Kamehameha Schools

Common Names
Cape Leadwart, Celestina, Malacara, Azulina, Jasmine Azul

Hawaiian Names
Ilie'e, Hilie'e

Scientific Name
Plumbago auriculata Lam.

Pictures

Ka'oleioku

Whole Plant

Leaves

Stem

Flowers

Roots

Location On Campus

This plant can be found next to the stairs between Ka'oleioku and Keli'imaika'i. This plant is also found in the field behind Ka'oleioku. Lastly this plant can be found near the rocks by Keawe Gym.

Natural Habitat

Plumbago auriculata lam. can be found in almost any temperate and subtropical areas. The Plumbago plant grows well in full or partial sun, the soil is rich, well drained and fertile. Also, Plumbago has a high drought tolerance level, and needs only medium moisture.

Cultural Information

The Plumbago species consist of 15 different types 5 out of which are native to South Africa. Plumbago auriculata was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands. Plumbago was used to treat warts, broken bones, and other wounds. Also used to treat headaches, dispel bad dreams, and to blacken tattoos.

Plant Description

Roots:

Fibrous root- slender roots branch out from the main root

Stem:

Herbaceous stem- soft, green, flexible

Grows straight up

Dicot- vascular tissue forms a ring in stem

Leaves:

Plumbago loses foliage at the end of the growth season

Compound leaf- many leaflets attached to the main stem

Small green, waxy leaves

Margin- entire

Venation- pinnate

Flowers:

Blooms all year long

Does not flower until year two of growth

Less sun causes reduced flowering

Pale blue, white or purple in color

5 petals arranged in a pinnate pattern

Fruit:

Barbed fruit capsules found at the base of flower

Not very noticeable on first glance

No ornamental fruit

Seeds:

Able to be grown by seeds

Seeds are found in a capsule located also at the base of the flower

Seed capsule retains stickiness to help disperse seeds

Seeds are dispersed by attaching themselves to birds and other animals

Pollinators:

Plumbago attracts butterflies

Life Cycle/
Reproduction:

Reproduction by pollination

Very fast growth rate

Live only about 1-2 years

Growth is particularly rapid during Spring

Propagation/
Cultivation:

Can be cultivated in pots as well as gardens

House plants are usually relatively compact due to pruning

Interesting Facts:

Species is deciduous

Plumbago is an evergreen shrub

Web Site Links

Plumbago auriculata

This site gives information about uses of the plumbago plant.

Plumbago

To see beautiful pictures, and brief information see this site.

References

Cape Plumbago. 1998-2003. Philippe Faucon, Web Manager. 10 March 2003. <http://www.desert-tropicals.com/ Plants/Plumbaginaceae/ Plumbago_auiculata.htm>.

Clay, Horace and James C. Hubbard. The Hawai'i Garden Tropical Shrubs. Honolulu: The University Press of Hawai'i, 1977.

Dr. Gerry Carr. Dr. Gerry Carr, Web Manager. University of Hawaii at Manoa. 11 March 2003. <http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/default.htm>.

Family Plumbaginaceae. Marcus, Web Manager. 8 March 2003. <http://www.csdl.ta mu. edu/FLORA/cgi/ gateway_family?fam=Plumbaginaceae>.

Gardening: Shrubs. 2001. Hooper Production Ltd. 10 March 2003. <http://gardening.worldonline.co.za/0317.htm>.

Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Feb.2001. Missouri Botanical Garden. 9 March 2003. <http://www.mobot.org /gardeninghelp / plantfinder/codea/A542.shtml>.

Neal, Marie. In Gardens of Hawai'i. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press, 1948.

Plants for your Home. Mary Efanti, Web Manager. VALENTINEfloralcreations. 11 March 2003. <http://www.valentine.gr/plumbago_en.htm>.

Plumbaginaceae. Richard J. Schmidt, Web Manager. 1994. <http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/BotDermFolder /BotDermP/PLUM.html>.

Plumbago auriculata. John Scheper, Web Manager. 1997-2002. Florida.com. 11 March 2003. <http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/plumbago.cfm>.

Plumbago auriculata Lam.. Alice Aubrey, Web Manager. Dec. 2001. Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden. 10 March 2003. <http://www.plantzafrica.com/plant/plumbago.htm>.

Plumbago auriculata (P.capensis). Brad Monroe and Christine Clark, Web Manager. 27 January 2003. Cuyamaca College. 10 March 2003. <http://www.cuyamaca.net/oh170/ characteristic%20 pages/Plumbago_auriculata.asp>.

Plumbago. University of Florida. 9 March 2003. <http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu/Hort/MG/Plumbago.htm>.

Taxon: Plumbago auriculata Lam. . Dr. J. H. Wiersema, Web Manager. 11 March 2003. National Germplasm Resourses Laboratory. March 10, 2003. <http://www.ars- grin.gov/`~sbmljw/istalistp2.html>.

Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbest and S.H. Sohmer. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i Revised Edition Volume 2. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press, 1948.

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