Part 5

This tree, which is a native of Mexico, is said to have been named after Cardinal Casimiro Gomez. The first tree of its kind in Hawaii was planted in 1884, at the Government Nursery, Honolulu. The seed came from Santa Barbara, California, where there grows today, a tree more than eighty years old, and which still bears its fruit. It is a tall evergreen with irregular branches; its digitate leaves are dark and glossy. The trunk is ashen-grey, with warty excrescences. The fruit, which matures in April and May, is large, 1 to 4 inches in diameter; it is depressed-globular and somewhat ribbed, like a tomato; in color it is a light-green, turning to a dull yellow when ripe, and it has a very thin skin. The pulp is yellow, resembling that of an over-ripe, and has a melting, peach-like flavor. It contains from 1 to 3 large, oblong seeds, which are said to be deleterious.

One fourth natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE XXI

Prunus Persica.

PEACH.

The Peach-tree is said by some authorities to be indigenous to Persia, while by others it is claimed to be a native of China. It is a hardy tree, and has been known to bear fruit precociously even in the second year after planting. If allowed to do so, the Peach will grow to a height of about 15 feet; but it should be pruned annually, in order to secure a good crop. Its leaves are lanceolate and coarsely serrate. The flowers are solitary, pink in color, and appear before the leaves. The fruit is soft and pubescent at maturity. The stone is deeply pitted and very hard. There are two well-marked varieties, the cling-stone and the free-stone.

Ulupalakua and Makawao, Maui, once had the reputation of growing finely-flavored seedling peaches; however, many of these trees have been injured by cattle, and others have been destroyed by root-fungus and insect pests. In several localities in Hawaii good peaches have been grown from imported varieties.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE XXII

Chrysophyllum Cainito (purple variety).

STAR APPLE.

This tree is a native of the West Indies, and although not common in Hawaii, there are good specimens to be found in many gardens. It has large irregular spreading branches, grows to a height of from 10 to 25 feet, and has rather thick foliage. Propagation is ordinarily effected by seeds, which germinate readily, when fresh. It can also be grown from cuttings of the ripe wood. The tree derives its name from the words "chrysos," gold, and "phyllon," a leaf; referring to the golden-russet color of the underside of the beautiful, glossy green leaves. The small flowers, which appear from June until October, are solitary at the nodes or in fascicles. The fruit, which ripens in April, is round, about 3 inches in diameter, has a smooth, tough rind, about 1-16th inch thick, which is a deep purple in color. A cross-section of the fruit shows the edible pulp with its numerous black seeds, and the star-shaped core, from which the fruit derives its common name of Star Apple. Unless the fruit is thoroughly ripe, its milky juice is remarkably astringent.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE XXIII

Chrysophyllum Cainito (white variety).

STAR APPLE.

This tree, which bears its fruit in from four to five years, has about the same characteristics as that of the preceding variety. The fruit is somewhat larger, and is not quite so sweet. In color it is pale green, shaded with purple.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE XXIV

Chrysophyllum monopyrenum.

This small tree, which is indigenous to the West Indies, is also a native of Southern Florida, and is to be found as an ornamental plant in many localities of tropical America. In Jamaica it is called the "Damson Plum." Its small, single, white flowers are highly perfumed. The fruit, which matures from August until December, is small, ovoid-oblong, and when ripe is purplish-black; when bruised it emits a white, sticky juice. It contains one large seed. Specimens of this tree are to be found growing in the grounds of the Queen's Hospital and at the Government Nursery, Honolulu.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. PLATE XXV

Mimusops Elengi.

This handsome evergreen tree, with its bright, glossy leaves, is very suitable for hedges and for windbreaks. It has alternate, elliptic leaves 3 to 3½ inches long. The small, solitary flowers, have many creamy-white petals, and are very fragrant; from them perfume is obtained by distillation. The yellow fruit is about the shape and size of a small olive, and contains a dry, mealy pulp which is edible, and the large, flat, brown seed yield an oil.

One half natural size.]

G. P. W. Collection. Plate XXVI

Spondias dulcis.