Plants Found On The Kahuku Coastline By Ken (Kenji) Suzuki, 2016

Transcription

1 Plants Found On The Kahuku Coastline By Ken (Kenji) Suzuki, 2016 This booklet was designed as a very simplified guide to identify some of the beach plants found along the Kahuku shoreline. Included are some introduced and native plants. A native plant is one that was growing here before the arrival of humans. Introduced plants were brought here by people, either accidentally or on purpose. It is getting harder to find native plants along Oahu s coastline, because of the impact that humans and animals have made on coastal areas. The best way to learn about Oahu s native coastal plants, is to go hiking with someone who can point them out to you. The Hawai`i Nature Center has guided hikes with an emphasis on our natural surroundings. One of the best places to learn about the native coastal plants on O`ahu is the area around Kahuku. This area is located from the Kahuku Golf Course to the Turtle Bay Hotel. A good source to learn about shoreline plants is Mark Merlin s, Hawaiian Coastal Plants. Sources used for information and graphics: Warren L. Wagner, Derral R. Herbst, S.H. Sohmer, Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai`i, University of Hawai`i and Bishop Museum Press, 1990; Marie C. Neal, In Gardens of Hawai`i, Bishop Museum Press, 1965; Mark David Merlin, Hawaiian Coastal Plants, Oriental Publishing Co., 1986; Dr. W. Arthur Whistler, Wayside Plants of the Islands, Isle Botanica; Dr. W. Arthur Whistler, Flowers of the Pacific Island Seashore, Isle Botanica; Dr. W. Arthur Whistler, Polynesian Herbal Medicine, National Tropical Botanical Garden, 1992; Roger E. Baldwin, Hawai`i s Poisonous Plants, The Petroglyph Press, 1979; Edward Arrigoni, A Nature Walk to Ka`ena Point, Topgallant Publishing Co. Ltd., 1978; Elbert Little and Roger Skolmen, Common Forest Trees of Hawai`i, United States Department of Agriculture, 1989; Robert Hirano, Handbook of Hawaiian Weeds, University of Hawai`i Press, 1983; personal photos and other sources.

2 GLOSSARY NATIVE: INDIGENOUS: ENDEMIC: INTRODUCED: A plant that has arrived in Hawai`i without the help of humans. These plants came here on the wind, in or on a bird, floating or rafting on the ocean. The two types of native plants are: A plant that is found naturally in other parts of the world. A plant that is found only in Hawai`i. A plant that has been introduced by humans either intentionally or accidentally after Captain James Cook landed on Kaua`i, on Jan. 20, Plants introduced by Hawaiians before this date are called Polynesian introductions. 1. Aki`aki 2. `Akoko 3. `Âkulikuli 4. Alena 5. Australian Saltbush 6. Chinese Violet 7. Golden Crown Beard 8. Hinahina Kahakai 9. Indian Pluchea 10. Ironwood 11. Milo 12. Nanea 13. Naupaka Kahakai 14. New Zealand Spinach 15. `Ôhelo Kai 16. Pâ`u O Hi`iaka 17. Pôhuehue 18. Spanish Needle 19. Tree Heliotrope 20. `Uhaloa INDEX

3 AKI`AKI SEASHORE RUSHGRASS (Sporobolus virginicus) Grass family (Poaceae) Native: Indigenous to Hawai`i, tropical and subtropical areas worldwide `Aki`aki is a hardy native grass that grows well in sandy, salty conditions. It is usually found above the high water mark and is common on the undeveloped beaches of O`ahu. `Aki`aki is well suited for lawns with sandy soils, exposed to salt spray. 1 `AKOKO (Chamaesyce degeneri) Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) Native: Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands There are about ten different kinds of `akoko that are native to O`ahu. Some species of `akoko are found only on or near the coastline while others are found only on the wet summits. The native coastal `akoko (Chamaesyce degeneri) is rare on most of the coastline of O`ahu, but it can be found along the Kahuku coastline where it is common. Its leaves, like the other species of `akoko, will bleed a white sap when it is bent in half. 2

