In the Garden
Rick Barboza
HUI KU MAOLI OLA
Naneo is available at the Honolulu Home Depot for about $5.
Nanea (Beach Pea)
LATIN NAME
Vigna mariana
Nanea goes by several Hawaiian names depending on what island or region thereof. Other names include nenea, mohihihi, puhili, puhilihili, pulihilihi, wahine 'oma'o and my favorites, lemuomakili and 'okolemakili, which means cracked buttocks.
Description: Nanea is an herbaceous plant that becomes woody toward the base; it can either crawl along the ground or grow along a fence or trellis. One leaf is composed of three oval leaflets 3 to 4 inches long, attached to long stems. The flowers are bright yellow, measuring about an inch wide with flowers arranged in clusters of one to six. Once pollinated, pods develop with two to 12 small, reddish-brown seeds, each about a quarter-inch long.
Distribution: This indigenous plant is found throughout the tropics. In Hawaii it's found on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and the Big Island. Its natural habitat is sandy coasts where it is often found growing through other natives such as naupaka kahakai (Scaevola sericea), pohinahina (Vitex rotundifolia), and pohuehue (Ipomoea pes-caprae) and sometimes on sea cliffs and dry slopes.
Landscape use and care: Nanea prefers full sun, and if you need a fast-growing ground cover, nanea's for you. Be careful what you wish for; it really does grow quickly. Plant one every 2 feet for a nice full cover. It does well on slopes for erosion control, with flowers that add great color when in nearly continuous bloom. Daily watering is OK, with less watering once established.
Cultural uses: Although there is no documentation of any uses for this plant, its flowers -- as well as seeds -- are beautiful enough and seem strong enough for use in leis.
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