Author Archives: Sebastian Marquez

The hills have eyes… and really weird flowers

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

I like hiking Ko’olau range because I like the juxtaposition of rare native biota and dense urban environments. That whole sharing the planet thing again. However, I just can’t deny how amazing the native flora is in the Wai’anae range … Continue reading →

Posted in Botany | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Trailside plants of the Hawai’i Loa Ridge

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

While it’s an obvious play off John Hall’s excellent book, my ambitions are much humbler than his. Highlighting native plants on one trail is enough for me. On a whim, I decided to do a short 3-4 hr hike up … Continue reading →

Posted in Botany | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Snapshot: Hulumoa on Ahakea lau nui

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

Here’s another species of Hulumoa (Korthalsella complanata). K. complanata is the most common of the Hawaiian mistletoes. It is also found on a wider variety of host plants than the other species. Here it is on Ahakea lau nui (Bobea … Continue reading →

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Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #10: Clermontia faurei

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

Clermontia faurei Hawaiian Name: Haha’aiakamanu Conservation Status: Apparently Secure Distribution: Kaua’i, O’ahu (2 records in 1950 & 1956) Date photographed: 9/22/2010 Ease of viewing: Easy *Identification: Form– Terrestrial or epiphytic shrub or tree 2-7 m tall. Leaves– oblong to elliptic; … Continue reading →

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Gulch-hopping in Mokule’ia

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Sebastian Marquez

We hiked several gulches in the Mokule’ia forest preserve to check out the native plants in the area. This part of the northern Wai’anaes has some nice native forest that are still fairly species rich. Let’s see how things have … Continue reading →

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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 →

Posted in Nature | Tagged | 4 Comments