Environmental and Floristic Native At Leeward Community College Campus Conditions at LCC • Intense sun and heat during the summer Selected Plants for Landscaping • Well draining in the back of campus Based on Our Experience © • Region once supported dry land and woodland flora, now most absent and altered on the islands • Dryland shrub and woodland had great variety of plants, Program developed by Priscilla S. Millen, Professor of Botany, many which became dormant during hot season. Leeward Community College, and horticulturist Frani Okamoto • Had many fragrant flowering plants, many with interesting and texture elements. Contact Information for Millen, 808-455-0285, pmillen@.edu This document can only be used for educational purposes and not sold. • Difficult to imagine today the experience of this rich flora because now covered with a few invasives such as koa This work is supported by a USDA-CSREES Grant for Native and haole and grass. Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions May 2007 1 2

State of Natives Today Horticultural Practices LCC • Drip or spray irrigation needed to keep plants • Most endangered flora in attractive and producing throughout the year. the world: 50% or more.

• Many non-natives thought • Frequency of irrigation: once or two times a week, to be natives by many deep watering. such as the Polynesian Introductions, kalo, ti, noni, ‘awa or recent • Well draining soil in the back of campus. introductions like , gingers and • Ground cover or mulch greatly enhances native non-native hibiscus. growth. Mehamehame, , at LCC, one the most endangered Hawaiian . 3 4

Other Horticultural Horticultural Practices LCC Considerations • Notable pest is the Chinese Beetle. One effective control: • Little or no fertilizers as they tend to produce lush plant under night lights. growth attractive to insects and diseases. • Natives tend to transplant with some difficulty. Younger plants do better than older ones. Sometimes they “sit” for a year • Little or no chemical treatments for disease and before developing new growth. insects. Use horticultural soaps, and oils. • Propagation is well determined for many native plants, but they • Challenge: many natives fall prey to new disease are slow growing compared to most popular non-native plants. and insects pests, however if good plant conditions are maintained, plants eventually come back with • Landscapers and growers must know and recognize the some resistance. different environmental conditions that different natives require; plants from the mountains usually do not do well in dry areas. 5 6

1 Native Plant Landscape Uses Native Plant Landscape Uses • Natives tend to grow • Not all natives are conducive to cultivation or use in slowly, but if situated in landscaping. Many constricted by environmental needs. an attractive way, • Long term identification of desirable needed to allowing for growth, increase the selection of good landscape material. may result in lower maintenance.

• Natives can be Greenswords as seen here, or silverswords are poor effectively candidates for most gardens combined with because of their specific non-natives, growth requirements that not matched in most gardens. as long as cultural conditions are Red Ti, native‘Ohai and water plants At Waimanalo Health Center gardens similar. 7 8

NATIVE FERNS Native Plant Nurseries Palapalai, Microlepia strigosa • Only four nurseries ‘, and all are on the windward side. (Hui Ku Maoli Ola, Dennis Kim’s, Pisces and Kay • Used in Hula. Lynch’s fern nursery.) • Most are not expanding except for one: Hui Ku • Attractive, easy to Maoli Ola, (Rick and Matt’s nursery). They sell at Home grow. Depot, one of few venues for natives, but much of their business is contracted. • Fairly available, • One project for this grant is to develop a leeward, though some forms non-profit, native plant nursery. are not from Hawaii. • Additionally a large website for listing native plant inventories from nurseries is being developed.

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‘Okupukupu, sword fern, NATIVE GROUND COVERS Nephrolepis exaltata Pa’u o hi’iaka, Skirt of Hi’iaka, Jacquemontia ovalifolia subsp. sandwicensis

• Good as ground cover. • Sturdy, easy to grow. • plant but seems • Rapidly spreading by to do well in any dry runners. site. • Fairly available. • Constant small white • May be short-live, blue flowers. needing replacement • Need regular irrigation from runners every 2 - to remain attractive. 4 years. • Can walk on it without damage. 11 12

2 Akulikuli, Sesuvium portulacastrum Hunakai, Ipomoea imperati

• Extremely tough plant, also from coastal sites. • Coastal plant, • Resistant to salt spray. buries stems into • Takes hot dry conditions. the . • With irrigation, spreads • Needs very well rapidly. drained soil. • Used in phyto-remediation. • Small pink flower, • Attractive white attractive. flowers. • Succulent . • Succulent dark • Withstands walking on. green leaves

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Stream Side and Pond Plants Stream Side and Pond Plants

• ‘Ihi ihi laukea, Ae’ae, Water Marsilea villosa hyssop,Bacopa, Remains green year around Bacopa monnieri when planted by water. Native, endangered fern. • Excellent for stream- side, purifies water.

• ‘Ahu’awa, sedge, • Also good as ground Mariscus javanicus cover in moist, slow- May seed out vigorously. Leaf draining areas. edges sharp. Interesting structure year around. • Very easy to grow and propagate.

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Grasses, Grass-like plants and Sedges Grasses, Grass-like plants

• Pili Grass, Heteropogon and Sedges contortus. Uki Uki, Dianella • Extremely important sandwicensis cultural plant, used by

Hawaiians for thatching. • Usually available. • May have drawback of • Can take hot, dry conditions, best with seeding readily irrigation. • Very hardy, attractive. • Can grow in partial shade • Mealy bugs sometimes a problem. • Deep violet lily-like flowers, violet berries, important cultural plant. 17 18

3 Carex, Carex wahuensis Hina hina, Artemisia mauiensis

• Description: Graceful sedges that form thick clumps and reach about 3 feet. Tiny flowers emerge on the upper portion of long stalks called spikes. Once pollinated, the flowers become small, seedlike called achenes and can • May be tricky to grow. range from light brown to bright .

• Distribution: It can be found in dry forest and mesic areas. • Needs raised bed, very

• Cultural and other uses: The long, slender well drained soil with blades can be used to accentuate leis, as well as cinders. their flowers and seed stalks, in flower arrangements.

• Landscape use and care: Plants can be used either as accents.Their fine, fibrous roots are • Extremely silvery and great for controlling erosion, and they can be attractive. planted as a mass ground cover even on steep slopes. These plants are highly versatile and can handle moderate to little watering, as well as full sun to partial shade. They also stand up well in areas of high wind.

• From article, Hui Ku Maoli Ola Nursery 19 20

Pua kala, Argemone glauca

• About the only native ‘Ilima, Sida fallax “annual” plant, lasting 12 to 18 months. • Many naturally occuring forms: • Tricky to start, but once in large flowering Black coral the ground, will self seed. ‘Ilima, widely available to small ground hugging ‘ilima from the • Attractive white flowers in sand dunes of Molokai. . • Extremely hardy,easy to grow and • Prickly but interesting blue- propagate. green foliage. • Blooms 100’s of flowers a day, • Nice for naturalistic lasts for 5-7 years then replace. planting, dried plant stalks • Some tall growing, most widely can be cut down after spreading. seeding. • Island flower of ‘Oahu, source of • Very heat and drought real . resistant. 21 22

Nanu, Nau, Native gardenia, Hala pepe, Gardenia brighamia Pleomele sp.

• Should be planted • Relative of Dracaena. instead of the • Not readily available. commonly-used Tiare • Blooms of hanging • Exceptionally clusters of pale yellow attractive and pest-free bell-shaped flowers plant. with abundance of • Fragrant white flowers nectar. • A real winner. • Mesic forest plant, hardy. • Often available.

