Hawaiian Plants
This list is a sampling of some of the plants we identified during the course. This list is not yet edited for proper plant naming, spelling and related info. We recommend that you locate other resources for more complete, accurate, in-depth information on Hawaiian plants.
Green Lake (the following are some of the plants seen on the Green Lake field trip)

Click on a plant to see its Hi-Res. image.


Name: Brazilian Pepper Tree

Name: Bread Fruit Tree
Notes: This baby tree propagated naturally from root stock.

Name: Casurina Tree

Name: Chico Sapote Tree

Name: Fijian Longon Tree

Name: Monkey Pod Tree

Name: Wood Ear Mushroom

La'akea (the following are some of the plants seen at La'akea)
Hawaiian Name: 'Ama'u | Scientific Name: Sadleria cyatheoides
Notes: This native fern is endemic to Hawaii.

Name: Avocado Tree

Hawaiian Name: 'Awa | Name: Kava | Scientific Name: Piper methysticum

Name: Bromeliad (species?)
Notes: John explains that although bromeliads are attractive they should not be planted next to human dwellings because they capture water in their center and create a breeding ground for mosquitos.

Name: Budlea Weed
Notes: Another ubiquitous weed at La'akea.

Name: Bunch Grass

Name: Cana
Notes: This image shows Cana seed pods at the top of the plant.

Name: Desmodium Weed
Notes: Its stalk has tiny hooks, so it really sticks to your clothes.

Name: False Rosell

Name: Gun Powder Tree

Hawaiian Name: Hapu'u (tree fern) | Scientific Name: Cibotium glaucum
Notes: Endemic to Hawaii. Notice the thick trunk of the tree under its leaves.

Hawaiian Name: 'Ie'ie (epiphyte)

Scientific Name: Inga edulis

Name: Jobs Tears

Hawaiian Name: Kalo | Name: Taro | Scientific Name: Colocasia esculenta
Notes: One of the canoe plants brought to Hawaii. This perennial herb, with it many edible parts, is a very important food source for peoples through out polynesia. It also has strong cultural significance.

Hawaiian Name: Ki | Name: Ti | Scientific Name: Cordyline fruticosa
Notes: One of the canoe plants brought to Hawaii. The variety shown in this image is the Green Ti plant.

Hawaiian Name: Ki | Name: Ti
Notes: The variety shown in this image is the Red Ti plant.

Name: Loquat Tree

Name: Mamake

Name: Mimosa
Notes: This ground cover is very common in Hawaii. It is an excellent nitrogen fixer. When you touch or step on the plant its leaves retract! (see image)

Name: Molasses Grass

Name: Norfolk Island Pine
Notes: Often used as a windbreak.

Hawaiian Name: 'Ohi'a or 'Ohi'a lehua | Scientific Name: Metrosideros polymorpha or Metrosideros macropus
Notes: Endemic to Hawaii.

Hawaiian Name: Popolo | Scientific Name: Solanum americanum
Notes: Indigenous to Hawaii. Has purplish black, edible berries. (see image)

Name: Rattle Pod

Name: Tibuchina(sp)

Name: Vervain

Hawaiian Name: Wiliwili | Scientific Name: Erythrina sandwicensis
Notes: Endemic to Hawaii. This tree is a good nitrogen fixer and is often used as a windbreak.

Can you identify which plant this branch belongs to. If so, email the answer to Anthony at acolombo@5thworld.net - mahalo nui loa

Pangaia (the following are some of the plants seen on the Pangaia field trip)
Name: Abiu Tree

Name: Avocado Tree
Notes: Notice the huge avocado grafted to this tree!

Scientific Name: Flemengia macrophylum Tree

Name: Horse Radish Tree

Name: Ice Cream Bean Tree

Name: Lichee Tree

Name: Mamay Sapote

Scientific Name: Monstera deliciosa

Name: Pitaaya Cactus

Name: Santol Tree

Warm Ponds (the following are some of the plants seen on the Warm Ponds field trip)
Hawaiian Name: Hala or Pu hala | Name: Screw Pine | Scientific Name: Pandanus tectorius
Notes: This tree is either indigenous to Hawai'i and/or it was brought here in canoes by Polynesians. Hala mats and baskets are made from this plant. Also used to make paint brushes. Some varieties are good to eat and the root tips have medicinal values. Males have fragrant flowers,

Hawaiian Name: Kamani (tree) | Scientific Name: Calophyllum inophyllum
Notes: Another plant brought in the Polynesian canoes. Nut oil is used as medicine. Can get up to three feet in diameter.

Hawaiian Name: Milo (tree) | Name: Portia | Scientific Name: Thespesia populnea
Notes: Believed to be brought in the Polynesian canoes. Deals with salt water very well. Wood is highly useful (drums, bowls, etc.) Good coastal shade plant (called "Royal Wood").

Hawaiian Name: Naupaka or Naupaka kahakai | Scientific Name: Scaevola serica
Notes: Grows right on shoreline. Flowers can be used as defogger for diving mask.

Hawaiian Name: Noni | Name: Indian mulberry | Scientific Name: Morinda citrifolia
Notes: Brought in the Polynesian canoes. High medicinal value and used as a dye. Notice the baby noni in the image.