In the Garden
HUI KU MAOLI OLA
Hawaiian Moon Flower
LATIN NAME
Ipomea tuboides
Description: Slender vines that lie prostrate or climb up trees. Its green stems are usually woody at the base. The plant's leaves are light green similar to ivy in shape and its flowers are white, measuring 2 to 3 inches in diameter, with a long tube (2 to 4 inches), and an even longer stem (6 to 8 inches). These flowers are nocturnal, meaning that they bloom at night, staying open only to midday. They look very pretty trailing over a trellis when in bloom.
Distribution: This vine is found only in Hawaii, making it an endemic species. It can be found in hot dry forests, rocky slopes or even on 'a'a lava on all the main islands. I've also seen this plant on the Kealia trail behind Dillingham Air Field in Mokuleia.
Cultural uses: There is no known documentation of this plant being used for any one purpose but that does not mean that it wasn't important to Hawaiian culture. Many other members of the genus Ipomea were used to treat ailments and as food (sweet potato or uala is Ipomea batatas).
Landscape use and care: This plant is another ideal candidate for a moon garden because of its large night-blooming white flowers that seem to glow in moonlight. The plant can be used as a ground cover or to accent another tree or trellis. It loves full sun but can tolerate partial shade, needs very little water once established, and few bugs bother it.
More moonglow: Other plants mentioned in this column in the past that make good moon garden candidates include: Maiapilo (Capparis sandwichiana) with white nocturnal flowers; Ohai (Sesbania tomentosa) from Kaena has silvery reflective leaflets that shimmer at night; any of the native white Hibiscus, particularly Hibiscus waimeae from Kauai because its flowers last longest; Olena (Curcuma longa) has a nice white ginger flower cluster that protrudes from a long stalk; and Alahee (Psydrax odorata) bears tons of white flower clusters when in bloom that stand out against the plant's dark green foliage. Basically, any white or light-colored flowering plant will do.
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