Educate
Hawaiian Native Species Index
They came by air and by sea: seeds and spores that sailed on the ocean currents, drifted high in the atmosphere, and hitched rides with migratory birds. Once every 100,000 years, a new plant made a lucky landfall and established itself in the young, isolated Hawaiian Islands. And then, often, it evolved. When Polynesians arrived in Hawaii, they found an archipelago already teeming with a diverse native flora. These plants, many found nowhere else on earth, became part of the medicine, the worship, the knowledge and the everyday lives—in short, part of the culture—of Hawaii before Western contact.
-
Akia
Wikstroemia uva-ursi
Wikstroemia uva-ursa, known as Akia in Hawaiian, is only found in Hawaii, which makes it endemic. Used by Hawaiians as a fish poison so the men throwing nets could catch more fish. Common now throughout Hawaii, originally rare, found in coastal areas of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and Maui. Easy to […]
Read More -
Ohelo
Vaccinium reticulatum
Vaccinium reticulatum, known as ʻŌhelo ʻai in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering plant in the heather family, Ericaceae, that is endemic to Hawai’i. It grows at altitudes of 640–3,700 m (2,100–12,100 ft) on lava flows and freshly distributed volcanic ash on Maui and Hawai’i, and less commonly on Kauai,Oahu, […]
Read More -
Milo
Thespesia populnea
The generic name Thespesia is derived from the Greek thespesios, divine, referring to T. populnea, which was collected in Tahiti by Captain Cook’s expedition in 1769 and was reported to be a sacred tree and planted around places of worship. The specific epithet populnea, poplar-like, likely in reference to the […]
Read More -
Pukiawe
Styphelia Tameiatameiae
Styphelia tameiameiae is occurs in a variety of forms ranging from low, spreading shrubs to small erect trees. In the tree form, it can grow up to 15 feet tall. The bark is brown to black and rough, especially on the larger stems. The bark on the slender twigs is […]
Read More -
‘Aki’aki Grass
Sporobolus Virginicus
Sporobolus virginicus, known as ʻAkiʻaki in Hawaiian, belongs to the Poaceae (Grass family). Of the seven or eight species now found in Hawaii, only this species is indigenous. The genus name Sporobolus is derived from the Greek sporos, seed, and ballein, to throw, in reference to the fruit (the pericarp) […]
Read More -
Mamane
Sophora Chrysophylla
Sophora chrysophylla is a large shrub or medium sized tree up to 50 feet tall. The branches are golden brown with ridges running along them. Each leaf consists of 6 to 10 pairs of oval leaflets. The light green leaflets range in size from 3/8 to 2 inches long and […]
Read More -
Ohai
Sesbania Tomentosa
Sesbania tomentosa is a variable species. It is usually a low, spreading shrub with horizontal or arching branches; it is can also have a treelike habit up to 15 feet tall. In the wild, a single plant can cover a large area, but in cultivation it will tend to be […]
Read More -
Naupaka
Scaevola coriacea
Ten species of naupaka (Scaevola spp.) are native to the Hawaiian Islands in the Goodenia family or Goodeniaceae. The genus name comes from the Greek, scaevus, meaning left-handed or awkward, perhaps referring to the signature half-flowers resembling an open fan or hand. The feature species is one of two native […]
Read More -
Iliahialoe
Santalum ellipticum
This Sandalwood is endemic to Hawaii and found throughout the state. Grows to a height of 30 feet and can get 10 feet in width. Fragrant flowers and fragrant heart wood is what this tree was prized for. This type of Sandalwood grows from sea level to an elevation of […]
Read More -
Alahe’e
Psydrax Odorata
Psydrax odorata, known as Alaheʻe in Hawaiian, is indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands and found in habitats that vary such as shrubland to dry, mesic and wet forests from about 30 to over 3,800 feet. Belonging to the Coffee family (Rubiaceae), alaheʻe is locally renown for its wonderfully fragrant flowers […]
Read More -
Loulu
Pritchardia spp.
