HO'OMALUHIA GARDEN - ON THE ISLAND OF OAHU, HAWAII

Overview

Garden Layout

• Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden is located on the wetter windward coast of the island of Oahu in the Hawaiian archipelago. It's 400 acre parcel of endangered and rare plants was designed and built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide flood protection for the city of Kaneohe downslope. It has a well laid out network of trails to facilitate visitor enjoyment. The geographical regions which are predominately represented are the Philippines, Hawaii, Africa, Sri Lanka & India, Polynesia, Melanesia, Malaysia, and Tropical America. The environment is ever changing as the plants are maturing.

One of the many picturesque panoramas

• Nestled up against the Ko'olaus is the reservoir that is part of the flood control.

Entering the Garden

Entrance with pali in background

Sabals lined the driveway

• As you enter the garden, one of the palis (cliffs) of the incredible Ko'olau mountain range looms in the background,

• Large Sabal spp. lined the entrance driveway.

The Palms

Orania palindan

Orania palindan seed

• This Orania palindan was certainly one of the most beautful plants around, reminiscent of a giant Kentia palm.

• The seeds were huge on this thing. About the size of a handball.

Pinanga coronata clump Jennifer Bradford for scale

Kentiopsis oliviformis

• The Kentiopsis oliviformis were stunning against the spectacular tropical backdrop.

• This huge perfectly grown clump of Pinanga coronota had a real nice bright limey green color to the foliage.

Pinanga copelandii

Pinanga copelandii crownshaft detail

• This Pinanga copelandii sure catches your eye with its bronzy crownshaft.

• Check it out....chocolaty huh?

Cyphosperma balanse

Cyphosperma balanse crownshaft detail

• The upright angular form and dark colorations of Cyphosperma balansae are easily recognizeable.

• Black towards the bottom of the very open crownshaft...if you would even call it a crownshaft at all.

Hydriastele microspadix sporting white crownshaft

Hydriastele microspadix immature and ripe infructescence

• A very elegant palm is Hydriastele microspadix

• The fruit was abundant and in different stages of development. These fruit have an oily coating on them.

Kentiopsis magnifica

Licuala ramsayii

• This Kentiopsis was magnificent in sillhouette showing some of the leaf reins still holding on.

• Jennifer Bradford standing along side a giant Licuala ramsayii

Looking up at the Licuala ramsayii's umbrella like leaves

Ginormous Corypha....look at Jennifer for scale!

Jennifer holding half of a Corypha leaf, she's standing on the other half

• The Coryphas were amazing! You come around a corner and can view them from a distance which is just breathtaking!

Neoveitchia storkii trunk and black coloration on crownshaft.

Clinostigma sp. showing its characteristic soft powdery greens

Clinostigma samoense peeking out above the tree tops w/ the pali in the background

Lodoicea maldivica, the double coconut

Nephrosperma vanhoutteanum showing beautiful crown

Deckenia nobilis w/ colorful flowers

Dypsis lastelliana

Dypsis lastelliana with swollen base

Pritchardia looking very blue