Map Endemic achyranthes* ‘äma‘u älula* ‘äwikiwiki bonamia* Clay's Hibiscus* cyperus cyperus sedge eugenia häpu‘u kauila* ko‘oloa‘ula* koa kulu‘ï kupukupu lama loulu palm ma‘o mämaki nänü* ‘ohai (shrub) * ‘ohai (tree) * ‘öhia lehua white hibiscus   Indigenous alahe‘e hinahina ‘ilie‘e ‘ilima kou laua‘e fern naio palapalai pili grass pöhinahina ‘uki‘uki ‘ülei variegated hau   Polynesian Introduced coconut kalo kukui red ginger red ti leaf ti leaf sugar cane ulu   Introduced cotton cup of gold eucalyptus heliconia hibiscus manila palm monstera octopus tree pink tecoma plumbago plumeria tangerine wiliwili     *endangered species

Hawaiian Name Hau Common Names Variegated Hau, Mahoe, Cottonwood Scientific Name Hibiscus tiliaceus Pictures Keawe Whole Plant Leaves Many Leaves Whole Plant Stem Location On Campus This plant is located in front of Keawe Gym.   Natural Habitat In Hawai‘i this plant is found mostly in moist or wet areas, like the windward coasts of Maui. It is also usually found near the ocean or moist places, at elevations as high as 609 m. It is also found in sunlight more often than shady places. Cultural Information This plant is an indigenous plant of Hawai‘i. The bark fibers of the hau were used to make strong ropes, net bags, tapa, shark nooses and sandals. The trunks were used to make canoes, weapons, tools, fishing gear, games, strainers, and for rituals, ceremonies and healing. Flowers of the tree were used for medicine. They were eaten to cure dry throat. Sap taken from the tree was used as a laxative, and was also used to reduce pain on a woman in labor. Plant Description Roots: Tap roots They run deep sunken into the ground Brown in color Stem: Woody stem Whitish substance on new shoots of plant Grayish black bark Stem is solid and hard Gets to be about 360 cm long Rough texture Grows mostly on the ground when it is a shrub Also grows straight up when it is a tree Bark was used to make rope Wood used to make net floats Leaves: Simple leaves Heart shaped Tricolored: colors are purple, green, and white 5-30 cm long Smooth and leathery surface Entire margin Pinnate venation Flowers: Yellow flower the day it blooms Becomes orange or red that night Falls off tree the next morning Dark red in the middle of flower Has five petals 5-7.5 cm long Edible Used as medicine for dry throat Fruit: Dry capsule fruit Brown in color Small in size Has 3 to 5 seeds inside Oval shaped Rough Not edible Seeds: Smooth seeds 3 to 5 seeds Shaped like kidney beans Really small in size Not edible Red and brown Up to 4.5 mm long Propagation/ Cultivation: Propagated by cuttings Interesting Facts: Leaves secrete substance that attracts ants The ants protect the plant from harmful insects Ants also drink the nectar Web Site Links Campus Plants- Page 12  This site is where you can find the places where they grow, and uses of the plant. Hibiscus tiliaceus L. This site you can find measurements and descriptions of each part of the plant. Sea Hibiscus  This site you can find uses of the plant, role of the plant in the habitat, and descriptions of the plant parts.   References Campus Plants- page 12. Dr. Gerald Carr. Last Ed. November 18, 2002. University of Hawaii Botany. March 10, 2003 <http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/page12.htm.> Canoe Plants of Ancient Hawaii. Lynton D. White. 1996. Hawaii-Nation.org. March 13, 2003. <http://www.hawaii-nation.org/canoe/hau.html.> Hibiscus tiliaceus L. Dona Paula, 1998. Bioinformatics Centre. March 10, 2003 <http://www.indian-ocean.org/bioinformatics/mangrove/MANGCD/malv4.htm.> Kepler, Angela Kay. Hawaiian Heritage Plants. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1998. Kuck, Loraine E. and Richard C. Long. Hawaiian Flowers and Flowering Trees. Rutland, Vermont and Tokyo, Japan: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1962. Sea Hibiscus. Ria Tan, 2001. Sugei Buloh Nature Park. March 12, 2003. <http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/sea_hibiscus.htm.> Summer Annual Trails. Halleck, Leslie F. 2002. Dallas Arboretum. March 13, 2003. <http://www.dallasplanttrials.org/Summer%20&%20Fall.htm.> Return to Top

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