Sometimes you have to dig deep to get to the good stuff!
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Category Archives: Plants
Saffron finches in a kiawe tree
A pair of saffron finches perched in a kiawe tree. The wicked thorns of the tree will penetrate footwear if stepped on so the birds have to be careful!
Bitter melon
Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) hails from Africa in the distant past, but has spread across the globe. The small flowers are a delicate shade of yellow and are followed by somewhat spiky fruits. These are widely used in cooking, particularly in Asia, but only when the fruit is green. The ripe orange fruits are not edible.
Bees on agave attenuata
Breadfruit
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is generally considered to be a canoe plant, brought to Hawaii by Polynesian settlers, though it’s not entirely clear when the introduction occurred. However, it is clear that breadfruit, known as ‘ulu in Hawaii, was a major food source in days gone by and that the trees were possibly the most prevalent tree to be found on the islands.
An interesting paper about breadfruit can be found at https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu › oc › freepubs › pdf › breadfruit.pdf.
Ipu
Ipu is the Hawaiian word for the gourd (Langenaria sacraria). The early Polynesians brought the seeds to Hawaii and also used the hollowed out gourds on the voyage, for storing water, food, and other items, and to bail out the canoes.
These days, the gourds are used to make musical instruments that are used in dances and in chants. The plant is a climbing vine and the gourds are the fruit of this vine.
Sunset silhouette
The late afternoon sun sinks towards the horizon, silhouetting a shapely tree.
Sailboat on blue water
I was driving to Kona recently when I noticed this sailboat easing along the coast in light winds off Kiholo. I liked the bands of blue in the water and the palms lining the shore.
