For dense foliage, the east side (otherwise known as the wet side, or Hilo side) of the Big Island can’t be beat. Here the trunks of two trees are entwined by a tangled vine, surrounded by exotic foliage.
Category Archives: Trees
Coconut palms line the beach
Think of Hawaii and chances are coconut palms and golden beaches spring to mind. These were north of the park at Kiholo. Head south from there instead and the beaches will be black sand.
Satin pothos
A satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus) climbs a tree in Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. While rampant in tropical climates, this plant is quite popular as a houseplant elsewhere. It’s poisonous to dogs and cats though, so that’s something to consider.
For more information about Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, go to htbg.com.
Sunset and palms
Palm trees silhouetted against a Kohala sunset.
Plumeria rubra
This Plumeria rubra has dark pink flowers, but others might sport, red, orange, yellow, or white flowers.
For more information about this and other Hawaiian flowers, go to wildlifeofhawaii.com/flowers/.
Abstracts: Albizia tree and other foliage
A canopy of tropical foliage. On the left is a huge albizia saman or monkeypod tree.
Pink ginger and joey palm
A pink ginger flower grows up between the boldly-ribbed leaves of a joey palm at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden.
For more information about Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, go to htbg.com.
Māmane
Māmane (Sophora chrysophylla) is an endemic Hawaiian tree which grows in the dry forest on the sides of Mauna Kea. These māmane are in the recently-opened Palila Forest Discovery Trail at an elevation of around 7,000 feet.
Māmane is an important plant for several endemic Hawaiian birds including the endangered palila, which is found only in this area. Palila depend on māmane trees for 90% of their food, the most important item being immature māmane seeds. These seeds are poisonous to other wildlife, but not palila.
Palila Forest Discovery Trail is part of an ongoing effort to reestablish the high-elevation dry forest on Mauna Kea, which has been greatly impacted by non-native goats, sheep, and cattle.
For more information about Palila Forest Discovery Trail, go to dlnr.hawaii.gov/restoremaunakea/palila-forest-discovery-trail/.
Graham's Island 