Touchardia sandwicensis

Common Names

Ōpuhe, Hōpue, Hona

Summary

Native to the Hawaiian Islands, this evergreen shrub or small tree reaches up to 35 ft (10.7 m) tall on Hawaiʻi with a straight trunk up to 1 ft in diameter and grey, smooth, fibrous bark. Leaves are large, alternately arranged, oblong to narrowly elliptical (15–36 cm long, 4–12 cm wide) on 3–5 cm leaf stalks, with a pointed apex, blunt base, and wavy-minted margins. The species is dioecious, with flowers in cymes of numerous tiny flowers along twigs and at leaf bases, and fruits are rounded (~3 mm) containing a single seed.

Widespread in moist forests across the islands, at elevations from 150–1,700 m (Hawaii 150–1,680 m). Slopes and gulch bottoms in mesic to wet forests provide its habitat. Reproduction involves cross-pollination, and seeds are bird-dispersed via a fleshy calyx. Cultural uses include inner bark fibers for fishing nets and kapa cloth. Conservation status is Least Concern; protected under Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Chapter 195D; threats include habitat degradation by invasives, feral pigs, competition from aliens, and climate change; conservation actions include habitat protection, invasive species control, ungulate fencing, and monitoring.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

35 ft

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained volcanic soils derived from basalt.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Bloom Color

White

Foliage Color

Dark green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Propagation Methods

Seeds (via achenes)

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds