These plant species grow in the salt spray and loose sand of beaches and the moist lowland slopes of volcanoes. They flourish in poor soils and under very harsh climatic conditions.
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The stabilized sand berm at Kanaha Beach, North Maui. The sand berm behind the current beach sands marks the point where waves generated by the most severe storms drive sand and debris high onto the shoreline. Another older berm a few meters inland marks the location of an older beach.
Tree Heliotrope anchored in the sand berm above the high-tide line at Kanaha Beach, near Kahului Airport, north Maui.
The diverse flora growing on stabilized sand dunes behind the berm at Kanaha Beach, Kahului, north Maui. This unique habitat is being preserved and restored by Maui County and local volunteer groups and individuals. Several endangered and rare native plant species are being reintroduced here. Tree Heliotrope, Beach Naupaka, Ipomoea vines, and various grasses and herbaceous species occupy this protected ecosystem.
Kanaha Beach, north Maui. This photograph shows all of the species of trees, sprawling bushes, vines, and grass that help stabilize so many of Maui's sandy beaches: the tallest trees are Iron Wood (Casuarina equisetifolia), Kiawe or Mesquite (Prosopis pallida), and Candlenut or Kukui (Aleurites mollucana). The tall bush near the center of the photograph is a Tree Heliotrope (Tournefortia argentea). 'Aki 'Aki Grass (Sporobolus virginicus).
Kanaha Beach, north Maui. This photograph shows all of the species of trees, sprawling bushes, vines, and grass that help stabilize so many of Maui's sandy beaches: the tallest trees are Iron Wood (Casuarina equisetifolia), Kiawe or Mesquite (Prosopis pallida), and Candlenut or Kukui (Aleurites mollucana). The tall bush near the center of the photograph is a Tree Heliotrope (Tournefortia argentea). 'Aki 'Aki Grass (Sporobolus virginicus) carpets the stabilized dunes in the foreground.
An elderly Ironwood Tree (Casuarina equisetifolia) leaning into the strong prevailing winds of Kahului Bay, north Maui. This species is well suited to withstand the strong prevailing Trade Winds of the leeward side of the island. However, it is vulnerable to the gusting hurricane-force winds common in the Islands during the summer months and is liable to be uprooted easily. Casuarina equisetifolia, variously known as Ironwood (Hawaiian: Pa'ina), Coast She-Oak, Whistling Pine, Australian Pine, Horsetail Beefwood, Australian Oak, and Swamp Oak. Despite it's appearance, it is not related to pine trees. Has two flowers: a male flower at the tip of the "needle" and a female flower that appears to be a smaller "needle" growing at the base of the longer needle. Considered a pest species, as it forms dense stands of trees under which little else can grow.
Maturing cone-like fruits of an Ironwood Tree (Casuarina equisetifolia) along a beach front in the Kawalilipoa neighborhood of Kihei, south Maui.
Immature (right) cone-like fruits of an Ironwood Tree (Casuarina equisetifolia) Kanaha Beach, north Maui. On the left is a maturing fruit.
Maturing cone-like fruits of an Ironwood Tree (Casuarina equisetifolia) at Ho'okipa Beach, north Maui.
Maturing cone-like fruits of an Ironwood Tree (Casuarina equisetifolia) at Ho'okipa Beach, north Maui.
Maturing cone-like fruits of an Ironwood Tree (Casuarina equisetifolia) at Ho'okipa Beach, north Maui.
Maturing cone-like fruits of an Ironwood Tree (Casuarina equisetifolia) at Ho'okipa Beach, north Maui.
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