Home > Species > Plants SPECIES - PLANTS Wikstroemia uva-ursi - Photo: F & K Starr SELECTED PLANTS FOUND ON HAWAII’S OFFSHORE ISLETS The following list highlights some of the most biologically and culturally significant plants species found in Hawaii’s offshore islets. There are, however, several species not included on this list. Each species is classified as either endemic, indigenous, or introduced. These terms are defined as follows: Endemic: Native only to Hawaii Indigenous: Native to Hawaii and also other locations outside the state Introduced: Non-native species brought by humans either intentionally or accidentally Hawaiian Poppy or Pua kala Argemone glauca var. glauca Endemic Argemone glauca - Photo: F & K Starr   Pua kala is a biennial prickly poppy that grows 1-4 feet tall. Its white flowers bloom throughout the year. Pua kala occurs in dry, rocky areas from sea level to 1,500 feet on the leeward side of the high islands and on several offshore islets. The fire-resistant seeds and the sap of the fruit were traditionally used by Hawaiians to treat ulcers, toothaches, neuralagia, tuberculosis, and warts. Alena Boerhavia repens Indigenous Boerhavia repens - Photo: F & K Starr   Alena is a small, low-lying perennial that spreads out over the ground. Leaves are small and slender to roundish. The white or pink flowers are located at the end of thin stalks. Three native and one introduced species of Boerhavia are found in Hawaii. Some alena species occur on sandy seashores of many tropical Pacific islands, likely due to dispersal of sticky fruits by seabirds and shorebirds. The roots of some alena plants were traditionally used by Hawaiians for medicinal purposes. Puaala Brighamia rockii Endemic and Endangered Brighamia rockii - Photo: K Wood   Puaala is a succulent, long-lived perennial with fragrant white flowers and an unbranched, soft, woody stem. The water-storage capacity of the stems allows this plant to persist during periods of drought. This rare and highly endangered species is endemic to sea cliffs to the island of Molokai between sea level and 1,500 feet and is also found on nearby Huelo Islet. Population decline of Puaala is due to a combination of grazing, human development, competition with invasive plant species, defoliation by an introduced insects, and population declines of its natural pollinators. Maiapilo Capparis sandwichiana Endemic Species of Concern Capparis sandwichiana - Photo: F & K Starr   Maiapilo is characterized by fragrant, night-blooming white flowers, which open after sunset and fade soon after daylight. Four flower petals surround a delicate assemblage of long stamens. Light green leaves grow on stems up to 15 feet long. Maiapilo is now very uncommon and grows on various coastal substrates including lava rock, coral, and soils, usually less than 350 feet above sea level. Maiapilo was used as a medicine for broken bones by ancient Hawaiians. Beach cenchrus Cenchrus echinatus Introduced invasive species Cenchrus echinatus - Photo: F & K Starr   Beach cenchrus is a common introduced grass found in many areas of Hawaii. Its burr-like seeds stick easily to bird feathers, fur, and clothes and are easily transported from place to place. It forms dense mats that can crowd out native plants and prevent seabird nesting. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently succeeded in eradicating beach cenchrus from Laysan Island after many years of expensive and intensive effort. Strict quarantine procedures are now in place to prevent the re-introduction of cenchrus and other weeds to Laysan and other Northwest Hawaiian Island refuges. Hinahina Heliotropium anomalum var. argenteum Endemic Heliotropium anomalum - Photo: F & K Starr   Hinahina is a low-lying perennial beach plant with tiny white hairs covering the succulent leaves, giving the plant its characteristic silvery appearance. In Hawaiian, hinahina means very gray colored. It has small, aromatic white flowers on forked stalks. Often found on dry, sandy beaches, seeds of hinahina can tolerate immersion in salt water. Its leaves and flowers are still used in Hawaiian lei making. The leaves are sometimes used medicinally. Hinahina is the island flower of Kahoolawe. Seaside heliotrope or Nena Heliotropium curassavicum Indigenous Heliotropium curassavicum - Photo: F & K Starr   Nena is a low-lying, annual herb with succulent leaves, trailing stems 4 to 15 inches long, and clusters of tiny white flowers. A salt tolerant species, nena grows in alkaline soils near the shore. Dispersal of nena seeds may occur by seabirds and shorebirds. The leaves of nena were used by ancient Hawaiians to brew a medicinal tea. Beach morning glory or Pohuehue Ipomoea pes-caprae Indigenous Ipomoea pes caprae - Photo: F & K Starr   Pohuehue is a perennial seashore vine with stems extending along the ground for over 30 feet. It has thick, smooth leaves and pinkish, bell-shaped flowers. The seeds can tolerate salt water. It can still found in large clumps on sandy beaches but is less common than it used to be due to habitat loss, off-road vehicles, and invasive weeds. When other food was scarce, Hawaiians cooked and ate the roots and leaves in small amounts. Leaves and stems of pohuehue and other plants were used as in traditional Hawaiian medicine. Pau o hiiaka Jacquemontia ovalifolia subsp. sandwicensi Endemic subspecies Jacquemontia ovalifolia - Photo: F & K Starr   Pau o hiiaka is a trailing perennial herbaceous vine. The stems are up to 10 feet long and can cover bare rock and soil. The leaves are relatively thick and are covered by tiny white hairs. Purple to whitish flowers bloom primarily from December to July. The endemic Hawaiian subspecies is adapted to the drier lowland regions of the leeward sides of the islands as well as the offshore islets. Pau o hiiaka, translated to English as “skirt of Hiiaka”, was reputedly name by the goddess Pele when she found her baby sister Hiiaka on the beach, shielded from the sun by the leaves and stems of the plant. In ancient Hawaii, the roots and leaves were eaten and used medicinally. Kanaloa Kanaloa kahoolawensis Endemic and Highly Endangered Kanaloa kahoolawensis - Photo: K Wood   Kanaloa is a critically endangered plant species, endemic to the island of Kahoolawe, where only a single shrub remains in the wild on Aleale Islet. Kanaloa is a densely branched shrub that grows up to 3 feet tall. Light green leaves are divided into 3 leaflets. Until it was recently discovered on Aleale, the plant was unknown to science. Kanaloa is the only species in its genus. Based on pollen studies, it is likely that this plant commonly occurred in lowland areas of Oahu, Maui, and Kauai prior to Polynesian settlement and persisted as a co-dominant species with loulu palms until around the 16th century AD. Introduced rodents are suspected to have played a role in the demise of both the lowland loulu and kanaloa. Lantana Lantana camara Introduced invasive species Lantana camara - Photo: F & K Starr   Lantana was introduced to Hawaii in 1858 as an ornamental, due to its colorful flowers. It is a low, prickly shrub with a strong root system that has invaded many habitats in Hawaii and displaced native plant species. Its small numerous fruits are dispersed by birds and the seeds spread and germinate easily. Because the foliage is toxic to livestock, ranchers on Niihau removed lantana from nearby Lehua Island many years ago. Koa haole Leucaena leucocephala Introduced invasive species Leucaena leucocephala - Photo: F & K Starr   This highly drought-tolerant weed was introduced to Hawaii in 1837 and has since come to dominate many dry coastal and low elevation areas up to 1,100 feet. It is a fast growing legume, reaching up to 30 feet high, with a long tap root, white flowers and brown seed pods. It has been used as cattle fodder, firewood and to stabilize eroded areas. It is one of the most highly invasive weeds in Hawaii and has displaced many native plant species from coastal habitats. Nehe Lipochaeta integrifolia Endemic Lipochaeta integrifolia - Photo: F & K Starr   Over 20 endemic species of the genus Lipochaeta have been classified in Hawaii. Many of these are endangered and at least four of the coastal Lipochaeta are extinct. L. integrifolia, however, is still relatively common. It is a member of the sunflower family and is distributed along sandy and lava coastlines. L. integrifolia is a low-lying, sprawling, perennial plant that forms a mat-like ground cover. It has small succulent leaves with white hairs and yellow flower clusters at the tips of its branches. Umbrella sedge or Ahuawa Mariscus javanicus Indigenous Mariscus javanicus - Photo: F & K Starr   Ahuawa is perennial sedge that grows 15 to 45 inches tall. In Hawaii, ahuawa commonly grows in marshes, taro loi, along streams and ditches, rocky coastal sites and cliffs from sea level to 600 feet elevation. Ahuawa is found on 3 offshore islets; Lehua, Manana, and Mokolii. Leaves of ahuawa were braided as cordage for house lashing and net bags, and as a strainer for awa, a narcotic drink used in ceremonies. Ahuawa may have been used in burials as well. Screwpine or Hala Pandanus tectorius Indigenous Pandanus tectorius - Photo: F & K Starr   Hala is a small, widely branching tree that can grow up to 30 feet tall. Hala trees are supported by thick, rigid, aerial prop roots that descend from the trunk and branches. Female trees produce a large fruit that