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AVIAN WILDLIFE OF HAWAI'I -NON
AVIAN WILDLIFE OF HAWAI'I -
PLANTS
Of all the species brought to Hawai'i the most abundant are plants, there are extremely few areas on any of the Islands where you can look without seeing an introduced species of tree, shrub or flower.
The species described below are mainly indigenous to Hawai'i, and many are endemic. A few non-native species of special importance in Hawaiian culture or those species that are almost impossible to avoid, are included, but there are simply too many species to fully cover introduced plants in detail. (E = Endemic; I = Indigenous; * = Introduced).
Link: USGS Hawaiian Islands Plants
Several excellent locations exist for observing a wide range of native (and introduced) plants including:
Limahuli National tropical Botanical Gardens, Ha'ena, Kaua'i
Lawai National Tropical Botanical Gardens, Lawai, Kaua'i
Lyon Arboretum, Manoa Valley, Honolulu, O'ahu
Kahuna National Tropical Botanical Gardens, nr. Hana, Maui
Kula Gardens, Kula, Maui
Hilo Tropical Gardens, Hilo, Hawai'i
Manuka State Park, Manuka, Hawai'i
A pocket Guide to Hawai'i's Trees and Shrubs by H.D. Pratt is a great and indispensable pocket-sized guide for identifying much of Hawai'i's flora. (See the Recommended Reading page).
Back to Species List
'A'ALI'I (Dodonaea viscosa) E
All Main Islands
Also known as Hawaiian Hopseed this species can be found in drier
habitats on all the Main Islands. It has thin red seed pods, which have a paper-like quality and small red flowers, which are rather
inconspicuous. The leaves usually grow vertically upwards from the branches. It is common in Mamane and Naio forests, but also common
in such areas as along the Mauna Loa Road in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island and Haleakala on Maui.
| ALULA
(Brighamia insignis) E Kaua'i Endangered Species  This unusual species is endemic to Kaua'i (and Ni'ihau) and is an Endangered Species. Plants can be easily observed at Kilauea Point NWR and Limahuli Gardens, both on the North shore of Kaua'i. In the wild the species grows on cliff ledges and steep mountainsides, where there is good drainage. The plant produces yellow flowers on short stalks. Botanists have helped to save the species from extinction by pollinating plants and collecting seeds for propagation in collections. Today there are more plants at the two locations listed than there are in the wild! |
| 'ILIMA (Sida fallax) E All Main Islands  This
species can be found in the Main Islands along
beaches and seashores as well as inland on lava and similar rocky places. It has either a creeper-like structure,
growing along sand and beach edges or can be found as an upright shrub inland. It has a bright yellow flower, although
a two-tone variant also exists. The species is easily observed in many suitable areas in the Islands such as Polihale, Port Allen, Kapa'a and
Ha'ena Beach on Kaua'i; Ka'ena Point on O'ahu; Kealia on Maui
and the Kona Coast
on Hawai'i. Plants can also be seen growing at
Kilauea Point NWR, Kaua'i, where plants have been re-introduced. |
| KOA
(Acacia koaia) E All Main Islands (except Kaho'olawe) About 1200 species of Acacia exist, with many native to Australia. Three species are endemic to Hawai'i. The Acacia koa is a large tree which can grow up to 100 feet tall and is often the most dominant tree in dry to wet forests on all the Main Islands. Almost 50 endemic insects live on Koa trees at some stage of their lives - a true indication of its importance and ancient origins. Although once very widespread, the tree has become scarcer in recent times and is increasingly in need of protection. The Acacia in Hawai'i has two leaf forms. The juvenile form has finely divided "true leaves" and has the lacy appearance of many Acacia species. The mature leaves follow which are the flattened leaf stems known as phyllodes. The curved phyllodes resemble small sickles and are a distinctive feature of koa trees and can often be seen on trees at the roadside. Locations such as Kokee and the Alakai on Kaua'i and Pu'u La'au and Volcanoes NP on Hawai'i are easy locations to see the species. |
| KUKUI
(Aleurites moluccana) * All Main Islands (except Kaho'olawe) Kukui, or Candlenut Tree is another introduction by the early Polynesians, which they brought to Hawai'i mainly to use the oily nuts as candles. The nuts' inner kernals were dried and skewered onto a coconut frond and set on fire, this would last about 45 minutes. As well as for candles, the Polynesians used the oil to waterproof bowls and to make paint when mixed with charcoal. Fisherman apparently used to chew the nuts and spit them onto the surface of the water as it helped them to see the reef below. The nuts were also eaten and used top make leis. Other parts of the tree were used as medicine, wood and dye. Although the nuts are harvested less today the species can often be spreading into forests due to rats picking up the nuts for food and carrying them into the forest. Kukui is the official State tree of Hawai'i. Kukui can be seen on all the Main Islands, especially in Botanical Gardens such as those listed at the top of this section. |
