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 half-buried fallen fruit of a Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) gamely sprouts in rocky alkaline soil along the beachfront at Kealia Beach, Kapa'a, east Kaua'i.
Fruit and foliage of the Strawberry Guava (Psidium cattleianum), Wailua Falls, east Kaua'i. A fruit tree that is considered to be one of the worst invasive weed species in the Hawaiian Islands. Typically forms extremely dense stands of trees that are completely impenetrable. In addition, it is strongly allopathic, exuding toxic chemicals that inhibit the growth of understory plants. Its tasty fruit is eaten by feral pigs who then spread the seeds in their feces.
Saltwort, Turtleweed, or Pickleweed (Batis maritima), an invasive weed that has destroyed many thousands of acres of wetland habitat and has displaced several native plant species. Turtle Beach, northeastern coast of Lana'i. This dense, bright-green patch of plants is characteristic of this species.
Saltwort, Turtleweed, or Pickleweed (Batis maritima), an invasive weed that has destroyed many thousands of acres of of wetland habitat and has displaced several native plant species. Turtle Beach, eastern coast of Lana'i. These "sprouts" are not individual plants, but are the surface expression of a single subsurface runner sent outward through the loose sand from the main plant.
Saltwort, Turtleweed, or Pickleweed (Batis maritima), an invasive weed that has destroyed many thousands of acres of of wetland habitat and has displaced several native plant species. Turtle Beach, eastern coast of Lana'i.
'Aiakanene (Coprosma ernodeoides) is a source of food for the Nene (Hawaiian goose), hence the Hawaiian name, which translates literally to "food for the Nene." This native ground-hugging shrub produces numerous shiny, closely spaced, stiff, pointed leaves about 1 cm long. It is dioecious: male and female flowers are segregated on separate plants. This species favors lava and volcanic ash deposits at high altitudes (3000 - 8000 feet) in wooded subalpine terrain. Trail (at about 1600 feet) leading off of Keomoku Road, central Lana'i.
Multiple blossums on the elongate rachis of a Cayenne Vervain (Stachytarpheta cayennensis). Growing in an abandoned pineapple field off of Polihua Road, north-central Lana'i.
Solitary flower of Cayenne Vervain (Stachytarpheta cayennensis), growing in an abandoned pineapple field off of Polihua Road, north-central Lana'i. An introduced and invasive weed of crops, pastures, plantations, roadsides and wasteland, and also occurs as a minor weed in most other places. It grows best in deep, moist, fertile, disturbed soil (hence the pineapple field where I found this plant). Note the characteristic strongly serrated leaf margins.
The Balloon Plant (Asclepias physocarpa) is a member of the Milkweed family whose spikes are restricted to the outer surface of the seedpod. The pod eventually dries and splits open, spreading the small white "parasol" seeds on the wind. Commonly growing on pastureland and along roadsides. Polihua Road, north-central Lana'i.
The half-buried fallen fruit of a Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) gamely sprouts in rocky alkaline soil along the beachfront at Kealia Beach, Kapa'a, east Kaua'i.
The half-buried fallen fruit of a Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) gamely sprouts in rocky alkaline soil along the beachfront at Kealia Beach, Kapa'a, east Kaua'i.
The half-buried fallen fruit of a Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) gamely sprouts in rocky alkaline soil along the beachfront at Kealia Beach, Kapa'a, east Kaua'i.
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