Freycinetia arborea
A densely branched, woody climber in the Pandanaceae family, endemic to Pacific Islands, that climbs into the forest canopy via aerial roots or can spread as a ground tangle, with long spiny leaves, spike-like inflorescences and orange-salmon bracts, small fruits once eaten by native birds, evergreen year-round flowers, and fibers historically woven into baskets and other items.
Common Names
ʻIeʻie, Ieie, Ie'ie, Tahitian Bridalveil, Climbing Screwpine
Summary
ʻIeʻie is a densely branched, brittle woody climber in Pandanaceae native to the Pacific Islands, including Hawaiʻi, Marquesas, Austral, Society, and Cook Islands. It climbs into the forest canopy via aerial roots and may sprawl as a ground-dwelling tangle; leaves are shiny green, 40–80 cm long and 1–3 cm wide, pointed with spiny margins on the lower midrib and edges and arranged spirally at branch ends. Inflorescences are spike-like; staminate spikes yellowish-white and up to 10 cm, pistillate spikes 3–4 cm that elongate to 7.5–9.5 cm in fruit; bracts orange-salmon and fruit about 1 cm long with seeds around 1.5 mm.
Bracts and fruit were eaten by the ʻōʻū and by the Hawaiian crow; Native Hawaiians plait ʻieʻie into fish baskets and fish traps, and aerial roots were split to form helmet frameworks for aliʻi.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
60 feet
Spread
1 ft 7 in - 6 ft 7 in
Hardiness Zones
Zones 10
Sunlight Requirements
Partial shade, Partial sun when young, Full sun possible as it matures with protection during the hottest part of the afternoon.
Soil Type
Loamy soil that retains moisture and drains well, enriched with organic matter, or a potting mix of peat, perlite, and black cinder in equal parts, with native soils incorporated if available
Soil Drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
6
Bloom Color
Yellowish-white
Bloom Time
All year
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
No fall foliage color; evergreen.
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Not specified
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Stem cuttings, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Birds: Yes — bracts/fruit eaten by ʻōʻū and ʻalalā
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Gaudich.
- Publication
- Voy. Uranie : 431 (1829)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Pandanales
- Family
- Pandanaceae
- Genus
- Freycinetia
Synonyms
Freycinetia hivaoensis Freycinetia kiekie Freycinetia monticola Freycinetia scandens Freycinetia arnottii Freycinetia longispica