EMBRYOPHYTA SIPHONOGAM A 



Angiospermae 

 MONOCOTYLE;DONEAE 



Embryo with only one cotyledon. Stem consisting of bundles of vascular 

 fibres. 



PANDANACEAE 



The family Pandanaceae is peculiar to the tropical regions of the old world, 

 and is represented in America by the Cyclanthaceae. The Pandanaceae are 

 especially rich in the Malayan region, in Micronesia, in Madagascar, Bourbon 

 (Reunion) and Mauritius. Little is known about the distribution of this family 

 in West Africa. The Pandanaceae are related to the Palms and Araceae. 



Here in Hawaii we have two species of two different genera which belong to 

 this family. One is the well-known Halo, or Puhala (Pandanus odoratissimus) 

 and the other, the climber Freycinetia Arnotti or le ie. Only the former is here 

 considered, being the only arborescent representative of this family. 



PANDANUS L. 



Erect trees or shrubs with simple or variously branched stems, mostly with 

 aerial roots. Never climbers. Inflorescence often of immense size. 



The genus Pandanus, with its many species, is so far little known, owing to 

 its dioecious character. In Hawaii there is only one species represented, which 

 is however not peculiar to the islands, as it extends from Hawaii to the Sey- 

 chelle Islands and Arabia. 



In German New Guinea eleven species have been found so far, six of which 

 are endemic. 



Pandanus odoratissimus L. has been sunk by Warburg and made a synonym 

 of P. tectorius; which he records as occurring in "Hawai." On the same page 

 he creates a variety y. sandvicensis from the Sandwich Islands. Prof. War- 

 burg evidently regards Hawai and the Sandwich Islands as two different 

 groups, and it is possible that his variety came from the higher levels, whence, 

 of course, it would differ somewhat from the tree found on the shores, where 

 they are exposed to the salt air; while the higher altitude (1800 feet), larger 

 precipitation, wind, etc., would undoubtedly cause some differentiation, which 

 would not, however, warrant the creation of a new variety. On the strength of 

 this, the name Pandanus odoratissimus is here retained. The genus consists of 

 about 156 species. 



96 



