In 1913, after conducting extensive surveys of the vegetation at Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Ranch, the famous Hawaii botanist Joseph Rock described Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a as “the richest floral section of any in the whole Territory.”
In 1913, after conducting extensive surveys of the vegetation at Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Ranch, the famous Hawaii botanist Joseph Rock described Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a as “the richest floral section of any in the whole Territory.”
Today, despite the loss of native forest to wildfire, exotic species and drought, remnants of this botanical treasure persist. At least 182 native vascular plants in 69 families are known from this region, including 15 endangered plant species, some of which are found nowhere else in the Hawaiian Islands.
Elliott Parsons, natural area reserves specialist for the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife, will talk about the amazing plants of Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a during a presentation from 7-8:30 p.m. Mondayat the Lyman Museum. Parsons will introduce some of Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a’s natural gems, what’s been learned about their ecology and threats to their survival, and what’s being done to protect and restore them.
The presentation is part of Lyman Museum’s Saigo Public Program lecture series. Admission is free to museum members, $3 for nonmembers. Space is limited; first come, first seated.
The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum showcases the natural and cultural history of Hawaii. Located at 276 Haili St., the museum is open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
For more information, call 935-5021 or visit www.lymanmuseum.org.