African tulip tree, Fountain tree, or Flame-of-the-forest—a
tree that grows between 7 and 25 m tall, native to tropical
Africa. This tree is planted extensively as an ornamental
and shade tree throughout the tropics and is much
appreciated for its very showy reddish orange or crimson
(rarely yellow) flower. A plant cultivated for its blooms or
blossoms.
Avacado
The avocado is widely considered a vegetable, since it is
commonly used in salads. However, it is actually a fruit
that tastes like a vegetable, and most markets display it
with other typical fruits. The rich, pale yellow-green flesh
of the pear-shaped fruit has a texture likened to a firm
ripe banana, smooth and buttery, with a faintly nutty
flavor. Although the prime season for fresh avocados is late
winter/early spring, they are readily available in markets
year-round. Avocados do not ripen until picked. There are
hundreds of varieties of avocados. Do not store unripened
fruit in the refrigerator.
Banana
Bananas are America's #1 fruit. The average American
consumes over 28 pounds of bananas each year. Over 96% of
American households purchase bananas at least once each
month. Bananas are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and
dietary fiber. Bananas have no fat, cholesterol or sodium.
Bananas are great for athletic and fitness activity because
they replenish necessary carbohydrates, glycogen and body
fluids burned during exercise. There is no such thing as a
banana tree. Bananas grow on plants. Bananas are not grown
commercially in the continental United States. They are
grown in Latin and South America from countries like Costa
Rica, Ecuador, Colombia, Honduras, Panama and Guatemala.
Bananas are available all year-round. They are harvested
every day of the year. 3 medium size bananas weigh
approximately 1 pound.
Banyan Tree
Banyan Trees can grow to be very large trees. As they grow,
their roots extend down from their branches and grow to form
new sections of tree. The largest banyan tree in the world
in India has a circumference of one mile., and covers five
acres, or the area of five football fields. The Banyan Tree
in Lahaina, the oldest in the state of Hawaii, came from
India in 1873. At the time, it was only eight feet tall. Now
the tree stands about 50 feet in height, spans approximately
200 feet in length, and shades nearly two-thirds of an acre.
Breadfruit
Breadfruit is native to the East Indian and Pacific islands,
which has also been widely planted in tropical regions
elsewhere. It was first collected and distributed by
Lieutenant William Bligh as one of the botanical samples
collected by HMS Bounty in the late 18th century Breadfruit
is an attractive shade tree The large, thick leaves are, on
the same tree, almost entire to deeply cut into pinnate
lobes. All parts of the tree yield latex, a milky juice.
This latex is used for boat caulking. The trees are
monoecious, with male and female flowers growing on the same
tree. The male flowers emerge first, followed shortly
afterwards by the female flowers, growing into a capitulum.
These can be pollinated three days later. The pollinators
are Old World fruit bats (family Pteropodidae). The compound
false plant fruit develops from the swollen perianth and
originates from 1,500-2,000 flowers. These are visible on
the skin of the fruit as hexagon-like disks. It is one of
the highest-yielding food plants, a single tree producing up
to 800 or more fruits per season. Breadfruits are a staple
food in many tropical regions. They are very rich in starch
and before being eaten they are roasted, baked, fried or
boiled. The taste is described as potato-like.
Coconut Palm
The Coconut Palm is one of the very few palm species that
makes up its own genus, although years of cultivation in
tropical climates have given us somewhere around 80 named
varieties. Coconut Palms are believed to have originated in
southeast Asia. Probably the best known palm in the world,
the coconut is a symbol of all things tropical. Mature
coconuts can reach heights of up to 100 feet, with a trunk
that is characteristically slim, often leaning, solitary,
and ringed with scars from previous growth. Its fruit is
oval, generally large, and in early stages of ripening is
yellow to green. The coconuts themselves turn dry and brown
upon ripening fully.
Coffee Tree
The English word "Coffee" comes from the Latin name of the
genus Coffea. The genus Coffea is a member of the Rubiaceae
family which has over 500 genera and 6,000 species that are
largely tropical trees and shrubs. All species of Coffea are
woody and range in size from small shrubs to trees over 30
feet tall. The species Coffea arabica gives us the arabica
beans known the world over. Arabica beans are largely drunk
on their own where as the Coffea robusta is usually a lower
grade bean used primarily as a blend with arabica beans to
make them go farther. Most of the coffee in Hawaii is grown
on The Big Island. Hence, the term, Kona Coffee.
Ferns
Ferns are a large group of perennials known for their
interesting foliage. They have an especially soothing effect
as houseplants, they are easy to grow in a relative humid
environment and there are plenty from which to choose.
Perhaps the best-known indoor fern is the Boston fern, an
easy houseplant to maintain with rich, green arching fronds
(leaves). A bit less-known but just as interesting are the
staghorn fern, whose fronds look like moose antlers, and the
rabbit's-foot fern, whose long rhizomes look like brown,
furry paws crawling out of the pot and hanging from the rim.
Hawaii's rainforests are full of ferns.
Guava
The place of origin of the guava is uncertain, but it is
believed to be an area extending from southern Mexico into
or through Central America. It has been spread by man, birds
and other animals to all warm areas of tropical America and
in the West Indies (since 1526). The tropical guava is best
adapted to the warm climate of Florida and Hawaii, although
it can be grown in coastal Southern California. Faintly
fragrant, the white flowers, borne singly or in clusters in
the leaf axils, are 1 inch wide, with 4 or 5 white petals.
In warmer regions guavas will ripen all year. There is a
distinctive change in the color and aroma of the guava that
has ripened. For the best flavor, allow fruit to ripen on
the tree. The can also be picked green-mature and allowed to
ripen off the tree at room temperature.
Hala Tree
It grows in the tropics, especially on the islands of the
Pacific. In Hawai'i it grows from sea level to an altitude
of nearly 2000 feet. The pandanus tree can grow up to 20
feet tall. The trunk is pale-colored with circular scars
marking where the leaves fell off. The leaves are long and
slender. There are very sharp spines on the margins of the
leaves. The roots of the pandanus grow above the ground and
are known as aerial roots. These aerial roots give the hala
tree its nickname, "the walking tree." The male hala tree
only has flowers and no fruits. Its fragrant flowers are
called hinano. The nectar in the flowers attract many bees
and other insects which pollinate the female flowers. The
fruit clusters that grow on the female tree look like
pineapples. Each cluster is made up of keys that are about 2
inches long and 1 inch across. The leaves of the hala trees
were woven into mats, hats, fans, baskets, canoe sails, and
bags. The leaves were also used to thatch houses and homes
for animals. The leaves were also used to cover dead
people's bodies. The male flower's pollen was used as a love
charm. The white bracts, which are leaves around the flower,
were made into fine mats that only kahunas and chiefs could
use. The tips of the young roots were used as medicine.
Kapok Tree
The tree grows to 60–70 m tall and has a very substantial
trunk up to 3 m in diameter with buttresses. The leaves are
compound of 5 to 9 leaflets, each up to 20 cm and palm like.
Adult trees produce several hundred 15 cm seed pods. The
pods contain seeds surrounded by a fluffy, yellowish fibre
that is a mix of lignin and cellulose. The process of
harvesting and separating the fibre is labour-intensive and
manual. The fibre is light, very buoyant, resilient, highly
flammable and resistant to water. It cannot be spun but is
used as a filling for bedding and upholstery, and for
insulation. It was previously much used in life jackets and
similar devices. The fibre has been largely replaced by
man-made materials. The seeds produce an oil used locally in
soap and that can be used as fertilizer.
Koa
Koa (Acacia koa Gray.) is unquestionably Hawaii's most
prized tree species- culturally, ecologically and
economically. Hawaiians have always valued koa for its
exceptionally beautiful and durable wood. It remains the
premier Hawaiian timber for furniture, cabinetry, interior
work and woodcrafts. Equally important, native koa forests
provide unique wildlife habitat, critical watershed recharge
areas and recreational opportunities. Unfortunately, forest
clearing for agriculture, cattle grazing and feral pig
activity have much diminished Hawaii's once extensive koa
forest. The scarcity of koa wood is reflected in its ever
increasing price-high enough now to economically justify
helicopter logging.
Kukui Nut
Kukui Nut Trees (candlenut) are a multi-purpose tree which
bears clusters of small, whitish flowers and kukui nuts that
are used to make leis. Also provides nut oil for medicine
and general use. It has such a high oil content, up to 70%,
that they are strung on ribs from palms and used as candles
in Malaysia and Indonesia. They are also used as a
thickening and stabilizing agent in curries, and have a
similar taste and texture as macadamia nuts. The name
'varnish tree', refers to the use of the oil in paints and
varnishes. Kukui Nut is also the state tree of Hawaii.
Macadamia Nut
The tree is an evergreen that grows to a height of 25 feet
(7.62 meters) and bears clusters of small white flowers. It
grows best in subtropical climates with well drained soil
and annual rainfall of 40 to 100 inches (102 to 254 Quick
Facts about: cm A radioactive transuranic metallic element;
produced by bombarding plutonium with helium nucleicm.). The
nutmeat is generally a creamy white in color, but sometimes
has a yellowish tinge. It has a delicate flavor that is
highly prized by many. Macadamias are consumed roasted or as
an ingredient of cakes, pastries and confections. They are
also finding a place in main dishes similar to the way that
almonds and cashews are used in oriental cuisine. Named
after botanist John Macadam, the first commercial orchard
was established in Australia in the late 1880s. Commercial
production began in Hawaii during the 1920s and thereafter
spread to California, Mexico and other regions with similar
climate. The leading commercial producers today are
Australia and Hawaii.
Mango
Most Americans consider the mango an exotic fruit with the
taste of a peach and pineapple. Although it is popular in
tropical areas it actually originated in Southeast Asia or
India where it has been grown more than 4,000 years. Over
the years mango groves have spread to many parts of the
tropical and sub-tropical world, where the climate allows
the mango to grow best. Mango trees are evergreens that will
grow to 60 feet tall. The mango tree will fruit 4 to 6 years
after planting. Mango trees require hot, dry periods to set
and produce a good crop. Most of the mangos sold in the
United States are imported from Mexico, Haiti, the Caribbean
and South America. This fruit with its tropical taste also
offers the highest amount of beta carotene of any fruit.
Today, there more than 1,000 different varieties of mangos
throughout the world.
Monkey Pod
Monkey Pod trees are large trees originally from Africa.
When they loose there leaves, the branches look like the
roots of the tree. The pods contain seeds and a sticky
substance that is hard to clean.
Ohia
The ohia lehua tree can be found along the slopes of
Hawaii's mountains. According to legend, the blossom is
sacred to Pele, and picking it will produce rain. Nectar
gathered from Ohia trees produces a water-white honey with a
buttery flavor.
Papaya
The exact origination of papaya is unknown but it is
believed to be native to southern Mexico and neighboring
Central America. The papaya is a melon like fruit with
yellow-orange flesh enclosed in a thin skin that varies in
color from green to orange to rose. The papaya tree can grow
from seed to a 20 foot, fruit bearing tree in less than 18
months. The fruit can range in size from 1 to 20 pounds. The
white powder sold as "Meat Tenderizer" is composed mainly of
an enzyme extract from the papaya, called papain, usually
with added salt, sugar and anticaking agents. The enzyme
papain, breaks down tough meat fibers. Papaya juice has been
used for centuries in South America to tenderize meat.
Varieties - There are two types of papayas, the Hawaiian and
Mexican. The Hawaiian varieties also known as Solo papayas,
are found most often in supermarkets. These fruits are pear
shaped, weigh about a pound each, and have yellow skin when
ripe. The flesh is bright orange or pinkish, depending on
the variety. The Mexican varieties are not as common but can
be found in Latino supermarkets. Mexican papayas are much
larger then the Hawaiian types and can weigh up to 20 pounds
and be more than 15 inches long. Although the flavor is less
intense than the Hawaiian varieties, they are still
delicious and enjoyable.