4 `ÂKULIKULI SEA PURSLANE (Sesuvium portulacastrum) Iceplant family (Aizoaceae) Native: Indigenous to Hawai`i and tropical regions of the world `Âkulikuli and `ôhelo kai are very similar looking plants, but look at their stems to tell them apart. `Âkulikuli has succulent stems, while `ôhelo kai has woody stems. It is highly salt tolerant and has white to magenta, five-parted flowers. No significant uses have been reported for this plant, but it has been said to be edible. ALENA (Boerhavia glabrata) Four-o clock family (Nyctaginaceae) Native: Indigenous to Hawai`i, southern and western Pacific There several types of alena that are found on O`ahu. The most common native alena is pictured above. The roots of certain types of native alena were used medicinally by ancient Hawaiians. 3 4

5 AUSTRALIAN SALTBUSH (Atriplex semibaccata) Goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae) Introduced: Native to Australia Australian saltbush was probably introduced to Lâna`i in 1895 as an experimental forage plant for cattle. It furnishes nourishing food for livestock as it is rich in protein. Tiny red fruits can be used as an aid to identify this plant. The leaves have a salty taste, hence the common name saltbush. Since its introduction in 1895, it has spread throughout Hawai`i and has become a serious weed in some coastal areas. One of the areas is in the Ka`ena Point natural area reserve, where work is currently being done to control this weed which can crowd out our native plants. CHINESE VIOLET (Asystasia gangetica) Acanthus family (Acanthaceae) Introduced: Native to India, Malay Peninsula and Africa Chinese violet was first collected on O`ahu in It is grown as a ground cover in tropical and subtropical regions. Chinese violet has escaped from cultivation on O`ahu and is now common in low elevation, disturbed areas. 5 6

6 GOLDEN CROWN BEARD (Verbesina encelioides) Daisy family (Asteraceae) Introduced: Native to Mexico and southwestern United States This plant was growing wild in Hawai`i prior to It is most noticeable when in bloom, with attractive yellow flowers. No uses have been reported for this common shoreline plant, but it is now considered an invasive species and steps are being taken to control it. HINAHINA KAHAKAI (Heliotropium anomalum variety argenteum) Borage family (Boraginaceae) Native: This variety (argenteum) is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands Hinahina means silver or gray colored. Hawaiians named many plants hinahina, because they had silver or gray colored leaves. The beach hinahina or hinahina kahakai is the flower of Kahoolawe where it grew profusely on the dry regions of that island. Its fragrant flowers and leaves are used in lei making. Also, hinahina kahakai was dried and used as a tea. 7 8

7 IRONWOOD (Casuarina equisetifolia) INDIAN PLUCHEA (Pluchea indica) Daisy family (Asteraceae) Introduced: Native to Southern Asia Indian pluchea was first collected on O`ahu in 1915 and is now a common weedy shrub in dry, coastal areas. This plant is used medicinally in other parts of the world, internally to treat fevers, and externally as a poultice. The young leaves are used to color and flavor food. She-oak family (Casuarinaceae) Introduced: Native to Australia This fast growing tree was first introduced to Hawai`i in 1882 by Paul Isenburg, who planted it at Kilohana, Kauai. In 1890, Archibald Cleghorn, father of Princess Kaiulani, planted the impressive double row of trees, in what is now known as Kapi`olani park. Ironwood was extensively used in forestry plantings from about Ironwood has hard wood and has been used on other Pacific Islands to make weapons, canoe parts, house posts, tool handles and other items. Parts of the ironwood have also been used medicinally. 9 10

8 MILO (Thespesia populnea) Hibiscus family (Malvaceae) Native: Indigenous to Hawai`i and tropical regions Milo has beautiful brown, hard wood which was used to make calabashes, platters and dishes. Look for the round golf ball sized fruits as an aid in identifying this plant. The bast was occasionally made into kapa and it seeds were formerly used as a laxative. Milo is currently used in landscaping. NANEA OR MOHIHIHI BEACH PEA (Vigna marina) Pea family (Fabaceae) Native: Indigenous to Hawai`i tropical coastal regions There are no recorded uses of nanea or beach pea in ancient Hawai`i. It is a hardy plant with attractive yellow flowers and it is now used as an ornamental ground cover in coastal sites

