Hawaii’s Tropical Botanical Garden

More photos from Hawaii are today’s topic and these are from the Tropical Botanical Garden just outside of Hilo, one of the two larger (but still small) towns on this island. The Tropical Botanical Garden is on the island’s edge and it extends down to the Pacific. The trek in was easy (it was all downhill); the climb back up was not. But the photo ops were awesome. and they made the workout worthwhile.

This is a Zingiber spectabile, which is a species of southeast Asian ginger.

This is a heliconia (the name is from the Greek word Ἑλικώνιος (helikṓnios). Most are native to central and south America, but some come from Pacific islands.

Medinilla magnifica is a tropical broadleaf evergreen plant.

Another heliconia, this one a heliconia rostrata. They are also called hanging lobster claws or a false bird of paradise. These plants are native to Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico.

Guzmania, a plant that sounds like a motorcycle preference, are native to Florida, the West Indies, southern Mexico, Central America, and South America. They are named for Spanish pharmacist and naturalist Anastasio Guzman.

This is ananas comosus, or as it is more commonly known, an ornamental pineapple (this one is inedible).

Blue ginger (dichorisandra thyrsiflora) is a tropical flowering plant native to North, Central and South America.

This is another heliconia variant. The upward facing flower captures water for birds and bugs.

These are anthurium flowers, and there are many variants (you’ll see several in this blog). They are native to Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. They are also called flamingo flowers. The large photo at the top of this post shows one of these flowers.

Another ginger plant, alpinia purpurata, the red ginger. This one is native to Hawaii, Trinidad, Grenada, St. Lucia, Panama, Dominica, St. Vincent, Martinique, Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, Suriname, and Central America.

Our good buddy zingiber again, as shown in the first photo in the blog.

The etlingera elatior, another ginger variant. It’s a southeast Asian plant often used for adding flavor to fish dishes.

And one final photo, this one of another heliconia.

It was a good day and good use of my Nikon. If you find yourself on the big island and you to take in something interesting (and get some exercise), Hawaii’s Tropical Botanical Garden is a good place to visit.

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7 thoughts on “Hawaii’s Tropical Botanical Garden”

I am almost through reading James Mitchner’s book “Hawaii”.
Excellent read if interested in the history of Hawaii. The long tale starts a zillion years ago in the volcanic formation up to the “present”. Part of this historic tale is how these amazing plants came to Hawaii. Historical novels, well researched using people to carry the story.
If interested in a place or planning a longish visit, Mitchner is “essential”.
His book “Texas” another excellent historical read.

Joe Berk says:

September 8, 2022 at 9:50 am

Thanks for commenting, David. I haven’t read either of the books you mention, but I have read Alaska and The Source. His writing is superb.

Beautiful pics of all those flowers Joe.
For your next assignment how about beautiful flowers and plants of Baja Mexico. Hows that for a reasonable reason to go back down there ?????

Joe Berk says:

September 8, 2022 at 12:21 pm

That’s a great idea, Rob…not that I need much of an excuse to head down that way. As you know, there are more than a few plants that are unique to Baja. It would make for an interesting piece.

Yes this garden outside of Hilo is great, very interesting collection. I was fortunate to be able to visit it a few years ago while enjoying a trip to the Big Island.

The whole island is an interesting place for those into plants and climates. A drive done around it will expose you to thick wet tropical jungle, dry tall grass savanna, even an actual desert (just north of Kona.)