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Pua Po'alima - Friday's Flower, The Beak of the Honey-creeper

By
Real Estate Agent with HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 RS-76763

 

Nuku ‘I‘iwi (Beak of the 'I'iwi)

 

Nuku ‘I‘iwi 

(Strongylodon macrobotrys)

Common Name: Jade Vine

Introduced Post-Contact:

Native to Filipines.    

Nuku ‘I‘iwi 

(Strongylodon ruber Vogel)

Common Name: I'iwi bill

or I'iwi vine 

Endemic Hawaiian Islands 

 

In Hawaiian the word Nuku 'I'iwi (e-e vee) or beak or bill of the I'iwi bird is used as a name for the Jade Vine, both it's blue/green imported variety and the vibrant red endemic species. The most commonly seen Jade Vine or Nuku 'I'iwi in the Hawaiian Islands is the other worldly blue/green variety that was introduced post contact from the Philippines. The endemic Hawaiian Red Jade vine is rare and is found in the upland rain forests on most of the Hawaiian Island. The Nuku 'I'iwi blossoms are about 3 1/2 inches long and grow in clusters up to 18 inches long. Typically blooming for just a few weeks between February and June, however, the vine has been known to blossom as late as November.

 

Jade Vine or Ka Nuku 'I'iwi as it grows in the rain forests of Hawai'i nei.

 

 

When I first encountered this rather unusual vine in the rain forest, I had no idea what it was as the color was so "unnatural". But on closer inspection I recognized the flower from the Nuku I'iwi lei which is a seasonal lei here in Hawai'i. The shape of the flower resembles the curved beak of the beautiful and precious Hawaiian Honey-creeper.

 

 

 Below Left:  Lei Nuku 'I'iwi ; Below Right: Ka 'I'iwi or The Hawaiian Honey-creeper

 

 

Pua Po'alima - Friday's Flower is a serial post featuring some of Hawai'i's revered and celebrated blossoms that have inspired artists, lovers, and poets in times past and today.

Previous posts:

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by

Crypto Certified Agent - By Propy 

HI Pro Realty LLC

REALTORS®, PROPERTY MANAGERS® 

We are a boutique brokerage firm offering responsive, dedicated, and professional Real Estate Sales and Pet Friendly Management Services in Honolulu, Hawai'i. 

 

                Office: (808) 941-8866   Mobile: (808) 926-7667

 

Comments (5)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Aloha, Kimo -- what a great lesson filled with good information and terrific photos.   Nice presentation!

May 17, 2015 06:14 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for this series on your beautiful flowers.

May 18, 2015 03:05 AM
Kimo Stowell
HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI
REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Michael Jacobs, one of the strangest flowers I have ever seen.

Aloha Roy Kelley, I hope you have an opportunity to see these vines someday, as they have some of the more unusual blossoms I have ever encountered. The flower itself has a succulent shape and texture but it's more orchid like in it's overall appearance. Mahalo for visiting.

May 18, 2015 06:30 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Aloha Kimo! The Jade Vine or Ka Nuku 'I'iwi is something I never knew existed before today. It takes my breath away! I think it would make beautiful accessories for a wedding or any festive occasion. This is truly one of the rarest and most beautiful plants I could ever imagine! Thank you for introducing me to something new today!

May 19, 2015 12:39 AM
Kimo Stowell
HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI
REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Patricia Feager, The color is so strange in contrast to the verdant hues of the forest canopy it seems like it's from outer-space. I used to think that the blossoms were dyed when I saw them used in lei's as they sometimes do with white orchid. The red variety is also almost unbelievably vibrant, but not as strange looking. 

May 19, 2015 12:19 PM