Hawaii Plants to Recognize

Acacia koa, Koa (used for canoes; juvenile vs. mature leaves very different)

Metrosideros polymorpha, Ohi’a (dominant native tree; red “powderpuff” flower clusters)

Sophora chrysophylla, Mamane (small tree with yellow pea-like flowers; palila food)

Coprosma ernodeiodes, Kukaenene (creeping shrub with shiny black berries; poisonous)

Dodonaea viscosa, A’ali’I (fruits used in royal leis)

Styphelia tameiameiae, Pukiawe (on lava flows; small pink berries)

Vaccinium reticulum, Ohelo (Hawaiian cranberry; bright red edible berries)

Cibotium glaucum, Hapu’u (big tree fern, forms forest around Volcano Guest House

Dicranopteris linearis, Uluhe (climbing fern; forms dense thickets; has killed hikers)

Sadleria cyatheoides, Ama’u (small tree fern, often colonizing bare lava)

Nutmeg

soursop (Annonaceae)

Sweet soursop (Annonaceae)

Jaboticaba (Myrtaceae)

clove (Myrtaceae)

guava (Myrtaceae)

Surinam cherry (Myrtaceae)

Neem

Avocado (Lauraceae)

Pulasan (Sapindaceae)

Curry leaf (Rutaceae)

Pili nuts

Soursop (Moraceae)

Loquat (Rosaceae)

Cupuacu (Malvaceae)

Cacao (Malvaceae)

Chicle/Sapodilla (Sapotaceae)

Blackberry jam fruit (Rubiaceae)

Acai palm (Arecaceae)

African nutmeg (Annonaceae)

Horseradish tree (Moringaceae)

Ice cream bean (Fabaceae)

Canistel (Sapotaceae)

Macadamia nut (Proteaceae)

Cabeluda (Myrtaceae)

Lipstick plant

Kalo

taro

Ulu

breadfruit

‘Uala

Sweet potato

Uhi

yams

Mai’a

banana

Ko

sugar

Niu

Coconut

Kukui

candlenut

Wauke

paper mulberry

Pili

grass

Ipu

gourds

‘Ohe

bamboo

Zingiber

shampoo ginger

Curcuma

tumeric

glory bush

Himalayan ginger

Elaphoglossum

Psilotum

Adenophora hymenophylloides

Adenophora tamariscinus

Adenophorus tenellus

Hymenophyllum recurvatum

Hymenophyllum lanceolatum