Pritchardia are single trunked palm trees with fan-shaped leaves. The Hawaiian Pritchardia are generally medium to large sized palms growing from 25 to 60 feet tall. The color and hairiness of the leaves, the length of the flowering stems, and the size and color of the fruit vary by species. […]
Read More -
Ohe makai
Polyscias Sandwicensis
ʻOhe makai belongs to the Ginseng family (Araliaceae), which also includes other native trees such as ʻōlapa (Cheirodendron spp.), munroidendron or pōkalakala, and ʻohe mauka. The non-native and invasive octopus tree or heʻe (Schefflera actinophylla) is also in this same family. The former generic name Reynoldsia is named on behalf […]
Read More -
Halapepe
Plemele Auwahiensis
The generic name Pleomele is derived from the Greek pleon, many, and melon, apple, in reference to the large inflorescence that produce many fruits. The specific epithet auwahiensis refers to Auwahi, Maui, a remnant native dry forest set aside to preserve native flora of Maui. This hala pepe is among […]
Read More -
Hoawa
Pittosporum hosmeri
Hoawa in Hawaiian, Pittosporum hosmeri, is part of a family that has about 150 species of Pittosporum throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and on a number of Pacific Islands, including the Hawaiian Islands with eleven endemic species. The generic name Pittosporum is derived from the Greek pittos, pitch, and […]
Read More -
Lauae fern
Phymatosorus grossus
Phylmatosorus grossus, known as Lauae fern in Hawaiians, is from old world tropics with scattered, erect, usually lobed fronds up to three feet high, arising from black-scaly, creeping horizontal stems at the soil surface, or epiphytic on other plants. The leaves commonly emit an odor reminiscent of vanilla and are […]
Read More -
Hala
Pandanus tectorius
Hala are indigenous to Hawaii ranging as far as Australia. Fossil records show that they arrived here well before the first humans. The list of uses from this tree is extensive; the root made a dye, the leaves were woven into clothing, the fruits were cooked and eaten, and the […]
Read More -
U’ulei
Osteomeles Anthyllidifolia
ʻŪlei belong to the very large Rose family (Rosaceae) of nearly 3,000 species.Though ʻūlei is indigenous, there are three other endemic members: Hawaiian strawberry or ʻōhelo papa (Fragaria chiloensis subsp. sandwicensis), and two species Hawaiian raspberries or ʻākala (Rubus hawaiensis & R. macraei). All have edible fruit, but range from […]
Read More -
Naio
Myoporum Sandwicense
Myoporum sandwicensis, known as Naio in Hawaiian, is a family comprising 4 genera and about 220 species from Australia, eastern Asia, and Pacific islands, with one monotypic genus Bonita L. in the west Indies and northern South America. The wood has a fragrance like honey and was confused with sandalwood. […]
Read More -
Mai`a – Banana
Musa Acuminata
Musa acuminata/ Musa sapientum, known as Mai`a in Hawaiian, usually grows in moist areas that are either wind protected, planted around dwellings, or on well-watered banks of taro lo`i. It can grow on median forest belts from an altitude of 1500 to 3000 ft. and on lower fringes of the […]
Read More -
Ohia Lehua
Metrosideros Polymorpha
Metrosideros polymorpha is an extremely variable plant. It ranges in habit from a prostrate shrub to a 100 foot tree. Young bark is smooth and light gray and becomes rough and scaly with age. In the landscape or garden, Metrosideros polymorpha is generally no larger than 40 feet tall and […]
Read More -
Nehe
Melanthera Integrifolia
Nehe are members of the Sunflower or Aster family (Asteraceae). There fourteen endemic species of Melanthera in the Hawaiian Islands. The taxonomic genus name has been changed from Lipochaeta to Melanthera. Melanthera integrifolia hybridizes with Lipochaeta lobata subsp. lobata at Kaʻena Pt., Oʻahu. The hybrids produce nearly sterile seed. The […]
Read More -
Kupukupu fern
Nephrolepis Cordifolia
Kupupukupu (Nephrolepis spp.) are members of Lomariopsidaceae. There are several common naturalized swordferns and will hybridize with the native species. This is the only Nephrolepis species, or swordfern, in Hawaii that produce underground tubers on the stolons. The generic name Nephrolepis is derived from the Greek nephros, kidney, and lepis, […]
Read More -
Hau hele ula
Kokia Cookei
Kokia cookei is considered one of the rarest and most endangered plant species in the world. In 1910, a single living tree was discovered within the general area of the initial sighting and may in fact, have been one of theoriginal trees. In 1915, this last remaining wild specimen was […]
Read More -
Kalo-Taro
Kalocasia spp.
