Rare ’ihi looks
great anywhere

Description: Short and stocky is the best description for these rare succulents. They have thick leaves that usually cluster toward the top of an even thicker stem. These plants usually branch up from the ground and look more like tiny cactus than portulaca. They also have a cluster of bright yellow flowers that sit in a cup of leaves that rises up from a long tube. They're really cool-looking. These are among the most exotic-looking plant specimens from Hawaii, if not the world.

HUI KU MAOLI OLA This cool, beautiful and rare plant is available for a limited time at Home Depot for $8.67

Distribution: These plants are fairly rare and restricted to coastal rocky areas, with only three known populations on Molokini island (that tiny horseshoe-shaped island off Maui), Puukoae islet and Kahoolawe.

Landscape use and care: This type of 'ihi looks great anywhere, even in pots on the lanai. In landscapes, put them around landscape stones as accents. They like well-drained soil and full sun. The best way to water these plants if they don't have well-drained soil is to soak the ground and not water again until the soil is dried out. Few pests bother this plant, but if you begin to notice tiny black spots on the leaves, just spray with any type of plant pesticide, and the new leaves should be spot-free.

Additional Information: There are a total of four known native species of portulaca in Hawaii. They came from two distinct colonizations. One includes both P. villosa and P. sclerocarpa, two endemic and very rare species. They are similar in appearance, with linear succulent leaves and pink and white flower petals. The other colonization comes from P. lutea, an indigenous species with yellow flowers and rounder leaves. It is believed that P. molokiniensis evolved from this plant to become its own endemic species.