Species Descriptions

Endemic

Tree up to 100'+ & up to 12' diameter

500'-5000'+ Elevation

Lowland dry forest to high elevation wet forest.

Leaves start out as finely compound and turn to crescent moon shaped modified leaf stalks or phyllodes, not leaves.

Creamy, white, yellow, puff ball flowers.

Being in the Pea Family it has oblong seed pods.

Natural nitrogen fixer

Wood used for woodworking, Hale construction, and canoe building.

Indigenous 

Mesic to wet forests 

Perennial groundcover shrub 2'-4' 

Partial shade to full shade.

Opposite leaves with serrated edges.

Stems dark reddish purple with small hairs.

Small flower clusters turn to sticky seeds.

Medicinal - Brewed into a tea. Anti-inflammatory, pneumonia, lungs and liver.

Used on skin wounds

Indigenous

Sea level to 2500'+ 

Epiphytic fern on the ground or in trees

Partial sun to partial shade. Likes water

Does well in a container or pot or anywhere you can tie and attach it to.

Long smooth glossy fronds span up to 10'+

Raised midrib on underside of frond.

Intricate vein design on underside of fronds.

Indigenous 

Sea level around wetlands and marshes.

Creeping perennial groundcover.

Full sun to partial shade; loves water 

Salt tolerant; soil stabilizer for erosion control.

Small opposite green, fleshy, succulent like leaves.

Small white to blueish flowers 

Flowers to seed capsules

Endemic  

Sea level to upland forests 

Perennial Shrub 

Full Sun to Partial Shade

19 endemic species; each island having several of their own species.

Many different leaf and flower variations between species.

Hawaiensis has elongated ovalish leaves with serrated edges 

Small yellow sunflowers 

Flowers turn to seed with no barbs

Hawaii endemic species of Bidens dont have barbs because there was no animals 

Medicinal: leaves & flowers brewed into tea; Lowers blood pressure and good for arthritis 

Endemic - Vulnerable

Coastal and dry lowlands

Groundcover shrub up to 5'

Full sun; low water

Drought, salt, and wind tolerant; Soil stabilizer for erosion control

Alternate round ovalish leaves.

Large white extravagant flowers with drooping stamens. 

Flowers open around sunset 

Flowers turn to small cucumber like fruit that are actually berries. 

Berries start green and turn yellow orange when ripe

Indigenous

Coastal and dry lowlands

Tree up to 35'

Full sun; low water

Drought, salt, and wind tolerant

Broad ovate to cordate leaves

Beautiful orange flowers that turn round fruit containing seed. 

Flowers used in lei

Main wood used for 'umeke la'au (wooden containers) and calabashes.

Favored for food and water because the wood wouldn't affect the flavor.

Indigenous 

Sea level to 1000' in wetland habitats 

Grass like sedge up to 3' 

Full sun; soil stabilizer for erosion control 

Can be planted in ponds and water features 

Pretty drought tolerant in the garden 

Attractive spikey flower clusters that turn to seed 

Sedges have edges! Leaf blades are sharp! 

Flower stalks used for weaving and cordage 

Medicinal - Used to treat thrush in children

Indigenous 

Dryland forest to mesic to wet forest 

Perennial clumping Lily 

Full sun to partial shade 

Long sword like leaves

Small bluish white flowers emerge on stalks

Flowers turn to bright bluish purple fruit

Fruit was used to dye kapa

Leaves were used for cordage and house thatching

Endemic

Sea level to 4000' Dry to mesic forests

Medium sized tree up to 30'

Full sun; Low water; wind and salt tolerant

Small leathery shiny green leaves. 

New growth is reddish pink

Small flowers turn to fruit containing seed.

Fruit starts yellow and turns red when ripe.

Fruit is edible and tasty. 

Also called Hawaiian Persimmon

Also called the Hawaiian Ebony. 

Prized reddish brown hardwood

Hardwood used in construction

Sacred to the Hula Goddess Laka

Indigenous 

Sea level to 5000'+  

Shrub up to small tree up to 15'+ 

Full sun to partial shade. 

Very wind and drought tolerant 

Alternate elongated shiny green leaves 

Unisexual, male and female flowers on same plant or different plants. 

Triangular winged seed capsules that range from red, pink, yellow, green 

Seed capsules used in lei making

Seed capsules used to make a red dye 

Hard flexible wood used for spears, tools, and building 

Medicinal - young leaf tips were boiled and used on skin ailments 

Indigenous

Along sandy rocky coastlines 

Small grass like sedge less than 1'

"Hawaiian Mondo Grass" native alternative to Mondo grass.

