Puakala (Hawaiian Poppy)
| Puakala is Hawaii's native poppy and can be found in the dry leeward areas of all the major islands. Though widespread, this plant is rarely found due primarily to its habitat destruction. Puakala thrives in the coastal lowlands where most of Hawaii's development takes place. Here on the hardpan of Kaho`olawe the puakala clings to a mound of dirt. It is closely inter-related to its environment and shows how without the plants, the erosive forces of the wind and rain will sweep the topsoil away. The plant's roots hold on to the dirt for sustanence and the dirt holds on to the plant for fear of getting blown away. |
