97 



surfboards, which ElHs says were the best, because of their Hght 

 weight. In the early days the branches were used in the erec- 

 tion of fences by cutting sHps and setting them in the ground. 

 These took root and sprouted and formed a living fence which 

 was permanent. 



The supply of wiliwili trees has been greatly depleted because 

 the larger ones have been cut for outrigger floats. Formerly 

 this w^as a common tree on the rocky hills and dry plains in the 

 lower open lee regions on all the islands, but it is now^ becoming 

 somewhat rare. 



The wnliwili is a tree well worth cultivating for its beautiful 

 blossoms and handsome seeds and is easv to raise from the bean. 



The Poisonous Plants of Hawaii 



By J. F. Rock, Consulting Botanist. ^ 



(Concluded.) 



STAR OF BETHLEHEM (Isotoma longiflora). 



This rather attractive herbaceous plant with long, tubular 

 white scented flow^ers has been in cultivation on the Island of 

 Hawaii, especially in Hilo. The seeds of this species are very 

 minute and are easily dispersed by both wind and birds, which 

 accounts for its spreading over pasture lands in the vicinity of 

 Hilo and to vacant lots in the town proper. It is a native of the 

 West Indies and is one of the most poisonous plants found in 

 Hawaii. So far as the waiter is aware, no chemical analysis 

 has been made, but that the plant is exceedingly poisonous (not 

 to the touch) there is no question. It belongs to the order Lo- 

 belioidcae or Lobelia family. 



CORAL BUSH (Jatropha multiMa). 



A member of the Euphorbia family and extremely poisonous. 

 It is often called the coral tree on account of its scarlet flowers. 

 The leaves are deeply divided, hence the name uiultifida. The 

 fruits and juice of this plant are extremely poisonous, especially 

 the former. A little Japanese boy, ten years old, died of the ef- 

 fects from eating a couple of fruits of this species in Nuuanu 

 Valley last summer. The fruits are yellow and of the size of a 

 walnut. The species is in cultivation in Honolulu, but is not 

 common. It is a native of tropical America. 



