FLORA OF THE GROUP. 197 



natives have woven a pretty pathetic story al)()ut tlie ])lossom which tells of 

 how two lovers, who had long been fond of each other, one day (iuarreled 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 w^ith its thick bright green leaves, lobed 

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

 bears dusky pink flowers familiar to every one who has strolled along the sea 

 shore anywhere in the tropics. 



A near relative of the above found on the sand beach on lowlands is the na- 

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

 and azure blue flowers that become reddish as they fade. The natives used its 

 root in their medicine as a cathartic, and also used it as a poultice for bruises 

 and broken bones. 



Associated v.dth these, often growing together 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 purplish-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 tlie 

 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 



2 Ipomoea pes-caprce. ^ Ipomoea insularis. * Ipoinoea tiibiTfiilctfi. '^ Ipomoeu Batatas. 



(Description of Plnte Continued from Opiioxite I'ai/e.) 



low Wood-Sorrel (Oxalis cornindata). 7. False Geraniiiin, "Cheeses'' (Malva rotundifoUa). 

 8. Sow Thistle [Pnalele] (Sonchus oleraceus). 9. Eattlebo.x (Crotahiria sp.). 10. Spanish 

 Needles (Bidens pilosa). 11. Common Amaranth {Euxolus viridis). 12. Stick-Tight Crass 

 [Piipii] (Chrysopogon verticillata). 13. Paupilipili (DrsDwdium uiicinaium = Mciohrmia 

 uncinalus). 14. Purslane [Ihi] (Portulaca oUracea). lo. Nut Grass [Kaluha] (KyUinf/ia 

 inonocephala. 16. Thorny Amaranth (Amaratitus .spino.sits). 17. Dog's Tail or Wire 

 Grass {Eleusine Indica). 18. Garden Grass {Eragrostia major). 19. EcUpta alba, coniniou 

 about taro ponds, etc. 20. Crow-foot {Chloris radiata). (No number) Garden Spurge 

 (Euphorbia pihdifera). 



