These are the flowers which will result in green berries which turns golden brown and koels are fond of these berries.
Polyalthia Longifolia; rare in Hawaii, is a favorite tree native to India, used in public gardens and landscape as well as street trees. Related to the custard apples (Annonceae) its fastigiate growth makes it very desireable for narrow planting areas, close to buildings and as accents like Italian Cypress are used. It grows very well in the Hilo, Hawaii area too. One of the local area plant collectors and nursery owners brought in some seeds about fifteen years ago and introduced it. It became a very successful addition to local gardens and there is always the question .. " Where can I get some of that tree?" I have not seen it in high altitude gardens or over 1000 feet. It likes it warm and can with stand dry periods. Fruits are clustered, black. 0.75 inch. Hilo, Hawaii is noted for its abundant rain and the Asoka tree is not deterred. Polyalthia Longifolia (Asoka) should not be confused with the Sorrowless Tree (Asoka)
There is another Asoka tree (Saraca indica, Sorrowless Tree) (Caesalpiniodeae)related toTamarind, Brownea, Bauhinia & Ipil that also grows well in Hi. The flowers are wonderful to see and are brilliant orange here, 6" to 7" pom poms with lots of stamens so that the cluster resembles a large Mimosa or Lehua or Ohia tree blossom.
Both are definitely tropical trees as frost will kill them
This message was edited Jun 5, 2006 11:37 AM
babachick, do you really live in a town called Volcano? That caught my eye wanted to be sure i read that right.
babachick, thanks for the information you shared esp. about the common name of "Ashoka". "Shoka" means sorrow. Ashoka means the opposite.
Volcano? You are sitting on a volcano??
Dinu
PEPPER23. Yes....I live on an active volcano in a small town.... 'Volcano' elev. 3200 ' to 4000'....the main vent has been spewing lava for 23 + years.
Dinu, Yes I am 'sitting' on a volcano, in a rain forest at 3200 ft. altitude. The active vent has been flowing almost constantly for 24 years. The vent is about 6 miles from my house and garden.
6 miles is a safe distance, I guess, from any dangers? And 24 years...... quite amazing. How long have you been there?