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4 Kauila, Colubrina Naupaka kuahiwi, oppositifolia Scaevola gaudichaudii • Not widely known in • Attractive large shrub to nursery trade. multi-stemmed . • Exceptional dryland shade • Prized for hard wood by with constant small yellow Hawaiians. star-shaped flowers. • Glossy foliage, small • Easy to grow, very greenish-yellow flowers, tolerant of dry, hot small fruit production. conditions. • Dryland native. • Attractive dark purple • Not readily available at berries. this time. • Takes pruning readily. • Small, curved leaves. 25 26

Koki’o ke’o ke’o, White Hibiscus, Hibiscus Koki’o ula, Clay’s hibiscus, Hibiscus clayi arnottianus, ssp. immaculatus, and H.waimae. • Can take dry, hot conditions if irrigated • Widely available and • Constant flower production popular. • Quite disease and pest resistant • Needs light pruning to maintain • Hardy, seems to resist attractive shape. blister mite to greater extent than non-native • An orange-flowered species, hibiscus. Hibiscus saintjohnianus is • Lightly fragrant flowers. another attractive native. • Will grow to large shrub • Recently hybrids of these and size but easily pruned. other species have been made for exceptionally attractive plants.

27 28 Hibiscus saintjohnianus

Naio, False Sandalwood, Naio, False Sandalwood, Myoporum sandwicense Myoporum sandwicense variety papa or Winona’s Naio • A large, tall shrub, the • A low growing form. more common form. • Extremely adapted to • Makes an evergreen, dry, hot conditions spreading ground cover. without losing leaves. • Named for Winona Char, • Small pink white well known Hawaiian flowers that are native plant botanist. persistent. • Easily pruned. • Discovered on the isalnd of Hawaii, South Point.

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5 ‘Ohai, Maua, Xylosoma hawaiiense Sesbania tomentosa • Attractive, weeping shape with shiny pointed green • Generally available. leaves. • Needs very well drained • New leaves a striking red soil with ciders. color. • Silvery leaves, apricot- • Deep red berries very colored flowers hang abundant in season. below. • Large shrub, mult-stemmed • Low, spreading shrub. tree. • In order to get berry • Sets off any other foliage. production, plant in groups • Needs to be replaced of three or more since there every 3-5 years but well are male and female plants. worth it. 31 32

Ho’awa, A’li’i, Dodonaea viscosa Pittosporum species

PICTURED: • Adapted to extremely Pittosporum confertifolium dry and hot conditions. • Grown for attractive • Mid to large sized shrub. • Understory shrubs in mesic to seed pods, used in lei. dry forests. • Wood very hard, • Interesting that open with bright orange inside with prized for qualities. shiny black . • Tall to medium in • Attractive various grey and green-grey leaf coloration. size. • Plant at least 3 or more together for fruit production • Possible dwarf types since there are male and to be available. female plants. 33 34

Ala he’e, ‘Akia, Fish Poison plant, Wikstroemia uva-ursi odorata • Widely used at resorts, and other beach areas. • Tall understory small • Has male and female tree, large shrub, also plants, need both for very drought tolerant. attractive fruit. • Low growing shrub • Fragrant clusters of from the coastal areas. small white flowers. • Attractive rounded small leaves on ranks down the stems. • Easily pruned. • Very fragrant in early mornings. • Shiny dark leaves. 35 36

6 Aulula, Cabbage-on-a-Stick Akoko Chamaesyce celestriodes

Interesting accent plant • Very drought tolerant. Needs excellent drainage • May go dormant and Often best in shallow pot drop leaves if not Does get spider mite irrigated readily • Interesting oblong leaf Fragrant long tubular shape. flowers Baseball-like thick stem

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Pohinahina, Beach Vitex, Ulei, Osteomeles Vitex rotundifolia anthyllidifolia • Tall growing ground cover plant from the . • From dry forests, • Silvery grey leaves. especially effective on • Small cluster of purple slopes. flowers. • Weeping growth, • In winter can become somewhat dormant, loses some tall, some some leaves. ground hugging. • Very hardy for difficult • Lacy leaves, clusters slopes and situations. of small white fruits. • Long, flexible stems. 39 40

