BLACKBERRY
Rubus penetrans—Rose Family (Rosaceae)

The common blackberry is known to most of you. It has white flowers and berries that have an excellent flavor when ripe. Its vines have formed bramble thickets in many sections of the park, especially in the vicinity of Kilauea.

The blackberry was probably brought to the Hawaiian Islands before 1900, and is now well established on many of the islands. Because of its hardiness it presents a continuous control problem if the native cover is to be protected. Many blackberries cross readily with close relatives, forming hybrids which may not resemble the parent forms.

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OLAA OR THIMBLEBERRY
Rubus rosaefolius—Rose Family (Rosaceae)

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In open grassy areas, as well as in the moist forest of Kilauea, you may see a small shrub with white flowers and red berries slightly resembling strawberries. These are thimbleberries and are edible. This plant is a native of the Orient and was introduced to practically all of the Hawaiian Islands with the exception of Molokai.

A member of the rose family and a close relative of the blackberry and the native Hawaiian raspberry, or akala, (page 10) the thimbleberry blooms and bears fruit during much of the year. You can find it near the tree molds, about 2 miles from park headquarters.

EVENING PRIMROSE
Oenothera striata—Evening Primrose Family (Onagraceae)

Along the roadsides in the Kilauea area you can see plants bearing bright, sulphur-yellow flowers which turn orange-red upon wilting. These South American evening primroses are close relatives of the evening primroses native to many western National Parks. The evening primrose found in Hawaii National Park may have escaped from garden cultivation near Kilauea.

As the name indicates, these flowers bloom at night and soon wilt upon being exposed to bright sunlight. The primroses are pollinated by moths which have tongues long enough to reach the nectar in the flower tube.

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JERUSALEM CHERRY
Solanum pseudocapsicum—Nightshade Family (Solanaceae)

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If you can take the beautiful drive up the slopes of Mauna Loa, you will notice dense growths of a light-green plant up to 4 feet in height, especially beneath the koa trees. The Jerusalem cherry received its name from the round berries the size of small cherries, which are bright red when ripe. The flowers are small and white. The Jerusalem cherry also grows on the dry slopes of Haleakala. It is a native of the Old World, and was possibly introduced to Hawaii as an ornamental garden plant.

The common potato is a member of the same family and bears the same generic name, Solanum, as the Jerusalem cherry. Some other species contain narcotics and some are poisonous.