Endangered Pu‘uka‘a
is a lovely sedge

Description: Pu'uka'a is a beautiful sedge with long, slender, light green leaf blades that reach heights of a little more than 3 feet. It sends out short rhizomes to form dense tufts rather than long runners, so they don't spread too far. Within these long leaf blades emerge a tall stalk with several clusters of spikelets (cyperus form of flowers) on top.

HUI KU MAOLI OLA Pu'uka'a is a lovely accent planted along rock features.

Distribution: This federally listed endangered plant is endemic to Hawaii. Once found on the islands of Niihau, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu and Kauai, it is now believed to exist only on the latter two. In the wild, it is found in wetter conditions, such as pond margins or seasonal marshes.

Landscape use and care: This plant can be placed in or around water features as well as in the soil as long as it is watered regularly. Pruning of dead leaves keeps it looking full and beautiful. It looks great when planted alongside rock features or as an accent combined with other plants, especially groundcovers or other plants which it can "burst" over. Pu'uka'a can also be used in dry floral arrangements to add flair. Few pests bother this plant, but occasionally you may find aphids on new shoots. These can be taken care of simply by running your fingers up the leaf. Be careful as the leaf blades are so slender that they are brittle and once creased they won't perk back up.

More information: One of the few remnant populations of this plant was at a Kealakipapa, also known as Allen Davis, the place where everyone parks to hike to the Makapuu lighthouse. This area fell victim to a brush fire that burned approximately 50 acres of land, including the vernal pond in which this plant lived. Hopefully this population has not become extinct.