-26) NIANIAU OR SWORD FERN

The sword fern is a familiar plant in tropical and sub-tropical areas. A common house fern, its scientific name, Nephrolepis, means “kidney-scale” in Greek. The fern was so named because the spore dots on the underside of the leaflets are protected by a kidney-shaped tissue called an indusium. In the Haleakala section, Puu Nianiau, the hill below the lodge, received its name from these ferns, which are also called “OKUPUKUPU.” They are common in humid regions of the park, particularly in the vicinity of steam cracks near Kilauea. The three species illustrated have been found in the Park. Several large stands may be seen in Kipuka Puaulu (Bird Park).

(27) KAAPEAPE

The KAAPEAPE may be recognized by the three pointed terminal leaflet and remaining leaflets which are shaped like spear points. A species found in India and China as well as the Hawaiian Islands, the kaapeape is fairly common in Kipuka Puaulu. Note the irregular spore dots, often abundant on the undersides of the leaves.

(28-31) EKAHA OR MAUI’S PADDLE

Common throughout forested areas in the park are the plants known scientifically as Elaphoglossum, (Greek for “elephant-tongue”). They are usually found growing as epiphytes or air plants on the trunks of trees. The resemblance to a paddle was recognized by the Hawaiians as the name HOEA MAUI or “Maui’s paddle” indicates. In contrast to this smooth, shiny species is the fuzzy EKAHA. According to Hillebrand, (5, p. 549) these plants are found on all the inhabited Hawaiian Islands and in tropical America, Tahiti, India, tropical Africa, Madeira and the Azores. Six species of Elaphoglossum have been found in the Kilauea section.

(32) LAUKAHI

The LAUKAHI is a fairly common, low fern in the vicinity of Kipuka Puaulu, but is considered rare in other portions of the Park. Fagerlund (3, p. 19) lists it as having been collected in a lava tube at 8,800 feet on Mauna Loa.

(34) PALAPALAI O KAUMAAPUA

One of the most interesting things about this fern is the fact that the frond tapers in both directions—toward the tip and toward the base. This may be seen in the illustration. This species is fairly abundant in the crater near the Thurston Lava Tube.

(36) CYCLOSORUS SANDWICENSIS

Although this fern is a native Hawaiian species, no Hawaiian name for it could be found. It prefers shade and moist areas and is fairly common in the Thurston Lava Tube and Kilauea Iki trails.

(37) CYCLOSORUS DENTATUS

The fern known technically as Cyclosorus dentatus is not native to Hawaii, but apparently was considered common on Oahu after 1900, according to Wagner (6, p. 110). It may be found in moist areas in and near the Park.

(38) AKOLEA

One of the most dainty of ferns, the AKOLEA is found in wet areas in the vicinity of the Thurston Lava Tube. It is a common fern on the Kulani Trail, just outside of the Park.

(39) HOIO

Common in moist areas in the Kilauea section, the HOIO prefers shade. The fronds are large, often 3 to 4 feet long. Below the branches the midribs are dark brown and smooth, but clothed with dark scales at their bases. Spore dots are abundant.

(42) EKAHA OR BIRDNEST FERN

Of all Hawaiian fern species, few are more beautiful than the birdnest fern, whose fronds often reach a length of six feet. Although it has not been described from the Park, it has been included because it is abundant in the Puna District, and probably will be found in the Kalapana Extension of the Park. It normally grows in trees, but it may also attach itself to rocks. When this happens the young birdnest ferns are often called “rock ferns.” The dark areas on the underside of the leaves in the illustration are spores.

(43-46, 49) ASPLENIUM

Among the most attractive, the Asplenium ferns are also among the most diversified Hawaiian plants as far as appearance is concerned. Showing wide variety in choice of habitat they range from moist jungles to arid lava flows. A number of the species may be recognized by the similarity in shape of the leaf segments, and the long, parallel rows of spores, but all do not show these characteristics. Nine species have been found in the Kilauea Section of the Park.