1 Flashcards
ʻAʻaliʻi / Kūmakani
(Dodonaea viscosa) [Indigenous] - ʻAʻaliʻi grows on all eight of the major Hawaiian Islands, from sea level under dry conditions to high mountainous environments under wet conditions.
ʻAʻaliʻi can be male, female, or both on the same plant (monoecious).
ʻAe
(Polypodium pellucidum var. vulcanicum) [Endemic] - Polypodium pellucidum can be found across the Hawaiian Islands, but Polypodium pellucidum var. vulcanicum is only endemic to Molokai, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island.
ʻAeʻae
(Lycium sandwicense) [Indigenous] - L. sandwicense is a coastal-growing plant found on all eight of the main Hawaiian Islands, and it plays an important role in maintaining shoreline integrity, like Naupaka.
ʻAhakea
(Bobea sandwicensis) [Endemic] - Bobea sandwicensis is a rare dry forest endemic that’s found only on Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, Molokai, and Maui.
Bobea is a Hawaiʻi-endemic genus, meaning there are no Bobea species found elsewhere, outside of the four found in Hawaiʻi.
ʻAhakea lau nui
(Bobea elatior) [Endemic] - B. elatior is native to Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island.
B. elatior can sometimes look similar to Psychotria mariniana, but to tell the difference between ʻAhakea lau nui and Kōpiko, look for the differences in the fruits and how they grow out from the meristem. Kōpiko grows with structure straight up and out, while ʻAhakea lau nui grows out and drupes over, like the flower pictures below.
There are also subtle differences in the leaves that can be more difficult to notice. However, the last picture is a great side-by-side comparison.
ʻAhaniu / ʻUki / ʻUki Grass
(Machaerina angustifolia) [Indigenous] - M. angustifolia is a very common wet forest species that can be found on all the main islands, except Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe.
ʻĀhinahina
(Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum) [Endemic] - This Argyroxiphium subspecies is endemic to Haleakalā on Maui.
Both ʻĀhinahina subspecies are very slow-growing monocarpic species that are adapted to the alpine deserts on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island.
It typically doesn’t rain or snow often in these environments, so ʻĀhinahina generally gets its moisture from the clouds as they pass by, and the water is then directed back down toward the base.
[Endemic] - A. sandwicense subsp. sandwicense is the other endemic subspecies, which is only native to Hawaiʻi Island.
ʻAhuʻawa
(Cyperus javanicus) [Indigenous] - ʻAhuʻawa is a lowland, dry, grassy species that grows on all of the major Hawaiian Islands, as well as the Northwestern Islands.
ʻAkiohala / Hau hele
(Hibiscus furcellatus) [Indigenous] - Excluding subspecies and variations, there are seven native Hawaiian Hibiscus species:
Hibiscus arnottianus
Hibiscus brackenridgei
Hibiscus clayi
Hibiscus furcellatus
Hibiscus kokio
Hibiscus tiliaceus
Hibiscus waimeae
Hibiscus furcellatus is one of two indigenous Hawaiian Hibiscus species, and it can be found on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island.
Akaʻawa
(Smilax melastomifolia) [Endemic] - Akaʻawa can be found on all the main islands, except Kahoʻolawe and Niʻihau, in upper elevation, high rainfall environments.
*Often see Akaʻawa trailing its way over the dense Uluhe fern.
ʻĀkala / Hawaiian Raspberry
(Rubus hawaiensis) [Endemic] - R. hawaiensis is one of two native raspberry species in Hawaiʻi, and it’s also the most widespread of the two, being found on Maui, Molokai, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island.
Both species have prominent thorns along the stems.
ʻĀkala / Hawaiian Raspberry
(Rubus macraei) [Endemic] - R macraei is an upper-elevation species endemic to Maui and the Big Island only.
Thorns along the stems.
ʻĀkia
(Wikstroemia forbesii) [Endemic]
