1st of Their Kind in Hawaii: These Catlea Orchids were the first of their kind ever introduced from England to the State of Hawaii as shown in one of the photos you received. The state historical society has validated this claim along with many other plant and tree life still on the property today. While the orchids that were bread in their greenhouse are gone, the first Bunya Bunya, Norfolk Pines and Iron Wood trees still stand today in front of the site where the homestead was originally built.
Dr. Wight was the traveling botanist and horticulturist. He traveled frequently to multiple countries. His trips by ship would take 2 to 6 months at a time. Jane would nurture seedlings and small plants and trees back from their origins and introduce them to Hawaii for the first time. There are less than 2,000 species of plants and trees indigenes to Hawaii. Over 90 present of the current trees and general foliage was introduced from around the works including the coconut trees you see today lining the streets and ocean fronts. Jane was of course extremely talented in this area.
The Jewell of the Big Island
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