Hawaiian Plants Flashcards
Sesbania tomentosa Hawaiian name: ohai Once a common sight on Hawaii’s shorelines, ohai has become increasingly rare in the wild. It is still a favorite of lei makers and knowledgeable gardeners; ohai is a nitrogen-fixer, enriching soil for other plants.
Viola chamissoniana Hawaiian name: pamakani Many species are specific to one island, or even—as with this white-flowered relative of garden-variety violets—a single mountain range. Endangered Viola chamissoniana can be found only on three remote, rocky ridges in Oahu’s Waianae Range.
Metrosideros polymorpha Hawaiian name: lehua, ohia lehua In ancient times, a lehua was the first and finest warrior sent into battle. Native Hawaiians observed that on a barren lava flow, this was the first tree to plant its standard, and gave the ohia lehua its poetic name. Ohia lehua can be a creeping shrub or a towering tree, but all varieties of this indomitable species feature signature firework-burst flowers, in red, orange or, rarely, yellow (lehua mamo, pictured above). Its exceptionally hard wood was used for kapa beaters, poi boards, spears and canoe gunwales.
Hibiscus kokio subspecies saintjohnianus Hawaiian name: kokio Native Hawaiians used the kokio, one of the showiest of native flowers, as an invisibility aid; valuable dye from the bark of this native hibiscus made nets and lines hard for fish to see underwater. Kokio was also used medicinally, as a tonic safe enough for children. While many of Hawaii’s native plants have become increasingly rare, the colorful, cultivated descendants of Hawaii’s native hibiscus species can be found in gardens and greenhouses throughout the world.
Portulaca molokiniensis Hawaiian name: ihi Ihi, a federally endangered purslane, survives in the wild on three uninhabited islets: Molokini and Puukoae Islet, both off the coast of Maui, and Kahoolawe.
Nephrolepis cordifolia Hawaiian name: kupukupu In Hawaiian, kupu means “to sprout.” Since pre-contact times, hula halau have decorated their altars, and fashioned wrist, ankle, and head lei with the kupukupu fern in the hope that knowledge will take root and sprout within the dancer.
Microsorum spectrum Hawaiian name: peahi, lauae The plant pictured here, “true lauae,” is not the familiar but non-native lauae that features in landscaping across the state. This fragrant native fern, traditionally used as hula adornment, appears in the ancient chants of Kauai.
Cyperus trachysanthos Hawaiian name: puukaa Endangered puukaa competes with humans for the use of rich bottomland, its natural habitat. It can be found in places such as the government-controlled valley of Lualualei, where a restricted-access ordnance storage facility coexists peacefully with rare species.
Peperomia blanda Hawaiian name: alaala wai nui Like its world-famous relation, black pepper, the seeds of Peperomia blanda have a pungent tang. Native Hawaiians used ashes from the leaves and stems to make a subtle gray-green dye for kapa cloth called ahiahia or puahia. The plant’s juice was used to treat a variety of conditions, from asthma to appendicitis to disorders of the inner ear.
Sida fallax Hawaiian name: ilima This humble shrub produces a red or golden flower that has been honored in song and story since ancient times. In one legend, the goddess Hina celebrated a narrow escape with garlands of ilima. Queen Emma and Princess Kaiulani both favored the magnificent ilima lei, which can require 1,000 flowers and lasts a single day. Early Hawaiians also used the ilima plant medicinally, chewing the buds to alleviate thirst and relieve birth pains.
Pipturus albidus Hawaiian name: mamake, mamaki, waimea Native Hawaiians beat the inner bark of this endemic stingless nettle into a fine kapa cloth, and made its leaves and bark into a calming tea still in use today.
Brighamia insignis Hawaiian name: alula, olulu Alula, prized for its fragrant flowers, once grew wild on rocky sea cliffs. Though its natural pollinator is now extinct, alula has begun a second act as a favorite native presence in Hawaii’s contemporary gardens.
