What Flowers Are Natives to Hawaii?

The United States National Arboretum defines a native plant as one that "lives or grows naturally in a particular region without direct or indirect human intervention." Hawaii has a variety of flowers that bring an array of colors and fragrances to the islands. Ninety percent of native Hawaiian flowering plants are not found anywhere else in the world, according to the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden at Bishop Museum south of Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The Facts

Many native flowers can be found in Hawaii, including argemone, viola, vigna, plumbago, rumex, bacoa and boerhavia. While some species in Hawaii, such as plumeria, anthurium, ginger and bird of paradise, might not be strictly considered native to the islands, they were introduced so long ago they have become "naturalized" and are regarded as native by many people.

Hibiscus

Eight hibiscus species are native to Hawaii, and they come in a range of colors. For example, the endangered Hibiscus brackenridgei, known also by the Hawaiian name, Ma'o hau hele, features a large yellow blossom with a maroon center and yellow staminal column. Yellow hibiscus is the official state flower of Hawaii.

Abutilon

Abutilon menziesii, known by the Hawaiian name Ko'oloa Ula, is an endangered endemic flowering shrub with a drooping maroon to pink blossom and silvery heart-shaped leaves. It can be found in the dry forests of Lanai, east Maui and the Big Island.

Vitex

Vitex, also known by the Hawaiian names kolokolo kahakai and Pohinahina, is an indigenous sprawling shrub with small clusters of purple blossoms. It also features a spicy fragrance. Vitex flourishes along the coast on sandy beaches and rocky shorelines.

Canavalia Gaudichaudii

Canavalia, known by the common Hawaiian names 'awikiwiki and puakauhi, is a perennial vine with dark purple blossoms and shiny green leaves. Canavalia can only be found on the island of Oahu. It grows in moist forest areas and also among guava trees.

Dodonaea Viscosa

Dodonaea viscosa, known by the Hawaiian name 'a'ali'i, is a flowering evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves that grows in all the main Hawaiian Islands. Dodonaea features clusters of small, petal-less flowers that are usually reddish purple with a hint of yellowish green. It usually grows from 6 to 12 feet tall.

References

• National Tropical Botanical Garden
• University of Hawaii, Botony Department
• Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Resources

• Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden
• The United States National Arboretum