84 



Distribution of the genus Brighamia. 



FLOWERING SEASON OF THE HAWAIIAN LOBELIOIDEAE. 





The senile Ci/aiica has two distinct flowering seasons. Certain species as 

 C. GIffardii. ('. arlxnra, C. leptostcgia, (J. oriacca. C. Paurici, C. afra. ('. acidea- 

 lilhird. ('. jKiiiKiii/liini, etc., flower dnring tlie (late) siunnier montlis, while others 

 like ('. Bislioj)ii, C. macrostcgia, C. as pic ni folia, V. pilosa and its varieties begin 

 flowering in the early winter months and are usually in full mature fruit in 

 the months of July and August. Of the genus Delissea little is known as to the 

 flowerin'4' periods save that D. iturhilata is usually in full flower during the 

 month of January. Of course, elevation plays a great part in the period of 

 flowering, as well as a rainy summer, which delay the flowering period consid- 

 erably. 



The species of ('l( ni'Dnfiu flower nearl\' all during the sunnner months with 

 the exception of Cleniumtin Gaudicltaudii of Kauai, and Clermontia coerulea of 

 Hawaii, which flower in the late winter or early spring. 



Brighaniid flowers in the sinnmer only. The true Lobelias are monocarpic ; 

 that is, they flower only once in tlicii- jifi', iiiid thai usually in the summer. 



Of the species of lioUandia. a few flower in the late summer, while the others, 

 like 7i*. piirpufellifolia, R. lanceolata, R. crispa and R. longifora. flower during 

 the winicr months till Mav. 



BOOT SY8TE.M OF THE HAWAIIAN LOJIELIOIDEAE. 



Very little is known about the root system of the Hawaiian Lohflioidcac, as 

 hardly any observations have been made in that regard. 



It may be said, however, that the root system of the species of Cganea, espe- 

 cially those of the section palmaefonnes, is rather weak. Species like Cyanea 

 Gijfardii seem to have a tap root but very few lateral roots ; how deep the roots 

 extend into the ground has not been ascertained. The jjlants are readily pulled 

 up even when thirty feet in heiglit, or rather the tap root breaks a few inches 

 below the ground, being, like the stem, very brittle. 



The subherbaceous species of Cyanea have a very -weak root s.ystem, especially 

 species like C. hnlopJiylla, ('. scabra, C. Copelandii and others; the stem of these 

 plants is often trailing, and roots are exposed several inches before they enter 

 the ground. 



The species of the genus Clermontia seem to have a stronger root system; this 

 is required on account of the candelabra-like br;nicliing habit of most of the 

 species. 



Those growing epiphytically on trees or ferns send tlieir tap root through 

 the decayed part of the respective tree or fern on which they grow. The accom- 

 panying illustration shows the twenty-foot-long tap root of Clcrmoniia Hawaii- 

 cnsis growing on Acacia Koa iu the forests n^ar the Volcano of Kilauea. Hawaii, 



