PLANT OF THE WEEK

Common Laua’e Fern Microsorum scolopendria Common names can be confusing, and often the same common name is used for different plants or plant species. This is true for the common laua‘e fern in Hawaii.  Microsorum scolopendria, the Australian species of “laua‘e“ has been in Hawaii for so long that many people think it’s the endemic Hawaiian Laua’e Fern, Microsorum spectrum. Somewhat confusingly, these two attractive fern…

Selaginella willdenowii or Peacock Fern is often mistaken for a true fern but is actually a species of spikemoss. It derives its name from its iridescent blue leaves, which is attributed to an adaptive trait allowing it to withstand direct sunlight that would otherwise damage shade adapted plants. At HTBG, the Selaginella willdenowii lines many of our trails and can be found in it’s best…

 Alexandra PalmArchontophoenix alexandrae The Alexandra palm is a towering feature at HTBG. Growing up to 40 feet with leaves about 6 to 7 feet long, these palm forests can’t be missed. The palm is native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, and naturalized here in Hawaii and parts of Florida. It prefers littoral rain forest and locations that receive heavy rain events. The ability…

Breadfruit Breadfruit has long been a staple food source in the pacific. Originating in South Asia, it’s believed to have spread through Oceania by early Polynesians, hence many people use the term Canoe Plant when referring to Breadfruit . Breadfruit, or Artocarpus altilis, is a…

Heliconia A genus of flowering plants in the monotypic family Heliconiaceae. There are 194 known species most of which are native to the tropical Americas, but a few are indigenous to certain islands of the western Pacific and Maluku. Many species of Heliconia are found…

Elaeocarpus angustifolius This rainforest tree is native to Eastern Australia. While not featured in the main garden this tree grows on one of our neighboring properties not open to the public. The fruits are unmistakable due to their incredible color, it’s no wonder the common…

Deckenia nobilis The desired edible hearts from this species of palm is the reason why it is considered vulnerable and in decline. Today remote stands growing on rocky crags, and outcrops are difficult for humans to reach, which offers natural protection. Tree nurseries on the Island of Praslin, Seychelles part of cluster north of Madagascar, raise D. nobilis seedlings and distribute them locally for planting.  The dark green, pinnate fronds are dressed in black spines…

Tabebuia pallida Truly a stunningly beautiful tree when in bloom. The Pink Tabebuia is a small stature tree also known as the “Carib Queen” which depicts its origin from the Caribbean. During most of the year the trees bear very characteristic broad leaflets that are…

Coelogyne rochussenii This species is a warm-growing, pendulous flowering orchid from low tropical areas of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. Commonly known as ‘necklace orchids’, because of their long, pendant, multi-flowered inflorescence are mostly epiphytes or lithophytes and occasionally terrestrials. They have often a sweet scent, attracting different…

Tecomanthe venusta  Commonly referred to as New Guinea Creeper Vine this is a tropical flowering vine produces unusual pink trumpet-like flowers that appear on the old woody stems. Also known as Forest Bell Creeper, this flower is not related to the poisonous trumpet trees. This is…

Dendrobium spectabile  A naturally occurring species of orchid from Australia, Papua, and New Guinea that was discovered in 1849. Not only are the pseudo-bulbs and leaves imposing, but their curly-petaled flowers are some of the most unusual in the world.  The name Denrobium is derived from the ancient Greek words dendron, meaning “tree” and bios meaning “life.” …

Anthurium cupulispathum  A species of anthurium with giant foliage, each leaf growing to be up to 5’ in size! The flower is also larger than other anthurium species The large leaves make for a great photo opportunity reminiscent of the famous photo of Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. The leaves are found…

Alpinia malacenssis Commonly referred to as “Giant White Shell” Alpinia is a genus of flowering plants in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, named for Prospero Alpini, a 17th-century Italian botanist who specialized in exotic plants. This rare species has stunning snow white flowers with large, soft velvety leaves and that famous gingerly scent. Scientific studies have shown that extracts from…

Etlingera elatior Torch ginger is native to Thailand, Malaysia and New Guinea. It is sold as a cut flower, used for cooking and used as a medicinal herb. Torch ginger flowers can be found in flower markets and floral shops in the tropics and with…