resembles a pineapple and males trees produce a large cluster of fragrant yellow flowers. Hala occurs throughout much of the Pacific. In Hawaii it most often occurs in mesic, rocky or sandy coastal sites, but can also grow on low elevation slopes of mesic valleys inland up to 2,000 feet elevation. Fossils of the hala fruit found on Kauai are more than 1 million years old. Hala has many traditional uses in Hawaii and throughout the Pacific. Hawaiians used hala as a source of carbohydrates. The leaves were woven into floormats, thatch, fans, sandals, and sails for canoes. Dry fruits were used as brushes to paint the traditional Polynesian tapa cloth. Hala blossoms were used as a mild laxative and young root tips were used in compounds for chest pains and as a tonic. In Hawaiian spirituality, Hala contributed to the origin of humankind and was regarded as a nature spirit (kupua) in ancient Hawaii. Hoawa Pittosporum halophilum Endemic and extremely rare Pittosporum halophilum - Photo: K Wood   This species was assumed extinct until recently re-discovered on the Molokai’s Okala, Mokapu, and Huelo Islets. Only 14 individuals of this species exist in the wild. Hoawa is a shrub that grows up to 5 feet tall. Leaves are shiny, dark green above and golden underneath and are clustered at branch tips. Population declines of hoawa are a result of habitat degradation by feral ungulates, rodents, and competition with non-native plant species. Ihi Portulaca molokiniensis Endemic and Endangered Portulaca molokiniensis - Photo: F & K Starr   Ihi is a low-lying herb with thick, fleshy green leaves and small, bright yellow flowers. Portulaca molokiniensis is an extremely rare and endangered coastal species and is currently found in low numbers on Molokini, Aleale and Puu Koae Islets. P. molokinensis is one of four native species of Portulaca in Hawaii and is closely related to the indigenous P. lutea, the most common of the four. Three naturalized alien species of Portulaca also occur in Hawaii and it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between all the various species. Loulu lelo Pritchardia hillebrandii Endemic Pritchardia hillebrandii - Photo: K Wood   Loulu lelo is a native palm tree that grows approximately 20 feet tall. Its green, fan-shaped leaves leaves have a silver appearance on the underside. Flower stalks produce small, round fruits that are blue or black when ripe. Loulu lelo is endemic to the island of Molokai and is found on the windward coast in moist to wet forest cliffs from 100 to 2000 feet elevation and on Huelo and Mokapu Islets. Hawaiian legend tells of a game where loulu palm leaves were woven into a hammock upon which players were laid and then tossed into the sea from Huelo Islet on Molokai. Other legends say that some also tied the broad, fan-shaped leaved to their arms and glided to the sea from Huelo’s summit. Beach sandalwood or Iliahialoe Santalum ellipticum var. littorale Endemic Santalum ellipticum - Photo: F & K Starr   This species is one of 4 endemic sandalwood species found in the Hawaiian Islands. Iliahialoe is a shrub with succulent, gray-green leaves, tiny yellowish-green flowers, and green seeds that turn blue or black when fully mature. Iliahialoe is found on all the main islands from sea level to 1,800 feet and on Mokapu Islet. Hawaiians used it for medicine and to scent tapa cloth. Dwarf naupaka or Naupaka papa Scaevola coriacea Endemic and Endangered species Scaevola coriacea - Photo: F & K Starr   Dwarf naupaka is a low-lying perennial herb with succulent leaves. Yellowish-green, lobed, “half-flowers” grow in groups of 1 to 3. Nine of ten Scaevola species occurring in Hawaii, including Scaevola coriacea, are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Dwarf naupaka historically occurred on 6 of the main islands but is now extremely rare. It was formerly found on Maui’s Mokeheeia Islet and has recently been seen on Molokai’s Okala and Mokuhooniki Islets. Beach naupaka or Naupaka kahakai Scaevola taccada Indigenous Scaevola sericea - Photo: F & K Starr   Naupaka kahakai is a densely branched, woody shrub that can grow more than 10 feet high. It has green, succulent leaves and whitish flowers that appear like they were split in half. The small, fleshy white fruits are extremely salt tolerant and can germinate after exposure to salt water for over a year. Bouyant fruits, easily dispersed by ocean currents, led to wide distribution of this species throughout the tropical and subtropical Pacific and Indian Oceans. An introduced species in Florida, S. taccada has out-completed and displaced native vegetation along the Florida shorelines, including threatened and endangered species. Hawaiians ate the berries and used