Achyranthes splendens
Genus
Achyranthes
Species
splendens
Varieties
- rotundata
- splendens
Common Names
- Achyranthes
- Chaff flower
- Maui chaff flower
- Round chaff flower
- Round-leaf chaff flower
- Round-leaved chaff flower
Synonyms
- Achyranthes lanaiensis
- Achyranthes maneleensis
- Achyranthes reflexa
- Achyranthes rotundata
Names with Unknown Sources
- Hinahina ʻewa
- ʻEwa hinahina
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
Federally Listed
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Shrub
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Shrub, Small, 2 to 6
- Shrub, Medium, 6 to 10
Mature Size, Width
Minimum height to width ratio 1.5:1 The variety splendens has a spread up to 5 feet. [Native Nursery, LLC]
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Hedges
- Screening
Additional Landscape Use Information
An easy-to-grow landscape plant that quickly reaches the flowering and fruiting stage. Will regenerate from fallen seed.
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Not Showy
Flower Colors
- Greenish-White
Additional Flower Color Information
The tiny greenish flowers are rather insignificant compared with other features of this plant.
Blooming Period
- Year Round
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
While the tiny flowers themselves are not showy, the seed spikes are one of the characteristic features of this plant.
Plant texture
- Fine
- Medium
Additional Plant Texture Information
Silvery dense tomentose (hairs) covering leaves on upper and lower surfaces. Leaves are smaller and rounder on var. rotundata. Leaves range between 1 to 5 inches long.
Leaf Colors
- Gray / Silverish
- Light Green
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Mealybugs can concentrate around leaf basis and seed spikes sometimes deforming them.
Fertilizer
An application of a slow release fertilizer with micro-nutrients (e.g. Nutricote 13-13-13) every six months and a foliar application of a water soluble fertilizer (e.g. Miracle-Gro) or fish or kelp emulsion monthly has proved to be beneficial.
Pruning Information
Do not prune too heavily. Light to medium pruning to a desired shape or to remove spent seed stalks to maintain a clean look in the landscape.
Water Requirements
- Dry
Additional Water Information
Benefits from regular deep watering. However, keep on the drier side and water in very dry periods. Too much water can tend to wash out the beautiful silvery foliage to a greener color in some plants.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
Tolerates some partial shade but performs best under full sun conditions.
Spacing Information
Depending on how plants will be used for in the landscaping, for specimen plants, space 4 to 6 feet apart; for a hedge 3 to 4 feet apart.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Wind
- Salt Spray
Soils
- Clay
- Cinder
- Coral
Natural Range
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- Less than 150, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 150 to 1000, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 1000 to 1999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
Additional Habitat Information
Low elevation open, dry forests, open talus or rocky slopes, and coralline plains.
On Maui, var. splendens can be found at over 1600 ft. Variety rotundata is probably naturally extinct on Molokaʻi and Lanaʻi. On Oʻahu, this endangered plant is found in scattered populations on the ʻEwa Plains and at Kaʻena Point. [1]
Special Features and Information
General Information
This is an endangered species belonging to the Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). Other native Hawaiian family members include two other species in the same genus with one very likely extinct; a rare and little known amaranth (Amaranthus brownii) from Nīhoa (Moku Manu); ʻāweoweo (Chenopodium oahuense); and several species of pāpala (Charpentiera spp.) and kuluʻī (Nototrichium spp.).
The variety differences in Achyranthes splendens is based on flower and leaf variation.
The name ʻEwa hinahina or Hinahina ʻewa has an unknown modern origin.
Etymology
Genus is derived from the Greek achyron, chaff, and anthos, flower, referring to the chaffy parts of the flower.
The Latin ephithet splendens means shining, brilliant, gleaming, referring to the brightness of the leaves.
Early Hawaiian Use
Though there is no known Hawaiian name or use for this plant, as a lowland species it certainly would not have gone unnoticed by early settlers.
Additional References
[1] "Hawaiʻi's Vanishing Flora" by Bert Y. Kimura & Kenneth M. Nagata, page 17.
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