Part 22

Phoenix dactylifera.

DATE (red and yellow variety).

The accompanying cut shows fruit from two of the best date trees in Honolulu, and it is curious to note that both of them were grown from seeds taken from packages of dried dates purchased from a local grocer.

One third natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CXII

Acrocomia sp.

This interesting palm is seldom seen in Hawaii; there being but two specimens of its kind that have produced fruit in Honolulu. Its stem is capitately thickened at the persistent bases of the armed petioles. The glaucous leaves are pari-pinnate with narrow, lanceolate, accuminate segments, having a prominent mid-rib.

The inflorescence is simple and branching. The fruit is arranged similar to that of Cocos, each about three-fourths of an inch in diameter, sub-globose with a pointed apex. When ripe, it is a bright yellow, and its juicy, edible pulp has the flavor of apricots.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CXIII

Cocos nucifera.

COCOANUT PALM.

"NIU."

The original home of this widely-diffused tree is not positively known. Some writers say it is indigenous to the islands of the Indian Ocean; others show that in all probability it is of American origin. On account of its buoyant husk and impervious shell, it was enabled to drift across the oceans without losing its germinating power, and in this manner was widely dispersed. It is strictly a tropical plant, and grows naturally on the seashore, or in its immediate vicinity.

It has pinnate leaves about 12 to 18 feet long, and the inflorescence first appears in a cylindrical sheath, which splits length-wise, exposing long sprays of male flowers, and near the base generally one female flower, which is much larger, and eventually develops into a fruit. The picture shows both forms of flowers, as well as a young nut, and also a mature cocoanut. Propagation is by means of the nut alone, which must be thoroughly ripe before planting. The outer husk must be left on, germination taking place at the largest eye; sometimes two eyes may sprout, and twin trees grow from these. Many varieties have been imported from islands of the Pacific, Ceylon, West Indies, and Central America. The cocoanut is not raised in Hawaii for commercial purposes.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CXIV

Cordia collococca.

CLAMMY CHERRY.

This low tree, with its spreading branches, is a native of the West Indies, and is rarely met with in these Islands; there being but two trees of its kind known to me, one growing at the Old Plantation, Honolulu, the other at Honouliuli Ranch, Oahu. The whitish branches are very brittle. The leaves are obovate, oblong, glabrous above and shiny beneath. The subsessile flowers are whiteish-purple. The fruit, which is half inch in diameter, is bluntly pointed and smooth. The fleshy pulp is sticky, and adheres to the single seed. This plant may be grown from seeds and from cuttings.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CXV

Flacourtia cataphracta.

This tree, which is a native of the Malay Islands and China, was introduced to Hawaii by Mr. Albert Jaeger. There is but one tree which has borne fruit; this is growing at the Old Plantation, Honolulu, Oahu. The tree, which is about 25 feet high, has dense foliage; the leaves are small, oblong, lanceolate, glabrous, having short petioles. Flowers very small, dioceous; the fruit about the size of a common grape, is purple when ripe, and has a pleasant sub-acid flavor. It contains a few flatish seeds.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CXVI

Atalantia buxifolia.

This small tree of dwarfish habit is from tropical Asia. It is closely related to the orange, and has large thorns. Its simple leaves are alternate, coriaceous, emarginate, and from 1 to 1½ inches in length. The petioles are short. The small, solitary flowers have five petals. The berry is globose and three-quarters of an inch in diameter. When ripe, it is a shiny black, and has a thick skin. The pulp has somewhat the flavor of a lime, and the seeds are generally 1 to 5 in number. The only specimens of this tree in Hawaii are growing in the garden of Mrs. Foster; they, presumably, were introduced by Dr. Hillebrand, as these gardens formerly belonged to him.