In the Garden
COURTESY HUI KU MAOLI OLA Ko'oko'olau is a small, herbaceous shrub with dark green leaves and bright yellow daisy flowers that bloom profusely. Ko'oko'olau
Latin: Bidens spp.
Many people are familiar with the spanish needle weed or beggars tick (Bidens pilosa) that gets stuck in socks, shoes or clothing. This tiny seed has two prongs on the end which creates a type of dispersal mechanism that allows it to piggyback on passing animals. In Hawaii, there weren't any large mammals to which the seed could attach, so these evolved without the prongs. Instead these became twisty in shape, allowing them to be easily dispersed as the wind blows and rolls them along the ground.
Distribution: There are 19 endemic species found throughout the islands, from coastal, lowland forests through moderately moist to wet forests.
Cultural Uses: The fresh leaves and flowers of this plant can be made into a tea.
Landscape Uses and Care: This plant does well in full sun or partial shade. The yellow flowers add great contrast and color. Daily watering is good in well-drained soils. Aphids are sometimes seen on this plant and can easily be sprayed off with a stream of water. I wouldn't recommend using pesticides to treat this plant, especially if it is being used for tea.
Gardening Calendar
In the Garden runs Fridays in Today.
