Plants%20of%20Hawai

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Plants of HawaiiLook Learn!Science in
Hawaii Na Hana Ma Ka Ahupuaa A Culturally
Responsive Curriculum ProjectCenter on
Disability Studies, College of Education,Universi
ty of Hawaii at Manoawww.SciHI.hawaii.edu

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Background Info

• Science Name This is the technical name
  scientists use when talking about different types
  of plants. They are usually in Greek or Latin,
  so they may seem strange- it even takes
  scientists a long time to memorize them!
• Common Name This is the name you and your
  friends know a plant by - like plumeria.
  Sometimes the common name will be Plumeria
  Family, because it is related to the Plumeria -
  plants can be related just like people can.

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Background Info

• Interesting Fact Some plants have cool facts
  that go along with them - you will find more of
  these as you study a certain plant on your own.
• Vegetation Zone This is where the plant tends
  to grow or is usually found. The vegetation zone
  may not be known for all of the plants youll see
  here, but take note of it if its given.

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Native Endemic Plants

• A Native Endemic plant is one found naturally
  here in Hawaii- nowhere else in the world does
  it grow! Because so many of the other plants
  that have been brought to Hawaii compete with
  endemic plants for water, sun, nutrition and
  space, many endemic plants have been unable to
  survive. The following nine pictures are all
  native endemic plants.

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Mamane

• Science Name Sophora chrysophylla
• Common Name Pea Family
• Interesting Fact There is a parrot-billed
  Hawaiian bird called Palila that depends on this
  tree for food and nest.

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Mao hau hele

• Science Name Hibiscus brackenridgei
• Common Name Hibiscus Family
• Vegetation Zone Waianae Mountains on Mokuleia
  or Waialua side.

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Papala kepau

• Science Name Pisonia brunoniana
• Common Name Bougainvillea Family
• Interesting Fact These fruits are extremely
  sticky and were once used by Hawaiians to catch
  native birds in order to gather their feathers.

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Kauila

• Science Name Alphitonia pondrosa
• Common Name Buckthorn Family
• Interesting Fact The red and black streaked wood
  of this tree is so heavy that it sinks in water.

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Kokio ke oke o

• Science Name Hibiscus waimeae
• Common Name Hibiscus Family
• Vegetation Zone This plant is found in only a
  few valleys on Kauai.

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Ulei

• Science Name Osteomeles anthyllidifolia
• Common Name Rose Family
• Interesting Fact Hawaiians used this shrub to
  make scoop net handles and closures.

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Alaa

• Science Name Pouteria sandwicensis
• Common Name Sapote Family

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Aiea

• Science Name Nothocestrum breviflorum
• Common Name Tomato Family

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Iliahi

• Science Name Santalum ellipticum
• Common Name Sandalwood Family

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Native Indigenous Plants

• A Native Indigenous plant is one that is found in
  Hawaii and also in other areas of the Pacific.
  Unlike Native endemic plants that are only found
  here in the Hawaiian islands, native indigenous
  plants have relatives on other islands and coasts
  near Hawaii as well. The following nine
  pictures and descriptions are all native
  indigenous plants.

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Hinahina

• Science Name Heliotropium anomalum
• Common Name Beach Heliotrope
• Vegetation Zone Found on coastal areas of
  Niihau, Kauai, Molokai, and Oahu and all over
  Polynesia.

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Naio

• Science Name Myoporum sandwicense
• Common Name Bastard Sandalwood
• Vegetation Zone Found from near sea level to
  10,000 feet on the slopes of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa
  and Haleakala.

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Kakalaioa

• Science Name Caesalpinia bonduc
• Common Name Gray nickers, part of the Bean
  Family
• Vegetation Zone Found mostly in dry, open,
  disturbed areas. Seeds float very long
  distances.

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Kaunaoa

• Science Name Cassytha filiformis
• Common Name Dodder, part of the Cinnamon Family
• Interesting Fact This is the plant of Lanai
  and is also a parasite. You might see orange
  patches of this plant spread out like tangled
  threads over other plants.

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Huehue hueie inalua

• Science Name Cocculus trilobus
• Common Name Moonseed Family
• Vegetation Zone Found in Southeast Asia to the
  Himalaya mountains, Malaysia and other areas of
  the Pacific. In Hawaii, it is found in open
  areas an on dried lava. Lives on all main
  islands except Kahoolawe.

