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Hydrangea arguta

[syn. Broussaisia arguta]

Kanawao

Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea family)

Endemic genus to the Hawaiian Islands (All the main islands except Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe)

Kaʻala, Oʻahu

 

These are pistillate (female) flowers. Dark red to maroon or purplish fruits will soon develop. The fruits are plentiful and mildly sweet or bland.

 

Male (staminate) flowers

www.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/9108743429/in/photolist-...

 

The fruits and flowers were eaten by early Hawaiians.

 

Etymology

Tha generic name Broussaisia was named in behalf of François-Joseph-Victor Broussais (1772-1838), a celebrated French physician and psycologist.

 

The specific epithet arguta means "sharp or sharp-tooted," likely referring to the sharp edges of the kanawao leaves.

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Uploaded on June 22, 2013
Taken on June 21, 2013