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

Common Name Red Ginger Hawaiian Name 'Awapuhi 'ula 'ula Scientific Name Alpinia purpurata Pictures Bracts   Whole Plant Stem Leaves Location On Campus  Is located at Kaiona near the stairs. It is right next to a cement wall. Natural Habitat  The 'awapuhi is found in valleys and on the windward sides of islands. They live in wet areas where it rains a lot but can grow in dry areas as well. Cultural Information 'The 'awapuhi is Polynesian introduced. Red ginger leis were worn by  royalty in important ceremonies. The Hawaiians would use the stems as medicine. They would grind them and add water, then strain the mixture. When drunk, it could cure stomach aches. Plant Description Roots: Underground stem Stem: Herbaceous stem A rhizome Leaves: 30-70 cm long Simple leaves Entire margin Pinnate venation Flowers: White in color Red part known as bracts 2.5 cm thick 5- 7 cm. long Fruit: About 10-15 cm long Pollinators: Insects Life Cycle/ Reproduction: Development of small plantlets, aerial offshoots from the side of the red bracts Red bracts are what most people think is the flower Bracts become a pouch bearing several plantlets Grow fast and soon weigh down the mature stem Roots of seedlings sink in ground and starts a new generation of red ginger Propagation/ Cultivation: Root cuttings should be kept in a warm place, not in full sun Temperature at 50ºF minimum at night Root should be planted 5 cm below surface General fertilizer applied once a month. Interesting Facts: Salt and rhizomes are mashed together and used to treat headaches Sugar will extend their post harvest life by at least a week Web Site Links Canoe Plants of Ancient Hawai'i: 'Awapuhi Kuahiwi This site has some history about the ginger and how it was used for different things. Flower Notebook This site describes the Zingiberaceae family with totally cool pictures! Tips for Tropical Trees, Plants, & Flowers From Hawaii That You Can Grow!: Ginger This site teaches how to grow ginger.   References  Gwinn, Robert P. "Ginger." The New Encyclopedia Britannica. 15th ed. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. 1987. Kepler, Angela K. Exotic Tropicals of Hawaii. Honolulu: Mutual Publishing, 1989.  Kuck, Loraine E., and Richard C. Tong. Hawaiian Flowers and Flowering Trees: A Guide to Tropical and Semi Tropical Floras. Rutland: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1962.  Native Plants Used as Medicines in Hawaii. Beatrice H. Krauss, Web manager. 28 Feb 2000. <http://library.kcc.hawaii.edu/~soma/krauss/awapuhi.html> Return to Top

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