Ferns Of Hawaii National Park - free ebook by Douglass H. Hubbard

Ferns of Hawaii National Park

by DOUGLASS H. HUBBARD Park Naturalist [1] SPECIAL ISSUE PRICE 50 CENTS G. O. Fagerlund Stately tree ferns border a road in Hawaii National Park...

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INTRODUCTION

Ferns are among the most interesting plants in the plant world. Varieties in Hawaii range from dainty filmy ferns less than one inch in length to stately tree ferns over 40 feet high, and inhabit areas varying from dry, barren lava flows to impenetrable rain jungles. More primitive than flowering plants, ferns reproduce by means of small, dust-like bodies called spores. These spores are often carried in the air, and are so lightweight that they can be blown for thousands of miles by winds. The f

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HAWAII NATIONAL PARK

Hawaii National Park belongs to the American people. When it was set aside by Congress in 1916 the three volcanoes, Haleakala, Mauna Loa, and Kilauea were of principal interest. It has become increasingly apparent that the beautiful forests of native trees, the birds which depend upon Hawaiian plants for survival, and the magnificent fern jungles are of equal importance and more in need of protection. Outside of the park, trees such as the koa (Hawaiian mahogany) and the ohia are being cut for l

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THIS BOOKLET

This booklet is not intended to be a comprehensive treatment of all the ferns—some 70 species—which have been found to date in Hawaii National Park. Rather it is an illustrated guide to the more abundant species which may be seen by the visitor without wandering far from the beaten path. Abundance has been used as the basis for arrangement, instead of scientific classification, and illustrations take the place of technical descriptions. The more serious observers are referred to the selected bib

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TREE FERNS

The five species of Hawaiian tree ferns recognized by botanists will appear quite similar to most visitors. The illustrations below show several of the differences. Most common of the tree ferns are the two species called HAPUU ( 10 , 11 ) which do not have the coarse bristles of the HAPU III ( 9 ) which sometimes grow to a height of 35 feet, including the fronds. The fourth species, the MEU ( 12 ), is not common, and is found only on the island of Hawaii. A fifth species is frequent in the high

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PULU

The young fronds of certain ferns, especially tree ferns, are covered with a bronze-colored silky floss called “pulu.” Used by the ancient Hawaiians as an absorbent, for surgical dressings, and even in embalming their dead, pulu became an item of export importance to the mainland from the 1860’s to 1884. During this period some 4,271,119 pounds were shipped, according to Degener (2). It was used primarily for stuffing mattresses, pillows, and upholstery. Carl P. Russell in his One-Hundred Years

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(1-3) ADDER’S TONGUE

Sharp-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)....

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(4) ULUHE OR FALSE STAGHORN

An 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).

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(5-8) THE FILMY FERNS

Sharp 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....

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(13) PALAPALAI

An 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....

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(14) PALAA

The 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....

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(15) KILAU OR BRACKEN

One 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....

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(16) OWALII OR CRETAN BRAKE

Fairly 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....

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(17) WAIMAKANUI

Although 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....

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(19) LOULU

This 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....

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(20) LAUKAHI OR CLIFFBRAKE

Found 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, Hawai

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(21) DORYOPTERIS OR LANCE FERN

Native 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....

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(22) SILVERFERN

A 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....

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(23) IWAIWA OR MAIDENHAIR

Maidenhair 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....

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(24-26) NIANIAU OR SWORD FERN

The 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 th

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(27) KAAPEAPE

The 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....

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(28-31) EKAHA OR MAUI’S PADDLE

Common 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 tropica

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(32) LAUKAHI

The 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....

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(34) PALAPALAI O KAUMAAPUA

One 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....

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(36) CYCLOSORUS SANDWICENSIS

Although 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....

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(37) CYCLOSORUS DENTATUS

The 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....

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(38) AKOLEA

One 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....

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(39) HOIO

Common 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....

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(42) EKAHA OR BIRDNEST FERN

Of 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

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(43-46, 49) ASPLENIUM

Among 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....

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(47) OWALII OR MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT

The 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....

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(48) PAMOHO

A 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....

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(50) AE OR PELLUCID POLYPODY

A 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....

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(51-57) KIHI AND RELATIVES

The 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....

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(58-61) WAWAEIOLE OR CLUBMOSS

Clubmosses 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 pl

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(62-63) MOA OR PIPI

The 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

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FAMILY OPHIOGLOSSACEAE

(1) Ophioglossum petiolatum Hooker (2) Ophioglossum nudicaule Linnaeus fils (3) Ophioglossum pendulum esp. falcatum (Presl) Clausen ( LAUKAHI ) O. falcatum (Presl) Fowler O. pendulum L. Ophioderma falcatum Degener...

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FAMILY GLEICHENIACEAE

(4) Dicranopteris emarginata (Brackenridge) Robinson ( ULUHE ) D. sandwicensis Degener Gleichenia emarginata (Brackenridge) Robinson...

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FAMILY HYMENOPHYLLACEAE

(5) Hymenophyllum obtusum Hooker and Arnott ( PALAILAULII ) Sphaerocionium obtusum (H.&amp;A.) Copeland (6) Hymenophyllum lanceolatum Hooker and Arnott ( PALAIHINAHINA ) Sphaerocionium lanceolatum (H.&amp;A.) Copeland (7) Hymenophyllum recurvum Gaudichaud ( OHIAKU ) Mecodium recurvum (Gaud.) Copeland (8) Trichomanes davallioides Gaudichaud ( KILAU ) Vandenboschia davallioides (Gaud.) Copeland Vandenboschia davallioides (Gaud.) Copeland...

