|
|
Pterospermum acerifolium, Sterculiaceae, bayur. Tree from India, where it is
grown for shade and for valuable timber similar to oak and teak. Location: Between Porteus
and Crawford. |
|
|
Punica granatum, Punicaceae, pomegranate. Spiny shrub from Iran, with bright
orange red flowers and large edible fruits the size of a baseball. St. John
Courtyard. |
|
|
Pyrostegia venusta, Bignoniaceae, orange trumpet vine, flame flower.
Ornamental
vine from Brazil with very showy flowers, introduced to Hawaii prior to 1915. Location:
Makai of Dole St. Faculty Housing; Fence between Mid-Pac and parking lot of
Medical Bldg. |
|
Quisqualis indica, Combretaceae, Rangoon creeper. Vining shrub from S.E. Asia
with attractive clusters of reddish, tubular flowers each about one inch long. The bitter
fruits may cause illness and unconsciousness but nevertheless are sometimes taken
medicinally as a vermifuge. The leaf juice is sometimes used to treat boils and ulcers.
Location: Diamond head side of St. John. |
|
|
Ravenala madagascariensis, Strelitziaceae, traveler;s tree. Palmlike tree from
Madagascar with bananalike leaves in two ranks; flowers like bird of paradise, but larger
and whitish. Each leaf base traps up to a quart or more of water useful for an emergency
drink by a weary traveler. Location: Makai of Bachman. |
|
Rhaphiolepis umbellata, Rosaceae, oriental hawthorn. Shrub from central China,
very commonly used in landscaping. Location: Hedge Ewa of Kuykendall; EWC Japanese Garden. |
|
|
Rhapis excelsa, Arecaceae, bamboo palm. Small ornamental palm from China and
Japan; canes are made from the trunks. Location: Ewa of Hawaii Hall; Diamond Head of Food
Science. |
|
|
Rhododendron indicum, Ericaceae, azalea. Ornamental shrub
from Japan with pink or white trumpet-shaped flowers and anthers that
release pollen through terminal pores. Location: East-West
Center Japanese garden. |
 |
Ricinus communis, Euphorbiaceae, castor bean. Shrub or tree, probably from
Africa, now found in all warm countries; probably introduced into Hawaii in the early
1800's. Now naturalized. The seeds are used as a source of castor oil, but also contain a
violent poison that can be fatal in very small doses. Location: In scrub between parking
lot 6 and Newman Center; Quarry. |
|
|
Rivina humilis, Phytolaccaceae, rouge plant, coral berry. Small, weedy
herbaceous shrub from Central and South America with small clusters of tiny white flowers
and bright orange or red berries less than a quarter of an inch in diameter. The berries
yield a red dye and are reportedly poisonous to eat. In Mexico leaves have been used to
treat wounds. Location: St. John courtyard; Andrews amphitheater. |
 |
Russelia equisetiformis, Scrophulariaceae, coral plant, fountain bush. Small,
nearly leafless shrub from Mexico with drooping, 4-angled branches and clusters of
narrowly tubular bright red flowers about one inch long. Location: St. John courtyard. |
 |
Saccharum officinarum, Poaceae, sugar cane, ko. Giant grass from New Guinea,
introduced to Hawaii by early Polynesian immigrants. Now commercially important to Hawaii
as source of export sugar but becoming less so in recent years. Location: St. John
courtyard; Sherman courtyard. |
|
Samanea saman, Mimosaceae, monkey pod; rain tree, 'ohai. Stunning shade tree
from tropical America, with large, dome-shaped canopy. The attractive wood is crafted into
platters and bowls that are commonly marketed in Hawaii. The pods have a sweet, sticky
brown pulp, and are fed to cattle in Central America. Location: Central campus mall;
magnificent specimens can be seen at Moanalua Gardens. |
