Plants of Hawai`i
PLANTS YOU MAY SEE AT KEOLAMAULOA
Native plants of Hawai`i-Species that arrived before human contact.
Endemic - found only in Hawai`i. More than 95% of Native Plants are endemic.
Indigenous - plants that also occur in other geographic areas
Early Polynesian Introductions - Plants brought by early Polynesians on their voyaging canoes and considered very important in early Hawaiian culture.
- Ohia – Native, Endemic - the “pioneer tree” - the first species to populate a cooled lava flow
- Koa- Native, Endemic – the KING of Hawaiian trees
- Iliahi (Sandalwood) - Native, Endemic – once abundant on Hawaii Island, now very rare
- Kukui – Polynesian Introduced, Indigenous – The STATE TREE of Hawaii - The ancient symbol of enlightenment, the revered kukui or candlenut tree has provided oil, light, adornment and medicine for centuries
- Kolea - Native, Endemic- Found in Ohia forests
- Alahe’e – Native, Indigenous shrub
- Maile - Native, Endemic vine
- Mao Hau Hele – Native, Endemic, Endangered – The STATE FLOWER of Hawaii
- Ulei – Native, Indigenous
- Kalo (Taro) – Polynesian Introduced, Indigenous - a vital part of the spiritual, nutritional and agricultural culture of the Hawaiian people.
