Orchids, anthuriums, heliconias and ginger are commonly associated with Hawaiian gardens and landscapes, but none of these exotic flowers are native to the islands. Each island has its own designated official native or endemic plant (except Maui, whose official flora is an import). Spend your next visit to Hawaii on nature hikes searching for native flora, or ask for these native Hawaiian plants by name when ordering your next distinctive floral arrangement.
Oahu's official bloom is the yellow ilima. On the Big Island, the official bloom is called 'ohia lehua' and is considered sacred to Pele, the volcano goddess. Kauai's isn't really a flower at all - it's an anise-scented shrub called 'mokihana'. The designated plant of Maui is the pink lokelani - the only non-native bloom of the bunch. Molokai has the white kukui blossom. Lanai's official plant is 'kaunaoa', a yellow and orange air plant. Lesser-known Nihau Island claims the white pupu shell. And uninhabited Kaho'olawe is the heliotrope 'hinahina'.
The official state flower of Hawaii is the yellow hibiscus. The hibiscus is also known as 'pua aloalo' in the Hawaiian language. It's been considered the state flower since the 1920s but it wasn't until 1998 that official legislation was passed. Pua aloalo has large, showy, petals with a spectacular unfolded appearance. They are also found in colors of white, pink, red, and purple, and have successfully come to represent all things Hawaiian and the Aloha spirit.
Oahu's yellow ilima is a beautiful bloom that resembles a small hibiscus. All parts of it have been known to be used medicinally as well as decoratively for leis. The buds were used as a mild children's laxative. The bark of the roots mixed with other plants and water is strained and drunk as a tonic. Look for these blooms as ground cover on Oahu at Makapu'u Beach, Ka'ena Point Natural Area Reserve, Waimea Arboretum, and the Turtle Bay Hilton, just to name a few places.
The Big Island (Hawai'i)claims the ohia of the lehua as it's signature bloom. The ohia lehua is an evergreen shrub that is commonly the first plant to show up in areas recently covered by lava. Its craggy branches and spiky headed softness appear perfectly adapted to its environs. It is said to resemble and symbolize the fiery head and temperament of Pele, the volcano goddess. Visit the Kalopa State Park to see this exotic flower in its natural habitat. Or look for its cultivated counterparts at the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden or the Sadie Seymour Botanical Garden, all on the Big Island.
Kauai's mokihana is a member of the citrus family. Its thin, leather-like, elliptic, and off-set leaves are redolent of anise long after they have been picked (years longer, in fact!). The flowers are small and clustered but the fruit and wood is what smells good. Hawaiians use mokihana fruit for lei and wreath-making, and even as a perfume by placing a piece of the fruit inside the folds of their traditional dress. The fruit is sometimes so potent that it occasionally burns the skin!
Maui boasts the only non-native bloom to achieve governmental recognition - the pink lokelani. It was brought to the 'New World' by the Spanish in the 1800s. Also known as the 'rose of heaven', and 'Maui rose', its velvety color and fragrant scent has served as inspiration for poets, painters, song writers and musicians ever since.
Molokai's official bud is the kukui - an important plant to all Hawaiians, originally brought to them by the Polynesians. Kukui was anciently used for medicine, dye, construction, food, and decoration. The flowers, leaves, and nuts are still used to make leis. Nuts were eaten and used to make oils. The nuts also contain a black dye used for tattoos. The wood was used for making canoes and the leaves chewed to treat depression and sadness.
The island of Lanai's official flora is the kaunaoa, actually a yellow and orange air plant. Kaunaoa is rare and difficult to find. Nihau is represented by the white pupu shell. It's not a flower either, but its distinctive, sinewy sworls can be found on the rocky shores of Nihau. The uninhabited island of Kaho'olawe's bloom is the hinahina. Small white to pale-purple blooms with a yellow eye and a stalk resembling a succulent, the hinahina is a lot like a cactus because it doesn't require a lot of water to survive.
So the next time you want to see some tropical plants native to Hawaii, there are several botanical gardens on the Big Island and surrounding islands, and plenty of opportunities to see them in nature as well. Also, when searching for distinctive arrangements, look for these native Hawaiian treasures.
Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on exotic and tropical flowers, please visit Exotic Flowers, supplier of high quality tropical and exotic flowers for any special occasion.
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