DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
- mature trees have sickle shaped expanded leaf stems rather than true leaves
- seedlings and root sprouts have true leaves, made up of numerous tiny leaflets
- true leaves are better adapted to moist, shady conditions characteristic of seedlings habitat
- leaf stems better adapted to drier, upper canopy with more light
HAWAIIAN RAIN FOREST ECOLOGY
- large trees in Niaulani probably old growth, protected from the logging that removed the koa from other forests
- fast-growing
- canopy tree; part of top most layer in forest
- ability to sprout new shoots from roots of mature trees
- one of few native plants that can easily reestablish after fires
TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN USES
- most commonly used tree to carve canoes, felled laboriously with stone adze
- if `elepaio birds pecked at the felled koa logs, they were rejected as canoe material because of insect damage
- one of the hardwood species carved into spears
- carved into bowls or containers for non-food storage
- one of few trees fashioned into surfboards
- leaves used to induce sleep
- ashes used to treat lesions
SAY IT IN HAWAIIAN!