Monthly Archives: February 2012

Snapshot: Alani

Alani (Melicope spp.) are among the most speciose plants groups here in Hawai’i. I haven’t mentioned them much here at Studia Mirabilium because, frankly, I’m not that good keying them out yet. This one, however, stood out. The more common … Continue reading

Posted in Botany | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Enigmatic Honolulu Palm Tree

Tucked amongst the other massive palm trees at Foster Botanical Garden is this little unassuming guy. Yet, as you can see above, this palm has a fence built just for it. This native loulu (Pritchardia lowreyana) has an interesting backstory … Continue reading

Posted in Botany | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Book Review: The Species Seekers

Another book from my vulturine gleaning of the Border’s collapse is this tale: The Species Seekers: Heroes, Fools, and the Mad Pursuit of Life on Earth, by Richard Conniff. Considering all the surveying I’m doing and my general interest in natural … Continue reading

Posted in Natural History, Random | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Snapshot: Kamakahala

Here’s a shot of a rarer species of Kamakahala (Labordia spp.) This is Labordia fagraeoidea. Like L. hosakana, this species is typically found in wet summit forests. It differs by having big, dull leaves that are not as rugose.

Posted in Botany | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Kahoe’s smoke

On one hand, this stretch of dry weather has created some awesome conditions for summit hikes. But for the flora’s sake, I hope it breaks soon. In the meantime, I’ll take as much advantage as I can. Saturday, we chose … Continue reading

Posted in Botany | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #20: Cyanea arborea

  Cyanea arborea Conservation Status: Extinct Distribution: East Maui Date photographed: ?? (J.F. Rock) *Identification: Form– Palm-like trees 4-8 m tall. Leaves– oblanceolate; blades 65-90 cm long by 6-12 cm wide; margins minutely callose-denticulate; sessile. Flower– hypanthium obovoid, 8-12 mm long; calyx … Continue reading

Posted in Botany | Tagged , , | Leave a comment