Dracaena konaensis
An endangered Hawaiian endemic tree in the Asparagaceae, within the genus Dracaena, inhabiting dry forests on old lava flows at 300–800 m with about 300–400 individuals remaining and threatened by habitat loss.
Common Names
Hawaiʻi Hala Pepe
Summary
Endemic to Hawaiʻi Island, the Hawaiʻi hala pepe is a long‑lived tree up to 5–6 m tall with a single trunk or variable branching; leaves are simple, alternate, and spiral, blades 23–38 cm long and 1.4–2.7 cm wide; panicles 19–28 cm long bear pale yellow bisexual flowers on peduncles 6–13 cm, with red berries 10–13 mm as fruit; flowering occurs February–June and it grows in dry forests on old ʻaʻā lava flows at 300–800 m elevation, among native Hawaiian flora.
Prefers lava/cinder soil and full sun; drought‑tolerant with deep, infrequent watering recommended during establishment; overwatering dangerous; fertilize with potassium‑rich formulations. Endangered and native to Hawaiʻi Island, with roughly 300–400 individuals remaining, threatened by habitat loss; flowers used in leis and wood used in carvings.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
16 feet 4 inches-19 feet 8 inches
Spread
Unknown
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun.
Soil Type
Lava soil (lava rock and cinder substrate)
Soil Drainage
Fast-draining lava/cinder soil; avoid clay-based soils.
Bloom Color
Pale yellow to yellowish-orange
Bloom Time
Spring (Feb–Jun)
Growth Rate
Fast
Seasons of Interest
Winter, Spring, Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (H.St.John) Jankalski
- Publication
- Sansevieria 18: 21 (2008)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Asparagales
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Genus
- Dracaena
Synonyms
Pleomele konaensis Chrysodracon hawaiiensis Pleomele hawaiiensis Pleomele kaupulehuensis