| MAMANE
(Sophora chrysophylla) E All Main Islands (except Kaho'olawe) This species is most easily seen along the Saddle Road area of the Big Island and on Mauna Kea. The habitat in which it grows is a distinctive open forest. The species has down-curved pale green leaves with small oval leaflets and pea-like golden yellow flowers. The seed pods, which are ridged and green in color, provide food for the Palila, one of Hawai'i's threatened bird species, and which is restricted to this habitat on the Big Island. |
| 'ILIAU
(Wilkesia gymnoxyphium) E Kaua'i Endangered Species This species is rare and confined to Kaua'i. In appearance it has been likened to a shrub on a pole or a pom-pom palm. However, it belongs to the Daisy family and is a member of a group that includes the amazing Silversword. Like the Silversword, the 'Iliau grows for some years before putting all its energy into an immense flowering stalk before it dies. The species can be observed along the Koke'e Road near the intersection with the Waimea Canyon Road, as well as at Limahuli Gardens, both on Kaua'i. It is important to make sure when looking for this species to eliminate the similar-looking Kaua'i Halapepe (Pleomele aurea). |
| KAUA'I HALAPEPE (Pleomele aurea)
E Kaua'i This species is endemic to Kaua'i and is usually found at higher elevation than the similar looking 'Iliau. This species is a larger plant and possesses longer, broader leaves that tend to droop. This species also produces spectacular dangling golden flower clusters. |
| BEACH NAUPAKA (Scaevola serica)
I All Main Islands  This species of beach naupaka,
also known as Naupaka Kahakai in Hawaiian, is native to Hawai'i and other tropical and subtropical Pacific and
Indian Ocean coasts. It is easily observed on all the Main Islands along beaches, shorelines and in gardens and parks. The leaves are smooth
and waxy and the plant has round white berries (often eaten by Nene at locations where the two meet, eg. Kilauea
Point, Kaua'i) and a small white half flower.One legend about the flower is as follows: It concerns the famous Hula school located at the base of Makana mountain near Ke'e Beach on Kaua'i's north shore. The students of the school were expected to obey very strict kapu and protocols and learning the complicated and long Hawaiian chants required their full attention. One night the head of the school, Kilioe, heard the splashes of someone crossing Limahuli stream. She left her bed to follow the splashes and much to her surprise and anger found two of her best students, Nanau and Kapaka, both in defiance of the hula kapu. When she caught up to them near Lumaha'i Beach, she called their names and demanded that they stop, instead they ran ahead. They were lovers and each was determined to protect the other. The young man, Napau, hid Kapaka in a cave and tried to divert Kilioe's attention by running up the mountain. However, when Kilioe chased after Nanau, Kapaka stepped out of the cave to block her way. Blinded by her rage, Kilioe swung her staff at the girl and killed her. Kilioe then ran up the mountain after Nanau. When Nanau saw that Kapaka was dead he turned toward Kilioe and accepted death as a way to rejoin her. The following morning fishermen reported finding a new plant growing from the sand at the site of Kapaka's death. It was a beautiful shrub, but the flowers formed only half a circle. That same day bird-catchers discovered a new plant growing in the mountains where Nanau had died. This new plants flowers also formed a half circle. The goddess of hula, Laka, had changed these lovers into two plants, the Beach naupaka and the Mountain Naupaka, which are separated forever. In this legend however the flowers join and the name becomes one. |
| 'MOUNTAIN'
NAUPAKA (Scaevola spp.) I All Main Islands (except Kaho'olawe) Adaptive radiation of the Beach Naupaka has resulted in several mountain forms of Naupaka including S. gaudichaudiana, S. procera and S. glabra. Although the different species may have different appearances they all retain the characteristic half-flower. Several species are known as Naupaka Kuahiwi and they possess long, narrow leaves that are sometimes serrated along the edge. They have white or pale colored flowers and a black fruit. Scaevola gaudichaudiana is a good example of this form and can be found on Kaua'i and O'ahu; S. procera is another example of this form and it can be found on Kaua'i and Moloka'i. 'Ohe Naupaka is found on Kaua'i and O'ahu and differs in having curved tubular yellow flowers. Also see Beach Naupaka (Scaevola serica)above. |