Kului, Nototrichium sandwicense ‘Aweo’weo, ‘Aheahea Chenopodium oahuense • Attractive grey leaved form from Maui with purplish • Drought tolerant tinge. • Silvery leaf color • Medium sized shrub grown for • This variety, small, attractive leaves. interesting triangular • Tolerant of dry leaves. conditions. • Probably medium sized shrub. • Short-lived 41 42

7 Industrial Strength Moa, Psilotum nudum Plants for Tough Places Chicken Feet

• Propagation by spores like • Anapanapa, Colubrina ferns asiatica. Fast growing, must prune back strongly. Excellent • Used by Hawaiians as screening plant, very disease anti-chafing powder and resistant and vigorous. as herbal tea. Excellent for screening. • Prized by flower arrangers for keeping flowers fresh. • ‘Ilie’e, Plumbago • Easy to grow, different zeylanica. Good for texture. difficult situations, mounding in growth habit, so don’t put under trees or shrubs.

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Native Trees: Lama, Diospyros sandwicensis

Palms • Should be a prime landscape tree. Loulu, Palms, • Small to medium in size, Pritchardia species. fine leaves. • Related to persimmons. • Extremely important • Should use more of our 29 cultural tree for hula. native species, many • Display of multi-colored excellent for certain fruit, red, orange, yellow environmental conditions. and green. • New leaves bright red • Easy to grow from seed. • Still abundant in the wild, dry adapted.

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Aulu, Sapindus Koai’e, oahuensis • Dryland form of Koa, • Should be a major different species. large shade tree for the • Smaller in growth, ideal dry areas. for smaller areas. • Extremely heat and • All koa have soothing drought resistant leaf movement in the • Interesting fruits like wind, distinctive. small olives. • Should be a great landscape plant, currently • Little leaf litter. not very available. • Large tree.

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8 Hala, Koa, Acacia koa Pandanus tectorius

• Most forms of koa are too large for most landscape sites. • Most koa grow best at higher • Once consideration elevations and moister Polynesian conditions. • If seed is from drier sites, the Introduction, now plants may be genetically native. smaller and more adapted to drier conditions. • Important fiber for • Koa can die back if not good drainage or from twig borer Hawaiians. damage. • Large tree-like plant, • Still schools and garden sites would like to try the tree. this one is thornless.

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Munroidendron racemosum Koki’o, Tree Hibiscus, • Found native only in Kokia species Kaua’i. • Most spectacular native tree, should be a must in dry areas. • Large compound leaves Large and spreading. with felty tan undersides. • All are endangered, but seed source for Kokia drynariodes from the Island of Hawaii, is • Unusual fruit, bead-like readily available and will grow hanging down in clusters easily and quickly from seed. Interesting • Beautiful glossy, star-shaped Fruit of the leaves of medium green, stems • Easy to grow, hardy. Plant above bleed a red liquid when cut. • Eye-catching flowers, large as a fist, twisted and red. • Endangered • Attracts many birds and insects before and during blooming due 51 to large nectar output. 52

How to get native plants into the landscape How to get native plants into the landscape,

• Landscape architects and designers need to learn about cultivation continued requirements and to identify native plants for use in the landscape. • Leeward Community College is willing to share any seed or propagative plant Correct choice of seed source and growing conditions can mean the material that we have sufficient quantities with qualifying plant nursery difference in success or failure in use of native plants. businesses.

• Free three-hour workshops based on this document available on • Landscape maintenance firms should train workers in effective care of request to Professor Millen for qualifying landscape architecture and natives. Workshops may be arranged through Outreach Colleges of University landscape maintenance firms, and plant nurseries. In return, of Hawaii. participants will be asked to report on their increased use of native plants as a workshop outcome. • Network with other landscapers and share information about effective use of natives in the landscape. • Identify nurseries that are willing to start growing the necessary source plants for production. Many will need to grow their own • Use the new database online that will be available perhaps by next fall, called Native Plants Hawaii. It will contain horticultural information on native propagative sources for native plants. plants, provide space for any nursery growing native plants along with photos and information of examples of effective use of native plants in the landscape.

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