Hawaii flora

Plants in Hawaii

Hawaiian flora is beautifully rare, rich and diverse. A subtropical region, Hawaii has a climate and soil heavy with volcanic ash - two elements that play a role in the healthy growing of a wide variety of plants. Everywhere you go in Hawaii, you will find trees, shrubs and flowers in abundance. You can even find flowers growing on rocks.

There are two categories of Hawaiian flora - the native and the introduced. The native ones refer to those plants endemic to the islands. These are the flowering and non-flowering plants and trees that were brought to the islands through natural means such as wind, tides and birds. Populating the islands this way was slow - it is estimated that only one plant each 90,000 years was added to the Hawaiian landscape.

The second category of Hawaiian flora includes the foreign or introduced plant species. These are plants brought to Hawaii by settlers. The arrival of migrants in Hawaii with their plants and animals affected the Hawaiian flora in two ways. On the one hand, this led to a more diverse Hawaiian flora. New plant species were introduced and grew on the islands.

On the other hand, it led to the vanishing of many endemic varieties. Unable to adapt to the changes in the surroundings, many endemic plants gradually died and disappeared. From the onset of migrant settlement, it is estimated that one endemic plant died every nine months.

Of the 50,000 endemic species growing in abundance in Hawaii, only 2,600 remain today. Of these 2,600 remaining endemic species, roughly 30% are endangered according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). In 2003, the USFWS listed 273 endangered native plants. Of the world’s endangered plant species, half of them are found in Hawaii according to the U.S. list.

One group of Hawaii flora, the trees, grows in rich diversity in the islands. However, only a small number of indigenous trees continue to grow in Hawaii. There are only about 2,200 native trees that started to populate the islands beginning in the 19th century. Collectively, more than 50% of these are either endangered or have completely vanished from the islands.

Some of the native trees that continue to exist are kiawe, hau, pandanus, kukui, pandanus and koa. Kiawe has leaves that resemble a fern’s. Hau is a flower-bearing tree with intertwining branches. The pandanus tree is also referred to as hala. It has spiky leaves like the crown of a pineapple. It is a very useful tree: its leaves are plaited or woven into hats, baskets and more.

The koa tree, on the other hand, is the oldest known tree in the islands. It is one of the tallest trees in Hawaii. Koa has a very sturdy wood and has many uses. The trunk of the tree is used for boat- or canoe-building. Because koa is resistant to saltwater, it is also used to make surfboards. Also known as Hawaiian mahogany, this tree is referred to as the king of the forest.

Hawaii used to be copiously populated with koa trees. Now, only a small number grow in the forests and mountains. Already a state-protected tree, its use has been limited to building basic products and making of souvenirs.

Another group of Hawaiian flora, the flowers, abounds in wide variety. Hawaiian flowers are known not only for their bright petals, but also for their pleasing scent. In fact, many of these flowers, including hibiscus, pikake and Hawaiian rose are used for making perfumes. Blossoms can also be used to create a lei. A lei is a necklace made of blossoms strung together.

Hibiscus is often used to convey a symbolic message. If you see a woman with a hibiscus blossom worn on her left ear, it means the woman is in a relationship and not interested in another man. If a woman is wearing the blossom on her right ear, she is single and not dating anyone.

Flora that are found in Hawaii include:

Popo Hau is a plant that came from China. This flower has many different names, such as Japanese Hydrangea, Ajisai, Big leaf, Hortensia and Mil Flores. This flower can grow up to eight feet in height in the cool uplands. In the lower areas, it only grows up to two feet.

Dwarf Pittosporum is one of Hawaii’s most common landscape plants. This plant was first brought to Hawaii in 1970. The Dwarf grows three feet in height.

The Kokutan is originated from parts of Asia. In Japan, this plant is called Sharinbai, meaning spokes of the wheel, referring to the arrangement of the leaves on the stems. This plant is also found in the warmer parts of Korea and Japan. Hawaii Okinawan name is Kokutan.

Also, this is the name of a Ryukyu look-alike. Other names for this flower are Yeddo Hawthorn and Sharinbai. Yeddo is a spelling for Edo, the old name for Tokyo. This plant can grow up to eight feet in height. The eaves are glossy and dark green on the upper area and are one to two inches long.

The Purple-Leaved Hibiscus is native to Africa. The base of the flower produces a thick juice. Hibiscus is an ancient Greek and Latin name for marshmallow. The Purple-Leaved Hibiscus grows about 15 feet in height. It makes a fine jelly for breads and meats.

The common Hibiscus is Hawaii’s state flower. It is native to southern China. In China, the flower is named Fu Sang. In India, it is called Sapattnu-mal. The juices from the flower are used as food coloring. This flower can grow three to 20 feet in height. The petals grow two to eight inches across.

Rose of Sharon is Korea’s national flower. In Korea, it is called Mu Gung Hwa. In China it is called Mu Chin. Another name is Mukuge, a Japanese name. The Rose of Sharon grows up to about 13 feet in height. White, cream, pink, or bluish-purple appear constantly.


The Gardenia is native to warm areas in Japan and in China. People in China know this flower as Chin tzu or Huang, both of them meaning yellow flower. This flower adds a scent to teas and perfumes.

In the earlier times, the pulp from the fruit was a source of yellow dye for white fabrics. This flower grows about eight feet tall. The white leaves grow two to four inches in diameter. The dark green, glossy leaves grow four to six inches long.

The Pentas is native to tropical Africa and Arabia. This flower has sometimes been used as a treatment for headaches and fevers. Pentas grow about four feet in height. Their colors range from white to lavender, purple, pink and red. The plant grows from a seed and produces a new color.

The Dominica Bell flower was introduced to Hawaii in 1934 by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. The Dominica grows about 12 feet in height. The green, oval leaves are about six inches long. This greenish-yellow, trumpet-shaped flower is each about 12 inches long.

The Serissa is native to Southern Japan, Formosa, China and Southeast Asia. In Japan, it is called Hakuchhoge meaning white feathered bird. The Serissa can grow up to three feet in height.

The Anthurium is known for its bright colors. This flower was brought to Hawaii in 1889 by S.M. Damon from England. It usually grows three feet in height. The heart-shaped leaf is one foot long.

The Aechmea generally grows on trees. Sometimes the seed will be forming and the flower will be fading. The Aechmea was introduced into European plant life in 1826. Ever since then it has been well-known around the world. Aechmea can grow up to two feet in height.

The Pineapple’s fibers can be woven into cloth. There are five species of pineapple. One variety is called Red Spanish. The Hawaiians call it Hala Kahiki, foreign hala. The pineapple can grow four feet in height with long and narrow leaves.

The Heart of Flame is native to Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. Like the pineapple, its leaves are useful fiber for cloth. This evergreen plant grows about two feet in height. The leaves turn red just before they bloom.

Bird of Paradise is native to South Africa. People who speak English in Europe and Africa call it Cranes Bill or the Crane Flower. This flower can grow four to five feet in height.

The Hawaiians know this flower as Ali'ipoe or Li'ipoe, both meaning tiny globes. Another name for it is Canna, which is either from a Latin word for reed, or from an Indian word denoting help from Buddha. This flower grows to about five feet in height.