Embedded Files
Pilo is an endemic native Hawaiian plant. There are 13 endemic species (listed below). Pilo is part of the coffee family, the genus is coprosma. In Ancient Hawaii, Hawaiians used the Pilo berries as a laxative. Today Pilo grows as an understory to native trees such as ʻōhiʻa and koa. The Pilo flowers feed native birds like the ʻōmaʻo or Hawaiian thrush. The plant produces both male and female and have distinct characteristics.
Background Information
13 Endemic Species: cymosa, elliptica, ernodeoides foliosa*, kauensis, longifolia*, menziesii, montana, ochracea*, pubens, rhynchocarpa, ternata, waimeae
Coffee Family
Ancient uses: Berries used as laxative
Modern uses: Native gardens
Coprosma longifolia
Hawaiian Name: Pilo
Appearance
Can grow tall
Leaves: come off from a single stem, slender
This picture taken on Ka'ala trail
Pilo flowers
Coprosma ochracea
variation: kaalae
This Pilo is in the Ka'ala Bog
The leaves are short, like most ochracea
Many variations of the ochracea especially on the different Hawaiian Islands
Pilo usually is shows up at over 2,500 feet to 7,500 feet of elevation
These two pilo found in Ka'ala bog, 2018
This pilo found in the Ka'ala bog, 2018
Looks like a cross between longifolia and ochracea
Source
Flowering Plants of Hawaii, 1121-1131
Google Sites
Report abuse