Author Archives: Sebastian Marquez

Koke’e Part 1 of 2: The Wet Forest

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Sebastian Marquez

After 2 years, I finally returned to Koke’e on Kaua’i. Did I learn anything in that intervening time… or did I just regress? Either way, hiking through that native forest is still such a blissful experience…

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Snapshot: Kolea

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Sebastian Marquez

One of the neatest looking Kolea (Myrsine ssp.) is this one. Myrsine linearifolia is found in a small portion of Koke’e on Kaua’i. Luckily, it is fairly easy to see. Look for it along the road  near Pu’u O Kila.

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Snapshot: Rhynchospora

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Sebastian Marquez

Now here is a difficult plant for me to ID. This is one of the beak-rush (Rhynchospora ssp.) found here in Hawaii. Florally, it is fairly distinctive, but strictly vegetatively… to my unknowning eyes, it looks an awful lot like … Continue reading →

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Self Reflection

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Sebastian Marquez

It’s been a little while since I’ve been able to make any meaningful updates to Studia Mirabilium. Work has been very busy and very exciting. Blogging on a whole can be quite selfish and this short post is even more … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Hau kuahiwi

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Sebastian Marquez

For the second time in a month, I was back visiting Big Island. The weather over the memorial day weekend was perfect; I couldn’t have asked for better conditions to enjoy our native biota like this Hibiscadelphus giffardianus again.

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Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #22: Clermontia hawaiiensis

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Sebastian Marquez

Clermontia hawaiiensis Hawaiian Name: Oha kepau, Oha wai nui Conservation Status: Vulnerable Distribution: Hawaii (Puna & Kau District) Date photographed: May 28, 2012 *Identification: Form– Shrubs 1.5-9 m tall Leaves– oblong to oblanceolate; blades 9-24 cm long by 2.5-6.5 cm wide; margins callose-crenulate; … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Galapagos Tree Opuntia

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Sebastian Marquez

When I went to the Galapagos Islands back in 2006, I had not become interested in botany yet. Still, when I saw this arborescent Prickly Pear (Opuntia echios subsp. gigantea?) I was impressed enough to take a picture. It seems … Continue reading →

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Intro to the plants of Thurston Lava Tube

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Sebastian Marquez

If you’re brand new to the Native Hawaiian plant scene and happen to be on the Big Island, please check out the Thurston Lava Tube. It is an easy way for someone to get an idea of what native forests … Continue reading →

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Snapshot: Pawale

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Sebastian Marquez

Here’s a neat Big Island endemic. Native Rumex are not found throughout the state. Pawale (Rumex skottsbergii) is even more localized. It’s only found in the Kona, Puna, and Kau Districts of the Big Island. Luckily in its habitat, it … Continue reading →

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Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #21: Clermontia parviflora

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Sebastian Marquez

Clermontia parviflora Conservation Status: Apparently Secure Distribution: Hawaii (Kohala Mts; Windward slopes of Mauna Kea & Mauna Loa) Date photographed: 4/29/2012 Ease of viewing: Extremely Easy *Identification: Form– Terrestrial or epiphytic shrub 1-3.5 m tall. Leaves– elliptic or oblanceolate, 6-18 cm … Continue reading →

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