Native and Naturalized Plants

‘A‘ali‘i is a partially woody shrub that grows in many climate zones. Although it can reach a height of 30 feet, it is usually smaller. It also grows in other dry environments, from near sea level to about 7500 feet. Leaves stand out in the landscape because they are glossy and have red stems. ‘A‘ali‘i’s attractive, colorful seedpods are traditionally used in haku lei making and is also used to make a red dye, which is used to decorate kapa (tapa) barkcloth.

 Medicinal Uses:

‘A‘ali‘i leaves can be chewed to relieve the pain of toothaches, and historically was taken internally to reduce fevers, and ground to a paste employed to relieve rashes.

Uses in Landscape:

‘A‘ali‘i is a good plant for windy areas and hillsides that might be in danger of soil erosion because its roots firmly grip the soil. It has multiple other uses in the landscapes and is ideal for xeriscape gardens because it is drought tolerant.

The Hawaiian tree fern is very common on the Hawaiian islands and can grow up to heights of 40 ft. The ferns are native to Hawaii and can most easily be spotted at the windward (east) side of all Hawaiian islands at elevations between 1000 to 6000 ft.

Hāpuʻu was to be found all over the Hawaiian islands, but due to population pressure and transplantation for landscaping purposes they are becoming more difficult to find. The core of the fern is starchy and can be cooked, although Hawaiians only ate Hāpuʻu in times of famine, and was not considered to be good in taste. The pulu (silky hairs) were used to absorb bodily fluids of the deceased, and the trunk of a large specimen could be used as a container for uhi (yam) plants.

Medicinal Uses:

Different parts of the Hāpuʻu were used by the Hawaiians as medicine.  Applications range from blood purifier to returning loss of appetite, against muscle pains, to make weak persons stronger and to mitigate chest pains.

Koa is the largest native tree in the Hawaiian Islands reaching heights of about 115 feet (33 m). Koa are fast growing trees at 5 feet per year for the first five years, with a canopy of 20-40 ft. Koa have sickle-shaped mature "leaves" called phyllodes, which are the main photosynthetic organs.

Cultural Uses:

In general, koa wood was also used in constructing houses (hale), spears, tools, paddles (hoe), kahili handles, calabashes (ʻumeke lāʻau), ceremonial poles (hulumanu), religious ceremonies, and surfboards. While there were many uses for koa, it was never used for eating receptacles because the resin, which could not be removed, would leave a bad taste to foods. The prime importance of koa for early Hawaiians Early Hawaiians was making of canoes (waʻa).

Medicinal Uses:

Young children under a year old who had become weak were given a mixture of koa leaf ash and other plants and applied inside the mouth. The bark was applied to pūhō (abscess, burst sore, ulcer), ʻalaʻala (scar, sore perhaps tuberculosis adentis), kaokao (syphilis), leprosy (maʻi lēpela), ʻeha māui (sore bruises), and haki (broken bones).

Uses in Landscape:

Growth is in virtue of symbiosis with special bacteria called rhizobia that live associated with the roots. The bacteria convert, or fix, nitrogen from the air into usable nitrogen fertilizer for plants. The leaves, flowers and branches also provide nitrogen for understory and plants in the area.

A slow-growing, flowering plant endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, Santalum ellipticum or known for its common English name Coast Sandalwood grows up to 5m in height and 30cm in bole diameter. The leaves are grayish green and can either be leathery or soft. The flowers are compound and green. The fruits are purple to black when ripe containing a single seed. Coast Sandalwood is a hemi-parasitic species obtaining water and nutrients from nearby host plants.

Cultural Uses:

The fragrant heartwood and bark of ʻiliahialoʻe was pounded to scent the bad odor of new kapa (tapa) cloth, when added with coconut oil the mix would water proof the material. The red or yellow were indicative of divine and chiefly rank; the purple flowers and fruit, or with fragrance, were associated with divinity.

Medicinal Uses:

Medicinally, the plant is used to treat dandruff, head lice, sores, and sexually transmitted diseases. The heartwood contains highly-valued essential oil which is used in perfumery, cosmetics, aromatherapy, etc.

Historically sandalwood has been used for treating the common cold, cough, bronchitis, fever, and sore mouth and throat. It is also used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), liver disease, gallbladder problems, heatstroke, gonorrhea, headache, and conditions of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease).

Uses in Landscape:

Sandalwood trees are tolerant of high wind, drought, salt spray and intense heat. ... They are used in the landscape as hedges, specimen plants, shade trees and xeriscaping plants.

Although this plant has the common name of Hawaiian Ti, it's not native to Hawaii, coming to the islands from early Polynesians. The leaves branch off from the main trunk in a rosette pattern. The lower leaves die off, which is normal to encourage new growth. The Ti plant produces small whitish or pink colored flowers, however it's very unlikely to bloom indoors. No one minds this because the plant's main attraction is its colorful leaves.

Cultural Uses:

The Ti plant, originally called Ki, was brought to Hawaii when Polynesians voyaged to the Hawaiian Islands. It was considered sacred to the Hawaiian God Lono and the goddess of Hula, Laka. The people of Hawaii have found many uses for this plant including making hula dance skirts and surf board covers. In ancient times, the Ki served as a material for clothing, rain gear, sandals, roof thatching, dinner plates, ceremonial activities, fishing lures and making okolehao, an alcoholic brew from the ti roots.

In modern times, the cultural uses are many. Most commonly used for lei making, if one receives a ti lei, he/she is adorned with wishes of good luck, good health and aloha.

Medicinal Uses:

Hawaiians used a brew of Ti for reduction of fever, use as a decongestant, and a general health tonic for recovery from illness.

Uses in Landscape:

Most often Ti is used as an ornamental in modern landscaping, and as a hardy indoor plant. While these plant's do need certain conditions provided they are not hard to grow and maintain.

Ho’awa is a small tree ranging in height from 10 to 25 feet. The bark is smooth and mottled light gray and brown. The upright branches are slender and stiff. The branches are generally smooth, but new growths and flower stems are densely covered with woolly, pale brown hairs.

The narrow, oblong leaves are somewhat leathery and range in size from 3 1/2 to 10 inches long and 3/4 to 2 3/4 inches wide. The veins are fairly prominent on the upper surface of the leaf and the lower surface is covered with white or pale brown hairs. The edges of the leaves are smooth and slightly rolled under. The ends of the leafs are pointed. Pittosporum hosmeri has male and female flowers on separate plants so plants of both sexes are required for seed to form. The flower clusters contain 9 to 12 flowers and form either directly on the branches of the plant or from the base of the leaf stem. The cream-colored flowers are tubular and 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. The flowers are fragrant at night.

Cultural Uses:

Historically, the wood of the Hō’awa was used by Hawaiians to make the gunwales (the upper railing/ edge) of their canoes,

Medicinal Uses:

The fruits from the Ho’awa plants were pounded and used medicinally to treat external sores.

Uses in Landscape:

In the landscape setting, the Hō'awa makes for the perfect specimen plant, hedge, or screening plant and is a great replacement for any non-native Pittosproaceae ornamentals. They are lush and green throughout the year and depending on the species, have aromatic flowers that will delight the senses night or day.