FLORA OF THE GROUP. 197 



natives have woven a pretty pathetic story about the blossom which tells of 

 how two lovers, who had long been fond of each other, one day quarreled and 

 parted. As a token of the unhappy event the maiden tore this flower down the 

 side. This was a sign by which her sweetheart might know that she loved 

 him no longer, nor would she care for him until he should find and carry to her a 

 perfect naupaka flower. The lover went in desperation from one bush to an- 

 other and from one island to another searching through the flowers, hoping to 

 find a blossom that was not torn apart. But alas, he was doomed to disappoint- 

 ment and it is said that he died of a broken heart. That was long, long ago ; but the 

 naupaka still blooms always with a slit down the side of the flower, no doubt, as a 

 warning to petulent maidens that it is unsafe to interfere with the laws 

 of nature. Be that as it may, through the long ages since (and longer ages 

 before) this shrub has been blooming on the different islands, and creeping 

 higher and higher into the mountains, and has slowly adapted itself to the changes 

 of soil, elevation and climate until several distinct species and a number of 

 varieties have been formed. 



Another characteristic plant of this zone is the sea morning-glory.- the 

 pohuehue of the natives. This species with its thick bright green leaves, lobed 

 at the tip, that grow on thrifty creeping stems which root down from the joints, 

 bears dusk.y pink flowers familiar to eveiy one who has strolled along the sea 

 shore anywhere in the tropics. 



A near relative of the above fouud on the sand l.ieacli on lowlands is the na- 

 tive island morning-glory ^ or koali. It is recognized by its heart-shaped leaves 

 and azure blue flawers that become I'eddish as they fade. The natives used its 

 root ill their medicine as a cathartic, and also used it as a poultice f(ir l)ruises 

 and liroken bones. 



Associated ',vith these, often growing togetlier with them, is a third species 

 of morning-glory^ or Convolvulus, the "koali ai." It is found in dry 

 rocky soils near the shore and is recognized by its having the leaves cut into five 

 fingers and its blossoms beautiful purpli.sh-red flowers. It is of more than pass- 

 ing interest since, as the name implies, the natives ate its tuberous roots in times 

 of scarcity. They also wilted and used its stems for coarse cordage. That the 

 natives should use this root as food is not so odd as it at first seems when we 

 remember that the sweet potato ^' or uala, a near relative with more than twenty 



tT'ipo 



(Description o/ Plate. Continued from Opposite Page.) 



low Wood-Sorrel {0.rtilis cornimilata) . 7. False Geranium, "Cheeses" (Malva rotundifolia), 

 8. Sow Thisil.' I Piialcle] (Sonchus oleraceus). 9. Rattlrli.ix (Cmlalaria sp.). 10. Spanish 

 Needles {Bui, u.^ /<i/.«„). 11. Common Amaranth (En.nihis rin,l:s). 12. Stick-Tight Grass 

 [Piipii] (i'liriisii[,i}iii,ii verticillata) . 13. Paiipilipili (l)i snnnluiiii nncinatum = Meioiemia 

 uncmalu.9). 14. Purslane [Ihi] {Portulaca oltracea). 1.5. Nut Grass [Kaluha] {Kyllingia 

 monocephala. 16. Thorny Amaranth (Aviaranius spinosiis). 17. Dog's Tail or Wire 

 Grass {Eleusine Indica). IS. Garden Grass (Eragrostis major). 19. Eclipta alba, common 

 about taro ponds, etc. 20. Crow-foot (Chloris radiata). (A'o ni(iiiher) Garden Spurge 

 {Extphorhia piluUfera). 



