Part 14

Morinda citrifolia.

"NONI."

This species is found in nearly all the Pacific Islands. The date of its introduction to Hawaii, however, is not recorded. It is a small tree which grows in the low lands. Its shiny, oval leaves have short petioles. The white flowers are about 1 inch in length. The fruit is whitish-yellow when mature, and when decaying it emits a very offensive odor. The seeds are interesting because they will float a great length of time in salt water, their buoyancy is caused by a distinct air cell.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE LXIX

Vaccinium reticulatum.

"OHELO."

This is an erect dwarf shrub growing to a height of from one to two feet, having stiff, crowded branches with leaves varying in form, from oblong to obovate, and in color from green to green tinged with yellow and red. The white flowers are solitary, and come mostly in the axils of the true leaves. The globose fruit is a fleshy, shiny berry, much resembling the cranberry; in color it is yellow or pale rose, and is covered with a waxy bloom.

The Ohelo thrives best in the higher elevations, from 4000 to 8000 feet. It grows particularly well on the mountain slopes of Hawaii and Maui. It is an edible berry, and is the principal food of the rare Hawaiian goose, now to be found in only a few localities. The Ohelo has always been a favorite subject of Hawaiian songs and legends, and was used as one of the offerings to the Goddess Pele.

Natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE LXX

Solanum pimpinellifolium.

CURRANT TOMATO.

The first illustration on the opposite page is that of the currant tomato; an annual found growing wild in great profusion in the low lands of our valleys. It is of weak growth, very diffuse and twiggy, and scarcely pubescent. Its obovate leaves are small with nearly entire leaflets, and very small secondary leaflets; the elongated racemes bear from 100 to 40 small, currant-like red berries, which are very sweet.

Solanum Lycopersicum.

GRAPE TOMATO.

The second illustration is that of the grape tomato, which has grayish-green leaves and slender, ascending stems. The leaves are pinnate with small, nearly entire leaflets; the main leaflets are notched or even lobed toward the base. The fruit is a bright red berry about half an inch in diameter, and is fresh and aromatic.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE LXXI

Solanum nodiflorum.

"POPOLO."

This glabrous, annual, growing from 1 to 2 feet in height, is Common to most tropical countries, and in Hawaii was probably of aboriginal introduction; as the Hawaiians have many ways of using the fruits and the leaves, for medicinal purposes. This plant is found on waste land, in old pastures, and by the roadside. Its ovate leaves are dark green. The whitish flowers are small, and the fruit is a small, shiny, black berry.

Natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE LXXII

Aleurites moluccana.

CANDLENUT TREE--"KUKUI NUT."

The Kukui tree is easily recognizable from afar off by the pale hue of its foliage, which appears to be dusted over with flour. It is a handsome, soft wood, evergreen tree, growing to a height of from 40 to 60 feet, and is widely spread over tropical Polynesia, and a great part of Malaysia; and by all branches of the Polynesian race it is called by the same name: Kukui or Tutui. The Hawaiians tattooed their skins with a black dye which they prepared from the juice which is found in the fleshy covering of the green fruit. The leaves are alternate, 3 to 5 lobed, pubescent, and have long petioles. The yellowish-green flowers are in terminal clusters. The fruit is spherical, from 1 to 2 inches in diameter, and light-green in color, changing to a dull-brown when ripe. It contains one or more nuts, or seeds, which have a very hard, boney shell, the surface of which is uneven like the shell of a walnut. The kernels of this nut, when dried, were strung together, or bound on sticks, and served the natives for torches or candles: thus the English name of Candlenut Tree. The oil obtained from the nut was used by the Hawaiians for burning in stone lamps. The kernel, when baked, pounded, and mixed with salt and Chili peppers, makes a brown paste which is very appetizing. This is much esteemed by the Hawaiians, who call it "Inamona."

One third natural size.]