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

From Palmpedia

[edit] Overview

• 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.

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

[edit] Entering the Garden

• 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.

[edit] The Palms

• 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.

• 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.

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

• Check it out....chocolaty huh?

• 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.

• 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.

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

• Jennifer Bradford standing along side a giant Licuala ramsayii

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