Euphorbiaceae. 



greatly. During the months of June, July, and August, and on Kauai as late 

 as October, the trees are loaded with the very dark-red, fleshy, compressed ber- 

 ries, which are of the size of a large pea; they are arranged all along the 

 branches on a paniculate rachis. On the lava fields of Kona, especially at 

 Kapua, it fruits in December and January. 



The Hame inhabits the dry as well as the wet forests on all the islands, espe- 

 cially at an elevation of 1500 to 3000 feet. It is not uncommon above Makawao, 

 Maui, where it grows in company with Sideroxylon, Labordia, Pelea, Pittos- 

 porum, Ochrosia, Xanthoxylum, Straussia, etc. On Molokai it inhabits the dry 

 sections and is also found in the wettest district along the stream in Wailau 

 valley proper, which has an enormous rainfall. On Hawaii it is plentiful in 

 North and South Kona, on the slopes of Hualalai. and the slopes of Mauna Loa, 

 also Waipio valley and the mountains of Kohala. It can also be found along 

 the Keanae ditch trail on the windward side of Maui, but not growing to any 

 size. On Kauai a variety grows just below Kaholuamano, 3000 feet elevation, 

 associated with Cyanea leptostegia, Xanthoxylum, Charpentiera, Osmanthus, etc. 

 The wood of the Hame or Haa is close-grained, rather hard, and of a reddish- 

 brown color. It was used by the natives for Olona anvils. The Olona formed 

 one of their principal fiber plants, which was beaten to thin strips on Hame 

 logs. The wood, which takes a fine polish, is excellent for cabinet work, but, un- 

 fortunately, it is not found in sufficient quantities to be of any commercial 

 value. The red coloring matter of the fleshy berries was used in conjunction 

 with the Kamani oil, into which such tapa was placed as was intended to be 

 worn as bathing malos by the chiefs ; this infusion gave it a bright color. 



From Kauai, Hillebrand describes a variety /? with broad obtuse leaves which 

 are shining on both faces. 



X Antidesma Kapuae Rock nov. hybr. 

 (Antidesma plat ypJiyll um Mann X J-- pulvinatum Hbd.) 



Leaves as in A. platyphyttum, but quite acuminate, while the fruits are al- 

 most exactly like in A. pulvinatum Hbd. 



Both A. platyphyllum and A. pulvinatum are extremely common in Kapua on 

 the lava fields of South Kona, Hawaii, at an elevation of 2000 feet. Here the 

 writer met- with trees whose leaves are identical with those of A. platyphyttum, 

 while the fruits are those of A. pulvinatum. It could not be placed either to the 

 one or the other, and is here mentioned as a probable hybrid. 



Antidesma pulvinatum Hbd. 



Haa, or Mehama. 

 (Plates 95, 96 and 97.) 



ANTIDESMA PULVINATUM Hbd. PL Haw. Isl. (1888) 403; Del Cast. 111. Fl. Ins. Mar. 

 Pac. VII. (1892) 289. 



Young branches and inflorescence ochraceous, tomentose; leaves ovate, cordate, shortly 

 acuminate, thin chartaceous, dark green above, lighter and tomentose underneath, witb 



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