Kadua axillaris

Summary

This species is an endemic Hawaiian shrub or small tree in the Rubiaceae, native to Hawaiʻi (including Molokai and Maui), typically reaching 2–6 m in height in wet tropical biomes. Distinctive features include opposite leaves with blades 6.4–16 cm by 2.6–6.5 cm, glabrous above and below or with fine pubescence underneath, a blunt to tapering base, and a sharp tip; leaf sheaths 5–8 mm long. Generative structures are axillary to rarely terminal panicles 2–6 cm long; flowers four‑merous and radially symmetric; calyx tube with triangular lobes; fleshy, tube‑like corolla 0.4–0.65 cm long with lobes 0.28–0.35 cm and a fleshy appendage. Fruits are berry‑like capsules, 0.4–0.6 cm in diameter, dark blue to violet‑black when ripe, with calyx lobes remaining on the fruit. Chromosome number is 2n=72.

This species is restricted to Hawaii, occurring on Hawaiʻi, Maui, and Molokai, and inhabits wet tropical biomes; no subtaxa are listed.

Height

6.5-19.5 feet

Bloom Color

Grünlich-weiß

Growth Rate

2–6 m tall

Propagation Methods

Seeds