Category Archives: Botany

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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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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Snapshot: Metrosideros macropus

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Sebastian Marquez

One of the more divergent taxa of Ohia (Metrosideros spp.) on O’ahu is M. macropus. Here is one of the red flowered form found on Lanihuli. Aside from the bigger leaf and longer petiole, M. macropus is also distinctive in having … Continue reading →

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Gems of Nuuanu

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Sebastian Marquez

Today’s short post will highlight some of the neat plants we came across hiking the many nooks and crannies of Nuuanu Valley. Even though it is bisected by the Pali Hwy, the plant life is still pretty diverse.

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Snapshot: Cyanea crispa flowers

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Sebastian Marquez

Work and weather have kept me away from the mountains lately. Hopefully it will change soon. In the meantime, here are some shots I took a while back of the rare Cyanea crispa in flower for your enjoyment. The infloresence … Continue reading →

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