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 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.
A worm's-eye view of a beach front in the Kawililipoa neighborhood of Kihei, south Maui. From right to left, the coarse sand and coral rubble of the beach at the high-tide mark gives way to 'Aki 'Aki grass, Ipomoea vines, and finally Ironwood naturally occurring) and Coconut Palms (probably planted by the owners of a nearby condominium complex). The grass and viney plants have stabilized the loose coral debris and sand, and are in the process of building a new berm behind the high-tide line.
Beach front in the Kawililipoa neighborhood of Kihei, south Maui. A close-up of the grass (Sporobolus virginicus) and viney plants that have stabilized the loose coral debris and sand, and are in the process of building a new berm behind the high-tide line.
Shoreline Purslane (or Sea Purslane) (Hawaiian = Akulikuli) (Sesuvium portulacastrum) growing along the trail to the wildlife hide at Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary (Kahului, Maui).
Shoreline Purslane (Akulikuli) (Sesuvium portulacastrum) growing along the trail to the wildlife hide at Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary (Kahului, north Maui).
Typical shoreline vegetation of the Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, Kahului, north Maui.
Tussocks of Makaloa (a variety of sedge) (Cyperus laevigatus). Growing in the shallows of the trail to the wildlife observation hide, Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary (Kahului, Maui).
Alkalai Bulrushes (Bolboschoenus maritimus) growing along the banks of a back-channel slough on Kanaha Pond. Native (indigenous) to Hawaii. Its preferred habitat is wet, marshy flats, seasonal and permanent wetlands, pond margins, and estuaries. Bolboschoenus maritimus can survive under both saline and freshwater conditions. It can handle almost total submersion in water and during dryer times the roots and flower spikelets (visible in this photo) survive by remaining dormant. B. maritimus is wind pollinated. Seeds are dispersed by floating on currents to other shores where they eventually sink. Seeds may also be dispersed by certain water birds, which feed on them. The rhizomes/corms are eaten by waterfowl and the leaves are used as nest-building material. These plants also provide cover for water birds and may provide spawning areas and nurseries for fish (all of the objects floating in the water in this photo are fish!). Kanaha Pond State wildlife Sanctuary, Kahului, Maui.
Typical shoreline vegetation of the Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, Kahului, north Maui.
Typical shoreline vegetation of the Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, Kahului, north Maui.
Typical shoreline vegetation of the Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, Kahului, north Maui.
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