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 Sugar Cane   Hawaiian Name Kö   Scientific Name Saccharum officinarum L. Pictures Next to Kaiona Leaves Bottom of Plant Stalk Location On Campus On our campus we found that the sugar cane plant is by the Kaiona building across from the garden. Natural Habitat  The sugar cane plant is found in altitudes of 600 meters on Windward coasts and 933 meters on Leeward or southerly coasts. A lot of times you can find sugar cane growing wildly near streams, on mountains, and in forests.   Cultural Information Sugar cane was introduced to Hawai‘i by the Polynesians. The Polynesians brought this plant to Hawai‘i because is travels well, is easy to plant, and is a nice addition to everyday life. It was a source of sugar. Plant Description Roots:  Fiberous roots Stem: The stem is also known as a stalk It grows from 182-457 cm and sometimes even taller The stems are about 2-5 cm thick Rhizome stems Thick and partially grow underground Leaves: Leaves are green Come in a cluster at the top of the stalk 30 cm long and 3 cm wide Smooth, jagged edges The leaves at the bottom of the stem hang low Flowers: Blooms in November and December Sunlight can affect blooming About 30-60 cm long Rosy-lavender color Bisexual Seeds: Can be made through hybridization   Pollinators: Bees pollinate the sugar cane flower   Propagation/ Cultivation: Leaves get cut Stalk gets cut into 2-3 pieces Stalks are planted in a hole about 15-20 cm deep Soil on bottom of hole gets softened The stalk gets planted then covered with soil   Other Interesting Facts: The largest variety of sugar cane had 360 stalks 10 m tall Sugar cane is a large grass Found in places such as Florida and Louisiana, other than Hawai‘i Web Site Links Sugar Cane in Hawaii This website shows what workers do to sugar cane at the mill. Plants Topics This website shows the scientific name, common name, and the symbol of a certain plants. Sugar Cane Ko This website shows what sugar cane is and what the old Hawaiians used to use it for.    References Canoe Plants of Ancient Hawaii: Ko. Lynton Dove White,1994. Hawaiian Independence. 10 March 2003. <http://www.hawaii-nation.org/canoe/ko.html> Krauss, Beatrice. Ethnobotany of Hawaii. Hawaii: U.H. Dept. of Botany, copyright unknown. Krauss, Beatrice H. Plants In Hawaiian Culture. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1993. Pollination Services: No Food Without Them. Tawna Mertz. <Nature's Services. 12 March, 2003. <http://www.rand.org/scitech/stpi/ourfuture/NaturesServices/section1.html> Sugar Cane in Hawaii. Kalaheo Elementary School.10 March 2003. <http://www2.kalaheo.k12.hi.us/Sugar%20Cane%20in%20hawaii.htm> Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst and S. H. Sohmer. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii Revised Edition Volume 2. Honolulu: Bishop Museum, 1999. Return to Top

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