Diospyros sandwicensis
Genus
Diospyros
Species
sandwicensis
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Lama
- Ēlama
Hawaiian Names
- Elama
- Lama
Common Names
- Hawaiian ebony
- Hawaiian persimmon
Synonyms
- Diospyros ferrea var. sandwicensis
- Ebenus sandwicensis
- Maba degeneri
- Maba kauaiensis
- Maba sandwicensis
- Maba toppingii
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Shrub
- Tree
Mature Size, Height
- Shrub, Medium, 6 to 10
- Shrub, Tall, Greater than 10
- Tree, Small, 15 to 30
Mature Size, Width
Lama is known to have a spread greater than 20 feet.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Provides Shade
- Screening
- Specimen Plant
- Accent
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Not Showy
Flower Colors
- Greenish-White
- Pink
- White
Additional Flower Color Information
The plant has very small waxy greenish-white or pink flowers.
Blooming Period
- Year Round
- Sporadic
Additional Blooming Period Information
Female lama bloom and produce fruits once a year. The small yellow to reddish orange fruit are edible and are bland to mildly sweet.
Plant texture
- Coarse
Additional Plant Texture Information
Leaves are thick and leathery.
Leaf Colors
- Light Green
Additional Leaf Color Information
The colors of new growth (liko) range from vibrant shades of red, magenta, pink or orange.
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Lama is prone to scale, a small gray weevil (unidentified species) and Chinese rose beetles which affect tree growth. To discourage the Chinese rose beetles, plant the trees under a porch, street or yard light. You can also plant tall grass around the plant to keep these pests away. Black twig borers is also a major threat.
Fertilizer
For small trees an application of a balanced slow release fertilize with minor elements every six months. Foliar feed monthly with kelp or fish emulsion, or a water-soluble fertilizer with a dilution of one half to one third of recommended strength. [David Eickhoff, NPH]
Pruning Information
Generally not required. But it should be minimal and selective if necessary.
Water Requirements
Dry
Additional Water Information
Once lama is well established water once a month during dry months.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
Lama does best in full sun but can grow in moderate shade.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Wind
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
- Coral
Limitations
Slow growing. This plant does not do well in pots and will eventually die or severely stunt its growth.
Natural Zones
- Less than 150, 0 to 50
- Less than 150, 50 to 100
- 150 to 1000, 0 to 50
- 150 to 1000, 50 to 100
- 1000 to 1999, 0 to 50
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Additional Growth Environment Information
Lama can be a principal or minor part of the dry and mesic forests, and sometimes in wet forests from 16 to 4000 feet. On the island of Hawaiʻi, lama can be found growing in open lava fields.
Special Notes and Information
The two native species of Lama or Ēlama belong to a family consisting of 450-500 species in the genus Diospyros. [3] Some of the notable members include species prized for their beautiful wood such as the pure black wood of the Ceylon ebony (Diospyros ebenum) and the striped ebony or Makassar (D. celebica). Other relatives have edible fruit such as the deliciously sweet Japanese persimmon or kaki (D. kaki), and the highly nutritious American persimmon (D. virginiana). [3]
The name lama means “light” or “enlightenment” in the Hawaiian language. [1] How apropos that the Kapiʻolani Community College Library (Oʻahu) building is called Lama.
Early Hawaiian Use:
The edible fruit called piʻoi were eaten [4].
Pimarily the hard wood was used. Early Hawaiians used lama sticks (ʻaukā) to strengthen large one-way-in-no-way-out fish traps. [1] The wood was used for handles for stone chisels. [2]
Lama wood was used as medicine. Huts (pupupu hale) were made in a single day of the wood during the daylight (lama) hours and the sick were placed inside them for curing. The dark wood was also placed on altars as the name suggests for enlightenment. Lama lama means torch, which were used at night for fishing.
Landscape Use:
The trees can be slow growing, especially when young. Plant in ground at a young age.
Lama is not suitable as a potted plant and will eventually weaken if not planted out into the landscape.
Additional References
[1] "Plants in Hawaiian Culture" by Beatrice H. Krauss, pages 34, 41.
[2] "Arts and Crafts of Hawaii" by Te Rangi Hiroa (Sir Peter H. Buck), page 38.
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diospyros (accessed 8/24/09)
[4] "Native Planters in Old Hawaii--Their Life, Lore, & Environment" by E. S. Handy and Elizabeth Green Handy, page 235.
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