Kalo (Taro), Caladium colocasia, is native to the East Indies and been carried throughout the Pacific by the Polynesians who used Kalo as a staple starch. There are over 30 varieties of cultivated Taro in the Islands including a few dry land varieties, as shown here, as well as the popular wetland variety which grows in shallow paddies. The tuber of the wetland variety is boiled and pounded to create Poi, a staple of traditional Hawaiian meals. The leaves are also used, typically wrapped in Ti leaves along with pork and salted fish to create self-contained meals called Lau lau.

The Ti leaf is also called La'i or Ki (typically refers to the Ti root) and is botanically known as Taetsia fruticosa. The Hawaiians considered the La'i sacred to Lono, the god of farming and fertility. Thus, offerings to Lono were wrapped in Ti leaves. Of course, the Hawaiians, both past and present, used the Ti for a wide variety of purposes such as a wrapper for food, as a container for cooking in the imu (underground oven), as a simple impromptu flute (pu or pulai) for hula, as thatch for huts and as a wrapper for a Hawaiian skirt (pau).

There are three native tree ferns in the Hawaiian islands. They are found from sea level to ten thousand feet or more in rainy habitats and are recognized by their tall, tree-like trunks and gracefully spreading fronds. The largest of the tree ferns (pictured) is called Cibotium menziesii or hapu i'ii, reaching heights of up to 25 feet. The buds of the tree ferns are covered in soft brown hair or "pulu", used by early Hawaiians to embalm the dead and, in the 1800s, used to stuff pillows and mattresses in California. The young uncoiled fronds and the pith of the trunk was also boiled and eaten in times of famine.

There are several varieties of Sadleria in the Hawaiian islands. This is the only other fern in the Hawaiian islands that has a sizeable trunk and is occasionally mistaken for the true tree ferns (Cibotium). Pictured here, Sadleria cyantheoides, is also called a'ma'u ma'u and is very common on the slopes of Kilauea. It is this fern that Hale ma'u ma'u crater is named after, the name meaning house of the a'ma'u ma'u fern. This fern is also fairly drought and salt tolerant and is often one of the first plants to colonize recent lava flows. The dead fronds and trunks of the a'ma'u ma'u fern then serve as fertile germinating media for the beautiful O'hia tree.

There are several varieties and forms of Koa, all found exclusively in the Hawaiian islands -- although related trees are common in Australia (wattles or Haole Koa). The Hawaiian variety is known as Acacia koa and is a member of the Pea Family. Koa is one of the largest trees native to the islands, usually found in drier forest between 1,000 and 6,000 feet elevation. Koa wood was used for a variety of uses but is particularly known for its use in both canoes and for early surf boards. It was also used for the beams/supports in early Hawaiian houses but was not used for calabashes (food containers), apparently due to an unpleasant flavor imparted by the Koa wood.

The Ohia lehua found in the vicinity of Kilauea is also known as Metrosideros collina variety polymorpha, a member of the myrtle family. Ohia are one of the earlier plants to colonize new lava flows, typically germinating in moist fern litter or on tree fern trunks. The Ohia blossom was considered sacred to Pele, the fire goddess. According to popular superstition, picking the Ohia blossom will result in rain. The O'hia blossom is an abundant source of nectar for the rare and often endangered Hawaiian Honey Creepers (birds) such as the apapane.

There are actually about a dozen species of Scaveola or Naupaka in the Hawaiian Islands. All, except for the seaside or ocean Naupaka, are found only in the Hawaiian islands. The Naupaka is known for it's half-flower, the two halves, one each of the ocean and mountain Naupaka, when united, representing early Hawaiian lovers of legend. In the legend, two young hula students fell in love, in spite of the kapu or prohibition on relationships between hula students. These students prayed to Laka, the goddess of hula for foregiveness. However, they were pursued and killed in punishment for breaking the kapu. In sympathy, Laka turned the lovers into the mountain and oceanside Naupaka, alone and incomplete unless the two halves of the flowers are united.

Arundina graminifolia or Bamboo orchid. There are actually three native species of orchids in the Hawaiian Islands, all of which are generally uncommon, quite small and inconspicuous. The more common and decorative orchids found naturalized in the islands were introduced horticulturally and later escaped their garden habitats to make the islands their home. The bamboo orchid was originally introduced for the floral trade and has long since found widespread success in grassy areas throughout the Hawaiian islands..

The Malaysian Ground Orchid or Spathoglottis plicata, another garden escapee, is widespread in a broad variety of habitats ranging from full sun to dense shade. I have even seen these orchids growing in crevaces in new lava in areas with frequent rainfall.

The Nun Orchid or Phaius tankervilleae typically grows in moist partially shaded forest floors among leaf litter. The flowers rise up above the somewhat inconspicuous foliage on tall sturdy stems of white flowers with brown throated lips.