In the Garden
Rick Barboza
HUI KO MAOLI OLA Coastal manono
Latin name: Hedyotis littoralisAlthough not considered an endangered species, this plant is extremely rare. In fact, there is not even a Hawaiian name known for it.
It is not regularly available to the public, but will be offered in limited supply at the Foster Botanical Garden's Spring Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10, for about $6, along with hundreds of other native plants.
Description: Spectacular, unusual-looking plants, similar to succulents in appearance. Leaves are rigid, extremely glossy and elliptical. They often fold back on the margins from the base of the leaf, to the pointed tip.
New leaves emerge in pairs and alternate to the opposite side of the stem from the previous pair. Most of the branching, if any, occurs toward the base of the plant with individual stalks rising upward. Flowers are small, white and star-shaped, usually with only four lobes or petals. Numerous flowers are arranged in a round cluster that forms at stalk tip.
Distribution: This plant is naturally found on coastal sea cliffs within the salt spray on the islands of Kauai Molokai, Maui, Hawaii and formerly on Oahu.
Landscape use and care: I have been told many times that native Hawaiian plants are not "showy" or are "lackluster" compared with other exotics (which is totally the wrong thing to say to me).
This plant proves all those wrong (you know who you are). The extraordinary appearance of this plant makes it a definite "eye catcher," and they look great, especially around rocks or in pots on the lanai. Few pests are known to bother this plant, and watering every other day is fine, making it ideal for those with not-so-green thumbs.
Rick Barboza co-owns Hui Ku Maoli Ola, a Native Hawaiian plant nursery, with Matt Schirman. Contact him at 259-6580 or e-mail rickbarboza@hawaii.rr.com.Gardening Calendar
