Someone on some forum had asked me about whether the roots from this plant were used for bow staves. I apologize as I do not remember who asked me that, and when I did a search of posts in various forums, I couldn't find it.

Here is a picture of the roots.



It is called Hala in Hawaii and is part of the pandanus family. Here is more information on it.

http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/resultsdetailed.asp?search=hala

The fruit.



The plant.



I did not find mention of the roots or plants being used in bow construction, but that doesn't necessarily mean it can't be. Sorry it isn't much help. Please let me know if you had asked the question. I think it was "archer" or "thearcher" of the top of my head.

Maybe Stovie, Bent-Stick, or Snufkin over at bushcraftuk.com could jog your memory. They are big into making bows.

-Blast

So that is what a pineapple looks like when it is all grown up? Cool.

That's not a pinapple. Pinapples are bromeliads, and look more like bushes than trees.

I did a search for hala tree on google and came across this:

"The Hawaiians used the entire tree in a variety of ways. The leaves were woven into hats, mats, and roofing materials. The segments of the fruit were used as paint brushes and for food. Leis have been made with the individual sections of the fruit and the wood of the tree has been used to create water pipes, posts and calabashes. The pollen of the sweet smelling male Hala flower (Hinano) was used to preserve feathers and leis."

Didn't see anything about bow construction.

Basically any wood can be made into a useful bow. The strength and flexibility of the particular wood simply impact the design used. If the first bow breaks, make the next one longer and with wider limbs. Repeat as necessary...

Greg

If you want to know about longbow's read Thomas Hardy's "Longbow."

Oh. Sure looks like a pineapple.