Bonamia menziesii
Genus
Bonamia
Species
menziesii
Common Names
- Hawaii lady's nightcap
- Menzies' nightcap
Synonyms
- Breweria menziesii
- Perispermum albiflorum
- Perispermum menziesii
Names with Unknown Sources
- Hawaiian bonamia
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
Federally Listed
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Vine
Mature Size, Height
- Shrub, Tall, Greater than 10
Mature Size, Width
The lianas (woody vines) grow from 30 to about 50 feet.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Ground Cover
- Provides Shade
- Screening
- Trellis or Fence Climber
- Accent
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Not Showy
Flower Colors
- Greenish-White
- White
Additional Flower Color Information
The small bell-shaped flowers are often obscured by the leaves and sparsely blooming vines are not particularly showy. But when flowering en mass, ehanced by its foliage, bonamia can be quite spectacular!
Blooming Period
- Year Round
- Sporadic
Additional Blooming Period Information
Bonamia can be in near constant flowering and fruiting or will have periodic rest periods.
Plant texture
- Medium
Additional Plant Texture Information
Leathery leaves can be covered in soft yellowish brown fuzz when young becoming glabrous (without hairs) or nearly so when leaves mature. Leaves range between 1 and 3 inches long.
Leaf Colors
- Medium Green
- Gray / Silverish
Source of Fragrance
No Fragrance
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Black stink bugs can accumulate on the vines. Waxy scale and black sooty mold.
Fertilizer
Fertilize every 3 to 6 months with 8-8-8 fertilizer or 13-13-13 slow release with minor elements every six months. Foliar feed monthly with kelp or fish emulsion.
Pruning Information
If vines get out of hand, they can be trimmed back as needed with no ill effects to the overall health of the plant. [David Eickhoff, NPH]
Water Requirements
Dry
Additional Water Information
Once established, this xeric plant will require little water except in prolonged dry periods. Too much water, in fact, can invite black sooty mold and sucking insect pests such as waxy scale and mealybugs. [David Eickhoff, NPH]
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
Tolerates some shading, but full sun is optimal.
Spacing Information
This is a densely vining plant with a generous spread of 8 to 10 feet or more per plant. Give bonamia plenty of room to spread out to climb fences, trellises or over large shrubs.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Wind
Soils
- Clay
- Cinder
- Organic
Natural Zones
- 150 to 1000, 0 to 50
- 1000 to 1999, 0 to 50
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Additional Growth Environment Information
Apparently now extinct on Molokaʻi. It is found in dry to mesic forests or rarely in wet forests.
Special Notes and Information
Bonamia (Bonamia menziesii) is a member of the Morning glory family (Convolvulaceae), which comprises some 1,650 species throughout the world.
The endangered endemic bonamia is related to some local notable eatables as ʻuala or sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and ung-choi or swamp cabbage (Ipomoea aquatica) in the Morning Glory family (Convulvolaceae).
Native Hawaiian family members include makihi (Cressa truxillensis), koali ʻai (Ipomoea cairica), hunakai (I. imperati), koali ʻawa (I. indica), Hawaiian moon flower (I. tuboides), pōhuehue (I. pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis), kauna ʻoa (Cuscuta sandwichiana), pāʻuohiʻiaka (Jacquemontia ovalifolia subsp. sandwicensis), and possibly the White-flowered beach morning glory (Ipomoea littoralis).
Early Hawaiian Use
No native Hawaiian name or cultural use has yet been found for this native vine. But it would hardly have gone unnoticed by early Hawaiians.
Landscape Use
This is an excellent vine for chain link fencing or over larger shrubs. The plants will twine around themselves if they do not have something else to.
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