Kamehameha Schools

Common Name
Cup of Gold

Hawaiian Name
None

Scientific Name
Solandra maxima

Pictures

Between Kalama and Kaiona

Whole Plant

Leaves

Flowers

Flower Bud

Location On Campus

If you stand in front of Kalama dining hall facing the ocean, the plant is located over the rock wall between Kalama and Kaiona.

Natural Habitat

This plant is grown in yards, parks, and hotel grounds. It is found growing along the Tantalus-Round Top Loop. Solandra maxima grows from seaside gardens to low mountains, in rainforest or in the open with partial shade to full sun.

Cultural Information

Solandra maxima was introduced to Hawai‘i as an ornamental plant. It is native to Mexico, Central America and Northern South America. There is no information on uses by Hawaiian people but this plant was used in sacred ceremonies in Mexico because of the hallucinogenic properties.

Plant Description

Roots:

Dense and woody rope like stems root at the nodes

Stem:

Run for more than 60 m

Can be shaped into a climbing plant,clipped box hedge , or a clumpy mass

Leaves:

Large, glossy

Simple leaves.

About 5 cm long leathery feel and an oval shape

Midribs are lighter in color

Petioles are 7.5 cm long

Flowers:

Large flowers bloom in January, February, and March

Shaped like a chalice, 15 to 25 cm across at the opening

Starts out yellow and turns deeper gold as it ages

Five lobes of the corolla marked with a purplish brown line inside

Fruit:

Rarely see berries

Abut 5 cm in diameter and fleshy

Not edible

Life Cycle/
Reproduction:

Grows best with regular water

blooms best when water is given to it a little at a time

Propagation/
Cultivation:

Grows easily from slip or stem cuttings in the summer

Stems root at their nodes

Can grow on trellises

Interesting Facts:

Best for seaside gardens, tolerant of salty sprays and soils

Listed as one of Hawaii's most in invasive horticultural plants

There are 8 species of chalice vines, One of he most common species in cultivation

Fast growing to 25 cm a season

Web Site Links

Solandra Maxima

This website will show you a picture of the flower with more information.

Pacific Island Ecosystem at Risk: Solandra maxima

This site shows additional information and show more pictures.

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Conservatory: Solandra maxima

This site had general information about the plant.

References

Baldwin, Ph.D., Roger E. Hawaii's Poisonous Plants. Hilo: Petroglyph Press, 1981.

Denger, B.S., M.S., Scd., Otto. Flora Hawaiiensis or new Illustrated flora of the Hawaiian Islands. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1967.

Hawai'i's Most Invasive Horticultural Plants-Cup of Gold. Department of Land & Natural Resources. 05 Mar. 2003. http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/hortweeds/species/solmax.htm.

Hawai'i's Most Invasive Horticultural Plants-An Introduction. Department of Land & Natural Resources. 04 Mar. 2003. http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/hortweeds/indew.html.

Hodge, Peggy Hickok. Tropical Gardening; Handbook for the Home Gardener. Rutland: Charles E. Tuttle Company: Publishers.

Neal, Marie C. In gardens of Hawaii. Honolulu: Bishop Museum press, 1965.

Pratt, Ph.D., H. Douglas. A Pocket guide to Hawaii's Trees and Shrubs. Baton Rouge: Museum of Natural Science, LSU, 1998.

Solandra Maxima - Chalice Vine. Gardino Nursery Corporation. 06 Mar. 2003. http://www.rareflora.com/solandramax.htm.

Solandra Maxima. Clinton Morse, Plant Growth Facility Manager. 30 Jan. 2003. Ecology and Revolutionary Biology Conservatory and Gardens. 04 Mar. 2003. http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500442.html

Solandra maxima. Jim Space, Editor. 20 Oct. 2000. U.S. Forest Service's Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry. 04 Mar. 2003. http://www.hear. org/pier/somax.htm.

Solandra maxima. John Scheper, Publisher. 15 Dec.2000. Floridata. 05 Mar. 2003 http://www.floridata.com/ref/S/sola_max.cfm

Teho, Fortunato. Plants of Hawaii how to grow them. Hilo: Petroglyph Press, 1992.

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