Scaevola gaudichaudii Hawaiian name: naupaka kuahiwi Some species of naupaka grow only near the sea; others, like this one, grow only in the mountains. The dark berries of mountain naupaka were traditionally used to make a purplish-black dye.
Abutilon menziesii Hawaiian name: kooloa ula Also known as “red ilima,” the elegant flowers of kooloa ula were once used in lei making. Today, its long-lasting blooms have made it one of the first endangered native Hawaiian species to be grown in contemporary gardens.
Wikstroemia uva-ursi Hawaiian name: akia, kauhi The crushed bark, roots and leaves of the narcotic akia were thrown into saltwater ponds to make the fish drunk and easy to catch. The so-called “fish poison plant” also has a darker history. In 1840, Chief Kamanawa II became the first chiefly man to be found guilty of murder under the new criminal laws of the Hawaiian nation that applied equally to all ranks; he had hired a man to mix akia and another fish poison into his jealous wife’s awa drink, with fatal results.
Haplostachys haplostachya Hawaiian name: honohono The endemic scentless mint honohono—not to be confused with the honohono orchid—was first recorded during the voyages of Captain Cook. Never common, honohono now exists in the wild in a single population on Hawaii Island.
Bidens menziesii Hawaiian name: kokoolau, kookoolau The delicate kookoolau shrub makes a refreshing and tonic traditional tea that is said to regulate the body’s digestive system. Each species of kookoolau has its own flavor.
Hibiscus arnottianus Hawaiian name: kokio keokeo The two species of native Hawaiian white hibiscus, kokio keokeo, are the only scented hibiscus in the world. The flowers of Hibiscus arnottianus open white and flush pink in the afternoon.
Lobelia hypoleuca Hawaiian name: haha Early 20th century botanist Joseph Rock translated the Hawaiian name of this lobelia, haha, as “eaten by the birds.” It is said that the leaves of Lobelia hypoleuca, which can grow several feet long, were used ceremonially to invite rain.
Lobelia niihauensis Hawaiian name: haha This lobelia’s brilliant blue flowers make it a show-stopper in the wild. Present-day scientists speculate that the flowers’ long, curved floral tubes evolved in unison with native honeycreepers’ long, curved beaks.
Hala pepe (Pleomele hawaiiensis) is endemic to Hawai’i island and is considered rare.
Some of its uses are for lei, carved images, and hula offerings.
In isolation it makes a striking addition to one’s garden. It also is very attractive as a potted plant near an entrance.
Ma’o hau hele, (Hibiscus brackenridgei A. Grey), is endemic and endangered. This one is probably a Hawai’i island subspecies. It grows 1-3 m tall. If left un-pruned, the overall appearance seems to resemble the hau bush commonly found in the Windward areas.
This ‘Öhelo, Vaccinium renticulatum (my guess), is endemic and found Maui and Hawai’i islands. Preferred elevation is 640m-3,700m. The fruit is eaten by the native nënë, and that is how it’s thought that the plant is dispersed.
This plant was found in a rather windy area early in the morning so high speed flash and large aperture were needed to capture it.
Puakala (Argemone glauca) is an endemic plant found wild on the major islands except Kaua’i and Ni’ihau. It can withstand dry hot weather, and grows to about 4 ft.
The flowers are very delicate and its thorns (rare for an endemic plant) are a feature that can be useful, too. Like try planting as a border plant. It would be very pokey and thus hazzardous on us guys/gals who wear shorts, t-shirt and rubber slippers.
‘Öhia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) is an endemic tree found wild on the major islands.
The flowers are very delicate and this one is of the red (lehua) variety).
Beach flora. Here you see Pau o Hiiaka (Jacquemontia ovalifolia), and Hinahina Ku Kahakai (Heliotropium anomalum). The Hinahina is dominating.
Ma’o (Gossypium tomentosum) is endemic and found on all the main Hawai’i islands except Hawai’i island.
Hawaiians made dyes for kapa cloth from ma’o.
It grows well in dry low lying areas up to 120 m. I have one in my garden but this setting is more interesting. I like square formats generally more. This may be an influence from the hassy days.
