?I6 



a. p. w. CMrftion. Plate (JXXI. 



Prosopis jnlifora. 



ALGAROISA " KIAWE." 



Tlie Kiawe deserves a special mention in this book, as it is, 

 in my opinion, one of tlie most valuable and beautiful trees that 

 grows in the Hawaiian Islands. Perha])S on account of its very 

 general dissemination, and because of the ease with which it 

 spreads spontaneously, even in the driest districts, it has re- 

 ceived less consideration than has been accorded to other plants 

 more difficult of propagation. 



The Kiawe is the foundation of all the beauty of our lowlands, 

 and provides a delicate background for other plants. Under 

 favorable circumstances, it reaches to a height of 50 feet. It 

 has wide-spreading branches and delicate-green foliage. The 

 flowers 3'ield a delicious honey, and the seed-pods furnish a valu- 

 able fodder, and, finally, wdien the tree is cut down, its wood 

 makes the verj' best of fuel. The Algaroba is a native of Cen- 

 tral and South America. Ordinarily it is a moderate-sized tree 

 of c|uick and easy growth. Its branches in most cases are 

 covered with stout, cylindrical, axillary spines, and in other cases 

 they are unarmed. 



The abruptly bi-pinnate leaves have from 6 to 30 pairs of linear 

 leaflets about one-fourth to one inch in length. The small, pale- 

 yellow flowers come in cylindrical spikes. The straight or sickle- 

 shaped seed-pod is sweet, and is eaten by stock. Propagation 

 is by seed. 



The first Algaroba tree of Hawaii was brought to Honolulu 

 in 1828 by Father Bachelot, founder of the Roman Catholic Mis- 

 sion in the Islands. It was planted in the Mission garden, where 

 the venerable tree is standing today. 