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FAMILY PTERIDACEAE

(9) Cibotium Chamissoi Kaulfuss ( HAPU III ) C. Menziesii Hooker (10) Cibotium splendens (Gaudichaud) Krajina ( HAPUU ) C. Chamissoi Kaulfuss (11) Cibotium glaucum (Smith) Hooker and Arnott ( HAPUU ) (12) Cibotium hawaiiense Nakai and Ogura ( MEU ) Cibotium St. Johnii Krajina (13) Microlepia setosa (Smith) Alston ( PALAPALAI ) M. strigosa (Thunberg) Presl (14) Sphenomeris chusana (Linnaeus) Copeland ( PALAA ) Stenoloma chinensis (L.) Beddome Odontosoria chinensis (L.) J. Smith Microlepia tenuifo

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FAMILY DAVALLIACEAE

(24) Nephrolepis exaltata (Linnaeus) Schott ( NIANIAU , COMMON SWORDFERN ) (25) Nephrolepis cordifolia (Linnaeus) Presl ( NARROW SWORDFERN ) (26) Nephrolepis hirsutula (Forster) Presl ( SCALY SWORDFERN )...

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FAMILY ASPIDIACEAE

(27) Cyrtomium caryotideum (Wallich) Presl ( KAAPEAPE ) Aspidium caryotideum Wallich Phanerophlebia caryotidea (Wall.) Copeland (28) Elaphoglossum aemulum (Kaulfuss) Brackenridge ( EKAHA ) E. conforme (Swartz) Schott Acrostichum conforme Swartz (29) Elaphoglossum gorgoneum (Kaulfuss) Brackenridge ( EKAHA ) (30) Elaphoglossum hirtum (Swartz) C. Christensen ( EKAHA ) Acrostichum squamosum Hillebrand (31) Elaphoglossum reticulatum (Kaulfuss) Gaudichaud ( EKAHA ) (32) Dryopteris paleacea (Swartz) C.

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FAMILY BLENCHNACEAE

(40) Sadleria cyatheoides Kaulfuss ( AMAUMAU ) (41) Sadleria pallida Hooker &amp; Arnott ( AMAU ) S. Hillebrandii Robinson...

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FAMILY ASPLENIACEAE

(42) Asplenium nidus Linnaeus ( EKAHA , BIRDNEST FERN ) Neottopteris nidus (L.) J. Smith Thamnopteris nidus Presl (43) Asplenium contiguum Kaulfuss (44) Asplenium rhipidoneuron Robinson ( IWAIWA O KANE ) A. furcatum Hillebrand (45) Asplenium lobulatum Mettenius ( PIIPIILAU MANAMANA ) A. pseudofalcatum Hillebrand (46) Asplenium Macraei Hooker and Greville A. erectum Hillebrand (47) Asplenium trichomanes Linnaeus ( OWALII ) A. densum Brackenridge (48) Asplenium unilaterale Lamarck ( PAMOHO ) A. re

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FAMILY POLYPODIACEAE

(50) Polypodium pellucidum Kaulfuss ( AE ) (The variety of exposed places is var. vulcanicum Skotts.) (51) Pleopeltis Thunbergiana Kaulfuss ( EKAHA AKOLEA ) Polypodium lineare Thunberg...

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FAMILY GRAMMITIDACEAE

(52) Grammitis Hookeri (Brackenridge) Copeland Polypodium Hookeri Brackenridge (53) Grammitis tenella Kaulfuss ( KOLOKOLO ) Polypodium pseudogrammitis Gaudichaud (54) Xiphopteris Saffordii (Maxon) Copeland ( KIHI ) Polypodium Saffordii Maxon P. serrulatum Hillebrand (55) Amphoradenium hymenophylloides (Kaulfuss) Copeland ( PAI ) Polypodium hymenophylloides Kaulfuss (56) Amphoradenium sarmentosum (Brackenridge) Copeland Polypodium sarmentosum Brackenridge (57) Amphoradenium tamariscinum (Kaulfuss

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FAMILY LYCOPODIACEAE

(58) Lycopodium cernuum Linnaeus ( WAWAEIOLE ) (59) Lycopodium phyllanthum Hooker &amp; Arnott ( WAWAEIOLE ) Lycopodium pachystachyon Spring (60) Lycopodium polytrichoides Kaulfuss ( WAWAEIOLE ) (61) Lycopodium venustulum Gaudichaud ( WAWAEIOLE )...

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FAMILY PSILOTACEAE

(62) Psilotum complanatum Swartz ( MOA ) (63) Psilotum nudum (Linnaeus) Beauvois ( PIPI ) Psilotum triquetrum Swartz...

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SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

(1) Copeland, Edwin B. Genera Filicum. Waltham, Mass., 1947. (2) Degener, Otto. Plants of Hawaii National Park. Honolulu, 1930. (3) Fagerlund, Gunnar, and Arthur L. Mitchell. A Checklist of the Plants Hawaii National Park, Kilauea-Mauna Loa Section. Hawaii National Park, 1944. (4) Fowler, Robert. “Annotated List of Ferns of the Kilauea-Mauna Loa Section of Hawaii National Park.” American Fern Journal , Vol. 30, No. 1, 1940. (5) Hillebrand, W. F. Flora of the Hawaiian Islands. New York, 1888. (6)

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