Plants & Flowers Flora of the Islands Ranging from sea-level beaches to 10,000+ foot mountains, the geography of these islands creates a wide range of microclimates. Thus we find plants adapted to tropical rainforests, temperate farmlands, deserts and subalpine regions, all within a short drive.
NOTE: Botany experts we are NOT!. If you see an error, please email us.

Protea (pro' tea ah)

Native to South Africa, these beautiful flowers thrive in the Kula area of upcountry Maui.
	(left) Pink Mink Red Baron ?

Pincushion Protea
Raspberry Frost Banksia		Summer Line Banksia
		???
Peanut Protea

Other Flowers

Lavender	Hens & Chickens
		Beach Morning Glory pohuehue Growing abundently on Maui's leeward beaches, these flowing vines are effective sand binders.

The beautiful Plumeria, favorite of lei makers
	Lollipop Plant

	Hibiscus
	The hibiscus is seen everywhere, sometimes growing in spectacular block-long hedges. They come in many colors.
Hibiscus are hermaphroditic. The staminal tube carries both stalked spheres of pollen (male) and knobbed stigmas (female).

Trees and Other Plants
Croton	Angel's Trumpet
African Tulip Tree Native to Africa, and not related to "real tulips" or tulip poplars. A tall tree, with masses of scarlet-orange blossoms high in the air, it's difficult to photograph. This one was growing in a steep valley, next to a lookout.
Red Ginger
	Bamboo

In addition to the familiar coconut palms, there are numerous decorative varieties.
Silver Palm	Traveler's Palm

Sago Palm Despite its name, this is not a palm (or a fern) but rather a cycad, an ancient plant said to have evolved little since the days of the dinosaurs. This one had naturally interleaved its fernlike leaves into an unusual pattern

		Indian Mulberry noni The noni's pear-like fruits have medicinal properties. Used throughout the Pacific islands for a variety of ailments.
		Shell Ginger Water Lily

Royal Poinciana, also known as FlameTree or Flamboyant.
'Ohi'a Lehua, a Sacred Forest tree The most abundant and widespread tree in Hawaii, this endemic hardwood is the first tree to appear on new lava flows. That's where we found this one, on the slopes of Kilauea volcano on the Big Island.

	< > Cute, colorful, and completely harmless, geckos are everywhere. And they eat lots of bugs! Gekos, and this green anole, seem to like the red bromeliads. v

Bromeliads are related to the pineapple.

Ferns

Ferns seemingly grow everywhere in Hawaii. Many are huge by East Coast standards, and some are very colorful, especially when young.
	The early uncurling fronds are called fiddleheads.