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Common name: Pandanus |
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Habitat: It grows in the tropics, especially on the islands of the Pacific. In Hawai'i it grows from sea level to an altitude of nearly 2000 feet.
Common name: Pandanus
Hawaiian name: Hala
Scientific name: Pandanus odoratissimus
Native Status: indigenous
Habitat: It grows in the tropics, especially on the islands of the
Pacific. In Hawai'i it grows from sea level to an altitude of nearly
2000 feet.
Description: The pandanus tree can grow up to 20 feet tall. The trunk is pale-colored with circular scars marking where the leaves fell off. The leaves are long and slender. There are very sharp spines on the margins of the leaves. The roots of the pandanus grow above the ground and are known as aerial roots. These aerial roots give the hala tree its nickname, "the walking tree." The male hala tree only has flowers and no fruits. Its fragrant flowers are called hinano. The nectar in the flowers attract many bees and other insects which pollinate the female flowers. The fruit clusters that grow on the female tree look like pineapples. Each cluster is made up of keys that are about 2 inches long and 1 inch across.
Uses: The leaves of the hala trees were woven into mats, hats, fans, baskets, canoe sails, and bags. The leaves were also used to thatch houses and homes for animals. The leaves were also used to cover dead people's bodies. The male flower's pollen was used as a love charm. The white bracts, which are leaves around the flower, were made into fine mats that only kahunas and chiefs could use. The tips of the young roots were used as medicine.
Interesting Facts: A mother had this saying: "Her children are like the many-rooted hala of the mountain side." This meant that the trunk was like the parents and the roots represented her many loving children or keikis.