Fruits of the Hawaiian IslandsWilder, Gerrit Parmile
Science
Fruits of the Hawaiian Islands
Wilder, Gerrit Parmile
Fruit-culture -- Hawaii
_G. P. W. Collection._ PLATE XVII
_Syzygium Jambolana_ (small variety).
JAVA PLUM.
This tree, which is also very common in the Hawaiian Islands, is said to
have been introduced by Dr. Hillebrand. It bears but one crop a year,
will grow in any soil, and withstands dry weather. The foliage is
smaller than that of the preceding variety; its leaves are narrower, and
a lighter green in color. It blooms at about the same time of year, but
its flowers are not as large, and appear in thick bunches. The purplish
fruit ripens from September until December.
[Illustration: PLATE XVII.--_Java Plum._
One half natural size.]
_G. P. W. Collection._ PLATE XVIII
_Averrhoa Carambola._
This tree, which is said to have been named after Averrhoes, an Arabian
physician, is a native of Insular India, and is much cultivated in India
and China. It is evergreen, with dense foliage, and grows to a height of
from 15 to 20 feet. It is easily propagated from seeds, and fruits in
about three years. In Hawaii it bears one crop annually, the flowers
appearing in July and the fruit in November and December. The leaves are
alternate, odd-pinnate. The flowers, which are borne in clusters on the
naked stems and branches, are minute, fragrant, and in color shading
from a pale pink to a deep purplish-red. The fruit, varying in size from
a hen's egg to an orange, is ovate, and has five acutely-angled
longitudinal ribs. The fragrant, light-yellow skin is very thin, and the
pulp is watery; it contains a number of flat, brown seeds. This fruit is
of two varieties: the sweet, which may be eaten raw, and the acid which
is delicious when preserved. A very appetizing pickle may be made from
the half-ripe fruit of the acid variety.
[Illustration: PLATE XVIII.--_Averrhoa Carambola._
One half natural size.]
_G. P. W. Collection._ PLATE XIX
_Achras Sapota._
SAPODILLA, OR NASEBERRY.
This tree, which grows on almost all of the Islands of the Hawaiian
group, is a fine evergreen, growing to a height of from 10 to 20 feet,
and producing a fruit which is much prized in warm countries. The bark
possesses tonic properties, and from the juice chewing-gum is made. Its
foliage is dense, and the shiny leaves are thick, lance-oblong, entire,
and clustered at the ends of the branches. The flowers, which are small,
whitish, and perfect, are borne on the rusty pubescent growths of the
season. The fruit, of which there are two varieties, the round and the
oblong, is about the size of a hen's egg. It has a rough skin, the color
of a russet apple, beneath which is a firm, somewhat stringy, sweet
pulp, having the flavor of an apricot. This pulp is divided into 10 to
12 compartments, and contains from 4 to 6 large, flat, smooth, black
seeds.
[Illustration: PLATE XIX.--_Sapodilla, or Naseberry._
One half natural size.]
_G. P. W. Collection._ PLATE XX
_Casimiroa edulis._
WHITE SAPOTA.
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