Clermontia arborescens
Genus
Clermontia
Species
arborescens
Subspecies
- arborescens
- waihiae
- waikoluensis
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Hāhā
- ʻŌhā
- ʻŌhā wai
- ʻŌhā wai nui
Hawaiian Names
- Haha
- Oha
- Oha wai
- Oha wai nui
Synonyms
- Clermontia furcata
- Clermontia mannii
- Clermontia waikoluensis
- Delissea fauriei
- Delissea waihiae
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
At Risk
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Shrub
- Tree
- Epiphtye
Mature Size, Height
- Shrub, Small, 2 to 6
- Shrub, Medium, 6 to 10
- Shrub, Tall, Greater than 10
- Tree, Small, 15 to 30
Mature Size, Width
Terrestrial or ephiphytic shrubs. ʻŌhā wai nui has a 6 foot spread. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Specimen Plant
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Greenish-White
- Pink
- Yellow
Additional Flower Color Information
Depending on the subspecies, the showy flowers are greenish or greenish-white flowers with greenish-white or magenta interior. [3]
Blooming Period
- Summer
Additional Blooming Period Information
The flowers are large and fleshy lobelioid-type flowers and bloom in late summer. They produce large orange fruits. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]
Plant texture
- Coarse
Additional Plant Texture Information
Terrestrial or epiphytic tress or shrub with glossy oblong leaves ranging between 2 and 4 inches.
Leaf Colors
- Dark Green
Source of Fragrance
No Fragrance
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Root rot. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]
Fertilizer
Responds well to low fertilizer applied often. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]
Pruning Information
Do not prune. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]
Water Requirements
Wet
Additional Water Information
High amounts of water with good drainage. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Soils
- Organic
Limitations
Susceptible to root rot, but good drainage helps. Does not tolerate waterlogging. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]
Natural Zones
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100
- 1000 to 1999, Greater than 100
- 2000 to 2999, 50 to 100
- 2000 to 2999, Greater than 100
- 3000 to 3999, 50 to 100
- 3000 to 3999, Greater than 100
- 4000 to 4999, 50 to 100
- 4000 to 4999, Greater than 100
Natural Range
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
Additional Growth Environment Information
ʻŌhā wai nui inhabit mesic to montane rain forests and cloud forests.
The subspecies arborescens (ʻĪao Valley to Hanaʻula, West Maui) is considered rare, while subsp. waihiae (northern West Maui, East Maui) and subsp. waikoluensis (east Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi) are apparently secure in numbers. [1]
Special Notes and Information
The twenty-two Clermontia species (ʻōhā wai) are among the more common of the lobelioides (Campanulaceae), but also include some rare and endangered species. Clermontia are "candelabra-like" branching, woody shrubs or small trees. While nearly all the species are found as terrestrials, over half of the species also grow as epiphytes, that is they grow on other plants, with one species always found as such. As epiphytes, they are often found on mossy-trunks or branches of larger trees such as koa, ʻōhiʻa, and ʻōlapa (Cheirodendron trigynum). [1]
Clermontia produce two or more flowers on a typical inflorescence and pollinated by honeycreepers (e.g. ʻiʻiwi, ʻakialoa) seeking nectar. [2] Yellow or orange berries are produced after flowering.
The distinguishing characteristics of the three subspecies belonging to Clermontia arborescens is found in the shape of the calyces, or sepals, the part of the flower just below the petals (corolla).
The Hawaiian name for this species (C. arborescens), ʻŌhā wai nui, means "big ʻōhā wai" in reference to the large flowers.
Early Hawaiian Use
Early Hawaiians used ʻōhā wai (Clermontia spp.), in general, as a minor food source. The leaves were boiled before eating. The berries were eaten fresh and are said to have a sweet taste. The latex of half-ripe berries of ʻōhā wai nui (C. arborescens) were mixed with sweet potato (ʻuala) and used to restore or increase breast milk production [4,5]. The latex was also used to treat asthmatics or to treat deep puncture wounds when mixed with ʻakoko (Chamaesyce celastroides var. lorifolia).
Additonally, the sticky latex mix was used in pīlali, or bird lime, to snare small forest birds for feathers for cloaks, capes, helmets, lei, and kāhili. The flowers of ʻōhā wai were used to lure the victims in kia manu, bird-catching. [1] How ironic that the very plants that the honeycreepers seek as a food source would also be used to lure them to be ensnared.
Landscape Use
ʻŌhā wai nui has a beautiful Clermontia form and should be grown like other medium wet species. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]
Additional References
[1] "Systematic Botany Monographs, Volume 32, Systematics of Clermontia (Campanulaceae-Lobelioideae)" by Thomas Lammers, pages 5, 6, 10-11, 24-30.
[2] "The Hawaiian Honeycreeper (Drapndidae)" by H. Douglas Pratt. Oxford Universty Press. 2005, pages 18, 144.
[3] "Plants in Hawaiian Culture" by Beatrice H. Krauss, page 256.
[4] "Hawaiian Herbs of Medicinal Value" by D. M. Kaaiakamanu, J. K. Akina. Published by The Minerva Group, Inc., 2003, page 30.
[5] "Native American Ethnobotany" by Daniel E. Moerman. Published by Timber Press, 1998, page 170.
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