FLORA OF THE GROUP. 207 



Tlie nearly related false koa ■^'^ with white ball-like blnssunis often an ineh in 

 diameter is one that has escaped and become common. Its seeds, known as 

 mimosa seeds, are abont the size of these of an apple and are used by the natives 

 in making leis and other ornaments for sale to tourists. 



The W'ild indigo or iniko ■'■' of the natives growing two to five feet high, with 

 small leaflets in from two to eight pairs to the leaf, is an introduced weed. It 

 was broixght in 1836 from Java by Dr. Serriere w-ho, it is said, was able to 

 manufacture a good grade of indigo from it. The species is of American origin, 

 but is now grown in many countries in preference to other indigo-^•i elding 

 species. This plant is frequently' confused w'ith the native plant ahuhu or 

 auholo *" found growing in the same region and very closely resembling the 

 indigo in size and general appearance. The latter, however, has the flowers and 

 seed terminals on opposite leaves. The pods of the ahuhu are easily recognized, 

 being two inches long and straight, while those of the indigo are a half inch long, 

 much incurved and usually thickly crowded together on the stems. 



The ahuhu was much used by the natives for stupifying fish, as the plant 

 pcssesses a narcotic property similar to that of digitalis. It is said to have a 

 similar eft'ect on the action of the heart. 



The common Vinca.^^ a native of tropical America, has escaped in many 

 places and, as about Ilalawa on jMolokai, flourishes on the rocky hillsides in the 

 open country below the forest line. 



Black-eyed susans, or Indian licorice. ■*- known to some as prayer beads, 

 has also escaped. The plant has leaflets in seven to ten pairs each about half 

 an inch in length. The flowers are pink or pale purple and are followed by 

 pods an inch or so long filled with scarlet seeds, each with a black spot at the 

 base. The plant probably came originally from Asia, but it is now scattered 

 everywhere. Its seeds, like so many other introduced seeds, are worn in Hawaii 

 in the form of leis. 



Job's tears,"*^ like the foregoing, no doubt escaped from the gardens of the 

 early missionary settlers and found a congenial soil along the water courses, 

 ponds and v.'aste places in the lowlands. The plant is corn-like in appear- 

 ance, and the large, white, shining fruits have some resemblance to heavy drops 

 of tears, hence its fanciful name. The plant was originally a native of eastern 

 Asia but is now found everywhere in gardens. 



With the foregoing should be mentioned the Canna or Indian shot.^^ The 

 common species that has escaped grows along the streams and has been widely 

 scattered about the valleys on the different islands. The flowers are generally 

 I'ed but are frequently yellow and are often variegated as well. The round 

 black seeds are responsible for the English name though the plant is known 

 to Haw'aiians as aliipoe. Other species of Canna have escaped, especially on 

 Hawaii, v/here this genus, which belongs in the same family as the t)anana, finds 

 conditions especially favorable for its growth. 



'^ Leuctcna glauca. ^o J nduinfrm Anil. *« lephrosia pincatnria. '^ Viuca rosea. 

 '■■^ Abrua percatoriiis. '» Cuix lacrtima = C. lavri/muJobi. " Canna IndU-a. 



