  The most abundant ferns growing beneath the larger tree ferns are AMAUMAU (40) and the AMAU (41). Found frequently in both the Kilauea and Haleakala sections of the Park, the amaumau is usually larger than the less common amau and the fronds are not as hairy. The easiest method of identification, however, is by comparing the undersides of the frond segments (see illustration). The amaumau is smooth while the amau is prominently veined. Usually smaller than the true tree ferns, and known only from the Hawaiian Islands, ferns of this genus may reach heights as great as 12 feet. A comparison of the photographs of these ferns with the tree ferns will show that the entire frond of the AMAU or AMAUMAU resembles a single segment of the many-branched frond of the tree fern. The AMAUMAU fern has a high resistance to heat and drought, and may often be seen growing on the Kau Desert near Kilauea crater. It is one of the first plants to take root on new lava flows, in company with the ohia tree. The illustration below shows a specimen growing on the 1877 lava which forms the floor of Keanakokoi crater. Fowler (4, p. 16) states that the Hawaiians prepared a red dye used on KAPA cloth from the outer part of the trunk of the amaumau. Leaves of the amau provided a lining and thatching for houses, and the young leaves and pith of the stems were occasionally cooked for food. {Amaumau growing on lava.} {Underside of frond segments of AMAUMAU and AMAU.} In the rain forest near the old Pulu Factory. At least six different kind of ferns may be seen in this photograph. Pamoho at the mouth of the Thurston Lava Tube Werner Stoy Nianiau or Sword Ferns. From the left, Narrow Swordfern (25), Scaly Swordfern (26), and Common Swordfern (24). Ophioglossum petiolatum (1) left Common epiphytes, or air plants
{Epiphytes, #7-9} {Epiphyte, #10} Amaumau ferns form beautiful patterns as they send out new fronds. Kilauea Section, Hawaii National Park. The Elephant-Tongue ferns: From the left, Elaphoglossum reticulatum, small form (31), E. aemulum (28), E. gorgoneum (29), E. reticulatum, large form (28), and E. hirtum (30) (pages 34 and 38). All are called “EKAHA.” The dark surfaces are spores. Ae. Kikaweo. M, (35) (page 38) (1-3) ADDER’S TONGUESharp-eyed observers may find in cracks near Halemaumau and along the Chain of Craters Road the adder’s tongue, a small, delicate plant with a “head” which resembles a pointed tongue. Fowler (4) found the LAUKAHI growing on trees near Keanakakoi and Makaopuhi craters. Hawaiians are said to have prepared a cough remedy from the LAUKAHI. Near the 6,000 foot level on the slopes of Haleakala may be found a species of Ophioglossum according to Hillebrand (5). (4) ULUHE OR FALSE STAGHORNAn attractive native fern which often becomes a pest by choking out other plants is the ULUHE, common in openings throughout the eastern half of the park. This fern often forms thickets so dense as to be virtually impenetrable. Seeds of native plants which germinate beneath these thickets may not be able to penetrate to sunlight. A fire hazard is also presented by the dried fronds. An infusion was prepared from the ULUHE, which the Hawaiians drank as an emetic, according to Fowler (4, p. 10). Hillebrand (5, p. 545) states that this fern is “common on all islands from 600 feet above the sea (Hilo district) to 3,000 feet.... The species occurs in most tropical countries of both hemispheres and in many islands of the Pacific.” (5-8) THE FILMY FERNSSharp eyes will be needed to detect the filmy ferns, since they normally are found on tree trunks and rocks in the jungles, and may easily be confused with the mosses with which they commonly grow. Compare the size of the dainty PALAILAULII, which is about one inch long, with the tree ferns, which often reach a height of 40 feet. (13) PALAPALAIAn attractive fern with lace-like fronds, the PALAPALAI prefers the outskirts of woods and open places. It is abundant in Kipuka Puaulu in the Kilauea Section. The PALAPALAI is common in moderately wet areas and, according to Hillebrand (5, p. 625) is found on all inhabited Hawaiian Islands, as well as in India, Ceylon, Malaysia, Japan and Formosa. (14) PALAAThe PALAA was called the most common of all Hawaiian ferns by Hillebrand (5, p. 627). In addition to Hawaii, he states that it is spread over all tropical Polynesia and Asia, extending as far east as Madagascar and north to Japan. Thriving in dry areas as well as moist, the PALAA is common near Hilina Pali and in the vicinity of steam cracks around Kilauea. It is one of the most abundant ferns along the Steaming Bluffs. A red dye was extracted from the leaves by the old Hawaiians. (15) KILAU OR BRACKENOne