Full sun; low water; drought and salt tolerant.

Good soil stabilizer for erosion control

Great for zeroscaping or used as a container plant.

Stiff slender leaves; pokey to the touch.

Small flower clusters emerge on stalk. 

Flowers then turn to seed

Endemic - Vulnerable

Sea level to 500' +

Sprawling groundcover to shrub up to 5'

Full sun; low water

Fuzzy, deeply lobed, maple like leaves

Yellow hibiscus like flower; 

Flowers turn to small cotton balls containing seed

Cotton has small hairs not used for clothing

Used for medicinal purposes like q-tips

Green dye produced from leaves and flowers

Bred with textile cotton b/c of its pest disease resilience

Endemic 

AKA: Koki’o Kea; Pualoalo; Aloalo

Native White Hibiscus (Kea / Ke’oke’o meaning white) 

Mesic to wet forest regions 

Shrub to small tree up to 20'+ 

Full sun to partial shade 

Glossy round green leaves with maroon stems.

Beautiful white fragrant flowers turn to seed. The only fragrant hibiscus

Flowers were used as a laxative 

2 Koki'o Ke'o Ke'o species: H. arnottianus and H. waimeae 

5 subspecies: H. arnottianus ssp. (arnottianus, immaculatus, punaluuensis) 

H. waimeae ssp. (waimeae, hannerae)

Endemic 

All 3 subspecies, brackenridgei, molokaiana, and mokuleianus are endangered. 

Sea level to 2500' in dry forests.

Ma'o Hau Hele is our state flower! 

Ma'o Hau Hele translates to "green traveling hau" describing its growth habit. Sometimes it will get top heavy and fall over and reroot and continue growing. 

It has fuzzy, maple like leaves with deep lobes and serrated edges. 

It has beautiful yellow flowers that were used to make a green dye.

Bark was used for cordage. 

Indigenous 

Only indigenous species of the native hibiscus 

Sea level to 1000' in wetlands

Shrub up to 10' 

Full sun; loves water but can also be drought tolerant  

Beautiful pink/purple flowers 

Heart shaped leaves are fuzzy and have serrated edges 

Stems and flower buds hairy almost spiky; careful picking flowers ;) 

Rose beetles eat the leaves. To help prevent this plant near a night light source 

Bark was used for cordage; Flowers were used as a laxative

Endemic 

Mesic to wet forest regions

Shrub to small tree up to 15' 

Full sun to partial shade. 

Leaves can have smooth or slightly serrated edges.

Beautiful red flowers are constantly in bloom.

Flowers were used as a laxative.

Bark was used for cordage.

Indigenous / Polynesian Introduced 

Sea Level to 5000' 

Groundcover crawling climbing vine  

Full sun to partial shade 

Green cordate heart shaped leaves 

New growth is fuzzy/pubescent silvery 

Beautiful Bluish purple flowers open in the morning turn pink in afternoon.

Medicinal - Roots, stems, leaves used as a laxative 

Pounded roots and stems applied to wounds and sores

Endemic

Sea Level sandy to rocky coastlines

Groundcover crawling vine that doesnt seem to climb

Full sun; low water

Drought, wind, salt tolerant; Good soil stabilizer for erosion control

Small white to light blue flowers that turn to tan papery seed capsules

Translates to "skirt of Hi'iaka". 

Hi'iaka, Pele's younger sister, wears and uses this vine in many stories

Medicinal - Leaves were used to treat thrush in babies. Leaves and stems made into tea

Endemic

Endangered water fern. 

Dry areas with periodic water, around wetland areas, stream banks, and around edges of lo'i kalo. 

Looks like a four leaf clover but it's actually a fern. 

Fronds fold together at night and open back up in the morning. 

Likes the full sun if getting enough water.

It is an excellent plant for water features like ponds or lo'i. It does well as a container plant when kept in a tray of water.  

Spores cases or sporocarps form in hairy/fuzzy clusters. 

