Pipturus kauaiensis

Common Names

Kauai Pipturus

Summary

Kauai pipturus is a perennial shrub endemic to Kauaʻi that grows to about 1.5–3 m tall. It has alternately arranged leaves 6–18.5 cm long and 2–6.5 cm wide with toothed margins; branches and leaves are covered in distinctive white hairs, and new leaves have a woolly underside. Flowers occur in clusters in leaf axils and are small, 3–4 mm in diameter, with individual flowers 1–2.4 mm long, blooming white or green year‑round; the fruit is a tiny 0.9–1.0 mm long dry single‑seeded achene, with the base of the flower persisting and becoming fleshy around the fruit.

In native habitats, it occurs in mesic valleys and diverse mesic forests from 60 to 1,280 m elevation and is listed as endangered. Leaves are used as a general tonic and tea, and to make kapa (māmaki) as an alternative to wauke, producing good quality, naturally brown kapa that can be colored with kukui oil.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4 ft 11 in - 9 ft 10 in

Bloom Color

White, Green

Bloom Time

Year-round

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter