This tree was labeled Powder Puff Tree, Brownea Sp. at Hawai’i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden. I suspect the Powder Puff name is given to a variety of plants with flowers like this one, so I’m not sure if this is really the correct name.
I do know a couple of things about this tree. The flowers were a brilliant orange and very popular with the gold dust day geckos. They grow directly out of the trunk of the tree, starting as a pinkish bud and eventually dying out to a withered, brown remnant.
For more information about Hawai’i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden, go to htbg.com.
Posted in response to Becky’s July Squares challenge theme of ‘Trees.’ See more responses here.
Graham's Island 
Hello! I’m visiting from Becky’s gallery of tree squares. This tree is so interesting. That is a gorgeous flower.
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The flower is beautiful and more striking for emerging from the tree trunk. This tree is almost done blooming now.
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I remember that cool powder puff tree when we visited the Botanical gardens, Graham. Remember that someone had placed a fallen powderpuff onto another tree and we were momentarily confused? Fun times!
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I do remember that. Might even have been from this tree since this was taken at the gardens. I might go over there tomorrow actually so will undoubtedly return with another hundred or more photos!
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Incredible!
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Wow! What a unique plant! Thanks for the info on the Botanic Garden – I will definitely put it on my “must see” list for when we take another trip to Hawaii!
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The garden is a favorite of mine. I really missed it when it was closed this past year.
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wow what a tree, what blooms. Fascinating that evolution decided that they should pop out of trunk rather than end of branches. Do the geckos pollinate them rather than insects and birds?
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I don’t think geckos pollinate them. They just like the sweetness there.
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ahh!
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That’s a stunning flower against the trunk. Is the ball-like object below it a bud? It doesn’t look capable of turning in to the gorgeous bloom.
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It’s a pretty spectacular flower and, yes, that is a bud, with a spent flower above it.
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