Click Photo or go to ‘Ōhi’a page to learn more

Indigenous

1000' to 5000'

Groundcover swordtail fern up to 2'

Full sun to partial shade; likes water

Frondlets less than 2" wide compared to common Kupukupu up to 4-5"

Spreads by root tubers

Other swordtail ferns are very invasive and often sold here, Boston and Asian swordferns

Endemic

Sea level to 2000'

Dry lowland forest

Shrub up to 6'

Full sun; low water; drought tolerant

Silvery ovalish leaves with tiny soft hairs

Unique drooping flower spikes

Dried flowers and wood used for fireworks

Indigenous

Sea level to 5000'+

Rocky coastlines to dry lowland forest

Tends to grow as crawling groundcover at low elevations and shrub to small tree up to 15'

Full sun; low water; drought tolerant

Green compound leaves with a silvery underside.

Small white 5 petaled fragrant flowers

Flowers turn to bluish white pulpy fruit.

Flowers and fruit used in lei.

Hard flexible wood was used to make fish nets, spears, and musical instruments.

Indigenous/Polynesian Introduced

Coastal tree up to 35'+

Full sun; low water; drought tolerant

Screwpine, Walking Tree, Pineapple Tree

Long spiny leaves grow in a spiral like a screw.

Tree is supported by many aerial roots making it look like it's  walking.

Female fruits resemble a pineapple.

Fruit is edible but not as tasty as a pineapple

Male flowers are intoxicatingly fragrant.

Leaves weaved into mats, hats, baskets, and thatching.

Fruits used in lei, as paintbrushes, and stamps.

Endemic 

Sea level to 5000'

Large shrub up to 15'+

Partial sun to shade. Understory plant

Large green serrated leaves with red to pink veins

White fleshy berries that produce seed

Leaves and berries are edible

Medicinal - Leaves brewed fresh into a tea

Endemic 

1000' to 5000' elevation

Shrub to Small tree up to 30'+

Sun to partial shade

Large fuzzy green obovate leaves

New growth is fuzzy hairy brown

Small white fragrant flower clusters

Flowers turn to oval seed capsules

Inside the capsules is bright yellow orange with black seeds resembling a cut in half papaya.

Favorite food of the 'Alalā, the Hawaiian Crow

Rats unfortunately also like to eat the seeds

Image Courtesy of Starr Environmental

Indigenous 

Sea level along rocky coastlines 

Small perennial shrub groundcover 

Full sun; low water 

Drought and salt tolerant 

Fuzzy, fleshy, succulent like leaves with ribbed edges 

Small white to blueish flowers resembling mini orchids 

Flowers turn to seed 

Hawaiian mint - edible and medicinal 

Hawaiiam mint has no taste or fragrance because it HAD no animals that ate it. Indigenous 

Sea level along rocky coastlines 

Groundcover; small shrub perennial 

Full sun; low water 

Drought and salt tolerant 

Fuzz

Indigenous 

Sea level to lowland forests 

Sprawling ground cover to small shrub 

Full Sun to partial shade; moderate water 

Understory plant 

Small white star like flowers with green sticky base 

Commonly called "poor girls earings" Flowers can be stuck to ones ears. 

Flowers turn to fruit brown elongated fruit 

Endemic 

Endangered 

Found at 2 locations, on the islands of Molokini and Kaho'olawe on rocky cliff sides.

Clumping erect succulent up to 2'

Loves full sun, well drained soil, low water.

Excellent plant for xeriscaping and rock gardens.

Does well in a concrete or ceramic pot with well drained soil mix.

Will rot if over watered

Thick, round succulent leaves.

Beautiful yellow flower clusters emerge on stalks.

Indigenous  

Clumping sprawling succulent up to 1'

Loves full sun, well drained soil, low water.

Excellent plant for xeriscaping and rock gardens.

Does well in a concrete or ceramic pot with well drained soil mix.

Will rot if over watered

Elongated round succulent leaves.

Beautiful yellow flower clusters emerge on stalks.

Indigenous

Sea level to 5000'

Grows on ground, on rocks, on trees, dry to moist areas (terestrial and epiphyte)

Frondless leafless fern relative up to 2'

Full sun to partial shade

In full sun the stems turn more light green yellow orange and dark green in the shade.

Spores develope into yellow ball like spore cases at the tips of stems

Used in lei making. 

Medicinal for treating fungal infections

Made into a tea lathargic properties

Moa means chicken, the stems of Moa look like chicken feet 

Endemic

200' to 5000' mesic wet forests

Medium sized tree up to 30'+

Full sun to partial shade; Likes water; Understory Tree

Large round oval opposite glossy leaves. 

Liko, new growth looks like praying hands.

Piko, small depressions on underside of leaves.

Small white to yellow flowers turn to orange fruit containing seeds.

