Plants of HawaiPlants of Hawai‘‘iiLook & Learn!Look & Learn!

Science in HawaiScience in Hawai‘‘i: Ni: Nāā H Hāāna Ma Ka na Ma Ka ‘‘AhupuaAhupua‘‘a – A Culturally a – A Culturally Responsive Curriculum ProjectResponsive Curriculum Project

Center on Disability Studies, College of Education,Center on Disability Studies, College of Education,University of HawaiUniversity of Hawai‘‘i at Mi at Māānoanoa

www.SciHI.hawaii.eduwww.SciHI.hawaii.edu

Background InfoBackground InfoScience NameScience Name= This is the technical = This is the technical

name scientists use when talking about name scientists use when talking about different types of plants. They are different types of plants. They are usually in Greek or Latin, so they may usually in Greek or Latin, so they may seem strange- it even takes scientists a seem strange- it even takes scientists a long time to memorize them!long time to memorize them!

Common NameCommon Name= This is the name you = This is the name you and your friends know a plant by - like and your friends know a plant by - like plumeria. Sometimes the common name plumeria. Sometimes the common name will be “Plumeria Family,” because it is will be “Plumeria Family,” because it is related to the Plumeria - plants can be related to the Plumeria - plants can be related just like people can.related just like people can.

Background InfoBackground InfoInteresting Fact = Interesting Fact = Some plants have Some plants have

cool facts that go along with them - cool facts that go along with them - you will find more of these as you you will find more of these as you study a certain plant on your own.study a certain plant on your own.

Vegetation Zone = Vegetation Zone = This is where the This is where the plant tends to grow or is usually plant tends to grow or is usually found. The vegetation zone may not found. The vegetation zone may not be known for all of the plants you’ll be known for all of the plants you’ll see here, but take note of it if it’s see here, but take note of it if it’s given. given.

Native Endemic PlantsNative Endemic Plants

A A Native EndemicNative Endemic plant is one found plant is one found naturally here in Hawai‘i- nowhere else in naturally here in Hawai‘i- nowhere else in the world does it grow! Because so many the world does it grow! Because so many

of the other plants that have been of the other plants that have been brought to Hawai‘i compete with endemic brought to Hawai‘i compete with endemic plants for water, sun, nutrition and space, plants for water, sun, nutrition and space, many endemic plants have been unable many endemic plants have been unable to survive. The following nine pictures to survive. The following nine pictures

are all native endemic plants. are all native endemic plants.

MāmaneMāmane

Science Name:Science Name: Sophora chrysophyllaSophora chrysophylla

Common Name:Common Name: Pea Family Pea Family

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: There is a “parrot-There is a “parrot-billed” Hawaiian bird called Palila that billed” Hawaiian bird called Palila that depends on this tree for food and nest.depends on this tree for food and nest.

Mao hau heleMao hau hele

Science Name: Science Name: Hibiscus brackenridgeiHibiscus brackenridgei

Common Name: Common Name: Hibiscus FamilyHibiscus Family

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Wai‘anae Mountains on Wai‘anae Mountains on Mokulei‘a or Waialua side. Mokulei‘a or Waialua side.

Pāpala kēpauPāpala kēpau

Science Name:Science Name: Pisonia brunonianaPisonia brunonianaCommon Name: Common Name: Bougainvillea FamilyBougainvillea Family

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: These fruits are extremely These fruits are extremely sticky and were once used by Hawaiians to catch sticky and were once used by Hawaiians to catch

native birds in order to gather their feathers. native birds in order to gather their feathers.

KauilaKauila

Science Name:Science Name: Alphitonia pondrosaAlphitonia pondrosa

Common Name:Common Name: Buckthorn Family Buckthorn Family

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: The red and black The red and black streaked wood of this tree is so heavy streaked wood of this tree is so heavy

that it sinks in water. that it sinks in water.

Koki‘o ke ‘oke ‘oKoki‘o ke ‘oke ‘o

Science Name: Science Name: Hibiscus waimeaeHibiscus waimeaeCommon Name: Common Name: Hibiscus FamilyHibiscus Family

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: This plant is found in This plant is found in only a few valleys on Kaua‘i. only a few valleys on Kaua‘i.

‘ ‘ ŪleiŪlei

Science Name: Science Name: Osteomeles anthyllidifoliaOsteomeles anthyllidifoliaCommon Name: Common Name: Rose FamilyRose Family

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: Hawaiians used this Hawaiians used this shrub to make scoop net handles and shrub to make scoop net handles and

closures.closures.

‘‘Āla‘aĀla‘a

Science Name: Science Name: Pouteria sandwicensisPouteria sandwicensisCommon Name: Common Name: Sapote FamilySapote Family

‘‘AieaAiea

Science Name: Science Name: Nothocestrum breviflorumNothocestrum breviflorum

Common Name: Common Name: Tomato FamilyTomato Family

‘‘IliahiIliahi

Science Name: Science Name: Santalum ellipticumSantalum ellipticumCommon Name:Common Name: Sandalwood Family Sandalwood Family

Native Indigenous Native Indigenous PlantsPlants

A A Native IndigenousNative Indigenous plant is one that is plant is one that is found in Hawai’i and also in other areas of found in Hawai’i and also in other areas of the Pacific. Unlike Native endemic plants the Pacific. Unlike Native endemic plants that are only found here in the Hawaiian that are only found here in the Hawaiian islands, native indigenous plants have islands, native indigenous plants have

relatives on other islands and coasts near relatives on other islands and coasts near Hawai‘i as well. The following nine Hawai‘i as well. The following nine

pictures and descriptions are all native pictures and descriptions are all native indigenous plants. indigenous plants.

