Hawaiian Ironwood...And Monty Python

Those of you in the DC area can attest that yesterday was bitterly, terribly cold.  So no new pics today.  Instead, I'm taking you to a place where the balmy breezes blow all year long.  Hawaii, of course.

 

The photo above is of a tree species ubiquitous in Hawaii - it's Casaurina equisetifolia, or ironwood.  Unlike Carpinus caroliniana, which is also called ironwood because of the sinuous nature of the bark, Casaurina is called ironwood because the wood is so dense, it sinks in the water.  Obviously, the idea of wood sinking reminds me of this movie scene.  Go to about 2:00 to see what I'm referring to, if you don't have time for the whole (hilarious) clip.

By looking at the long thin leaves, one can understand the species name enough - it almost looks like a horse's tail.  Thus, equis (horse) folia (leaves).  

The specimen above (growing at the Pu'u O Umi valley on the Big Island) is a condition one can find many ironwoods - they grow near the sea and withstand the winds and salt spray well, but they can become a bit ragged with age.  The specimens below, at the North Shore of Oahu, are a bit younger and less torn-up.