Monthly Archives: January 2011

Remnant of the Past or Vision of the Future?

Posted on January 30, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

A majority of these botany hikes I go on have been with Joel and Kenji. It has been a real privilege because they are both walking encyclopedias of the biota here in Hawai’i. So much of what I have learned … Continue reading →

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‘Alae’ula: surprise guests at a party

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

First off, I would like to congratulate my good friend Art for getting his Master’s degree. I was at his graduation party on Sunday at The Oahu Club in Hawai’i Kai to celebrate. I actually had no plans this weekend … Continue reading →

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A sampling of plants from Mt. Ka’ala

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

The nice thing about many of the windswept summits on O’ahu is that there are still many fairly intact native plant communities there. But by their very nature, surveying on the summits is difficult work. Nothing frustrates me more than … Continue reading →

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Urticaceae strikes back!

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

Hawaiian nettles are another strange product of that engine known as island evolution. Nettles (Urtica spp.) are well known around the world for their stinging hairs which are a major deterrent for herbivores (or the random off-trail hiker). I’m glad … Continue reading →

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A romp through a dryland forest

Posted on January 16, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

I think most people picture lush tropical rain forest when they think of Hawai’i, full of waterfalls and rainbows. But there are other types of plant communities found here. One dominant type being dryland forests found mostly on the leeward … Continue reading →

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Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #9: Trematolobelia kauaiensis

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

Trematolobelia kauaiensis Hawaiian Name: Koli’i Conservation Status: Apparently Secure Distribution: Kaua’i Date photographed: 9/22/10 Ease of viewing: Easy *Identification: Form– Stems 1.5-3 m long. Leaves– linear-elliptic to elliptic; blades 12-22 cm long by 1-3 cm wide; margins callose-crenulate; petioles 1.3-2.5 … Continue reading →

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The Akoko that hid in plain sight

Posted on January 7, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

Here is a shot I took of the Pali lookout. It is a very popular tourist location here on O’ahu. Aside from the great view of the windward side of the island, it was also the site of the Battle … Continue reading →

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Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #8: Clermontia oblongifolia

Posted on January 2, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

Clermontia oblongifolia Hawaiian Name: Oha wai Conservation Status: Apparently Secure Distribution: O’ahu, Moloka’i, Lana’i (extinct), Maui Date photographed: 1/2/2011 Ease of viewing: Easy *Identification: Form– Terrestrial shrub or tree 2-7 m tall. Leaves– oblong, elliptic, or lanceolate; blades 7-19 cm … Continue reading →

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