Fruits of the Hawaiian IslandsWilder, Gerrit Parmile
Science
Fruits of the Hawaiian Islands
Wilder, Gerrit Parmile
Fruit-culture -- Hawaii
This deciduous tree is said to be a native of the Society Islands, and
is common to the tropics of both hemispheres. It is a large, spreading
and graceful tree, reaching a height of from 30 to 50 feet. Its pinnate
leaves are green and glossy; the leaflets are oval-oblong and opposite.
The foliage is shed from December until April. The flowers are
paniculate, small, and greenish-white. The fruit, which ripens from
November until April, is a fleshy drupe, oval in shape, from 1 to 3
inches in diameter; it has a thin, smooth, golden-yellow skin, which has
a rather sour disagreeable odor. The fleshy pulp is light yellow, is
mellow when quite ripe, and has a sub-acid delicious flavor, compared by
some to the pineapple. Within this pulp is embedded a 1 to 5 loculed,
bony endocarp, which contains generally one seed. This endocarp is
covered with fibres which penetrate the pulp. The first Wi tree in
Hawaii was planted at the residence of Mr. John S. Walker, Nuuanu
Valley.
[Illustration: PLATE XXVI.--_Spondias dulcis._
One third natural size.]
_G. P. W. Collection._ PLATE XXVII
_Spondias lutea._
HOG PLUM.
This tree is distributed over Tropical America, West Africa and Java,
where it is commonly called the Hog Plum, and is used for fattening
swine. In Jamaica it grows well, up to an elevation of 4000 feet. It is
a large, graceful tree, about 50 feet high, with spreading branches, and
it is particularly beautiful when in fruit. The pinnate leaves are a
clear green, the leaflets are ovate-lanceolate, and the golden-yellow
fruit hangs in clusters. It ripens in September and October. The fruit
is ovoid, about 1 inch long; it has a smooth skin, having a disagreeable
odor. There is one large seed, which resembles the husk of a ground-nut.
This fruit is cooling and aromatic. To my knowledge there are but two
trees of this kind in bearing in the Hawaiian Islands, and these are
growing in private grounds in Honolulu.
[Illustration: PLATE XXVII.--_Hog Plum._
One half natural size.]
_G. P. W. Collection._ PLATE XXVIII
_Mammea Americana._
MAMMEE APPLE.
The Mammee Apple, which grows well in Hawaii, is a native of the West
Indies, and is a fruit much esteemed in tropical countries. In Jamaica
it thrives well, up to an elevation of 3000 feet. The tree attains a
height of from 30 to 40 feet, and the wood, which is beautifully
grained, is durable and well adapted to building purposes. Its leaves
are rigid and leathery. The round seeds, varying in number from 1 to 4,
germinate freely, and the young plants are easily raised. The fruit is
from 3 to 6 inches in diameter, is brown or russet color, and has a
yellow pulp, which is sweet and aromatic. The outer rind, as well as the
pulp immediately surrounding the seeds, is very bitter. The fruit may be
eaten raw, and is very delicious when preserved.
[Illustration: PLATE XXVIII.--_Mammee Apple._
One fourth natural size.]
_G. P. W. Collection._ PLATE XXIX
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