FLORA OF TIIH (IROFP. 207 



Tile iicarJy related lalse koa •''* Mitli white Isall-like hlossoins often ;iti iiidi in 

 diameter is one that has escaped and t)ec(inie eoniiiHui. Its senls. known as 

 mimosa seeds, are about the size of those of an apple and are used by the natives 

 in making leis and other ornaments for sah^ to tourists. 



The wild indigo or iiiiko'''' of the na1i\'es growing two to tive feet hiirh. with 

 small leaflets in from Iwo to eiuht pairs to the leaf, is an introdueeil weed. It 

 was brought in 183() from Java by Dr. Sei'riere who, it is said, was a1)b- to 

 manufacture a good grade of indigo from it. The sj)eeies is of American origin, 

 l)ut is now grown in many eountries in preference to otlier indiizo-yielding 

 species. This plant is frequently confused with the native ])lant ahuliu 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 ineli long, 

 much incurved and usually thickly crowded together on the stems. 



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

 possesses a narcotic i)roperty similar to that of digitalis. It is said to have a 

 similar effect on the action of the heart. 



The common Vinca,-'^ a native of troi)ical America, has escapetl in nuiny 

 places and, as about Tlalawa on ^lolokai, 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 a])out half 

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

 ])ods an inch or so long filled with scarlet seeds, each with a Itlack spot at the 

 base. The plant probably came originally from Asia, l)ut it is now scattered 

 everywhere. Its seeds, like so many othei- introdueed seeds, are woi-n 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 wat(M' eoiu'ses, 

 ponds and waste places in the lowlands. The plant is corn-like in apjiear- 

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

 of tears, hence. its fanciful name. The plant was originall\- a native of eastern 

 Asia but is now^ found everywhere in gardens. 



AVith the foregoing should be mentioned the ('anna ov Indian shot.'' The 

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

 scattered about the valleys on the diiferent islands. The tlowei's ai'e generally 

 red but are frequently yellow and are often varieitated as well. The roniid 

 black seeds are responsible for the English name though the |ilanl is known 

 to ITawaiians as aliipoe. Other species of ('anna have escaped, especially on 

 Hawaii, where this genus, which belongs in the same family as the banana, finds 

 conditions especially favoral)le for its gi-owth. 



'^'^ Leucwna glauca. '^" I iidii/'ifci-n Anil. *" Ti'iilinisid iiinfiitdnn. •" Viii<-(t msra. 

 *- AbfKs iiercritiiriiis. *'•' Coi.v lacryiim =■- ('. IncriniiiiJ ubi. ^' Ciiiiiki Iiiilica. 



