Part 18

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE LXXXIX

Garcinia mangostana.

MANGOSTEEN.

This tree is a native of Sumatra and of the Islands of the Eastern Archipelago. It is of medium size, the stem rising to a height of about 20 feet; and its branches coming out in regular order give the head of the tree the form of a parabola. The leaves are about 8 inches long and 4 inches broad at the middle; they are a beautiful green on the upper side and a delicate olive on the under side. The flowers resemble a single rose with dark-red petals. The fruit is round, about the size of a small orange, and has a characteristic persistent calyx. The shell is at first green, and when ripe changes to purplish-brown marked with yellow spots. The Mangosteen is called the queen of fruits, and the tree upon which it is produced is most graceful and beautiful.

Those who have tasted this fruit in its perfection declare it to be indescribably delicious. The Mangosteen must have a hot, moist, and fairly equable climate throughout the year.

Many Mangosteen trees have been brought to Hawaii, and have received intelligent care, but they have not thrived well; and have eventually died. Only two have ever produced fruit; one in the garden of Mr. Francis Gay of Kauai, which bears its fruit annually, and the other tree at Lahaina, Maui, in the garden formerly the property of Mr. Harry Turton.

Two thirds natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE XC

Garcinia Xanthochymus.

This handsome tree is a native of India, and was first introduced to Hawaii by Mr. Albert Jaeger. It has long, narrow, leathery leaves of a bright, glossy green. The flowers, which have four petals, appear at the axil of the leaves, and the fruit, which is about the size of a small quince, has a smooth, thin skin, which is yellow when ripe. The firm pulp is golden yellow, very juicy, and sour, and the seeds are large. This variety is common in the Islands, and has often been mistaken for the Mangosteen. It ripens its fruit in October and November. This variety has been used to inarch the garcina mangostana upon.

One third natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE XCI

Bunchosia sp.

This tree was doubtless introduced to Hawaii from South America. There are only two specimens of its kind growing in Honolulu. Its fruits are edible, but not especially palatable. It is a small tree having terete branches, and its opposite leaves are oblong-elliptical, dark-green above and a lighter, somewhat glossy-green beneath. The petioles are short. The axillary inflorescence comes in long, slender cymes, and the five-petaled flowers are yellow. When ripe, the obovate fruit is a purplish-yellow, having usually two seeds, and but one seed when abortive.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE XCII

Malpighia glabra.

BARBADOS CHERRY.

This small shrub is a native of the West Indies. Its dull-green leaves are opposite, ovate and glabrous, either entire or spiny-toothed. The rose-colored flowers are axillary and five-petaled. The bright red fruit is about the size of a cherry, and has a thin skin, and its acid pulp is used for jam and preserves. The seeds or stones are large, four-angled, and germinate readily; plants are also produced by cuttings. Though not common in these Islands, there are, however, a few specimens of this plant to be found in several of the private gardens of Honolulu.

Natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE XCIII

Theobroma Cacao.

CHOCOLATE, COCOA.

In Hawaii this tropical tree grows to a height of from 10 to 30 feet. It has large, pointed leaves, and the new growth is wine-colored. The flowers appear on the trunk and mature branches, and the fruit which follows is about 8 to 12 inches long, and is called the pod; inside of this pod are beans or seeds, from which the commercial product called cocoa is made, through a process of drying and curing. Chocolate is the term used for the sweetened preparations of the roasted and ground beans, with a large proportion of the original fat retained. Cocoa preparations are the same material in fine powder, sweetened and unsweetened, with a greater part of the fat extracted.

Cacao cultivation has never been successfully attempted in Hawaii. However, a few isolated trees can be found at Ahuimanu Ranch, Oahu, where they were planted by the Catholic brothers as an experiment some years ago.

One fourth natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE XCIV

Hibiscus Sabdariffa.