Kiawe, Tree of Life, Hawaii
by Venetia Featherstone-Witty
Title
Kiawe, Tree of Life, Hawaii
Artist
Venetia Featherstone-Witty
Medium
Photograph - Photographs
Description
Prosopis pallida, is a species of mesquite tree. It has the common names kiawe (in Hawaii), huarango (in its native South America) and American carob, as well as "bayahonda" (a generic term for Prosopis), "algarrobo pálido" (in some parts of Ecuador and Peru), and "algarrobo blanco" (usually used for Prosopis alba). It is a thorny legume, native to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, particularly drier areas near the coast. While threatened in its native habitat, it is considered an invasive species in many other places.
The kiawe is a spreading bush or moderately sized tree, bearing spines, spikes of greenish-yellow flowers, and long pods filled with small brown seeds. It is a successful invasive species due to its ability to reproduce in two ways: production of large numbers of easily dispersed seeds, and suckering to create thick monotypic stands that shade out nearby competing plants. It survives well in dry environments due to a long taproot which can reach deep water tables. It is so efficient at extracting moisture from soil that it can kill nearby plants by depriving them of water, as well as by shading them out. It can be found in areas where other plants do not grow, such as sandy, dry, degraded slopes, salty soils, disturbed areas, and rocky cliffs.
The tree grows quickly and can live for over a millennium. It makes a good shade tree, if one does not mind the nasty thorns of the fallen branches. Its hard wood is a source of long-burning firewood and charcoal. Kiawe pods can be used as livestock fodder, ground into flour, turned into molasses or used to make beer. The light yellow flowers attract bees, which produce from them a sought-after white honey.
FEATURED 11/27/20 in "The Grayscale Outdoors"
FEATURED 11/27/20 in "Images That Excite You"
FEATURED 11/28/20 in "A Tree or Trees in Black and White"
FEATURED 12/1/20 in "Your Very Best Photography"
FEATURED 12/2/20 in "Lady Photographers"
FEATURED 12/5/20 in "New FAA Uploads"
FEATURED 3/26/21 in "Creative Black and White Photography"
Uploaded
November 27th, 2020
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Viewed 435 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/17/2024 at 1:44 PM
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Comments (3)
John M Bailey
Congratulations on your feature in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!" Sharing on Pinterest Board - Images That Excite You!
Calvin Boyer
In addition to the banner, I am adding this more permanent recognition of its FEATURE on the homepage of A TREE OR TREES IN BLACK AND WHITE. I try mightily to feature only images that would be at home in a juried competition. No doubt that this image fits that bill. CONGRATULATIONS! And consider adding your image to DISCUSSIONS "Please post your featured photograph here" for greater, long-lasting visibility.
Allan Van Gasbeck
Congratulations! Your outstanding artwork has been chosen as a FEATURE in the “The Gray Scale Outdoors” group on Fine Art America — You are invited to post your featured image to the featured image discussion thread as a permanent place to continue to get exposure even after the image is no longer on the Home Page.
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