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Hawaiian names: h kpau, h, h waiCampanulaceae (Bellflower family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii Island only)Oahu (Cultivated)The endemic genus Clermontia are "candelabra-like" branching, woody shrubs or small trees. While nearly all the species are found as terrestrials, over half of the species also grow as epiphytes, that is, they grow on other plants, with one species always found as such. As epiphytes, they are often found on mossy-trunks or branches of larger trees such as koa, hia, and lapa (Cheirodendron trigynum). These plants produce two or more flowers on a typical inflorescence and pollinated by honeycreepers (e.g. iiwi, akialoa) seeking nectar. Orange berries are produced after flowering.Early Hawaiians used h wai (Clermontia spp.) as a minor food source. The leaves were boiled before eating and the berries were eaten fresh and said to have a sweet taste.Additionally, a sticky latex mix was used in plali, or bird lime, to snare small forest birds for feathers for cloaks, capes, helmets, lei, and khili. In fact, the Hawaiian name h kpau or "gum ha," unique to only this species (Clermontia hawaiiensis), refers to the viscous latex of the plant. The flowers of h were used to lure the victims in kia manu (bird-catching by gumming). How sadly ironic that the very plants that the honeycreepers seek as a food source would also be used to lure them to be ensnared.
nativeplants.hawaii.edu
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In moist forest in Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Island. I10-H2314.
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Near Alakai Crossing along the trail towards Pihea, Alakia region, Kauai. I10-H1682.
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h kpau, h, wai, hhCampanulaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Puna and Ku districts, Hawaii Island)Oahu (cultivated)First outplantings. This was a group of four young plants with entangled roots.
www.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/15424836253/in/photostream/Growing with hpuu ii (Cibotium menziesii) and other native Hawaiian ferns in the "Hawaiian Fern Garden." Most of the plants in this garden are from Oahu. Clermontia hawaiiensis are the exceptions.Early Hawaiians used h wai (Clermontia spp.), in general, as a minor food source. The leaves were boiled before eating. The berries of many h were eaten fresh and are said to have a sweet taste.Additionally, the sticky latex mix was used in plali, or bird lime, to snare small forest birds for feathers for cloaks, capes, helmets, lei, and khili. In fact, the Hawaiian name h kpau or "gum ha," unique to only this species (C. hawaiiensis), refers to the viscous latex of the plant. The flowers of h were used to lure the victims in kia manu (bird-catching by gumming). How sadly ironic that the very plants that the honeycreepers seek as a food source would also be used to lure them to be ensnared.
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h kpau, h, wai, hhCampanulaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Puna and Ku districts, Hawaii Island)Oahu (cultivated)A single large young plant.
www.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/16042488191/in/photostream/Growing with native Hawaiian ferns, hala pepe (Chrysodracon forbesii), and mmaki (Pipturus albidus) in a "Hawaiian Fern Garden." Most of the plants in this garden are from Oahu. Clermontia hawaiiensis are the exceptions.Early Hawaiians used h wai (Clermontia spp.), in general, as a minor food source. The leaves were boiled before eating. The berries of many h were eaten fresh and are said to have a sweet taste.Additionally, the sticky latex mix was used in plali, or bird lime, to snare small forest birds for feathers for cloaks, capes, helmets, lei, and khili. In fact, the Hawaiian name h kpau or "gum ha," unique to only this species (C. hawaiiensis), refers to the viscous latex of the plant. The flowers of h were used to lure the victims in kia manu (bird-catching by gumming). How sadly ironic that the very plants that the honeycreepers seek as a food source would also be used to lure them to be ensnared.
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Endangered rare plant endemic to the Big Island, Hawaii. This larger plant was near the Hakalau Laulima Greenhouse at around 6300ft/1921m. the flowers of the genus Clermontia coevolved with the bills of the Hawaiian Honeycreepers and rely on these rare birds for polination.