HinahinaHinahina

Science Name: Science Name: Heliotropium anomalumHeliotropium anomalumCommon Name: Common Name: Beach HeliotropeBeach Heliotrope

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Found on coastal areas of Found on coastal areas of Ni‘ihau, Kaua‘i, Moloka‘i, and O‘ahu and all over Ni‘ihau, Kaua‘i, Moloka‘i, and O‘ahu and all over

Polynesia. Polynesia.

NaioNaio

Science Name: Science Name: Myoporum sandwicenseMyoporum sandwicenseCommon Name: Common Name: Bastard SandalwoodBastard Sandalwood

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Found from near sea level to Found from near sea level to 10,000 feet on the slopes of Mauna Kea, Mauna 10,000 feet on the slopes of Mauna Kea, Mauna

Loa and HaleakalaLoa and Haleakala. .

KākalaioaKākalaioa

Science Name: Science Name: Caesalpinia bonducCaesalpinia bonducCommon Name: Common Name: Gray nickers, part of the Bean Gray nickers, part of the Bean

FamilyFamilyVegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Found mostly in dry, open, Found mostly in dry, open, disturbed areas. Seeds float very long distances.disturbed areas. Seeds float very long distances.

Kauna‘oaKauna‘oa

Science Name: Science Name: Cassytha filiformisCassytha filiformis

Common Name: Common Name: Dodder, part of the Cinnamon FamilyDodder, part of the Cinnamon Family

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: This is the plant of Lana‘i and is also a This is the plant of Lana‘i and is also a parasite. You might see orange “patches” of this plant parasite. You might see orange “patches” of this plant

spread out like tangled threads over other plants. spread out like tangled threads over other plants.

Huehue hue‘ie ‘inaluaHuehue hue‘ie ‘inalua

Science Name: Science Name: Cocculus trilobusCocculus trilobusCommon Name: Common Name: Moonseed FamilyMoonseed Family

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Found in Southeast Asia to the Himalaya Found in Southeast Asia to the Himalaya mountains, Malaysia and other areas of the Pacific. In mountains, Malaysia and other areas of the Pacific. In

Hawai‘i, it is found in open areas an on dried lava. Lives Hawai‘i, it is found in open areas an on dried lava. Lives on all main islands except Kaho‘olawe. on all main islands except Kaho‘olawe.

HalaHala

Science Name: Science Name: Pandanus odoratissimusPandanus odoratissimus

Common Name: Common Name: Pandanus FamilyPandanus Family

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Found on many Polynesian Found on many Polynesian islands and was transported to Hawai‘i to use to islands and was transported to Hawai‘i to use to make mats for sitting, sails for canoes and other make mats for sitting, sails for canoes and other

things. things.

PōhuehuePōhuehue

Science Name: Science Name: Ipomoea pes-capraeIpomoea pes-caprae

Common Name: Common Name: Beach Morning GloryBeach Morning Glory

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: This plant is able to drink water almost as This plant is able to drink water almost as salty as ocean water. salty as ocean water.

NaupakaNaupaka

Science Name: Science Name: Scaevola sericeaScaevola sericea

Common Name: Common Name: Beach NaupakaBeach Naupaka

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: This plant has half flowers and This plant has half flowers and seeds that look like tiny stones which float around seeds that look like tiny stones which float around

the Pacific planting themselves on beaches. the Pacific planting themselves on beaches.

‘‘Ilima kūkaha kaiIlima kūkaha kai

Science Name: Science Name: Sida fallaxSida fallaxCommon Name: Common Name: Beach ‘ilimaBeach ‘ilima

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Grows in windblown, Grows in windblown, salty shoreline areas around the Hawaiian salty shoreline areas around the Hawaiian

islands. islands.

Polynesian-Introduced Polynesian-Introduced PlantsPlants

A A Polynesian-IntroducedPolynesian-Introduced plant is one plant is one that was brought here when settlers from that was brought here when settlers from other Polynesian islands came to Hawai‘i. other Polynesian islands came to Hawai‘i. Many times, they brought certain plants Many times, they brought certain plants

with them in their canoes so they had with them in their canoes so they had materials to build their homes, fishnets materials to build their homes, fishnets and other supplies. The following nine and other supplies. The following nine

pictures and descriptions are all pictures and descriptions are all Polynesian-Introduced plants. Polynesian-Introduced plants.

IpuIpu

Science Name: Science Name: Lagenaria sicerariaLagenaria sicerariaCommon Name: Common Name: Gourd- part of the Squash FamilyGourd- part of the Squash Family

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: These were used to fill with water These were used to fill with water for boiling and to keep rhythm for the hula for boiling and to keep rhythm for the hula

dancers.dancers.

