behind the camera: lauae

      This is a lauae fern, which is abundant in Hawaii but not a native plant. It has a subtle fragrance that is released when you touch the fronds or pick some. When I taught 5th grade, I needed to make kihei (a Hawaiian wrap garment) for the students to wear for a performance, and I spent quite a bit of time at the kitchen table, printing off-white muslin with lauae fronds dipped in green paint. It was neat how every print came out just a little different.

     Photo taken at Foster Botanical Garden (one of my favorite places on Oahu!)