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Endangered rare plant endemic to east Maui and the Big Island, Hawaii. I have also seen this species planted in Puu Makaala State Forest Natural Area Reserve near Volcano Village. Elevation at the Hakalau greenhouse was around 6300ft/1921m.
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Endemic to windward side of Big Island and east Maui. The genus Clermontia is endemic to the Hawaiian islands and part of the Hawaiian Lobeliads (see http://www.news.wisc.edu/15799 ) This plant was outplanted. Elevation around 4300ft/1311m.
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Endemic to windward side of Big Island. The genus Clermontia is endemic to the Hawaiian islands and part of the Hawaiian Lobeliads (see http://www.news.wisc.edu/15799 ) This plant was likely outplanted. Elevation around 4300ft/1311m.
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This species is endemic to the Big Island, Hawaii. This genus of 22 species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and part of the Hawaiian Lobeliads. The plants observed may have been planted.
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Endemic to Kauai and western Oahu. There were many Clermontia fauriei along the trail as it cut eastward, away from the view of Kalalau valley and toward the intersection with the Alakai Swamp trail. This ridgeline was around 3900-4100ft/1189-1250m.
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Rare and endangered and endemic to the Big Island, Hawaii. Part of the Hakalau forest was previously altered for ranching and great efforts of reforestation in these sections have taken place since the refuge began in 1985. This plant is an important resource to the rare and native birds of the refuge and relies on these Hawaiian Honeycreepers for pollination.
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Rare and endangered and endemic to the Big Island, Hawaii. Note the long, curved tube of the flower which matches the bills of some of the rare Hawaiian Honeycreepers, an interesting example of co-evolution.
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Endangered rare plant endemic to east Maui and the Big Island, Hawaii. Note crenulate margins of leaves.
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Endemic to windward side of Big Island and east Maui. Photo shows abaxial leaf surface. Note purple veins.
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Endemic to windward side of Big Island. The genus Clermontia is endemic to the Hawaiian islands and part of the Hawaiian Lobeliads (see http://www.news.wisc.edu/15799 ) This plant was likely outplanted. Elevation around 4300ft/1311m.
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This species is endemic to the Big Island, Hawaii. This genus of 22 species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and part of the Hawaiian Lobeliads. The plants observed may have been planted.
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Endemic to Kauai and western Oahu. Note leaf blades 5-17cm long. This ridgeline was around 3900-4100ft/1189-1250m.
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Rare and endangered and endemic to the Big Island, Hawaii. As the Honeycreeper reaches down the tube for nectar, pollen attaches to the feathers on the head of the Honeycreeper, or is tranferred from the bird's head from a previous flower to pollinate the plant. For an example of Hawaiian Honeycreepers, see the Iiwi or Vestiaria coccinea under Calphotos/animals/bird.
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Endangered rare plant endemic to east Maui and the Big Island, Hawaii. I have also seen this species planted in Puu Makaala State Forest Natural Area Reserve near Volcano Village. Elevation at the Hakalau greenhouse was around 6300ft/1921m. The long, curved tube of the flowers of this plant co-evolved with the bills of some of the Hawaiian Honeycreepers. These plants are an important part of the forest at the Hakalau Refuge set aside to help protect the rare Hawaiian forest birds.
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Endangered rare plant endemic to east Maui and the Big Island, Hawaii. Note crenulate margins and pale green lower surface of leaves. We helped transfer these to larger pots.
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Endemic to windward side of Big Island and east Maui. Photo shows abaxial leaf surface. Note purple veins.
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Endemic to windward side of Big Island. The genus Clermontia is endemic to the Hawaiian islands and part of the Hawaiian Lobeliads (see http://www.news.wisc.edu/15799 ) This plant was likely outplanted. Elevation around 4300ft/1311m.
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This species is endemic to the Big Island, Hawaii. This genus of 22 species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and part of the Hawaiian Lobeliads. The plants observed may have been planted.