Passion Fruit
Passion fruit is an egg-shaped tropical fruit that is also
called a purple granadilla, the passion fruit has a brittle,
wrinkled purple-brown rind enclosing flesh-covered seeds,
something like a pomegranate (granadilla means "little
pomegranate" in Spanish). The seeds are edible so you can
eat the orange pulp straight from the shell. Passion fruit
is more commonly sieved and its highly aromatic pulp and
juice are used as a flavoring for beverages and sauces. The
pulp has an intense aromatic flavor, while the texture is
jelly-like and watery. The flavor is likened to guava.
Pineapple
A native of the Americas, the pineapple was named pina by
the Spanish because of the fruit's obvious resemblance to a
pinecone. A pinecone wearing a crown, to be sure. A sweet
juicy tropical delight, the pineapple is a member of the
bromeliad family. This grouping of plants is almost entirely
American and features both wet and dry-thriving examples,
many of which have spiny leaves. The pineapple is a native
of Brazil and neighboring Paraguay and has been cultivated
for thousands of years. The Tupi-Guarani tribes carried the
plant throughout the tropics of the American continent. In
Peru the pineapple as decorative design was a theme on
ancient pottery. By the 15th century the plant was also
established in the West Indies. Actually sampled by
Christopher Columbus and his crew on the West Indian island
of Guadeloupe on November 4, 1493, the pineapple was prized
by the local Carib Indians who supposedly indicated welcome
to friends by hanging pineapples above their dwelling
places. A somewhat different signal was sent to their
enemies--- the Carib fortified their villages with spiky,
pineapple hedges. The pineapple didn't reach Hawaii until
1813, brought there by a Spaniard. But the Hawaiian
pineapple business didn't take off until about 1902. By the
1950's Hawaii was supplying ¾ of the world's supply of
pineapple, most of it canned. These days the big pineapple
powers, Dole and Heinz, can no pineapple in Hawaii, though
they still ship fresh pineapple. Their canning suppliers are
in Thailand, the Philippines and Kenya.
Ti Leaf
The ti plant grows on the edges of woods. It can also be
found in wet, open forests at lower elevations. People plant
it around their houses to keep the evil spirits away. The ti
plant is a member of the Lily family. It can grow from three
to ten feet high. It has a woody stem with broad, smooth,
shiny green leaves. The leaves can be green, red, purple,
pink or striped. Its lower leaves turn yellow and drop off
from the plant as it gets older. There is a stem in the
center of the leaves. Sometimes there are many tiny white
flowers that come out of the stem. Sometimes, berries will
develop from these flowers. The ti plant was a very useful
plant to the early Hawaiians. They used the leaves as
wrappers. The leaves were used to wrap things (like laulau)
before they were cooked in the imu. They also used the
leaves to wrap and carry things in it, like leis. The leaves
were also used to make clothing like skirts, raincoats and
sandals. Sometimes, the Hawaiians used the ti plant for
food. The roots of the ti plant were baked in an oven and it
made a sweet candy. The roots were also baked, mashed and
fermented to make okolehao (a brandy-like drink). The leaves
were also used as a medicine to cool fevers and headaches. A
young ti leaf was also used as a bandage to wrap wounds.
Sometimes, if someone had a backache, warmed stones were
wrapped in ti leaves and put on the sore back. As a toy, its
leaves were used to make whistles, balls and sleds to ride
down hills or muddy mountains. The ti plant was a symbol of
power to the Hawaiians. That’s why they planted it around
their houses and priests even wore them around their necks.
A legend tells of a shark that lived in Waipi’o stream.
Before a man would swim across the stream, he would throw in
a ti stalk. If the stalk disappeared, that meant there was a
shark in the water and it wouldn’t be safe to swim across.
But if the stalk floated down the stream, it would be okay
to swim.