of the most common ferns in dry areas in the Park is the KILAU, or bracken fern. It often may be seen growing among tall grass, and is abundant in the vicinity of Kipuka Puaulu and Kipuka Nene. It extends to about the 9,000-foot level on the slopes of Mauna Loa. (16) OWALII OR CRETAN BRAKEFairly common in the Kilauea Section, this fern may be found in Kipuka Puaulu, along the Sandalwood Trail, and in the vicinity of the Thurston Lava Tube. Note the dark rows of spores along the outer edges of the leaves. (17) WAIMAKANUIAlthough not listed as a common fern, the WAIMAKANUI may be seen in open areas in Kipuka Puaulu, as may the other ferns on the same page. It is the same genus as the OWALII, described above. (19) LOULUThis attractive fern is common near the entrance to the Thurston Lava Tube. Found in moist localities at 3,000 to 5,000 feet elevation in the Kilauea section, it normally grows as a short-stemmed plant, but may reach heights of more than three feet. Hillebrand (5, p. 550) states that it occurs also on Maui and Kauai at these elevations. (20) LAUKAHI OR CLIFFBRAKEFound in both sections of Hawaii National Park, the laukahi is found most frequently in dry areas. In the Kilauea section it has been found at elevations ranging up to 9,500 feet. The segments of the fronds, known technically as PINNAE, are blue-gray in color and are often shaped like a clover leaf, particularly when the fern is growing in shade. The PINNAE are usually rolled up lengthwise, hiding the reproductive structures. Hillebrand (5, p. 633) lists this species as occurring on Maui, Hawaii and Kauai, and over the High Andes from Chile to Mexico. (21) DORYOPTERIS OR LANCE FERNNative only to the Hawaiian Islands but having no Hawaiian name, the lance fern is common from Hilina Pali to the seacoast and throughout the Kau Desert. The plants are small, tufted, and from six to fifteen inches high. They often are abundant around the bases of lava outcroppings. (22) SILVERFERNA non-native plant which escaped from garden cultivation, the silverfern often grows in large clumps in dry washes in the Hilina Pali area, and extends out onto the Kau Desert. Also called “goldfern” these plants derive their name from a waxy gold or silver-colored powder on the underside of the fronds. (23) IWAIWA OR MAIDENHAIRMaidenhair fern, often used in floral decoration, is a plant familiar to many. Preferring shady, moist places it is common in the vicinity of Hilina Pali. The black glossy stalks provided ornamentation for Hawaiian baskets and hats. The native species apparently is being replaced by a non-native which was introduced about 50 years ago. (24-26) NIANIAU OR SWORD FERNThe sword fern is a familiar plant in tropical and sub-tropical areas. A common house fern, its scientific name, Nephrolepis, means “kidney-scale” in Greek. The fern was so named because the spore dots on the underside of the leaflets are protected by a kidney-shaped tissue called an indusium. In the Haleakala section, Puu Nianiau, the hill below the lodge, received its name from these ferns, which are also called “OKUPUKUPU.” They are common in humid regions of the park, particularly in the vicinity of steam cracks near Kilauea. The three species illustrated have been found in the Park. Several large stands may be seen in Kipuka Puaulu (Bird Park). (27) KAAPEAPEThe KAAPEAPE may be recognized by the three pointed terminal leaflet and remaining leaflets which are shaped like spear points. A species found in India and China as well as the Hawaiian Islands, the kaapeape is fairly common in Kipuka Puaulu. Note the irregular spore dots, often abundant on the undersides of the leaves. (28-31) EKAHA OR MAUI’S PADDLECommon throughout forested areas in the park are the plants known scientifically as Elaphoglossum, (Greek for “elephant-tongue”). They are usually found growing as epiphytes or air plants on the trunks of trees. The resemblance to a paddle was recognized by the Hawaiians as the name HOEA MAUI or “Maui’s paddle” indicates. In contrast to this smooth, shiny species is the fuzzy EKAHA. According to Hillebrand, (5, p. 549) these plants are found on all the inhabited Hawaiian Islands and in tropical America, Tahiti, India, tropical Africa, Madeira and the Azores. Six species of Elaphoglossum have been found in the Kilauea section. (32) LAUKAHIThe LAUKAHI is a fairly common, low fern in the vicinity of Kipuka Puaulu, but is considered rare in other portions of the Park. Fagerlund (3, p. 19) lists it as having been collected in a lava tube at 8,800 feet on Mauna Loa. (34) PALAPALAI O KAUMAAPUAOne of the most interesting things about this fern is the fact that the frond tapers in both directions—toward