Hala Tree Beauty

by Heidi Fickinger

Title

Hala Tree Beauty

Artist

Heidi Fickinger

Medium

Photograph - Photographic Print

Description

This image is the the Hawaiian Hala tree. The dried leaves of this tree have been used to weave sleeping mats, hats and items of decoration since the ancient Hawaiians. The tree is sometimes known as the Screw Pine, although it does not belong to the conifer family. The scientific name is Pandanus tectorius. It is a small tree growing 20 to 30 feet in height and from 15 to 35 feet in diameter. The trunk is stout and the branches grow at wide angles to it. It has distinctive long blade-like leaves (lau hala) about 2 inches wide and over 2 feet long. Most varieties have spines along the edges and on the midribs of the leaves. Spineless and variegated forms are available. The leaves are spirally arranged towards the ends of the branches and leave a spiral pattern on the trunk when they fall. Pandanus tectorius trees develop support or prop roots (ule hala) at the base of the trunk and sometimes along the branches. Pandanus tectorius trees are either male or female. Female trees produce a large, segmented fruit somewhat resembling a pineapple. Male trees produce large clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers surrounded by white to cream colored bracts. These clusters are about 1 foot long and are called hinano in Hawaiian.

Uploaded

February 17th, 2017

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