This is Hala fruit from Hawaii.
The fruit of the hala tree only grows on the female tree. It can be eaten when it turned brought yellow. It was used throughout Polynesia as a food during times of famine. The round fruit is a cluster of seed pods. As it ripens, the fruit breaks apart into single seeds called keys. A new hala tree will sprout from these seeds."
These are such fascinating trees. They are easy to spot in Hawaii, often growing along salty coastlines, and while there are several endemic species here, this is also one of the canoe plants that the Polynesians chose to bring with them to the islands. They are dioecious, meaning there are male trees and there are female trees. The male trees produce white clusters of flowers and the females have the large cones of seeds on them (sometimes confused as “pineapple trees”). Every part of this tree is useful. The leaves are used often in weaving. The male flowers are fragrant and the pollen is thought to be an aphrodesiac. The ariel roots are very phallic in appearance. They are an alterative, used as a blood cleanser. They are also diaphoretic and diuretic. The large female “cone” fruit are used to tonify chi. They are adaptogenic and can be used for low energy, sluggish digestion, hangovers, etc. The medicine of this tree is said to strengthen mind and spirit. Another strong mana plant, these trees have a solid place in Polynesian culture.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
http://www.instanthawaii.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/
The fruit of the hala tree only grows on the female tree. It can be eaten when it turned brought yellow. It was used throughout Polynesia as a food during times of famine. The round fruit is a cluster of seed pods. As it ripens, the fruit breaks apart into single seeds called keys. A new hala tree will sprout from these seeds."
These are such fascinating trees. They are easy to spot in Hawaii, often growing along salty coastlines, and while there are several endemic species here, this is also one of the canoe plants that the Polynesians chose to bring with them to the islands. They are dioecious, meaning there are male trees and there are female trees. The male trees produce white clusters of flowers and the females have the large cones of seeds on them (sometimes confused as “pineapple trees”). Every part of this tree is useful. The leaves are used often in weaving. The male flowers are fragrant and the pollen is thought to be an aphrodesiac. The ariel roots are very phallic in appearance. They are an alterative, used as a blood cleanser. They are also diaphoretic and diuretic. The large female “cone” fruit are used to tonify chi. They are adaptogenic and can be used for low energy, sluggish digestion, hangovers, etc. The medicine of this tree is said to strengthen mind and spirit. Another strong mana plant, these trees have a solid place in Polynesian culture.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
http://www.instanthawaii.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/
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