the tip and toward the base. This may be seen in the illustration. This species is fairly abundant in the crater near the Thurston Lava Tube. (36) CYCLOSORUS SANDWICENSISAlthough this fern is a native Hawaiian species, no Hawaiian name for it could be found. It prefers shade and moist areas and is fairly common in the Thurston Lava Tube and Kilauea Iki trails. (37) CYCLOSORUS DENTATUSThe fern known technically as Cyclosorus dentatus is not native to Hawaii, but apparently was considered common on Oahu after 1900, according to Wagner (6, p. 110). It may be found in moist areas in and near the Park. (38) AKOLEAOne of the most dainty of ferns, the AKOLEA is found in wet areas in the vicinity of the Thurston Lava Tube. It is a common fern on the Kulani Trail, just outside of the Park. (39) HOIOCommon in moist areas in the Kilauea section, the HOIO prefers shade. The fronds are large, often 3 to 4 feet long. Below the branches the midribs are dark brown and smooth, but clothed with dark scales at their bases. Spore dots are abundant. (42) EKAHA OR BIRDNEST FERNOf all Hawaiian fern species, few are more beautiful than the birdnest fern, whose fronds often reach a length of six feet. Although it has not been described from the Park, it has been included because it is abundant in the Puna District, and probably will be found in the Kalapana Extension of the Park. It normally grows in trees, but it may also attach itself to rocks. When this happens the young birdnest ferns are often called “rock ferns.” The dark areas on the underside of the leaves in the illustration are spores. (43-46, 49) ASPLENIUMAmong the most attractive, the Asplenium ferns are also among the most diversified Hawaiian plants as far as appearance is concerned. Showing wide variety in choice of habitat they range from moist jungles to arid lava flows. A number of the species may be recognized by the similarity in shape of the leaf segments, and the long, parallel rows of spores, but all do not show these characteristics. Nine species have been found in the Kilauea Section of the Park. (47) OWALII OR MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORTThe maidenhair spleenwort has adapted itself to a dry existence. It is abundant on barren lava flows where few other plants grow, and ranges up to an elevation of about 10,000 feet. (48) PAMOHOA fern which lives in moist shady craters and lava tubes, the PAMOHO may be seen growing on the cliff at the mouth of the Thurston Lava Tube. (50) AE OR PELLUCID POLYPODYA common plant throughout the open forests of the Kilauea Section, this fern may be seen growing in abundance at the bases of ohia trees. Superficially resembling a sword fern, the sharp twists to the leaf segments differentiate it from them. An interesting thing about this species is that it has also adapted itself to a life as an epiphyte, or air plant, in the rain forests, at which time it develops a heavy root-stock and has a much different appearance, as may be seen in the illustrations. (51-57) KIHI AND RELATIVESThe six ferns illustrated were formerly grouped under the genus Polypodium, but several have recently been reclassified and placed in new genera. The plants illustrated normally grow as epiphytes, or air plants on tree trunks and rocks in the rain forests of the Kilauea Section. That the Hawaiians recognized them as distinct plants is indicated in the fact that they were given different Hawaiian names. (58-61) WAWAEIOLE OR CLUBMOSSClubmosses are sometimes called “living fossils.” Many deposits of the continental United States are formed from giant relatives of these plants. The name “clubmoss” is derived from the spore-bearing bodies, which are club-shaped. Most abundant is the nodding clubmoss but at least three other species may be found in the Kilauea and Haleakala sections. Degener (2) reports that the Hawaiians used the wawaeiole (“rat’s foot”) as a relief for rheumatism, the sufferer bathing in water in which the plants had been boiled for about three hours. (62-63) MOA OR PIPIThe Psilotum is a primitive plant, of which two species are found in the Hawaiian Islands. One is the MOA, which usually grows on the ground and has stems which fork many times near the ends. The second, the PIPI, often grows upon the trunks of trees and ferns. This species normally grows perpendicular to the trunk, then curves abruptly earthward like the tail of a horse. Degener (2, p. 18) states that the MOA was used by the Hawaiians in making a medicine for treatment of a fungus disease, as an emetic, and that the spores were used as a powder to relieve chafing from the malo, or loincloth. |
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