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 Mämaki Common Name None Scientific Name Pipturus albidus Pictures Kalama Whole Plant Leaves Fruits Leaf Stems Red Veins on Leaf Location On Campus It is located in Kalama Garden next to the boys bathroom and hugging the end of the garden. It is also located in the garden by Keawe Gym. Natural Habitat This plant grows on all major islands in the Hawaiian chain besides Ni‘ihau and Kaho‘olawe. It grows at elevations of 75-2000 meters, in shady places. Cultural Information The mämaki is endemic to Hawaii. It was used by the ancient Hawaiians to make tapa cloth. This type of tapa was more soft and flexible. With this cloth they made capes, bed covers, loincloths, and skirts. Plant Description Stem: Light brown bark Woody stem Leaves: Heart shaped They feel fuzzy because of short hairs on the bottom of it Feels a little bit like sandpaper Top is light green Three main veins under the leaf Serrate margin Palmate venation Compound leaf Flowers: Female parts look fuzzy because there are many stigmas of other flowers Fruit: Waxy, white, tasteless fruit Birds are attracted to this fruit Seeds: Located in depressions in the stigma Depressions are open Pollinators: Birds Kamehameha butterfly Blackburn butterfly Life Cycle/ Reproduction: Germinates 2 to 3 weeks after planting Produces fruit after 2 years Propagation/ Cultivation: Remove the seeds from the fleshy white fruit Good technique is putting it in a plastic bag to soften the pulp Put a mixture of the seeds and water in compacted medium Interesting Facts: Common breeding place for native caterpillars Web Site Links Mämaki On this site you will find some information on how the mämaki was used and a little picture of it. Instructions for Planting Mämaki On this site you will find a very complete set of instructions for planting in any kind of environment for this plant. Native Hawaiian Plants This site has great amount of information on all native plants, including some on the mämaki.   References Herbst, Derral R., Sohmer, S.H., and Warren Wagner, L. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i. Hawai'i: Library of Congress Cataloging-in-publication data, 1990. Identification of Materials Used in Traditional Craftwork. Clyde Imada, photographer. Honolulu Star Bulletin, 13 Mar. 2003 <http://explorers.bishopmuseum.org/sciencegarden/aldentification/kapa/html>. Krauss, Beatrice H. Ethnobotany in Hawai‘i. Hawaii: U.H. Dept. of Botany. copyright unknown. Krauss, Beatrice H. Plants in Hawaiian Medicine. U.S.A.: The Bess Press, 2001.  Mämaki. 27 Jan. 2003. Waipahu High School, 12 Mar. 2003 <http://www.geocities.com/whsprojectstewardship/mamaki/htm>.  Pipturus albidus. 11 Mar. 2000. University of Hawai'i at Manoa. 14 Mar. 2003 <http://www2.hawaii.edu/~eherring/hawnprop/pip-albi.htm>. Return to Top

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