"The ʻōhiʻa lehua[2] (Metrosideros polymorpha) is a species of flowering evergreentree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that is endemic to the six largest islands of Hawaiʻi. It is a highly variable tree, being 20–25 m (66–82 ft) tall in favorable situations, and much smaller when growing in boggy soils or on basalt. It produces a brilliant display of flowers, made up of a mass of stamens, which can range from fiery red to yellow. Many native Hawaiian traditions refer to the tree and the forests it forms as sacred to Pele [MY NOTE: no, not the Brazilian legendary football/soccer player http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pel%C3%A9], the volcano goddess, and to Laka, the goddess of hula."
"The ʻApapane (Himatione sanguinea) is a species of finch in the Hawaiian honeycreepersubfamily, Drepanidinae, that is endemic to Hawaii. The bright crimson feathers of the ʻApapanewere once used to adorn the ʻahuʻula (capes), mahiole (helmets), and nā lei hulu (feather leis) ofaliʻi (Hawaiian nobility). ʻApapane form small flocks when foraging through the canopies of ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees, drinking nectar from the flowers and simultaneouslypollinating them. They never forage on the forest floor. When flowering of ʻōhiʻa is low and if not part of a flock, ʻApapane will be chased away from flowers by more aggressive competing birds such as the ʻĀkohekohe and ʻiʻiwi."
=================
No comments:
Post a Comment
My cyberguests: thank you for taking time and mental energy to leave a comment!
Your ongoing feedback is always appreciated.
If you never return, it is my fault for boring (?) you.
If you return, it is your merit to have discovered a blog worth exploring and following. :)