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THE HAWAIIAN LEHUA 



BY VAUGHAN MacCAUGHEY 



PROFESSOR OF BOTANY, COLLEGE OF HAWAII, HONOLULU 



THE tree which is known to the Hawaiians as ohi'a 

 lehua, or more commonly as lehua, is the most 

 abundant of the indigenous Hawaiian trees. The 

 statement that it probably exceeds in number all other 

 arborescent species combined would not greatly err from 

 the truth. It is ubiquitous in its distribution, and remark- 

 ably persistent in its growth. It is one of the first in- 

 vaders of new areas, as for example, regions devastated 

 by lava flows, and is one of the last species to succumb 



to unfavorable conditions. Over large tracts of the 

 Hawaiian forests it is a dominant tree; in some regions 

 it forms large and almost pure stands ; one of the lesser 

 isles is named for it. Since the earliest times the lehua 

 has been closely associated with the life of the primi- 

 tive Hawaiians. The showy scarlet flowers are among 

 the most beautiful of the Hawaiian blossoms ; of these 

 the natives twine lovely garlands ; the lei lehua is a 

 favorite theme in many Hawaiian chants and love-songs. 



A BEAUTIFUL AVENUE OF ROYAL PALMS AND WINE PALMS 



This i. Beretania Street, in Honolulu, and it i. typical, for Honolulu " n /^" e J^ff^^E^ S'ffi'iMltaL" *** 

 different ipecie., which have been gathered from all parts of the tropics, scarcely a home or yard being witnout paims. ^ 



