Canavalia pubescens
Genus
Canavalia
Species
pubescens
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Puakauhi
- ʻĀwikiwiki
Hawaiian Names
- Awikiwiki
- Puakauhi
Common Names
- Lavafield jackbean
Synonyms
- Canavalia forbesii
- Canavalia galeata var. pubescens
- Canavalia haleakalaensis
- Canavalia lanaiensis
- Canavalia lanaiensis var. munroi
- Canavalia munroi
- Canavalia sericea var. lanaiensis
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
At Risk
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Vine/Liana
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Shrub, Dwarf, Less than 2
Life Span
Short lived (Less than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Ground Cover
- Trellis or Fence Climber
Additional Landscape Use Information
The quick growing and vining ʻāwikiwiki (Canavalia spp.) soon provide a thick barrier on a fence. Stems will get woody, especially at the base, upon maturity.
Seeds can be planted directly in the soil at the base of a trellis or fence post. Portection from rodents, slugs, and snails may be needed.
While apparently not necessary for growing ʻāwikiwiki, innoculated plants tend to be the most vigorous. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
They can also be grown as a groundcover over cinder and rocks.
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Light Purple
- Pink
- Purple
- Red
- White
Additional Flower Color Information
Beautiful dark red to pink or purple flowers with a white spot and streaks toward base. Botanists Otto and Isa Degener (1959) report white to pink flowers on Lānaʻi.
Blooming Period
- Year Round
- Sporadic
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
After flowering, ʻāwikiwiki form large flat pods containing tan to dark reddish brown seeds. Pods will turn dark, dry and woody and seeds will often loosen and rattle inside when ripe.
Plant texture
- Medium
Additional Plant Texture Information
Leaves wider than long and leathery. The leaves range from 1 to 3 inches and no longer than 4 inches.
Leaf Colors
- Light Green
- Medium Green
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Black stink bugs, green stink bugs, spider mites, aphids.
Fertilizer
ʻĀwikiwiki are nitrogen-fixing vines, but can be fertilized every 6 months or foliar feed monthly for more flowers.
Pruning Information
May get unruly or unwanted in areas in a short time and require pruning. The name ʻāwikiwiki comes from wikiwiki meaning fast or speedy and it is certainly just that in its growth rate!
Water Requirements
- Dry
Additional Water Information
Water weekly when weather is hot and dry.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Tolerances
- Drought
- Wind
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
Natural Range
- Niʻihau
- Kauaʻi
- 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
An uncommon plant found in open dry sites (lava fields, dry forests).
Special Features and Information
General Information
Canavalia are members of the very large Pea or Legume family (Fabaceae). There are six endemic species. The introduced maunaloa (Canavalia cathartica) is very closely related to ʻāwikiwiki and naturalized in some areas.
Etymology
The generic name Canavalia comes from the Indian kanavali, a common name for Canavalia maritima.
The specific epithet pubescens, downy, is inrefernce to the short soft hairs that more or less cover the plant.
Hawaiian Names:
The name ʻāwikiwiki comes from wikiwiki meaning fast or speedy, referring to its rapid growth rate.
Early Hawaiian Use
Food (Fishing):
Early Hawaiians made roughly constructed fish nets and traps from stems and scoop nets probably made from ʻāwikiwiki vines for small rock paoʻo (blennies) and ʻopae (freshwater shrimps). [1,2]
Lei:
Flowers used for lei making.
Medicinal:
Another ʻāwikiwiki (Canavalia galeata) was specifically mentioned for medicinal purposes. An infusion of leaves, shoots and bark mixed with other plants as a bath for itch, ringworm and skin disorders. [3,4]
Modern Use
The flowers are strung on lei as they have been since the early days.
Additional References
[1] "Plants in Hawaiian Culture" by Beatrice H. Krauss, page 77.
[2] "Arts and Crafts of Hawaii" by Te Rangi Hiroa (Sir Peter H. Buck), page 312.
[3] "Hawaiian Herbs of Medicinal Value, by D.M. Kaaiakamanu & J.K. Akina, page 21.
[4] "Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database" http://data.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb [Accessed 2/5/13]
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