Native Plants at the
Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine Restoration Project


Family FABACEAE

young koa (EBG) Acacia koa / Acacia koaia

Koa, koai‘a; endemic

Scale = 3

NOTES: These two species are only distinguishable after they fruit. Both are believed to have been planted here, but site conditions seem more suitable to A. koaia, two of which have produced seed pods starting in mid-2009. The original planting at the top of the pu‘u suffered serious decline in 2011, and eventually died. A second early planting at the trail junction has also suffered and lost major trunks, but is still alive (2013). Grows well in full sun or partial shade; produces a broad tree to 15 ft after 8+ years (flowers seen 11/07; one tree--a koai‘a--produced fruit in mid-2009).[mesic]

Population: 8 (12/07)

Caesalpinia kavaiensis

Uhiuhi; endemic

Scale = 1

NOTES: Plantings made earlier (2007) did not survive. Present population from O‘ahu specimens has survived 2009 dry season; subsequently died out. Replanting from nursery stock started in 3/12.

Population: 3 (4?) (10/09); 0 (12/10)

'awikiwiki (EBG) Canavalia galeata

‘Āwikiwiki; endemic

Scale = 2

NOTES: Single plant in 2006 yielded seeds, these propagated to 2-3 plants surviving into 2007, but not after that year. However, in March 2010, two juvenile vines were seen growing in the vicinity of the orginal planting.

Population: 4 (12/07); 0 (3/09); 2 (3/10); 0 (12/11)

Canavalia pubescens

‘Āwikiwiki; endemic

Scale = 3/4

NOTES: A total of 7 individuals were outplanted in 2012. Three vines survived through 2013, one producing lots of seeds. Seedlings from this crop of seeds are still being out-planted (2018). [xeric]

Population: 4 (12/13)

Erythrina sandwicensis

Wiliwili; endemic

Scale = 5

NOTES: One of our more succcessful trees. Plants have suffered from attacks by erythrina gall wasp, resulting in greatly reduced (seasonal) flowering and no seed production, but no trees have been lost to this cause. Within months of the introduction of a predator on the gall wasp, our trees showed increased leaf production and started flowering in 2010 and producing seeds in early 2012. [xeric]

 

Mucuna gigantea


Kā‘e‘e, sea bean; indigenous

Scale = 1

NOTES: Plantings made in 2008-9 did not survive; failed to thrive after out-planting. One of several plantings made in 2016 is still going. Survival after growing in nursery is poor; so attempting (2018) to out-plant within a few weeks of germination in the nursery to see if survival can be improved [mesic]

Population: 3 (05/18)

Sesbania tomentosum f. arborea

‘Ohai; endemic

scale = 4/5

NOTES: Grows very fast and older plants set seed which are,however, attacked by a small beetle. Natural seed germination observed, and very easily grown in the nursery from collected seeds for out-planting. Plantings of the beach ‘ohai invariably die out after less than a year.although some have survived longer. [xeric]

  Sophora chrysophylla


Māmane; endemic

Scale = 3/4

NOTES: Plantings have been made over several years, but not tracked. However, several of the plants are 5-6 ft tall and now (2017) regularlty produce seed pods. Population: 4 (05/18)

  Vigna marina


Nanea; indigenous

Scale = 1

NOTES: Recent plantings (summer 2009) have been made. Population: 0 (05/18)