Plants Look of Hawaii Learn Science in Hawaii

Plants Look of Hawai‘i & Learn! Science in Hawai‘i: Nā Hāna Ma Ka ‘Ahupua‘a – A Culturally Responsive Curriculum Project Center on Disability Studies, College of Education, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa www. Sci. HI. hawaii. edu

Background Info Science Name= This is the technical name scientists use when talking about different types of plants. They are usually in Greek or Latin, so they may seem strange- it even takes scientists a long time to memorize them! Common Name= This is the name you and your friends know a plant by - like plumeria. Sometimes the common name will be “Plumeria Family, ” because it is related to the Plumeria - plants can be related just like people can.

Background Info Interesting Fact = Some plants have cool facts that go along with them you will find more of these as you study a certain plant on your own. Vegetation Zone = This is where the plant tends to grow or is usually found. The vegetation zone may not be known for all of the plants you’ll see here, but take note of it if it’s given.

Native Endemic Plants A Native Endemic plant is one found naturally here in Hawai‘i- nowhere else in the world does it grow! Because so many of the other plants that have been brought to Hawai‘i compete with endemic plants for water, sun, nutrition and space, many endemic plants have been unable to survive. The following nine pictures are all native endemic plants.

Māmane Science Name: Sophora chrysophylla Common Name: Pea Family Interesting Fact: There is a “parrot-billed” Hawaiian bird called Palila that depends on this tree for food and nest.

Mao hau hele Science Name: Hibiscus brackenridgei Common Name: Hibiscus Family Vegetation Zone: Wai‘anae Mountains on Mokulei‘a or Waialua side.

Pāpala kēpau Science Name: Pisonia brunoniana Common Name: Bougainvillea Family Interesting Fact: These fruits are extremely sticky and were once used by Hawaiians to catch native birds in order to gather their feathers.

Kauila Science Name: Alphitonia pondrosa Common Name: Buckthorn Family Interesting Fact: The red and black streaked wood of this tree is so heavy that it sinks in water.

Koki‘o ke ‘o Science Name: Hibiscus waimeae Common Name: Hibiscus Family Vegetation Zone: This plant is found in only a few valleys on Kaua‘i.

‘ Ūlei Science Name: Osteomeles anthyllidifolia Common Name: Rose Family Interesting Fact: Hawaiians used this shrub to make scoop net handles and closures.

‘Āla‘a Science Name: Pouteria sandwicensis Common Name: Sapote Family

‘Aiea Science Name: Nothocestrum breviflorum Common Name: Tomato Family

‘Iliahi Science Name: Santalum ellipticum Common Name: Sandalwood Family

Native Indigenous Plants A Native Indigenous plant is one that is found in Hawai’i and also in other areas of the Pacific. Unlike Native endemic plants that are only found here in the Hawaiian islands, native indigenous plants have relatives on other islands and coasts near Hawai‘i as well. The following nine pictures and descriptions are all native indigenous plants.

Hinahina Science Name: Heliotropium anomalum Common Name: Beach Heliotrope Vegetation Zone: Found on coastal areas of Ni‘ihau, Kaua‘i, Moloka‘i, and O‘ahu and all over Polynesia.

Naio Science Name: Myoporum sandwicense Common Name: Bastard Sandalwood Vegetation Zone: Found from near sea level to 10, 000 feet on the slopes of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Haleakala.

Kākalaioa Science Name: Caesalpinia bonduc Common Name: Gray nickers, part of the Bean Family Vegetation Zone: Found mostly in dry, open, disturbed areas. Seeds float very long distances.

Kauna‘oa Science Name: Cassytha filiformis Common Name: Dodder, part of the Cinnamon Family Interesting Fact: This is the plant of Lana‘i and is also a parasite. You might see orange “patches” of this plant spread out like tangled threads over other plants.

Huehue hue‘ie ‘inalua Science Name: Cocculus trilobus Common Name: Moonseed Family Vegetation Zone: Found in Southeast Asia to the Himalaya mountains, Malaysia and other areas of the Pacific. In Hawai‘i, it is found in open areas an on dried lava. Lives on all main islands except Kaho‘olawe.