| 'OHI'A
(Metrosideros polymorpha) E All Main Islands (except Kaho'olawe) The 'Ohia can be found in a wide variety of habitats and is often the first species to recolonise lava flows. It is found in high elevation forest as both tall trees and as dwarf bushes and is a favourite of native birds which come to fee at the bright red pom-pom flowers, known as lehua. The name polymorpha means many forms and refers to the many forms and sizes that the species may take. Easily seen on all the Main Islands, especially in higher elevation forests such as Kokee, Kaua'i; Pihea Trail, O'ahu, Waikomoi Preserve, Maui and Volcanoes National Park, Hawai'i. |
| PANDANUS/ HALA (Pandanus tectorius) I and * All Main Islands Also known as the Screwpine, plants in this family have been found in the fossil record in Siberia, Austria, Madagascar and England. Today Screwpines are found throughout Polynesia, Australia and southern Asia. Although the origins of Hala in Hawai'i were debated for many years, when a basaltic rock fell from a cliff near Hanalei (Kaua'i) and split in half revealing a fossilised Hala plant which predated human discovery of of Hawai'i by several million years the answer was clear - Hala is a native Hawaiian plant, although also much introduced in later years. The leaves of Hala have been used by Hawaiians to make mats, pillows, baskets and flooring and even roofing and canoe sails. Male and female flowers appear on different trees. The male flower is known as hinano and is surrounded by white bracts, which can reach a foot long. The female tree bears a fruit which is reminiscent of a pineapple, and when this is ripe it breaks into small pieces called keys. Another name for the tree is the "walking-stick tree", due to the root formation which comprises stilt-like struts which reach out from the base of the tree above ground, whilst older dead roots may disappear or drop off, therefore the tree moves along as new and old roots are replaced, however this is a very slow process and probably only confirmable in a few cases. Found on all the Main Islands from coastal areas to higher elevation forests. |
| SILVERSWORD (Argyroxiphium sandwicense) E Maui; Hawai'i Endangered Species A Hawaiian endemic found on
Haleakala, Maui and Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, Hawai'i only. Also known in Hawai'i as Ahinahina. This species survives in the harsh windswept conditions
at the very tops of these two high peaks in almost desert-like habitat. It is an extreme example of adaptive radiation
from an ancestral tarweed. On Haleakala the plants
can be quite easily seen at the summit, with several within a few feet of the parking areas. On Hawai'i the species is faring less well and requires more searching.
The plant may grow for 20 years before producing its flowering spike, which has small purple daisy-like flowers.
After flowering the plant dies! The roots of the plant are very shallow and extend around the plant underground
and can be damaged if trodden on, making it best to remain a short distance away from the plants. Left: The inhospitable environment
that the Silversword grows in at the summit of Haleakala.Link: Hawaiian Silversword Alliance |
| PAPALA KEPAU (Charpentiera ellipica) E Kaua'i Another Kaua'i endemic which is fairly common in parts of the native forest, especially in the Koke'e region. At maturity the species reaches about 20 feet in height. This species was the favorite wood for use in the fire throwing ceremony, called 'oahi. The dried logs of the Papala are hollow which makes them easy to throw on the up-draughts whilst alight. The fire-throwing ceremony was only carried out at two locations in Hawai'i - Makana mountain and Nu'alolo on the Na Pali coast, both on Kaua'i. |
| KOKI'O KE'OKE'O (Hibiscus waimeae
hannerae) E Kaua'i Endangered Species This species was originally discovered in 1913 and was though to be extinct until rediscovered at Limahuli, Kaua'i in 1976. The plant has attractive white flowers with a delicate fragrance and bloom throughout the year.Trees grow up to 30 feet tall or more. |
| 'ULU
(Artocarpus altilis) * All Main Islands (except Kaho'olawe) Also known as Breadfruit, this plant was brought to Hawai'i by the early Polynesians for food, and remains today one of the staple foods in much of Polynesia, especially the Marquesas Islands. The plant is easy to grow and is high in carbohydrates, Calcium and vitamin B. The tree has been used in many ways including using the leaves and leaf sheaths as sandpaper, using the sap as canoe caulk and the wood for canoes, surfboards and musical instruments. The 'Ulu has been propagated for such a long time now that the plants no longer reproduce from seed. The species is easily seen in Hawai'i, especially at collections such as the Limahuli Gardens on Kaua'i and Kahuna Garden on Maui (where more than 150 varieties can be seen). |