the bark and leaves for medicine. Ohai Sesbania tomentosa Endemic and Endangered Sesbania tomentosa - Photo: F & K Starr   Ohai most often grows as a low-lying, sprawling, woody shrub, but it can also grow as a small tree. On the ground, branches can grow to over 40 feet long and in undisturbed habitats, a single plant can cover a large area. A whitish tint on the hairy leaves helps reflect light, thereby protecting the plant from harsh exposure to the intense solar radiation common in Hawaii’s coastal environments. The pea-like flowers are orange, reddish, or rarely yellow. Ohai is pollinated by native bees (Hylaeus spp.). In the past, ohai occurred widely in coastal environments on all the main islands and at least Nihoa and Necker in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Development, off-road vehicles, and introduced ungulates have seriously reduced its numbers across the islands and small populations populations persist in restricted habitats. Hawaii’s offshore islets provide a refuge for this plant species and islet populations currently exist on PuuKoae (Kahoolawe) and Kaohikaipu (Oahu) Islets. Sea purslane or Akulikuli Sesuvium portulacastrum Indigenous Sesuvium portulacastrum - Photo: F & K Starr   Akulikuli is a low-lying herb with long, trailing branches and fleshy stems. Its green, succulent leaves may turn yellow or red with age. It has attractive, five part flowers ranging from white to magenta. Akulikuli is pantropical in distribution. It is salt-tolerant and grows in a variety of coastal habitats, including sandy or rocky beaches, sand dunes, soil pockets in lava, and surrounding the shores of sandy lagoons or brackish marshlands. `Akulikuli is considered a pioneer species, important for trapping and holding wind-blown sand, stabilizing beaches or sand dunes from excess erosion. The fleshy parts of the plant are edible. Beach dropseed or Akiaki Sporobolus virginicus Indigenous Sporobolus virginicus - Photo: F & K Starr   Akiaki is a vigorous perennial grass that spreads by rhizomes. This characteristic makes akiaki an important species for stabilizing seashores and wind-eroded sand dunes. Akiaki grows 6 to 15 inches tall and is highly heat and salt tolerant, growing from above the high-tide mark to 15 feet elevation. It is most commonly found on sand dunes. Akiaki also grows in seasonal wetlands. This species has a worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical areas. Golden crownbeard Verbesina encelioides Introduced invasive species Verbesina encelioides - Photo: F & K Starr   This invasive weed is a member of the sunflower family and was introduced to Hawaii prior to 1871. It is now common and dominates some coastal areas. Golden crownbeard is an annual herb, has numerous yellow flowers, and can grow over 5 feet high. It can form dense stands that preclude native plant species. It is so widespread and dense on Midway and Kure Atolls that it prevents seabirds nesting in some areas. Beach vitex or Pohinahina Vitex rotundifolia Indigenous Vitex rotundifolia - Photo: F & K Starr   Pohinahina is an aromatic, low-lying shrub that can grow in clumps several feet wide. The leaves are pale green with hairs on both sides, giving the plant a grayish or silver appearance, which its Hawaiian name, pohinahina, likely refers to. Its other Hawaiian name, kolokolo kahakai, means beach creeper. Blue or purplish flowers bloom during the summer. Coastal development in recent decades has reduced its geographical distribution. Pohinahina was used for medicinal purposes by ancient Hawaiians. Akia Wikstroemia uva-ursi Endemic Wikstroemia uva ursi - Photo: F & K Starr   Akia is a low-lying, densely branching, and sprawling shrub that grows up to 5 feet tall. Thick, firm leaves grow on woody stems and are dark green to grayish on top and light green underneath. Akia produces small yellow unisexual flowers (either male or female) throughout the year. Twelve species of Wikstroemia are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. All species are characterized by very similar small, yellow flowers, but the size, texture and color of leaves varies among and within species according to elevation, habitat, and season. Traditionally, ropes in Hawaii were made using the strong fibers of Wikstroemia species. Ancient Hawaiians crushed the root and stem bark of akia, which contains mild toxins, and scattered it in tide pools to stun and catch fish. It was also reportedly used to execute criminals. The bright orange fruits of akia were used to make an attractive seed lei. Scientists recently discovered that extracts of this plant exhibit anti-tumor activity. > Back to top of page Home  Islets  Species  Projects  Outreach  Links  About Us