9 NAUPAKA KAHAKAI BEACH NAUPAKA (Scaevola sericea) Naupaka family (Goodeniaceae) Native: Indigenous to Hawai`i, tropical and subtropical Pacific & Indian Ocean coastlines Naupaka kahakai is a shrub that can grow to heights of about 10 feet. It can withstand heat, drought and salt spray, but its roots can be easily injured by off road vehicles or hikers. Naupaka kahakai is a very important plant in the coastal ecosystem. This plant binds the sand, holds moisture in the ground, provides shelter for other plants and helps to make soil. The small, buoyant, marble sized fruits are edible but not tasty. Naupaka kahakai is most noted for its half flowers, which along with naupaka kuahiwi (mountain naupaka) are inspiration for many legends. NEW ZEALAND SPINACH (Tetragonia tetragonioides) Iceplant family (Aizoaceae) Introduced: Native to New Zealand New Zealand spinach is sometimes cultivated and eaten as a vegetable. It has escaped from cultivation and is found along coastal areas on O`ahu. As it s name implies, it is similar to spinach in taste, texture, and nutrition. Like spinach, it contains oxalates which need to be removed by blanching the leaves in hot water for two or three minutes, then rinsing in cold water before cooking

10 `ÔHELO KAI (Lycium sandwicensis) Tomato family (Solanaceae) Native: Indigenous to Hawai`i and Polynesia, ranging from Tonga to Easter Island `Ôhelo kai looks like`âkulikuli, but look at their stems to tell them apart. `Âkulikuli has succulent stems while `ôhelo kai has woody stems. There have been few recorded uses for this uncommon plant except that it has edible red berries. 15 PÂ`Û O HÎ`IAKA (Jacquemontia ovalifolia subsp. sandwicensis) Morning glory family (Convolvulaceae) Native: Subspecies (sandwicensis) is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands No significant uses have been reported for this beach plant. In Hawaiian legend, Hi`iaka was the sister of Pele, the volcano goddess. This plant had grown over Hi`iaka to shade her from the sun when Pele went on a fishing trip. Pele thus gave the name of pa`û o H`î`iaka or skirt of Hi`iaka to this plant. 16

11 SPANISH NEEDLE OR KÎ NEHE (Bidens alba) PÔHUEHUE BEACH MORNING GLORY (Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis) Morning glory family (Convolvulaceae) Native: Indigenous to Hawai`i and tropical areas of the world Pôhuehue is common on undeveloped beaches of O`ahu. The roots and leaves were eaten in time of famine, but purgative properties make it dangerous to eat. Sunflower or daisy family (Asteraceae) Introduced: Native to tropical America There are several species of Spanish needle that have been introduced to Hawai`i. It is similar in appearance to the native plant called ko`oko`olau. Spanish needle has white flowers which distinguish it from the yellow flowered ko`oko`olau. It also has black barbed stickers which cling to your clothes. In modern times, the leaves of the Spanish needle have been used medicinally, as a substitute for ko`oko`lau

12 TREE HELIOTROPE (Tournefortia argentea) Borage family (Boraginaceae) Introduced: Native to tropical Asia Tree heliotrope is a recent introduction to Hawai`i and is now common along Oahu`s shorelines. It is a small tree and not good for timber, but the wood is used in other parts of the world. Tree heliotrope is used to make canoe bailers, tool handles, gongs and carved handicrafts. Parts of the tree are used medicinally and the leaves are used to make a red dye. `UHALOA (Waltheria indica) Cacao family (Sterculiaceae) Native: Indigenous to perhaps Hawai`i and to tropical regions of the world A common weed, `uhaloa is one of the best known medicinal plants in Hawai`i. The bark of the root is chewed then gargled or swallowed to treat sore throats, asthma, coughs and colds