I took this picture when we went to Laguna, Philippines a few years back. This is a typical sight outside Catholic Churches in the country, vendors selling sampaguita leis. Parishioners likes to buy them as an offering to God or their favorite saints. Sampaguita or Pikake in Hawaiian is made as leis for other occasions…
Society Garlic is not an edible herb but it is good to have in the garden. It is very ornamental and attracts pollinators. I like to have them in my garden just to enjoy the purple flowers it produces every spring to late summer. It is easy to grow, especially in a xeriscape garden. It…
Star Fruit or Carambola,(I call it Balimbing), is becoming increasingly popular among the population especially here in Hawaii. A growing number of people find it not only refreshing to eat but also have healthy benefits like anti-oxidants and Vitamin C. It is mostly used as garnish for drinks because of the star shape of the…
Coconut is the most versatile of all plants that I ever knew. From the fruits, to the leaves, to the trunk almost all parts of it can be used for something. The leaves we used for wrapping a delicacy we call “suman” (glutinous rice wrapped in coconut leaves). The inner part of the leaves is…
Breadfruit or “Rimas” is a wonderful fruit because it doesn’t taste sweet like most fruits are but instead tastes like potatoes when cooked that’s why to me it is a vegetable. It is called “ulu” in Hawaii. The tree is in the family of mulberry tree that’s why you can use the wood bark as…
Apple Bananas “Latundan” are such a delight to eat. They also provide your daily dose of potassium. I used to have apple bananas in my garden. I was able to have it flowered and gathered this bunch of bananas. My friend from Wahiawa gave the seedling to me. I thought it would be a dwarf…