Bidens hawaiensis
Genus
Bidens
Species
hawaiensis
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Kokolau
- Koʻokoʻolau
- Koʻolau
- Kōʻokoʻolau
Hawaiian Names
- Kokolau
- Kookoolau
- Koolau
Common Names
- Beggarticks
- Hawaiʻi beggarticks
Synonyms
- Bidens skottsbergii
- Bidens skottsbergii var. conglutinata
- Bidens skottsbergii var. pololuensis
- Campylotheca hawaiensis
- Coreopsis hawaiensis
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Non-Woody, Clumping
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Herbaceous, Medium, 1-3
- Herbaceous, Tall, Greater than 3
Mature Size, Width
Six or more feet wide with a naturally nice forming shrub.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Container
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Yellow
Additional Flower Color Information
The yellow flowers are about the size of a dime or less with dark yellow centers.
Blooming Period
- Year Round
- Sporadic
- Fall
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
This species blooms in the fall, particularly in October. [1]
In cultivation, it can be a sporadic or a year round bloomer. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Plant texture
- Medium
- Coarse
Leaf Colors
- Dark Green
Additional Leaf Color Information
Leaves are serrated and thick.
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Aphids, mealy bugs.
Pruning Information
This species has a naturally nice shape, but can be trimmed to shape if it gets unruly.
Water Requirements
- Moist
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
Soils
- Clay
- Cinder
Natural Range
- Hawaiʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 150 to 1000, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 2000 to 2999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 3000 to 3999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 4000 to 4999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
Habitat
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
This species is endemic to the island of Hawaiʻi and found form about 165 to nearly 6400 feet scattered in open shrubland to mesic forests. It is presently found in three disjunct areas, Kohala, Puna District, and Kīlauea.
Special Features and Information
General Information
Koʻokoʻolau (Bidens spp.) are members of the Aster or Sunflower family (Asteraceae). There are nineteen endemic species of Bidens.
Etymology
The name Bidens is derived from the Latin bi, two, and dens, teeth in reference to the pappus awns or collective bristles on the achenes (fruit, seeds).
The specific epithet hawaiensis refers to Hawaiʻi Island where this species is endemic.
Background Information
All Bidens species can hybridize, which should be avoided to keep the integrity of the species to each region and island. Individual species are often restricted to one habitat.
The natives are not invasive as are some of the alien species such as kī (Bidens pilosa) with its harpoon-like seeds (kukū) that seem attracted to long pants, socks and shoe laces or the White beggarticks (Bidens alba) that blanket huge areas with "cute-but-don't-grow-them-anyway" white and yellow flowers.
Modern Use
All species of koʻokoʻolau can be brewed as a tonic and each are said to have distinct flavors. Regarding Bidens spp., Isabella Abbott comments that "I find that the roughly half a dozen species common in Hawaiʻi offer two or three slightly different flavors, each a bit more subtle than commercial black tea." [2]
Additional References
[1] "Hawai'i's Plants and Animals--Biological Sketches of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park" by Charles P. Stone & Linda W. Pratt, page 143.
[2] "Lāʻau Hawaiʻi: Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants" by Isabella Aiona Abbott, page 102.
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=Bidens%20hawaiensis
Back to Plant List
Other Nursery Profiles for Bidens hawaiensis