Re: Mystery flower from Hawaii- help! I visited Hawaii in November 2005 and took pics of a red and white desert flower in Volcanoes National Park and an interesting red and white plant in a tropical rainforst in the Big Island. I would very much appreciate any responses that could identify these plants. Thanks in advance!
hello Difeeney the first looks like a metrosideros spp could be Ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha). common in the pacific with several as large trees in the genus referred to as Christmas trees as the bloom at that time of the year. (NZ Rata and Pohutukawa) here is a link that may help http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/metrosideros_polymorpha.htm the second reminds me of the Nikau palm from new zealand Rhophalostylis or it could be the bamboo palm. sorry I am not a palm fanatic and never spent much time wondering about them other than why. The link above has some photos that may jog your memory as to what the whole plant looks like. Pierrot