Hala Science Name: Pandanus odoratissimus Common Name: Pandanus Family Vegetation Zone: Found on many Polynesian islands and was transported to Hawai‘i to use to make mats for sitting, sails for canoes and other things.

Pōhuehue Science Name: Ipomoea pes-caprae Common Name: Beach Morning Glory Interesting Fact: This plant is able to drink water almost as salty as ocean water.

Naupaka Science Name: Scaevola sericea Common Name: Beach Naupaka Interesting Fact: This plant has half flowers and seeds that look like tiny stones which float around the Pacific planting themselves on beaches.

‘Ilima kūkaha kai Science Name: Sida fallax Common Name: Beach ‘ilima Vegetation Zone: Grows in windblown, salty shoreline areas around the Hawaiian islands.

Polynesian-Introduced Plants A Polynesian-Introduced plant is one that was brought here when settlers from other Polynesian islands came to Hawai‘i. Many times, they brought certain plants with them in their canoes so they had materials to build their homes, fishnets and other supplies. The following nine pictures and descriptions are all Polynesian-Introduced plants.

Ipu Science Name: Lagenaria siceraria Common Name: Gourd- part of the Squash Family Interesting Fact: These were used to fill with water for boiling and to keep rhythm for the hula dancers.

Kalo Science Name: Colocasia esculenta Common Name: Taro Interesting Fact: This is the staple of food for Polynesian people of the Pacific region; it is high in calcium and fiber.

Kukui Science Name: Aleurites moluccana Common Name: Candle nut Interesting Fact: Oil from the seed can be burned for light, used for oiling canoes and other wooden items, too. The root was used for dying cloth.

Mai‘a Science Name: Musa acuminata Common Name: Banana Interesting Fact: Fruit was used for food and the trunk was used as a target for spearthrowing.

Pia Science Name: Tacca leontopetaloides Common Name: Polynesian arrowroot Vegetation Zone: Found all the way from Malaysia to Papua New Guinea.

Kī Science Name: Cordyline fruticosa Common Name: Ti plant Interesting Fact: Leaves used for cooling the forehead and wrapping food for steaming.

‘Uala Science Name: Ipomoea batatas Common Name: Sweet potato Interesting Fact: Plant grows very quickly and new settlers could harvest it in only a few months.

‘Uhi Science Name: Dioscorea alata Common Name: Yam

‘Ulu Science Name: Artocarpus altilis Common Name: Breadfruit- part of the Fig Family

Post-Contact Plants A Post-Contact plant is one that was brought here after the Europeans and other traders arrived in Hawai‘i. These plants are from Europe, East Asia, India and many other parts of the world. Many were brought here for supplies like Polynesian-Introduced plants, and some for decoration too. The following nine pictures and descriptions are all Post-Contact plants.

Mikana Science Name: Carica papaya Common Name: Papaya Vegetation Zone: Found on sea level up to 1, 200 feet. Native to Tropical America.

Hala Kahiki Science Name: Ananas cosmosus Common Name: Pineapple Vegetation Zone: These plants grow best at higher altitudes.

Manakō Science Name: Mangifera indica Common Name: Mango Vegetation Zone: Native to India. Other plants in the same family are Cashew nut and the Christmas berry.

Laikī Science Name: Litchi chinensis Common Name: Lychee Vegetation Zone: Native to tropical China. These plants grow best in mountainous, tropical climates.

‘Ōhai ali‘i Science Name: Caesalpnia pulcherrima Common Name: Royal Poinciana Tree

Kuawa Science Name: Psidium guajava Common Name: Guava Vegetation Zone: Native to tropical America

Liliko‘i Science Name: Passiflora edulis Common Name: Passion Fruit Vegetation Zone: Native to tropical America

La‘amia Science Name: Crescentia cujete Common Name: Calabash tree Vegetation Zone: Native to tropical America

‘Awapuhi ‘ula Science Name: Alpinia purpurata Common Name: Red ginger Vegetation Zone: Native to tropical Asia.