Chenopodium oahuense
Genus
Chenopodium
Species
oahuense
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Alaweo
- Alaweo huna
- Kāhaʻihaʻi
- ʻAhea
- ʻĀheahea
- ʻĀhewahewa
- ʻĀweoweo
Hawaiian Names
- Ahea
- Aheahea
- Ahewahewa
- Alaweo
- Alaweo huna
- Aweoweo
- Kahaihai
Common Names
- Hawaiian goosefoot
Synonyms
- Atriplex oahuensis
- Chenopodium pekeloi
- Chenopodium sandwicheum
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Partially Woody / Shrub-like
- Shrub
Mature Size, Height
- Shrub, Dwarf, Less than 2
- Shrub, Small, 2 to 6
- Shrub, Medium, 6 to 10
- Shrub, Tall, Greater than 10
- Tree, Small, 15 to 30
Mature Size, Width
ʻĀweoweo should have a height to width ratio of 1:5:1.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Ground Cover
- Hedges
- Container
- Accent
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Not Showy
Flower Colors
- Green
- Greenish-White
Additional Flower Color Information
The plants have many tiny drab-colored flowers densely clustered at the branch ends on spiked stems above the foliage.
Blooming Period
- Year Round
- Sporadic
Plant texture
- Fine
- Medium
Additional Plant Texture Information
The Latin name Chenopodium comes from the Greek word for "goose foot" (chen meaning goose, and pous or pod meaning foot) and refers to the goose-foot shape of the leaves. The somewhat fleshy, thick leaves are olive green with tiny hairs that give them a grayish or bluish silver appearance.
Leaf Colors
- Medium Green
Additional Leaf Color Information
Upper surfaces are often greener than the lower surfaces of the leaves.
Source of Fragrance
Leaves
Additional Fragrance Information
ʻĀweoweo leaves, flowers, and fruit can range from scentless to very distinctly scented, smelling like fish (ʻāweoweo). In the field it can be detected by the smell. [1]
Additional Pest & Disease Information
ʻĀweoweo is prone to ants, aphids and mealy bugs.
Fertilizer
If planted in the ground, ʻāweoweo requires little or no additional fertilizer to remain healthy. However, foliar feeding with a kelp or fish emulsion monthly at one-half or one-third the recommended strength does seem to give the plant an overall vigor and healthy appearance. [David Eickhoff, NPH]
Pruning Information
Pruning is optional. Most people keep the flowers and fruits for a natural appearance. Flowers and spent fruit can, however, be removed to encourage foliage production and maintain a neat appearance as a hedge if desired. Branches which occasionally die back may also be pruned.
Water Requirements
Dry
Additional Water Information
Water plants until well established and then only during a prolonged drought.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
ʻĀweoweo does tolerate some shade but prefers full sun.
Spacing Information
Plants should be spaced 2 to 5 feet apart.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Wind
- Salt Spray
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
- Coral
Limitations
Plants drop many seeds which can potentially become weedy, but is not invasive.
Natural Zones
- Less than 150, 0 to 50
- 150 to 1000, 0 to 50
- 1000 to 1999, 0 to 50
- 2000 to 2999, 0 to 50
- 3000 to 3999, 0 to 50
- 4000 to 4999, 0 to 50
Natural Range
- Niʻihau
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
- Northwest Islands
Additional Growth Environment Information
This wide-ranging endemic species is found on most of the main islands and also on Lisianski (Papaʻāpoho), Laysan (Kauō), French Frigate Shoals (Mokupāpapa), Necker (Mokumanamana), and Nīhoa. The latter two islands comprising most or much of the native vegetation respectively. [4]
Special Notes and Information
ʻĀweoweo belongs to the Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). Of the 150 or so species of Chenopodium or Lamb's Quarters, known worldwide, the Hawaiian endemic ʻāweoweo is the woodiest in the genus developing a trunk up to a foot in diameter and the only member to attain to the status of a tree, though rarely ever reaching two meters (over 6 feet). [1,3]
Familiar culinary members in the same genus include Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), a nutrious grain from the Andes; Huauzontle (C. nuttalliae), a Mexican vegetable prepared like spinach or broccoli; White goosefoot or Bathua (C. album), a vegetable of ancient origin and still eaten today in India; and Strawberry blite (C. capitatum), which has bright red edible flowers resembling strawberries but tasting like spinach.
The native Hawaiian family members include five species of Charpentiera, a very rare and little known amaranth (Amaranthus brownii) from Nīhoa, three species of Achyranthes, and three species of kuluʻī (Nototrichium spp.).
Native water and land birds and seabirds use ʻāweoweo for food, nesting material or nesting sites. [3,4]
Early Hawaiian Use:
Early Hawaiians used the wood to form shark hooks (makau mano) fitted with bone points. [2]
ʻĀweoweo leaves were wrapped in ti (kī) leaves, cooked in an ʻimu and eaten in times of food scarcity by early Hawaiians. [2]
Landscape Use:
ʻĀweoweo is very tolerant of coralline soils. Leaf sizes vary but small-leaved varieties are best for small hedges. Remove flowers to encourage foliage production.
There is a very prostrate form only a few inches tall which may serve as a unique and interesting groundcover. [David Eickhoff, NPH]
Older plants form woody stems and trunks and can be shaped as topiary.
Additional References
[1] "Hawaiʻi's Native Plants" by Dr. Bruce Bohm, pages 91-92.
[2] "Plants in Hawaiian Culture" by Beatrice H. Krauss, pages 16, 43.
[3] "Hawaii: A Natural History" by Sherwin Carlquist, page 147.
[4] "Natural History of Nihoa and Necker Islands" by Neal L. Evenhuis, pages 58, 59.
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