Volunteer naturalist confirms a Polynesian canoe tree in Lahaina
iNaturalist: jrs3
Native Plants
If you've walked a Hawaiian beach park, you've likely stood under this tree's shade without knowing its wood once became canoe parts, bowls, and ukuleles for Polynesian voyagers.
Someone spotted a milo tree, also called the Indian tulip tree, growing near the coast in Lahaina, Maui, and logged it on iNaturalist with photos. Other users reviewed the evidence and agreed on the identification, which bumped the sighting up to 'research-grade,' meaning scientists can now trust and use this data point. It's a small but real contribution to tracking where this historically important tree still grows on the islands.
Key Findings
Observation reached 'research-grade' status on iNaturalist, meaning the species ID was confirmed by community consensus
Location recorded as Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, a coastal area where the species traditionally grows
Thespesia populnea is a Polynesian-introduced 'canoe plant' historically valued for its wood and fiber
chevron_right Technical Summary
A birder or hiker in Lahaina, Maui confirmed a sighting of the Indian tulip tree (milo), a coastal tree brought to Hawaii centuries ago by Polynesian voyagers, and the record was verified as research-grade by other naturalists on iNaturalist.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Indian tulip tree (Thespesia populnea) observed in Maui, Lahaina, HI, US
Research-grade observation of Indian tulip tree in Maui, Lahaina, HI, US.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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