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Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens Fall 2011

1. Pritchardia sp., loulu

Family name:

Class:

Regions of growth:

Native plant:

Summary of plant identification: 1-2 m tall, folding and textured large fan leaves, pre-human times a

dominant plant found from the coastal – dry forest region in Hawaii (only native genus of palm in HI) see Huelo

Islet off of Molokai, a glimpse into the past to what the Native Hawaiian’s saw when they first arrived to

Hawaii, Pritchardia seeds have been eaten by the Polynesian rat (throughout Polynesia) causing the decline of

Pritchardia and some species to be endangered. The native Hawaiians used the wood for house post, altars,

drums, canoes and leaves used for weaving hats and baskets (Lincoln 2009).

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2. Pandanus tectorius, hala, pu hala

Family name:

Class:

Regions of growth:

Native plant:

Summary of plant identification: Small – medium sized tree with prop roots (13 – 46 ft), dioecious distinct

male (hinano) and female (hua) flowers, fruits globose with husk capable of floating on the ocean. Lauhala can

be used for weaving mats the dried leaves are harvested, processed and used for making mats, hats etc. Prop-

roots the aerial tips can be used to make la’au lapa’au to draw puss from wound, has vitamin B. Ahui hala the

fruit / keys can be used to make leis and signifies rites of passage: ua hala to pass, graduation etc. Hala in

Hawaiian means: to sin, vice, offense, fault, error; to pass, elapse, as time; to pass by; to miss; to pass away, die;

to cause to miss; to dodge, turn aside (Mary K. Puku`i and Samuel H. Elbert, Hawaiian Dictionary) and that if

you are having illness or misfortune there is something disrupting the harmony so you should examine yourself

and reflect referred to as ho’oponopono and correct the wrong or be accountable for the wrong and move

forward to live life to the fullest (Sarah / Piilani Smith).

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3. Dianella sandwicensis, Uki’uki (at the visitor center)

Family name:

Class:

Regions of growth:

Native plant:

Summary of plant identification: glabrous perennials on the ground, linear-lanceolate, flowers pale blue – white, berries translucent blue – sky blue. Native Hawaiians used ukiuki for cordage, berries used for dyes of light blue – violet (Lincoln 2009). Currently used as a landscape plant.

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4. Erythrina sandwicensis, Wiliwili

Picture from Kokocrater Botanical Garden Family name:

Class:

Regions of growth:

Native plant:

Summary of plant identification: tree up to 15 m tall, conical prickles, pinnately trifoliate, leaflets ovate, corolla orange, yellow, white or pale green, seeds red – yellowish orange, from Tahitian Erythrina, wood is soft and light used for outriggers for traditional canoes and for fishnet floats and surfboards, and seeds made into leis. Recently the Erythrina has been devastated by the Erythrina gall wasp (from Africa) that bores into the stem of the tree and eats all new tissues eventually killing the tree, the Department of Agriculture released the natural predator that feeds on the Erythrina gall wasp eggs as biological control to hopefully save the wiliwili.

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5. Acacia koa, Koa

Family name:

Class:

Regions of growth:

Native plant:

Summary of plant identification: trees up to 25 m, phyllodes, flowers heads in panicles, cream colored, and wood used to make canoes. 18 – 1900’s wood was harvested. Recently the Koa has been affected by a disease called Koa Wilt, fungus Fusarium oxysporum saprophyte (secondary infectious agent) clogs the xylem water column preventing the movement of water throughout the tree and eventually killing the tree.

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6. Metrosideros polymorpha, Ohia lehua

Family name:

Class:

Regions of growth:

Native plant:

Summary of plant identification: Shrub – tall tree (100 ft), Dominant tree in the forest, latin name polymorpha for taking many forms and shapes from stunted dwarfed bog ohia to tall trees in the wet forest region. Currently native Honeycreeper the Iiwi feed on ohia nectar. Ohia has different flower blossom from yellow, orange, salmon, red, and the mysterious white also used to make leis. Ohia wood was harvested during 18 – 1900’s, native Hawaiians used wood to make spears, mallets, idols, and used for building material (flooring). La’au lapa’au flowers were used to treat thrush, labor pangs. Laka is the hula god and in hula the dress is a reflection of the full native forest: kupukupu (fern), small / medium plants (halapepe, maile etc.), large trees / canopy (ohia, lama) in science the full native forest is dealing with the succession or plant communities and sustainability of the existing life / ecosystem. Ohia is kinolau of Goddess Laka taking the form of upper forest canopy, Laka also takes on ‘ohu or warm breath, hence “Ohi’a transpires ‘ohu” also known as evaporative cooling in plants or transpiration (Kanahele 2010; Hannah Taua). Provides habit (ohia & lama-manele) for endangered native land snails (Achantinella) (Pascua, 11.24.09). There is a fungus called Ohia rust that causes defoliation (leaves to fall off) on ohia plants.

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7. Dodonaea viscose, A’alii

Family name:

Class:

Regions of growth:

Native plant:

Summary of plant identification: shrubs to small trees, oblong-lanceolate, entire – undulate, slightly winged, flowers (dioecious or sometimes monoecious), capsules straw – dark reddish purple used in haku leis, 35 varieties and 4 species, possible Australian or PanTropical origins, fruit and leaves used for lei making, Aalii has deep roots and does not fall over in strong winds.

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8. Hibiscus koki’o ssp ulaula

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Native plant:

Summary of plant identification: shrub – small tree, ovate – oblong, crenate – serrate, corolla red – orangish, rarely yellow, capsule brown. The fibers and bark were used for medicinal purposes (Lincoln 2009).

9. Hibiscus koki’o ssp stjohnii

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Class:

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Native plant:

Summary of plant identification: shrub – small tree, ovate – oblong, crenate – serrate, corolla red – orangish, rarely yellow, capsule brown,

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10. Hibiscus waimeae, Koki’o ke’oke’o

Family name:

Class:

Regions of growth:

Native plant:

Summary of plant identification: gray bark trees, orbicular – ovate, lower leaves velvety, crenate – serrate, corolla opening in morning white turning pink in afternoon, only fragrant Hibiscus, capsule. Endangered

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11. Hibiscus tiliaceus, Hau

Family name:

Class:

Regions of growth:

Native plant:

Summary of plant identification: shrubs – small trees, cordate – ovate, lobed at midvein, entire, corolla yellow and brownish red at base fading to orange yellow to dark red, coastal, fibers used for cordage, not sure if Polynesian introduced or indigenous plant.

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12. Munroidendron racemosum (Australia) or Tetraplasandra racemosa

Family name:

Class:

Regions of growth:

Native plant:

Summary of plant identification: Trees up to 7 m tall, leaflets ovate, entire, petals pale yellowish and hang in long bunches. This is a rare and endangered endemic plant also used as a landscape plant.

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13. Rhus sandwicensis, Neleau

Family name:

Class:

Regions of growth:

Native plant:

Summary of plant identification: small trees, producing suckers spreading from roots form dense patches, prominent lenticels (gas exchange at stems), leaves are green on upper surface and paler on lower, pinnately compound, alternate leaflets ovate, flowers in dense terminal panicles, reddish brown, drupes red.

Useful websites:

http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/index/

http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/natives.htm

Reference:

Wagner, L. W., Herbst, D., Sohmer, S.H. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. Honolulu, HI : University of Hawaiʻi Press : Bishop Museum Press, 1999.

• Available at Windward Community College library

• Lincoln, N. K. Amy Greenwell Garden Ethnobotanical Guide to Native Hawaiian Plants. Bishop Museum Press: Honolulu, 2009.