The Flowers of Hawaii

Hibiscus

The flowers of Hawaii are everywhere and are used in a variety of ways...You cannot be in Hawaii without noticing the flowers. Leis of flowers are worn on the head and around the neck by both men and women.   Flowers rule!

So without further ado, here are some luscious flowers I saw along the way....

and my absolute favorite, the fragrant Plumeria or 'melia' in Hawaiian

 (I used to wear one in my hair to college classes:   if you are looking wear it over the right ear, if you are married wear it over left ear)

There are more than 300 named varieties of Plumeria. The flowers are most fragrant at night in order to lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. The flowers have no nectar and simply dupe their pollinators.

Its common name "Frangipani" comes from an Italian noble family, a sixteenth-century marquess of which invented a plumeria-scented perfume.  They are associated with temples in both Hindu and Buddhist cultures, where they are known as "Champa". (theincense, nag champa, contains this along with other scented resins)
 

The native plants of Hawaii are of the most interest to me...Here are some interesting facts about the sacred plant of the hula goddessses:

A'ALI'I

If you want to know all about Hawaiian flowers please go to Noel's blog - A Plant Fanatic in Hawaii'...today's post is gorgeous.


And if you go to Hawaii you may want this great guide book to its flowers: