Wiliwili
Wiliwili ( Erythrina sandwicensis )
The Wiliwili ( Erythrina sandwicensis ) is a native only to the Hawaiian Islands species. The species is characterized by a unique, gnarled shape and can survive on almost no vegetation and very dry lava fields. The Wiliwili threatens to disappear, as it could be displaced by the mesquite tree Prosopis pallida.
- 5.1 Literature
- 5.2 Notes and references
Description
The Wiliwili reaches a height of 6 to 10 meters and a trunk diameter of 50 to 60 centimeters. The maximum values a height of 16.8 meters and a trunk diameter ( DBH ) of 1.2 meters can be specified. The trunk is usually short and thick and often crooked, the crown is spreading with strong and gnarled branches. The branches are almost horizontal and have yellow hairy tips. They show large leaf scars. The bark is occupied by yellow -brown to red-brown color and scattered with black or gray up to a centimeter long spikes. The inner bark layer is light yellow.
The chromosome number is 2n = 42
The tree shows the typical three-piece coral trees and unpaired pinnate leaves. They have a 9 to 25 inches long stalk and are arranged opposite one another. The leaflets are 4-10 cm long and 6-15 centimeters wide. They are short-stemmed and have a wide triangular outline with a horizontal base. The terminal leaflets is the largest. The upper leaf surface verkahlt, the underside is yellow and has hairy leaf veins clearly visible. At the base of each pinnule are two punctate glands, one or two more are located at the leaf base.
The Wiliwili loses its leaves in late summer or autumn. The new growth occurs in the spring, after the tree has blossomed.
Flowers
The usually yellow or orange flowers grow tightly packed in about 15 centimeters long inflorescences. The flower color can vary from tree to tree. The single flowers have short stems, with the calyx densely hairy yellow, pitcher -shaped, open on one side and about 15 millimeters long. The corolla is yellow, salmon or orange in color and consists of a 4 -inch-long flag and four other, much smaller petals (wings or boat ). There are ten about 3 inches long, formed curved, yellow or orange stamens, of which nine are joined at the stamens. The stamp has a slender pen and a stalked, narrow and densely hairy ovary.
Fruits
As fruits 10 centimeters long and 13 millimeters wide are formed, hard-shelled and dark brown legumes. They run to the narrows at each end and open at maturity. They contain from one to five, usually two bean-shaped and shiny orange-red, 13 to 15 millimeters large seeds.
Germination
Germination is epigeal. After germination to 6 inches form large heart-shaped primary leaves. After six to eight weeks the seedlings are 20-30 cm tall and wear the typical coral trees in three parts feathery leaves.
Distribution and habitat requirements
The Wiliwili was on the leeward sides of all the major islands of the archipelago ( Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, Kahoolawe, Hawaii) at elevations between 150 and 600 meters very often. Meanwhile, only a few sites are left lying on weathered lava fields in the rain shadow of the mountain chains with annual rainfall of about 500 millimeters. Under these conditions thrives in Hawaii only introduced species, Prosopis pallida.
System
The Wiliwili is a species in the genus of coral trees. Previously, it was merged with the occurring only in Tahiti kind Erythrina tahitensis to one species.
Use
The Wiliwili subject to any economic use. The wood is very soft and can be worked only with difficulty. It has the lowest density of all tree species in Hawaii and was formerly used by the population boom in as canoes and float to fishing nets. The orange-red seeds are used in traditional Hawaiian wreaths ( Lei). Even the wreath, with the James Cook was welcomed, contained such seeds.