Part 23

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CXVII

Bumelia sp.

This large shrub is a native of India. Its alternate, entire, obovate leaves have short petioles; they are glabrous and are about 4 to 8 inches in length. The small flowers are light pink. The small, globose fruits grow in bunches; these are purple when ripe, but are not edible. The only tree of its kind in Honolulu is growing in the grounds of the Queen's Hospital.

Natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CXVIII

Ochrosia elliptica.

This plant grows in the Pacific Islands, Malay Peninsula, Ceylon, and Australia; and on account of its handsome scarlet fruit is cultivated as an ornament, as the fruit is not edible. The tree is a small evergreen, having alternate, glabrous, coriaceous leaves which are crowded at the ends of the stout branches. The small, white flowers have five petals. The fruit consists usually of two, rarely one, spreading scarlet drupes, each containing a large seed. The first specimen of its kind in Hawaii was planted at the Government Nursery, Honolulu, where it is still growing.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CXIX

Ananas sativus.

PINEAPPLE.

This variety of the pineapple plant was grown at an early date in these Islands, and until the new and spineless forms were introduced was the only quality offered in the fruit markets. It is now cultivated but little, and is often found growing wild. The rosette at the head of the fleshy fruit has numerous thorny leaves. The fruit is much smaller than those of the thornless varieties, but it has a very sweet flavor.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CXX

Opuntia Tuna.

PRICKLY PEAR--"PANINI."

This erect, wide-spreading plant was early introduced to these Islands from Mexico. It thrives well in arid lands, and in times of drought its succulent, fleshy leaves and juicy fruit are eaten by cattle. The plants, when old, become hard and woody, having many stout spines. The large flowers are reddish-yellow, and the obovate, truncate fruit is a purplish-red, having a thick fibrous skin, which is covered with fine bristles. The edible pulp is reddish-purple and contains numerous seeds.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE CXXI

Prosopis juliflora.

ALGAROBA--"KIAWE."

The Kiawe deserves a special mention in this book, as it is, in my opinion, one of the most valuable and beautiful trees that grows in the Hawaiian Islands. Perhaps on account of its very general dissemination, and because of the ease with which it spreads spontaneously, even in the driest districts, it has received less consideration than has been accorded to other plants more difficult of propagation.

The Kiawe is the foundation of all the beauty of our lowlands, and provides a delicate background for other plants. Under favorable circumstances, it reaches to a height of 50 feet. It has wide-spreading branches and delicate-green foliage. The flowers yield a delicious honey, and the seed-pods furnish a valuable fodder, and, finally, when the tree is cut down, its wood makes the very best of fuel. The Algaroba is a native of Central and South America. Ordinarily it is a moderate-sized tree of quick and easy growth. Its branches in most cases are covered with stout, cylindrical, axillary spines, and in other cases they are unarmed.

The abruptly bi-pinnate leaves have from 6 to 30 pairs of linear leaflets about one-fourth to one inch in length. The small, pale-yellow flowers come in cylindrical spikes. The straight or sickle-shaped seed-pod is sweet, and is eaten by stock. Propagation is by seed.

The first Algaroba tree of Hawaii was brought to Honolulu in 1828 by Father Bachelot, founder of the Roman Catholic Mission in the Islands. It was planted in the Mission garden, where the venerable tree is standing today.

Detailed Transcriber's Notes.

General Notes.