Amarantaceae. 



also found as a small tree 15 to 18 feet in height on the floor of Haleakala crater 

 in Koolau gap and Kaupo gap, in company with Sophora chnjsophylla (Mamani), 

 Geranium tridens (Hinahina), and the well-known Silversword (Argyroxiphium 

 sandwicense var. nMcrocephatum) . 



It has been reported by Hillebrand to grow only at very high elevations near the 

 summit of the mountain, together with Raillardia and Geranium. It may, how- 

 ever, be of interest to state that it was observed by the writer on the southern 

 slopes of Haleakala on the lava flows of Auahi, Kahikinui, at an elevation of 2600 

 feet. At this latter locality, which is one of the richest botanical districts in the 

 Territory, it is a fine-looking tree and does not show any signs of stiff branches 

 and short, gnarled trunks, as, of course, must be expected at high altitudes. Were 

 it not for the dense inflorescence and bright scarlet perigones, one could easily 

 mistake it for Santalum elliptic urn of Oahu, which it, in reality, resembles greatly. 



The wood of trees from the high levels is exceedingly fragrant, and of a dark 

 yellowish brown color. 



AMARANTACEAE. 



The family Amarantaceae occurs in all floral regions of the world, with the ex- 

 ception of the frigid zones. It consists of about 40 genera, with about 655 species. 



In the Hawaiian Islands only five genera are represented, two of which are 

 endemic (Charpentiera and Nototrichium) and have arborescent species. 



KEY TO THE GENERA. 



Style simple with a capitate stigma. 



Flowers villous or hispid; in terminal or axillary spikes 2. Nototrichium 



Style deeply divided into 2 stigmatic branches. 



Flowers glabrous, in long paniculate spikes 1. Charpentiera 



CHARPENTIERA Gaud. 



Flowers inconspicuous, arranged on long slender branched paniculate spikes. Ovary 

 ovoid, with two stigmas. Androeceum consisting of a shortly 5 lobed discus-cup, with 5 

 stamina, alternating with the discus lobes. Pericarp dry. Trees or shrubs with always 

 long petioled, ovate to obovate or elliptico-lanceolate leaves. 



The genus Charpentiera is peculiar to the Hawaiian Islands and consists of two 

 species, Clt. elliptica (Hbd.) Heller, and Ch. obovata Gaud. The former is a 

 shrub peculiar to Kauai, the latter a tree found on all the islands. The native 

 name of the species is Papala. 



Charpentiera obovata Gaud. 



Papala. 

 (Plates 46, 47, 48.) 



CHARPENTIEKA OBOVATA Gaud. Bot. Voy. Uranie (1826, 1830) 444, pi. 48; Hook, et 

 Arnott. Bot. Beech. (1832) 94; Endl. Fl. Suds. (1836) no. 718; Moquin-Tandon 

 in DC. Prodr. XIII (1849) 2. p. 232; Wawra (1875) 188; Sinclair Indig. Fl. Haw. 

 Isl. (1885) pi. 44; Hbd. Fl. Haw. Isl. (1888) 375; Del Cast. 111. PI. Ins. Mar. Pac. 

 VII (1892) 269; Schinz in Engl. et Prantl. Pflzfam. III. 1. a. (1893) 10], fig. 52; 

 Heller PL Haw. Isl. (1897) 820. Ch. ovata Gaud. 1. c. pi. 47; H. et A. 1. c.; 

 Endl. 1. c. no. 919; Moqu. 1. c.; Mann Enum. (1867) no. 423 (ex parte); Hbd. 

 1. c. etc. 



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