Ko'oko'olau

Ko'oko'olau is common on Oahu, usually seen at higher elevations. The big give away is that the flower looks like a mini sunflower.

Background Information

There are 19 endemic species of Ko'oko'olau. It is in the sunflower family and the plant looks like a mini sunflower. Ancient Hawaiians used the plant for tea and modern uses are used for tea as well. 1 oz. of tea cost $24.

Ko'oko'olau

This is a rare species of Ko'oko'olau called bidens amplectens. The flower is huge and most Ko'oko'olau species don't have this size. It is federally listed as vulnerable and is restricted to the Northern Waianaes.

Ko'oko'olau

This species of Ko'oko'olau is only found on Oahu, specifically on the Windward side of Oahu, more specifically only in the Kaipapau'u to Ka'a'awa. It is always amazing to see a certain species of plant that evolves into its own unique species. This plant is federally listed as vulnerable with only 5,000 plants left in the wild. The scientific name is bidens populifolia.

Source

• Flowering Plants of Hawaii, 271-272
• Hawaii Native Plants
• Hawaiian Plant Life, 59-61
• Native Plants Hawaii