Embedded Files
Kanawao is very common in the native forest. You'll see it on most trails in both the Waianae and Koolau Mountain Ranges. Kanawao occurs in the upper wet forest near the tops of mountains especially in wet areas. When flowering, it is a showstopper and you just have to take out your phone and take a picture of it.
Background Information
Kanawao is an endemic plant part of the hydrangea family. In ancient times, women would eat the berries because they believed it would help them to conceive. Thus the plant was called, "the fruit that gives birth to the chiefs". In modern times, hikers like to look for happy faced spiders which hang out under the leaves.
showstopper
showstopper
Alakai Swamp, Koke'e
Kanawao
As mentioned earlier, Kanawao is common in upper forest, but may look a little different when hiking in the Koolaus and Waianaes. In the Koolaus it appears like a small shrub, however in the Waianaes it can grow into a small tree. There are also male and female plants. As for the flowering cycle, one interesting fact is that females have no petals, male petals can be white, green, pink, purple and we even seen blue. Berries start to appear in the Fall season based on our recent trip to Ka'ala in October. Many of the trees had berries and some had flowers. The leaves have a leathery feel like a succulent.
White berries
Off color berries
Purple berries
Baby sprouting under big tree
Konahuanui
Sources:
Flowering Plants of Hawaii, 794-795
Google Sites
Report abuse