This deciduous tree, generally called Kamani by the Hawaiians, with its spreading branches in horizontal whorls or layers, is one of the familiar and useful shade trees of these Islands. Leaves large, opposite, broadly obovate-obtuse, very short petioled, and turning brilliant shades of red and yellow during the autumn. Flowers greenish-white on long spikes, upper ones staminate, the lower ones perfect. The almond-shaped fruit is a compressed hard, nut-like body 1 to 1½, inches long, with a thin outer covering which is sweet, and spongy. There is generally one, sometimes two, small, edible kernels found embedded in the hard body. These may be eaten raw, or roasted.