gallery

Artemisia mauiensis

leaf Main Plant Information

Genus

Artemisia

Species

mauiensis

Hawaiian Names with Diacritics

  • Hinahina
  • ʻĀhinahina

Hawaiian Names

  • Ahinahina
  • Hinahina

Common Names

  • Maui wormwood

Synonyms

  • Artemisia australis var. mauiensis

Names with Unknown Sources

  • Maui mugwort

leaf Plant Characteristics

Distribution Status

Endemic

Endangered Species Status

No Status

Plant Form / Growth Habit

  • Non-Woody, Clumping
  • Sprawling Shrub

Mature Size, Height (in feet)

  • Shrub, Dwarf, Less than 2
  • Shrub, Small, 2 to 6

Mature Size, Width

Does not get as tall as another native hinahina (Artemisia australis) but grows as wide, 4 to 5 feet.

Life Span

Long lived (Greater than 5 years)

Landscape Uses

  • Accent
  • Container
  • Specimen Plant

Additional Landscape Use Information

In the landscape, use in place of Dusty Miller for native Hawaiian gardens. Grown for interesting foliage, since flowers are not all that noticeable. Can hybridize with A. australis.

This is a great accent plant mixed with ʻākia, pili, kuluī or just planted en masss. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]

Source of Fragrance

  • Leaves

Additional Fragrance Information

Faintly aromatic. Foliage has a sagebrush/wormwood smell. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]

It has also been described as having a faint to strongly aromatic of sage or anise fragrance. But upon sampling the raw leaves of this plant you will likely spit it out straight away! How apropos the name "worm" or "bitter" wood [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]

Plant Produces Flowers

Yes

leaf Flower Characteristics

Flower Type

Not Showy

Flower Colors

  • Brownish
  • Cream

leaf Leaf Characteristics

Plant texture

  • Fine

Additional Plant Texture Information

Leaves range between 1 and 2 inches long and is more finely divided than that of A. australis, almost feather-like.

Leaf Colors

  • Gray / Silverish

Additional Leaf Color Information

The spectacular silvery tomentose (fuzzy) foliage is the main feature of this plant.

leaf Pests and Diseases

Additional Pest & Disease Information

Spittlebug, scale. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]

leaf Growth Requirements

Fertilizer

Too much fertilizer will decrease silvery color.

Pruning Information

Pruning is not needed and naturally makes a low mounded shrub. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC] However, flower buds can be removed unless seeds are wanted and will respond favorably to shaping if desired.

Water Requirements

  • Dry

Additional Water Information

After established, watering is only necessary during prolonged drought. Medium or low water needs and best with no overhead irrigation. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC] Overwatering will decrease silvery color. Dry out soil between waterings.

Soil must be well drained

Yes

Light Conditions

  • Full sun
  • Partial sun

Additional Lighting Information

Full sun brings out desirable qualities such as silvery color. Best planted on a south facing or steep slope. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]

Tolerances

  • Drought
  • Wind
  • Heat

Soils

  • Sand
  • Cinder

Limitations

Has a medium drought tolerance after established. No tolerance to waterlogging or salt spray. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]

In pots, hinahina is a very thirsty plant. [Native Nursery, LLC]

leaf Environmental Information

Natural Range

  • Maui

Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)

No data available.

Habitat

  • Terrestrial

Additional Habitat Information

This hinahina is naturally found at 6200 to 7500 ft. but will grow in very low elevation gardens. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]

Mid or high elevations are best. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]

leaf Special Features and Information

General Information

Hinahina (Artemisia spp.) belong the Aster or Sunflower family (Asteraceae). There are three native species of Artemisia endemic to the Hawaiian Islands: A. australis is found on the all the main islands; A. kauaiensis on Kauaʻi; and A. mauiensis on Haleakalā, Maui.

The genus Artemisia includes notables such as Absinth wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) used to infuse vermouth and absinthe; tarragon (A. dracunculus) used in cuisine; and several species of the ubiquitous sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) of the picturesque American west. [1] In Korean cooking, the common mugwort (A. vulgaris) is used to flavor sook-dok (rice cakes), soups and other dishes. [2]

 

Etymology

The genus name Artemisia is derived from Artemis, Greek goddess of the hunt, wife of King Mausolus.

The specific epithet mauiensis is in reference to the island of Maui, where this species is endemic.

Hawaiian Names:

The Hawaiian name hinahina means gray or grayish; ʻāhinahina, from ʻāhina, is gray, gray- or white-haired in reference to the plant color.

Background Information

 

Early Hawaiian Use

Clothing (Royalty):

Early Hawaiians used hinahina to preserve feather cloaks from insect destruction when stored in calabashes.

Medicinal:

The leaves were pounded for asthma.

Modern Use

Potential modern use for lei or flower arrangements.

Additional References

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_(plant) (accessed 12/1/08)
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mugwort (accessed 12/1/08)

 

PHOTOS FOR THIS SPECIES CAN BE SEEN AT THE LINK (Copy & Paste to your browser):

https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=50823119%40N08&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=Artemisia%20mauiensis

leafMore Links

Plant Gallery

View Photo Gallery

Back to Plant List

Plant List

Other Nursery Profiles for Artemisia mauiensis

This record is as complete as we can generate for this plant profile at this point. Please email nativeplantshawaii@gmail.com if you wish to contribute to the data. Please include sources and references for all data submitted