In the Garden
HUI KU MAOLI OLA MUNROIDENDRON
Latin name: Munroidendron racemosumThese exotic trees are almost prehistoric in appearance and grow up to 20 feet tall, with thick leaflets on drooping leaves. Munroidendron's bright, yellow flowers are arranged on long, ponytail-like bracts up to 2 feet long that hang from the branches. From these flowers, plump white fruit with a dark purple disk emerge. Spectacular.
It is an endangered plant derived from the Arialacea family, the same group as the highly invasive octopus tree (Schefflera actinophylla), which is taking over much of our native forests from dry to wet regions.
What many people do not realize is that popular landscape plants like the octopus tree can be highly aggressive and threaten our native ecosystems. What they need to be aware of is that for any potentially threatening alien landscape plant, there is often a nonthreatening native species that could easily replace it. Many nurseries, including ours, make these native alternatives available for everyone to enjoy. This plant, as rare as it is, is available at Home Depot.
Distribution: This extremely rare, endangered tree is endemic to the island of Kauai in mesic forests.
Cultural uses: No cultural uses are known at this time. In fact, it is so rare that there is no Hawaiian name known yet.
Landscape uses and care: Plant this tree in a place where you can show it off, because it definitely deserves it. Water at least every other day until the plant is established (showing signs of active growth), then slowly reduce your watering schedule.
Spider mites and aphids occasionally appear on young or newly transplanted plants and can be treated with store-bought pesticides. You can also simply spray them off with water.
It thrives in full sun and ground that has good drainage.
Rick Barboza co-owns Hui Ku Maoli Ola, a Native Hawaiian plant nursery, with Matt Schirman. "In the Garden" is a Friday feature about flora, written by those knowledgeable in the field. Gardening Calendar
In the Garden runs Fridays in Today.