| TARO
(Colocaia esculenta) * Kaua'i; O'ahu; Maui; Moloka'i; Hawai'i  Also called Kalo, this plant
was introduced from Polynesia and was brought by the early Polynesian settlers as a main food plant. Every part
of the plant is edible when cooked, but thorough cooking of the corm is required as the plant is high in calcium
oxolate, which can cause severe irritation to the mouth. When cooked the corms are often eaten like potatoes or
mixed with water to form the well-known food poi. The corms are high in minerals and vitamins such as vitamin A
and B. The leaves also contain minerals and vitamins A, B and C.The Hawaiian word for family, 'ohana, is derived from the Kalo plant. As the plant matures, small offshoots known as 'oha form in a circle around the parent plant and in time these 'oha mature and produce a further generation of kalo. This cycle continues and a mature plant can eventually provide enough new offspring to fill an entire lo'i - the name given to an entire pond of kalo.  Taro has been grown in Hawai'i
for many hundreds of years, and a terraced wall area at Limahuli Gardens (Kaua'i) has been carbon-dated
and found to be over 700 years old. Sites where Taro can be seen growing also include Hanalei
National Wildlife Refuge, Huleia NWR, Wailua River Valley and Hanapepe on Kaua'i; the road to Hana on Maui and Lyon Arboretum and Waimea Falls Park on O'ahu. |
| TI
(Cordyline fruticosa) * All Main Islands Another Polynesian introduction, sometimes known as Ki, was used for many purposes including food wrapping and storage, roof construction and making clothes such as waterproof capes and footwear. Leaves are used at Luau's where chicken or pork laulau is wrapped up inside. Ti was believed to have protecting powers from bad spirits and was often planted alongside houses and Taro Lo'i to award protection, a custom still carried out today. Ti plants are also often found around Heiau sites, again to ward away evil spirits. Like 'Ulu, Ti has lost its ability to reproduce from seed although introduced varieties have hybridised in modern times and do reproduce from seed. The resulting leaves can be orange or red in color. Ti can easily be seen on all the Main Islands in many different habitats, from the coast to forest. |
| 'AWA (Piper methysticum)* All Main Islands This plant was very important to the Polynesians and was brought to Hawai'i by them for medicinal purposes. Traditionally the 'awa was made into a drink by chewing the roots, collecting the pulp in a bowl and then mixing it with water. The resulting drink contained a sedative and was used to induce sleep. The plant is a member of the Black Pepper family and 18 different varieties are known from Hawai'i. Elsewhere in Polynesia the plant is known as Kava and is even grown commercially and is used in Western countries as a nasal decongestant. In Hawai'i the species can be seen in wet, windward valleys on all the Main Islands, although is often quite difficult to find. |
| LOULU (Pritchardia limahuliensis) E Kaua'i Endemic to Kaua'i this member of the Palm family was discovered in Limahuli Valley, Kaua'i in 1977. The genus Pritchardia is the only palm genus native to Hawai'i. About 25 species of Pritchardia are found on tropical Pacific islands, and about 20 species are endemic to Hawai'i. P. limahuliensis is endemic to Limahuli Valley. The leaves are fan-shaped as opposed to the feather-shaped leaves of introduced palms. The species can be observed at Limahuli Gardens, Kaua'i. |
| LAMA
(Diospyros sandwicensis) I All Main Islands (except Kaho'olawe) This is a member of the ebony family, which are known for their hard, dark wood. There are two endemic Hawaiian species and were formally quite common in lowland dry forests. Lama grows slowly and may have been one of the original forest species. The Hawaiian word lama means light or lamp and in the case of the tree is believed to refer to enlightenment, as the wood was used to construct the framework for Hula temples. The tree produces a small sweet fruit when ripe. Lama can be seen on all the Main Islands but is can be easily overlooked as 'ohi'a lehua and is perhaps more easily seen in Botanical Gardens. |
| SANDALWOOD (Santalum paniculatum) I All Main Islands (except Kaho'olawe) Properly refferred to as Mountain Sandalwood, this species is large in size and has dark green oval leaves and green four-petalled flowers, which are tightly clustered at the end of the branches. The best place to see Sandalwoods is in the Mamane-Naio forest of the Big Island. Although once extremely common the tree is less widespread nowadays due to cutting down of trees for timber. |
