Plant species
Below is information on the plant species available at pick up on November 13, 2021. Information and photos by Hui Kū Maoli Ola.
Alaheʻe | Scientific Name: Psydrax odoratum
An indigenous large tree (20-30 ft.) with glossy green leaves and small, white, highly fragrant flower clusters. As the tree grows, it has a radially symmetric growth pattern to it, somewhat like a Christmas Tree, which by the way, it subs as an excellent one! The name alaheʻe means slippery/wandering fragrance. It gets this name because when in full bloom, the plant is completely covered in flower clusters and many times you’ll smell the plant before you actually see it.
Distribution: This indigenous tree is found in the dry to mesic forests on all the main islands except Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe. In certain localities you can still find this plant along the coast.
Cultural Uses: Digging tools and adze handles were made from the hard wood of this plant while a black dye was also made from the leaves. In addition, the flowers and fruit are used in lei.
Landscape Uses and Care: Alaheʻe loves full sun and or partial shade and requires minimal watering once plant is established in the ground. Looks great as a single specimen plant or even used as a hedge.
ʻŌhiʻa Lehua | Scientific Name: Metrosideros polymorpha
Of the five different species of ‘ōhi’a recognized, this is the most variable. The leaves of this plant range from 1/2″ to 3″, they can also be very glabrous or very hairy. The new leaves or liko range in color from dark purple, almost black to red, gold and everything in between. Some plants bush out while others grow to over 80 ft. tall. The ‘ōhi’a or lehua as some people call, are best known for its flowers. They are just as variable as the plants themselves. Color ranges from very dark red (lehua ‘apane) all the way through to yellow (lehua mamo) or even white (lehua kea) according to some legends. I’ve even seen a flower that was dark red at the base, gradually faded to yellow and finally ended with greenish tips, it was unbelievable.
Distribution: The ‘ōhi’a is an endemic plant found on all of the main islands except Ni’ihau and Kaho’olawe, at least that’s where they’re found today, They were most likely found on those other islands in the past. Today ‘ōhi’a are found mainly at higher elevations, there are some places where you can still see them on the coast and in lowland dry forests but these instances are very rare. Originally, their range extended from sea level all the way up to around 6,500 ft.
Cultural Uses: One of the most important woods in Hawaiian culture, ‘ōhi’a was used for a number of things: In house construction, rafters and posts were made of it; decking, seats and gunwales of canoes were also made of ‘ōhi’a; various leis either used the flowers, flower buds or leaf buds of ‘ōhi’a; it decorated hula altars for the god Kuka’ohi’a and religious images called ki’i were made of ‘ōhi’a as well.
Landscape Use and Care: Plant ‘ōhi’a anywhere. It is such a beautiful plant it deserves to be as dominant in the landscapes as it is in the native forests. Once planted it should be watered daily for up to 3-4 months in well drained soil. After that once every 2-3 days is sufficient unless you live in a very dry place or on the beach. Generally the plant reaches a height of about 15-30 feet in the landscape but height can be controlled by pruning, this also stimulates bushiness. Stem borers sometimes eat out stems and eventually the whole plant, often killing it. If you see a limb beginning to dry out, cut it off immediately to prevent further damage.
Tasty Tid Bit: ‘Ōhi’a probably evolved here in Hawai’i from plants that originally came from either New Zealand or perhaps Australia thousands of years ago. They are from the same genus and look very similar to each other. Many nurseries in Hawai’i grow these nonnative varieties, not knowing the potential damage they may be causing from cross-pollenation with native species. It is important to stick to growing native species to preserve the genetic integrity of the plants. If possible, growing plants that are specific to your island or even region of the island is best, they’re probably better suited to growing in that region anyway.
ʻAʻaliʻi | Scientific Name: Dodonaea viscosa
Description: A dense shrub (4-8 ft.) with small green leaves and tiny flowers that develop into star shaped papery seed capsules. These plants are mostly dioecious meaning that they’re usually separate male and female flowered plants, rarely they can be hermaphroditic having both flower types on the same plant. However, the seed capsules that everyone loves for lei making and plant color only comes from the female flowers. These seed capsules vary in color from cream to yellow, green, pink all the way to deep dark maroon-red.
Distribution: ʻAʻaliʻi is an indigenous plant with a range that starts in the dry coastal lowland areas where it was once the most dominant shrub and up into the wetter mesic forests, on all the main islands except for Kahoʻolawe (where it most likely occurred in the past and presently it is being out planted there), and then dominant again in the upper dry forest and sub-alpine dry forests of Maui and Hawaiʻi.
Cultural Uses: The seed capsules are highly valued for used in lei weaving, and the red capsules are used for making a red dye. The beautiful wood of ʻaʻaliʻi is very hard and is used for making smaller hand tools and weapons.
Landscape Uses and Care: This plant does best in full sun with well drained soil and minimal watering. Once planted and there are signs of new growth water can be cut back to once or twice every week. Looks great as an accent plant around large boulders, as specimen plants or even as a hedge, it is also very wind and drought resistant. We use this plant quite often in our restoration work especially on slopes and stream banks, the ʻaʻaliʻi have pretty deep tap roots that act like structural pillars for slope support plus they’re tough plants that need practically no care once in the ground.
Extra Info: In Hawaiʻi there are tons of varieties of this plant but all are classified as the same indigenous species, yet on every island, in every climate zone or elevation zone the plants will look different in some slight way from each other. It is definitely clear that more work needs to be done on the classification of this species. Other names for this plant include: ʻaʻaliʻi ku makani, ʻaʻaliʻi ku ma kua or kumakani.
Kokiʻoulaula | Scientific Name: Hibiscus kokio
Description: A typical hibiscus shrub (4-10 ft. tall) with extremely glossy, dark green leaves and small red hibiscus flowers. This species, as well as Hibiscus clayi, are the only types of red hibiscus that are native. All of the other red hibiscus that are seen in landscapes are introduced and/or are hybrid cultivars.
Distribution: This species is found sparingly in the dry-wet forests of all the main islands except Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe.
Landscape Use and Care: This plant makes good for a hedge or specimen plant for your garden. It prefers full sun to partial shade and does best in well drained soil. Few pests bother this plant except for the occasional white-fly or aphid. Store bought pesticides should control the problem should it arise. Every other day watering is sufficient.
Cultural Uses: The flowers of this plant were used as a mild laxative and as a dye.
Milo | Scientific Name: Thespesia populnea
Range/ Habitat: Found throughout the tropics in coastal areas. In Hawaii specifically, Milo has been found on all main islands with the exception of Kaho’olawe at elevations ranging from sea level to 900 ft.
Significance: The beautiful wood was prized by early Hawaiians second only to Kou, to make food bowls (ʻumeke milo), poi calabashes, platters (pā milo), and dishes. The bark was also used as cordage, while the fruits produce a yellowish green dye, medicine, oil, and gum. Milo was considered a sacred tree and the use prohibited by commoners. The house of King Kamehameha I in Waikīkī was surrounded by Milo. Today, the seeds are sometimes strung for permanent lei. The dark heartwood is moderately heavy, easy to work with, has a low shrinkage in drying and is durable. Today, the wood is still fashioned into beautiful items such as carvings, bowls and platters.