Codiaeum variegatum Croton is a diverse and complex taxonomic group of plants ranging from herbs and shrubs to trees. This genus is pantropical, with some species extending into temperate areas. It is known to be one of the largest and most complex genera of angiosperms…

Medinilla miniata This stunner grows as a large shrub in the mountains of the Philippines. It tends to arch as it grows with large hanging red flower clusters with red bracts. It has large deep green waxy foliage and the blooms are terminal year round.…

Calathea crotalifera Rattlesnake plant is a member of the Calathea genus. It is related to common house plants known as prayer plants called this because the leaves fold up at night and when the sun beats down on them. Rattlesnake plant is native to Mexico,…

Orthosiphon aristatus Orthosiphon aristatus is a plant species in the family of Lamiaceae / Labiatae. The plant is a medicinal herb found mainly throughout southern China, the Indian Subcontinent, South East Asia and tropical Queensland. Cats whiskers is related to mint although it does not…

Maxillariella tenuifolia This orchid is known for its undeniable fresh coconut scent, if only scratch and sniff was a virtual feature! True to its name the coconut orchid stops anyone in their tracks as soon as they smell the aromatic flower. Flowers are produced from…

Clerodendrum paniculatum The Temple or Pagoda flower is native to Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and India. It acquired its common name by the shape of the flower clusters that resemble pagodas and temples from Asia. Clerodendrum paniculatum has two color forms, salmon pink and light…

Zingiber spectabile Beehive ginger is native to Malaysia and Thailand. It is used primarily in the cut flower trade but can be used medicinally. The colorful bract is a modified leaf with a flower cluster inside. Beehive ginger was used for the treatment of inflammation…

Amherstia nobilis This tropical tree is a critically endangered species of northeast India. It is the only member of the genus Amherstia and is widely cultivated as an ornamental in the humid tropics. It is native to Burma, hence the common name “The Pride of…

Seemannia sylvatica This genus was recently re-stablished as Seemannia and formerly described as Gloxinia sylvatica. The common name for this widespread cultivation is Bolivian Sunset Gloxinia, native to the Andean regions of South America. The Bolivian Sunset Gloxinia is a stunning winter-flowering sub-shrub that produces…

Cordyline fruticosa Cordyline fruticosa is an evergreen flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. The plant is of great cultural importance to the traditional animistic religions of Austronesian and Papuan peoples of the Pacific Island. Its original native distribution is unknown, but it is believed to…

ROSE GRAPE Medanilla magnifica is native to the Philippines. It is an epiphyte which means it grows on other plants and trees. It only uses the host plant as structure to grow on and does not take any nutrients away from it. It blooms Spring…

Zingiber zerumbet A native to Southeast Asia, this species was a canoe plant brought here by the Polynesians and called Awapuhi. The Awapuhi is the earthly form of the Hawaiian God Kane. The rhizome is edible and was used in Hawaiian dishes and in Malay…

Erythrina megistophylla A species of legume in the family Fabaceae found only in Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. Commonly known as a “Coral tree” this species status is listed as threatened. This…

Calathea (Peacock Plant or Zebra Plant): Calathea is a genus in the Marantaceae family.  You may recognize the leaves of the Calathea as they are often grown indoors as potted house plants. Calathea are commonly referred to as zebra or peacock plants because of their…

Saraca thaipingensis This beauty is a tree species native to Peninsular Malaysia and Southeast Asia in the family Fabaceae. It has yellow flowers, borne on old wood, and is grown as an ornamental for floral effect. Common names include Yellow Asoka and Yellow Saraca. The…

Couroupita guianensis Also commonly called Cannon Ball Tree is a member of Lecythidaceae family same as Brazil and Paradise nut. It is deciduous and a native to the tropical forests of Central and South America.  This species is sometimes harvested from the wild for local…

Pelagodoxa henryana The only member in the genus Pelagodoxa (monotypic genus) and native to the Marquesas islands with small populations found in French Polynesia. Pelagodoxa henryana seeds don’t disperse well in water and are too large to be carried by birds and with a high…

Barringtonia asiatica Fish Poison Tree, contains a chemical compound called saponin that is toxic to fish and other cold blooded animals. When Onomea was a fishing village, Hawaiians would make a pulp of this plant to extract the phytochemical and stun fish in freshwater streams…