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Hala

• Science Name Pandanus odoratissimus
• Common Name Pandanus Family
• Vegetation Zone Found on many Polynesian islands
  and was transported to Hawaii to use to make
  mats for sitting, sails for canoes and other
  things.

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Pohuehue

• Science Name Ipomoea pes-caprae
• Common Name Beach Morning Glory
• Interesting Fact This plant is able to drink
  water almost as salty as ocean water.

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Naupaka

• Science Name Scaevola sericea
• Common Name Beach Naupaka
• Interesting Fact This plant has half flowers and
  seeds that look like tiny stones which float
  around the Pacific planting themselves on
  beaches.

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Ilima kukaha kai

• Science Name Sida fallax
• Common Name Beach ilima
• Vegetation Zone Grows in windblown, salty
  shoreline areas around the Hawaiian islands.

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Polynesian-Introduced Plants

• A Polynesian-Introduced plant is one that was
  brought here when settlers from other Polynesian
  islands came to Hawaii. Many times, they
  brought certain plants with them in their canoes
  so they had materials to build their homes,
  fishnets and other supplies. The following nine
  pictures and descriptions are all
  Polynesian-Introduced plants.

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Ipu

• Science Name Lagenaria siceraria
• Common Name Gourd- part of the Squash Family
• Interesting Fact These were used to fill with
  water for boiling and to keep rhythm for the hula
  dancers.

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Kalo

• Science Name Colocasia esculenta
• Common Name Taro
• Interesting Fact This is the staple of food for
  Polynesian people of the Pacific region it is
  high in calcium and fiber.

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Kukui

• Science Name Aleurites moluccana
• Common Name Candle nut
• Interesting Fact Oil from the seed can be burned
  for light, used for oiling canoes and other
  wooden items, too. The root was used for dying
  cloth.

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Maia

• Science Name Musa acuminata
• Common Name Banana
• Interesting Fact Fruit was used for food and the
  trunk was used as a target for spear-throwing.

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Pia

• Science Name Tacca leontopetaloides
• Common Name Polynesian arrowroot
• Vegetation Zone Found all the way from Malaysia
  to Papua New Guinea.

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Ki

• Science Name Cordyline fruticosa
• Common Name Ti plant
• Interesting Fact Leaves used for cooling the
  forehead and wrapping food for steaming.

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Uala

• Science Name Ipomoea batatas
• Common Name Sweet potato
• Interesting Fact Plant grows very quickly and
  new settlers could harvest it in only a few
  months.

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Uhi

• Science Name Dioscorea alata
• Common Name Yam

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Ulu

• Science Name Artocarpus altilis
• Common Name Breadfruit- part of the Fig Family

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Post-Contact Plants

• A Post-Contact plant is one that was brought here
  after the Europeans and other traders arrived in
  Hawaii. These plants are from Europe, East Asia,
  India and many other parts of the world. Many
  were brought here for supplies like
  Polynesian-Introduced plants, and some for
  decoration too. The following nine pictures and
  descriptions are all Post-Contact plants.

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Mikana

• Science Name Carica papaya
• Common Name Papaya
• Vegetation Zone Found on sea level up to 1,200
  feet. Native to Tropical America.

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Hala Kahiki

• Science Name Ananas cosmosus
• Common Name Pineapple
• Vegetation Zone These plants grow best at higher
  altitudes.

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Manako

• Science Name Mangifera indica
• Common Name Mango
• Vegetation Zone Native to India. Other plants
  in the same family are Cashew nut and the
  Christmas berry.

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Laiki

• Science Name Litchi chinensis
• Common Name Lychee
• Vegetation Zone Native to tropical China. These
  plants grow best in mountainous, tropical
  climates.

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Ohai alii

• Science Name Caesalpnia pulcherrima
• Common Name Royal Poinciana Tree

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Kuawa

• Science Name Psidium guajava
• Common Name Guava
• Vegetation Zone Native to tropical America

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Lilikoi

• Science Name Passiflora edulis
• Common Name Passion Fruit
• Vegetation Zone Native to tropical America

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Laamia

• Science Name Crescentia cujete
• Common Name Calabash tree
• Vegetation Zone Native to tropical America

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Awapuhi ula ula

• Science Name Alpinia purpurata
• Common Name Red ginger
• Vegetation Zone Native to tropical Asia.