Flowering Trees of Kaua'i
Flowering Trees of Kaua'i
As I drive around my beautiful island of Kaua'i, I am one lucky guy to see the flowering trees everywhere. It is summer here as I write this and the blossoms are exploding. Brisk summer trade winds carry blossoms in the air and the fragrant aroma of Hawaii is ubiquitous. The explosion of colors from trees and perennial plants paints the island in Monet hues and splashes.
Here are some of my favorites that you will see when you visit my beautiful Kaua'i.
PLUMERIA
My favorite tree on the Hawaiian islands is the Plumeria. Its flowers are wonderfully fragrant and are frequently strung into Leis or worn tucked behind the ear so that their perfume can be enjoyed by the wearer. However, once the flower is strung, the blossom will wither quickly, though the fragrance lingers.
There are about five different kinds of Plumeria. You will most likely see two as you travel the island. The White with yellow center (Singapore Plumeria) flowers in rounded bouquet-like clusters at the tree branch tip.
The Plumeria Rubra has more pointed tips and a matte upper surface and red-tinged flower and flower buds.
The Plumeria is native to Mexico, Belize and Guatamala
AFRICAN TULIP
The African Tulip tree is a perennial evergreen ornamental tree native to Africa. The flowers blossom in Scarlet red, orange and golden yellow. You will see this beauty just about everywhere on Kaua'i.
The trees grow upwards of 80 feet and the blossoms are tulip like shape.
OCTOPUS
Also called an Umbrella Tree, this perennial evergreen is an African Tulip with red or orange blossoms. It is native to Australia and New Guinea. It grows to about 40 feet and looks like an octopus with splayed tentacles.
The flowers open greenish pink and then turn red or orange. The flowers are followed by blackberry-like, purplish black fruits.
ROYAL POINCIANA
Also called Flame Trees, are native to Madagascar. Flowering right now (summer) this 50 foot tall tree blossoms in reds-orange and yellow.
The flowers are clustered above the leaves and are so numerous that they almost cover the tree and create a spectacular floral canopy display.
The flowers are followed by flat, hard, woody, brown to black bean pods with large seeds. The pods can grow to 28 inches long. The Flame Tree is a common landscaping tree on Kaua'i.
KUKUI
A perennial evergreen tree that is naturalized Polynesian canoe plant/tree native to Malaysia and western parts of Polynesia.
Native to Southern Asia, the blossoms are brilliant flashes of color combinations of orange, pink, yellow, gold and sherbet.
As I drive around my beautiful island of Kaua'i, I am one lucky guy to see the flowering trees everywhere. It is summer here as I write this and the blossoms are exploding. Brisk summer trade winds carry blossoms in the air and the fragrant aroma of Hawaii is ubiquitous. The explosion of colors from trees and perennial plants paints the island in Monet hues and splashes.
Here are some of my favorites that you will see when you visit my beautiful Kaua'i.
PLUMERIA
My favorite tree on the Hawaiian islands is the Plumeria. Its flowers are wonderfully fragrant and are frequently strung into Leis or worn tucked behind the ear so that their perfume can be enjoyed by the wearer. However, once the flower is strung, the blossom will wither quickly, though the fragrance lingers.
There are about five different kinds of Plumeria. You will most likely see two as you travel the island. The White with yellow center (Singapore Plumeria) flowers in rounded bouquet-like clusters at the tree branch tip.
The Plumeria Rubra has more pointed tips and a matte upper surface and red-tinged flower and flower buds.
The Plumeria is native to Mexico, Belize and Guatamala
AFRICAN TULIP
The trees grow upwards of 80 feet and the blossoms are tulip like shape.
OCTOPUS
Also called an Umbrella Tree, this perennial evergreen is an African Tulip with red or orange blossoms. It is native to Australia and New Guinea. It grows to about 40 feet and looks like an octopus with splayed tentacles.
The flowers open greenish pink and then turn red or orange. The flowers are followed by blackberry-like, purplish black fruits.
ROYAL POINCIANA
Also called Flame Trees, are native to Madagascar. Flowering right now (summer) this 50 foot tall tree blossoms in reds-orange and yellow.
The flowers are clustered above the leaves and are so numerous that they almost cover the tree and create a spectacular floral canopy display.
The flowers are followed by flat, hard, woody, brown to black bean pods with large seeds. The pods can grow to 28 inches long. The Flame Tree is a common landscaping tree on Kaua'i.
KUKUI
A perennial evergreen tree that is naturalized Polynesian canoe plant/tree native to Malaysia and western parts of Polynesia.
Canoe Plant –
Ancient Polynesians brought this useful plant with them to Hawaii. They extracted oil from the oily nut meats to use as lamp oil and as a linseed-like drying oil. The whole, shelled nuts were skewered on coconut leaf midribs and burned as a light source. The unshelled nuts with their glossy, polished, black, brown, and rarely white shells were used to make attractive leis, which are still being made today.
The nuts were roasted and used as a flavoring in cooking. Soot from the charred nuts was used for tattooing. The inner bark was used to make a red-brown dye for tapa. The plants were also used for a variety of medicinal and other purposes and as a source of wood and fiber. The roasted nuts have an oily, nutty flavor and can be eaten in small amounts. A mixture of the crushed, roasted nuts, known as 'inamona, is used as a flavoring to sprinkle on other foods. The raw nuts are a laxative.
The nuts were roasted and used as a flavoring in cooking. Soot from the charred nuts was used for tattooing. The inner bark was used to make a red-brown dye for tapa. The plants were also used for a variety of medicinal and other purposes and as a source of wood and fiber. The roasted nuts have an oily, nutty flavor and can be eaten in small amounts. A mixture of the crushed, roasted nuts, known as 'inamona, is used as a flavoring to sprinkle on other foods. The raw nuts are a laxative.
Because of its cultural history and many uses, KUKUI has been named the State Tree of Hawaii.
RAINBOW SHOWER TREE
These gloriously colorful trees have been planted freely around the island of Kaua'i. I think these, of all the flowering trees, are the most spectacular when in full blossom. You'll see them lining the Koloa Bypass road and also as you enter the Lihue airport.
These gloriously colorful trees have been planted freely around the island of Kaua'i. I think these, of all the flowering trees, are the most spectacular when in full blossom. You'll see them lining the Koloa Bypass road and also as you enter the Lihue airport.
Native to Southern Asia, the blossoms are brilliant flashes of color combinations of orange, pink, yellow, gold and sherbet.
Every day I get to enjoy the panoply of color that is the Flowering Trees of Kaua'i. I hope you will have a chance to see these amazing colorful sights on your trip to Kaua'i.
Aloha....TT
Wow so awesome I leaned a lot
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