KaloKalo

Science Name: Science Name: Colocasia esculentaColocasia esculentaCommon Name: Common Name: TaroTaro

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: This is the staple of food for This is the staple of food for Polynesian people of the Pacific region; it is high Polynesian people of the Pacific region; it is high

in calcium and fiber.in calcium and fiber.

KukuiKukui

Science Name: Science Name: Aleurites moluccanaAleurites moluccana

Common Name: Common Name: Candle nutCandle nut

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: Oil from the seed can be Oil from the seed can be burned for light, used for oiling canoes and burned for light, used for oiling canoes and

other wooden items, too. The root was used for other wooden items, too. The root was used for dying cloth. dying cloth.

Mai‘aMai‘a

Science Name: Science Name: Musa acuminataMusa acuminata

Common Name: Common Name: BananaBanana

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: Fruit was used for food Fruit was used for food and the trunk was used as a target for and the trunk was used as a target for

spear-throwing. spear-throwing.

PiaPia

Science Name: Science Name: Tacca leontopetaloidesTacca leontopetaloidesCommon Name: Common Name: Polynesian arrowrootPolynesian arrowroot

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Found all the way from Found all the way from Malaysia to Papua New Guinea.Malaysia to Papua New Guinea.

KīKī

Science Name: Science Name: Cordyline fruticosaCordyline fruticosa

Common Name: Common Name: Ti plantTi plant

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: Leaves used for cooling Leaves used for cooling the forehead and wrapping food for the forehead and wrapping food for

steaming. steaming.

‘‘UalaUala

Science Name: Science Name: Ipomoea batatasIpomoea batatasCommon Name: Common Name: Sweet potatoSweet potato

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: Plant grows very quickly Plant grows very quickly and new settlers could harvest it in only a and new settlers could harvest it in only a

few months. few months.

‘‘UhiUhi

Science Name: Science Name: Dioscorea alataDioscorea alata

Common Name: Common Name: Yam Yam

‘‘UluUlu

Science Name: Science Name: Artocarpus altilisArtocarpus altilisCommon Name: Common Name: Breadfruit- part of the Fig Breadfruit- part of the Fig

FamilyFamily

Post-Contact PlantsPost-Contact Plants

A A Post-ContactPost-Contact plant is one that was plant is one that was brought here after the Europeans and brought here after the Europeans and other traders arrived in Hawai‘i. These other traders arrived in Hawai‘i. These plants are from Europe, East Asia, India plants are from Europe, East Asia, India

and many other parts of the world. Many and many other parts of the world. Many were brought here for supplies like were brought here for supplies like

Polynesian-Introduced plants, and some Polynesian-Introduced plants, and some for decoration too. The following nine for decoration too. The following nine pictures and descriptions are all Post-pictures and descriptions are all Post-

Contact plants. Contact plants.

MikanaMikana

Science Name: Science Name: Carica papayaCarica papaya

Common Name: Common Name: PapayaPapaya

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Found on sea level up Found on sea level up to 1,200 feet. Native to Tropical America. to 1,200 feet. Native to Tropical America.

Hala KahikiHala Kahiki

Science Name: Science Name: Ananas cosmosus Ananas cosmosus Common Name: Common Name: PineapplePineapple

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: These plants grow best These plants grow best at higher altitudes. at higher altitudes.

ManakōManakō

Science Name: Science Name: Mangifera indicaMangifera indica

Common Name: Common Name: MangoMango

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Native to India. Other Native to India. Other plants in the same family are Cashew nut plants in the same family are Cashew nut

and the Christmas berry. and the Christmas berry.

LaikīLaikī

Science Name: Science Name: Litchi chinensisLitchi chinensisCommon Name: Common Name: LycheeLychee

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Native to tropical China. Native to tropical China. These plants grow best in mountainous, tropical These plants grow best in mountainous, tropical

climates. climates.

‘‘Ōhai ali‘iŌhai ali‘i

Science Name: Science Name: Caesalpnia pulcherrimaCaesalpnia pulcherrima

Common Name: Common Name: Royal Poinciana TreeRoyal Poinciana Tree

KuawaKuawa

Science Name: Science Name: Psidium guajavaPsidium guajava

Common Name: Common Name: GuavaGuava

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Native to tropical Native to tropical AmericaAmerica

Liliko‘iLiliko‘i

Science Name: Science Name: Passiflora edulisPassiflora edulis

Common Name: Common Name: Passion FruitPassion Fruit

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Native to tropical Native to tropical AmericaAmerica

La‘amiaLa‘amia

Science Name: Science Name: Crescentia cujeteCrescentia cujete

Common Name: Common Name: Calabash treeCalabash tree

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Native to tropical Native to tropical AmericaAmerica

‘‘Awapuhi ‘ula ‘ulaAwapuhi ‘ula ‘ula

Science Name: Science Name: Alpinia purpurataAlpinia purpurataCommon Name: Common Name: Red gingerRed ginger

Vegetation Zone: Vegetation Zone: Native to tropical Asia.Native to tropical Asia.