Kamehameha Schools

Common Name
Hawaiian Persimmon and Hawaiian Ebony

Hawaiian Name
Lama

Scientific Name
Diospyros sandwiceneses

Pictures

Auxiliary bud Keawe
Leaves

Bark Female Flower
Picture taken with permission from Dr. Gerry Carr, UH Botany <http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/
faculty/carr/eben.htm> Whole plant

Location On Campus

The place you can find our plant on our campus is Keawe native garden next to middle school dorms.

Natural Habitat

The Lama plant is found on all islands except Kaho'olawe. Some specific places are Niu Valley, Kona, Kapalama,Kahuku, and Wailua. The lama mostly grows in dry areas, and occasionally in wet, moist areas. The Lama can Grow at elevations of almost sea level to more that 1,000 meters.

Cultural Information

The Lama is an endemic plant found only in Hawai‘i. It was used by ancient Hawaiians for food, the trunk for fish nets, and it was mixed with other plants including kukui and ulu and applied to sores for medication. Lama is the Hawaiian word for light. Lama was also used in the building of temples and considered sacred. The Lama tree represented the goddess Laka and used during hula performances.

Plant Description

Stem:

Woody type stem

Black and hard

Woody type stem

Stands upright

Leaves:

Small and leathery

Red or pink when young, green when mature

Pinnate venation

Entire Margin

Soft underneath

Flowers:

Either male or female

Those that bear pollen (male) are small and usually in groups of three

Those that bear fruit (female) are larger and solitary

Fruit:

Light green in color

Fleshy type fruit

Seeds:

Wedged shaped

Found in the brown pit, which splits naturally into 2-3 pieces

Life Cycle/
Reproduction:

Perennial - grows during all seasons and more than one season

Propagation/
Cultivation:

Plant under moss

Sprouts in 2-4 weeks

Other Interesting Facts:

Plants that are not as strong are protected by the leaves of the great lama

Web Site Links

Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database

This is a good site that shows the Lama's habitat, geographical range, and seed propagation information.

National Tropical Botanical Garden

If you need to find more information about how alien plants are affecting the Lama you should check this site.

Lama, Elama

This website has two short descriptions, cultural uses, and a wonderful picture .

Plants and Animals of Pahole

This site has a short description and picture of a full grown tree, along with a rich supply of information about other plants.

Lama

This website has a wealth of information on the Lama's ancestry, location, etc.

References

Culinary, John L. and Kolobele, Bruce P. Native Hawaiian Garden. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1999

Ebenaceae. Professor of Botany; Dr. Gerald Carr. 10 March. 2003 <http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/eben.htm>

Hawaiian Gardens; Native Hawaiian Lama Need Our Help. 15 October. Heidi Bornhorst. 2000 <http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com /2000/Oct/15/1015islandlife13.html>

Krauss, Beatrice H. Plants in Hawaiian Culture. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1993.

Lama. 1999, 2000. University of Hawai'i & Kapi'olani Community College. 10 March. 2003 <http://www.kcc.hawaii.edu/campus/tour/plants/plama.htm>.

Lamb, Samuel H. Native Trees & Shrubs of the Hawaiian Islands. New Mexico: Sunstone Press, 1981.

Lamoureux, Charles H. Trail Side Plants of Hawai'i's National Parks. Honolulu: Hawai'i Natural History Association, 1994.

Neal, Marie C. In Gardens of Hawaii. Honolulu: The Museum, 1948.

Stone, Charles P. and Pratt, Linda W. Hawai'i's Plants and Animals. Honolulu: Natural History Association, 1994.

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