Part 21

YELLOW WATER LEMON.

This strong-growing, glabrous vine, climbing by tendrils, is a native of tropical America. The date when it was introduced to Hawaii, and by whom, is not known; but in the Hilo and Hamakua districts of Hawaii this variety grows wild. Its thick leaves are oval, oblong and entire, and have a short, sharp point. The flowers are about 2½, inches across, are white, with red spots on them. The fruit is slightly oblong, 2 inches in diameter, and very regular in size and shape. When ripe, it is yellow spotted with white. It has a medium-hard shell or skin, and the edible pulp is whitish-yellow, and contains many flat, black seeds.

One third natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CVI

Passiflora alata.

This is a strong, vigorous vine, very suitable for arbors and trellises. It is not commonly found in Hawaii; however, a very fine specimen of its kind is growing in Dr. St. D. G. Walter's garden in Honolulu. The leaves are oval to ovate, the petioles having two glands. The fragrant purple flowers are about two inches in diameter. The ovoid-pointed fruit has a tough, leathery shell which, when green, is six-striated, with white stripes; when quite ripe the fruit is a dull orange-yellow. The numerous seeds are imbedded in the juicy, scented pulp, which is aromatic and delicious. Propagation is by seed and by cuttings.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CVII

Passiflora, var. foetida.

This strong and hardy vine grows well on arbors and trellises. Its leaves are three-cleft, and have long petioles; and spiral tendrils spring from the axils. The single, pale-green flowers are surrounded by a green, lace-like covering. The fruit is nearly globular, and slightly pointed; it is about three-fourths of an inch in diameter, and when ripe is a bright scarlet.

Two thirds natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CVIII

Cereus triangularis.

NIGHT-BLOOMING CEREUS.

Although this plant with its wonderful nocturnal blossoms may be found growing almost everywhere in the Islands, the best specimens of its kind may be seen on the stone walls of Oahu College. The beautiful creamy flowers with their yellow centers are large, about a foot long, and when in full bloom about the same in diameter. The tube is covered with large, leaf-like green scales. The fruit, which is about 3½ inches long and 2 inches in diameter, is covered with persistent, large, fleshy scales which are scarlet colored when ripe, and the interior pulp is edible and refreshing. Fruit, however, upon the night-blooming cereus in Hawaii is rather rare, although a few fine specimens have matured.

Two thirds natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CIX

Kigelia pinnata.

SAUSAGE TREE.

This medium-sized and very handsome shade tree is a native of tropical Africa. It was probably introduced to Hawaii by Dr. Hillebrand. A fine tree of this species is growing in Mrs. Foster's garden, Nuuanu avenue. It has large pinnate leaves, and panicles of purple flowers. The peculiar rough, grey, oblong fruits hang from a long stem, and present an odd appearance. This tree and also one other of the same variety growing in the grounds of the Queen's Hospital, very rarely set their fruit. Because of the difficulty of obtaining seeds, the sausage tree has not been widely distributed.

One fourth natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CX

Phoenix dactylifera.

THE DATE PALM.

The date, which is a native of North Africa, Arabia, and Persia, is a noble palm, often growing to a height of from 80 to 100 feet. It is of remarkable longevity, and will continue to produce fruit even at the age of a hundred years. The neighborhood of the sea is considered unfavorable to their production, although they will luxuriate in saltish soil and bear well when brackish water is used.

Many varieties of dates exist, the fruit differing in shape, size and color. They will grow from seeds, although the superior varieties can be continued only from off-shoots of the root. These will commence to bear in five years. In Asia, the growers of the commercial date find it necessary to pollinate artificially by hanging sprays of the male flowers in the branches of the fruit-bearing trees. There are no imported trees bearing in Hawaii, and although there are many date trees in Honolulu, artificial pollination would doubtless greatly increase the yield and the quality of the fruit.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CXI