Pinang Yaki (Areca vestiaria) is originally from eastern Indonesia. With its red crownshaft and orange fruits, it’s a colorful palm. But these colors vary depending on the tree’s elevation with a higher elevation leading to more vibrant colors.
A close up look at a bird of paradise flower in the early stages of opening to its full glory.
Silk oaks (Grevillea robusta) come from Australia’s east coast, but are well established here. Rather too well actually. They’re fast growers and can outcompete native species, in particular ohia trees. In some places, silk oaks will have their trunks ringed to kill the tree in order to give those native species a better chance of survival.
At this time of year, silk oaks are blooming and their orange flowers put on a brilliant display. They look like giant toothbrushes, or rather groups of flowers look like that, for the toothbrushes are made up of many individual flowers. The flowers themselves are popular with birds, bees and other insects, but both the flowers and wood can cause allergic reactions so have to be handled with caution.
The long-tailed blue butterfly (Lampides boeticus) is believed to have been accidentally introduced to Hawaii in the 1880s. Accidental or not, it wasn’t a good thing. Its common name, bean butterfly, gives a clue as to the problem. It damages a wide variety of bean and pea plants, both domestic and commercial.
These photos were taken on the Puna Coast Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The plant is Vigna marina or beach pea, an indigenous plant that grows well in the harsh, exposed coastal area that the trail passes through.
The tag on this orchid read Onc. ‘Tsuiki Margaruite’ #1, but I see it mostly described as ‘Tsiku Marguerite,’ so take your pick. But it’s a delicate looking orchid with cream to apricot flowers that are highly fragrant.
This one was at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. For more information about Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, go to htbg.com.
The tropical-looking bird of paradise plant (Strelitzia reginae) is actually a native of sub-tropical South Africa. But it certainly has the pizzazz of a tropical plant, especially when being visited by a colorful gold dust day gecko seeking to sup on the flower’s nectar.
Posted in response to Becky’s April Squares challenge theme of ‘Top.’ See more responses here.
This fiery skipper butterfly was feeding on top of a cluster of tree heliotrope flowers, some open, some about to bloom. It was one of a host of insects buzzing around the tree.
Posted in response to Becky’s April Squares challenge theme of ‘Top.’ See more responses here.
I noticed this orange hibiscus catching the sunlight and returned to it a few minutes later with my camera. But, close up, I saw that it was past the top of its bloom and starting to fade. Still pretty though.
Posted in response to Becky’s April Squares challenge theme of ‘Top.’ See more responses here.
Graham's Island 