Hawaii primarily grows wetland taro, or kalo in Hawaiian, in patches (lo`i) These patches are directly irrigated from rivers or streams, which is beneficial, because taro thrives best in aerated moving water. They can tolerate swampy or marshy conditions and a fair level of acidity. Best adapted in warm, moist, […]
Read More -
Pa u o hiiaka
Jacquemontia sandwicensis
Pāʻuohiʻiaka is a member of the Morning glory family (Convolvulaceae), which comprises some 1,650 species throughout the world. Recently, this native plant has been raised to a specific level as Jacquemontia sandwicensis, where formely it was considered as an endemic subspecies. One non-native relative, the Skyblue clustervine (Jacquemontia pentantha), is […]
Read More -
Beach Mornining Glory
Ipomoea pes-caprae
The beach morning glory or Goat’s foot, is a common tropical creeping vine, belonging to the family of Convolvulaceae. It grows on the upper parts of beaches and endures salted air. It is one of the most common and most widely distributed salt tolerant plants and provides one of the […]
Read More -
Kokio keokeo
Hibiscus Waimea
Hibiscus waimeae is a small, gray-barked tree up to 30 feet tall. The upper surface of the leaves is light green while the lower surface is covered with velvety hairs which makes it appear grayish. The round or oval leaves are 2 to 7 inches long and 1 to 5 […]
Read More -
Kokio ulaula
Hibiscus Kokio St Johnianus
Restricted in dry to mesic forests on northwestern Kauaʻi. The generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow. The specific and subspecific epithet kokio comes from the Hawaiian name for this hibiscus. The subspecies is named after Harold St. John (1892-1991), a professor of botany at […]
Read More -
Kokio kea
Hibiscus arnottianus spp. immaculatus
This subspecies of kokiʻo keʻokeʻo is extremely rare in its native habitat on Molokaʻi where the few remaining plants grow in wet to mesic forests (50-1600 ft.).The generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow. The specific and subspecific epithets are named in behalf of George […]
Read More -
Kokio ula
Hibiscus Clayii
Kokiʻo ʻula is found in a few dry forests of eastern Kauaʻi. The generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow. In 1928, Albert W. Duvel discovered several small hibiscus trees on Kauaʻi that were damaged by cattle. He brought them into cultivation, which proved to […]
Read More -
Hau kuahiwi
Hibiscadelphus Distans
Hibiscadelphus distans is a shrub or small tree that grows up to 5 meters tall. The leaves are heart-shaped, typically 4-10 cm in length, with irregular (rounded) serations on the margins. Both upper and lower leaf surfaces have branched stellate (star-shaped) hairs. Unlike most other Hawaiian members of the Mallow […]
Read More -
Nanu
Gardenia Brighami
Nāʻū or nānū (Gardenia brighamii) is one of several members of the Coffee family (Rubiaceae) native to Hawaii. The featured species and the two other endemic gardenias, G. mannii of Oʻahu, and G. remyi from Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island (Hilo and Puna districts), are all federally listed as […]
Read More -
Ukiuki
Dianella Sandwicensis
The genus Dianella, has gone through some family changes recently. Once was in the Lily family (Liliaceae). Then, in the Daylily family or Hermerocallidaceae. Now Dianella is placed in the Xanthorrhoeaceae. ʻUkiʻuki (D. sandwicensis) is the sole family representative native to the Hawaiian Islands. The generic name Dianella is from […]
Read More -
Hau Kuahiwi
Hibicadelphus Haualalaiensis
Hibiscadelphus hualalaiensis, of the mallow family (Malvaceae), is a tree 5 to 7 m (16 to 23 ft) tall with a trunk up to 30 cm (12 in) in diameter and whitish bark. The leaf blades are heart‐shaped and 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) long with a […]
Read More -
Pamakani
Viola chamissoniana
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.
Read More -
Koa
Acacia Koa
Acacia koa is a large tree becoming 50 feet tall in cultivation, but very old trees can become much taller. At maturity, the trees are 10 to 25 feet in diameter. The “leaves” are not true leaves; they are modified leaf stems, or phyllodes, which function as leaves. These crescent-shaped […]
Read More -
Ulu-Breadfruit
Artocarpus altilis
Artocarpus altilis, ‘Ulu in Hawaiian, Its beauty stands out in any garden. Easily 40-60 feet tall, with branches that span a similar-size diagonally. The sensual, dark-green lobed leaves of the breadfruit tree form a tapestry from which lime-green globes grow. The fruit can weigh up to 10 pounds each. The […]
Read More -
Kukui
Aleurites Moluccana
The Kukui or Candlenut tree is the state tree of Hawaii. In Hawaii, the tree has a spiritual significance of hope and renewal. As the most common of Hawaii’s forest trees, the kukui tree can grow up to 80 feet tall. Because of its fragrant white flowers, and of course […]
Read More -
Ti plant
Cordyline Fruticosa
Cordyline fruticosa, Ti plant, also known as the good luck plant, is an evergreen, flowering plant in the family Liliaceae, formerly treated in the families Agavaceae and Laxmanniaceae. It is a woody plant that grows up to 4 m tall, with leaves 30-60 cm (rarely 75 cm) long and 5-10 […]
Read More -
Kou
Cordia Subcordata
Crodia subcordata, known as Kou in Hawaiian, has distinctive orange flowers and large tan fruit. This tree originated in Africa and Madagascar. They are wide spread through the tropics. There is a close relative from tropical Americas on also the islands. It has darker orange flowers, fuzzy leaves, and white […]
Read More