Hardwood was used for tools

Indigenous

200' to 5000' 

Dry to mesic wet forests

Medium sized tree up to 30'+

Full sun to partial shade

Shiny glossy green opposite leaves with pointed tips. 

Small white fragrant flower clusters turn to greenish black fruit clusters.

Extremely hard wood was used for tools like 'ō'ō and sharp edge blades to cut softer wood.

Black dye was made from leaves

Indigenous

Sea Level

Sprawling shrub up to 10'

Full sun; low water

Drought, wind, salt tolerant; soil stabilizer for erosion control

Intricate half flower with 5 petals

Flowers turn to round white pulpy fruit containing seed

There are several mountain species Naupaka Kuahiwi also have half flowers some white some yellow and have black fruit

Both beach and mountain varieties of Naupaka occur in old Hawaiian stories

Indigenous

Sea level on beaches, marshes, and wetlands

Perennial groundcover

Reddish stems with succulent like leaves

Small purple/pink flowers

Hawaiian sea purslane; edible

Antibacterial and anti-fungal properties

Indigenous 

Sea level to 2000' 

Sprawling groundcover to shrub up to 5' 

Full sun to partial shade 

Highly variable species; leaves and flowers can differ 

Coastal species tend to be low lying shrubs with fuzzy leaves 

Upland species tend to be upright shrubs with glossy leaves 

Flowers are yellow to orange and mini hibiscus like 

Flowers used in lei making 

Medicinal: flowers used during pregnancy and child birth 

Flower buds used as a laxative

Indigenous

Sea level to 4000'

Clustering lace fern groundcover up to 3'

Full sun to partial shade; likes water

In full sun the stems of the fronds turn more reddish and fronds turn a lighter green.

Lace fern with delicate tripinnate fronds.

Fronds used in lei

Brown reddish dye made from old fronds

Polynesian Introduced

Sea level to lowland forest

Clumping groundcover shrub up to 4'+; spreads by rhizomes

Full sun to partial shade

Very intricately lobed shiny green leaves

Very intricate white flowers with long stamens at the end of tall stalks

Dies off during winter months and comes back spring into summer.

Pia the Hawaiian arrowroot is a starch. 

Tubers were grated, soaked, dried, and ground to make a starchy flour

Pia flour was mixed with coconut milk and sugar cane juice then baked to make haupia

Indigenous / Polynesian Introduced

Sea level to 2000'

Tree up to 30'

Full sun; Low water; wind and salt tolerant

Light yellow hibiscus like flowers with a maroon center. 

Flowers fade to a purplish pink by the afternoon

Flowers turn to brown 5 sided seed pods

Flowers used in lei making

Prized dark purple hardwood used for calabashes and bowls

Indigenous

Sea Level 

Crawling / climbing groundcover vine

Full sun to partial shade

Salt and drought tolerant; soil stabilizer for erosion control

Hawaiian beach pea; nitrogen fixer

Yellow pea like flowers resembling a butt

Also called 'okolemakili meaning cracked buttocks

Flowers turn to seed pod containing edible lentil sized brown seeds or peas

Entire plant is edible. 

Medicinal - Leaves and stems were pounded and applied to wounds and sores

Indigenous

Sea Level 

Crawling groundcover shrub

Full sun low water

Salt and drought tolerant; soil stabilizer for erosion control

Opposite round ovalish silvery green leaves, fragrant when crushed. Sage, eucalyptus smell

Small lavender purple orchid-like flowers that turn to round purple brown fruit.

Used in conjunction with other plants medicinally.

Indigenous

Sea Level - 5000'

Perennial shrub up to 5'

Full sun low water

Salt and drought tolerant; soil stabilizer for erosion control

Fuzzy green oblong leaves with serrated edges

Small yellow flower clusters that turn to seed; flower year long

Medicinal - entire plant, roots, stem, leaves, flowers brewed into tea

Anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, asthma, bronchial infections, sore throat

Endemic  

Many endemic species in this genus. Each island having several of their own species.  

Sandwicensis is found on Hawai’i Island 

Sea level to 6000' from rocky shorelines to upland forests 

Shrub to small tree up to 15' 

Called the “Tree Ākia” 

Full sun to partial shade 

Also called the “Big Leaf Ākia” it has large leaves compared to other species. 

Small fragrant yellow flower clusters.  

Flowers turn to small red fruit 

Bark was used for cordage. 

Used for fishing as a fish toxin