| PAKALOLO (Cannabis sativa)
I?,* All Main Islands (?) (except Kaho'olawe) It is not entirely known if Cannabis sativa or Marijuana is native to Hawai'i, but it certainly rather widespread across the Main Islands, usually in cultivated plots, well hidden in the forest. The species has distinctive long leaves with serrated edges eminating from the stem. It is best to leave well alone any plants that one finds, as they are often guarded by guards, some of who may be armed. The government can often be seen flying helicopters low over forested areas searching for plots of land where the species is being grown, which it is reported, is Hawai'i's top cash crop! |
| SUGAR CANE (Saccarum officinarum) * All Main Islands (except Kaho'olawe) The early Polynesians originally brought Sugar Cane to Hawai'i and called it Ko, and the species was later widely planted by commercial companies across all the Main Islands. Although there is far less Sugar Cane today than there has been over the last 150 years it is still easily seen on all the Islands, often grown in vast fields alongside the highway. The early Hawaiians used the plant in various ways including: using it as decoration around their homes, for flavoring, as food and for medicinal purposes, as well as chewing it to clean their teeth! They also used it for entertainment by making darts from the tassels which the plant produces in the winter and by putting the tassels on hillsides to create a slippery surface for sledding. In more recent times Sugar Cane has been very profitable and has influenced politics, helped to overthrow the Hawaiian Kingdom and has depleted the land of much of its nutrients. Although Sugar Cane helped to provide good feeding habitat for waterbirds through the establishment of settling ponds and run-off basins, the commercial growing of Sugar Cane has done a lot more bad than good for Hawaiian habitats through forest lost and land degradation. It is a pity that now that Sugar Cane is no longer financially viable in Hawai'i and companies are moving out, the land which they once controlled is not being returned to its natural, or a semi-natural state, instead usually being sold for building and construction of houses and warehouses. With no settling ponds there is less wetland habitat for waterbirds and with no native forest left in the lowlands there is limited habitat for endemic forest birds, even if their populations did become large enough and immune to Avian Malaria, to move out of their upland retreats. |
| GUAVA
(Psidium guajava)* and YELLOW
STRAWBERRY GUAVA (Psidium Cattleianum) * All Main Islands Guava was introduced to Hawai'i as a commercial plant in the early 1800's from tropical America and can be found throughout the Main Islands, after being planted by man and spread by Cattle, Horses, Pigs and Birds and may be found almost anywhere but especially in lower elevation areas. A good place to see a Guava orchard and learn about the production of guava products is on Kaua'i at Guava Kai Plantation near Kilauea. Strawberry Guava is a close relative of P. guajava and is often one of the most common trees in lowland forests throughout the Main Islands. It is a very competitive plant and its seeds are widely distributed due to the edible fruit which it bears. It also prohibits the growth of other plants under and nearby it by having thick and tightly growing roots and secreting a toxic substance which chemically inhibits the growth of other plants. Hawaiian name is Waiawi. |
| BANANA POKA (Passiflora mollisima) * All Main Islands (except Kaho'olawe) This introduced species is a serious ecological threat to Hawai'i's native forests as it grows readily, rapidly and crowds out native species. The fruit are enjoyed by feral animals and birds and have spread throughout the forests. The species is a type of Passion Fruit and grows like a vine and produces yellow banana-shaped fruits. It has pink flowers which are sometimes fed on for nectar by I'iwi. The Hawaiian name poka means offal, a testament to the dislike of it by Hawaiians down the ages. Found on all the Main Islands. Every year at Koke'e State Park on Kaua'i there is a festival (The Banana Poka Festival) where conservation, environmental and education groups gather to spread the word about Hawai'i's unique habitats and species and to attempt to remove some of the Banana Poka plants from the surrounding forest - well worth a visit if it coincides with the festival, details of which can be found at the Koke'e Natural History Museum website or on the News and Events page (at the appropriate time of year) on this site. |
