Erythrina sandwicensis
Genus
Erythrina
Species
sandwicensis
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Wiliwili
Hawaiian Names
- Wiliwili
Synonyms
- Erythrina monosperma
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
At Risk
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Tree
Mature Size, Height
- Tree, Small, 15 to 30
- Tree, Medium, 30 to 50
- Tree, Large, Greater than 50
Mature Size, Width
Canopy spread is roughly the same as the height, with a max to about 60 feet.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Provides Shade
- Specimen Plant
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Greenish-White
- Light Orange
- Orange
- White
- Yellow
Additional Flower Color Information
Natural populations of wiliwili may have a variety of different flower-colored trees or all the same color. Some flowers are a mixture of two or more colors.
Blooming Period
- Spring
- Summer
Additional Blooming Period Information
The trees naturally go through a blooming/foliage cycle during the year, flowering from early spring to summer, leafing again in late summer to early fall and dropping their leaves before flowering again in spring. [4] When trees are in bloom there are usually few or no leaves present. Seeds are purplish, red-orange, orange or yellowish-orange and have 1-3 seeds per pod.
Plant texture
- Coarse
Additional Plant Texture Information
Wiliwili is one of the few native deciduous trees in Hawaii. [See Additional Blooming Period Information] Leaves are wider than long and are smooth on the upper surface an hairy on the lower surface. They range between 1 and 4 inches long.
Leaf Colors
- Medium Green
- Dark Green
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Spider mites, mealybugs, powdery mildew.
Since its discovery on Oʻahu in April 2005, the tiny Erythrina gall wasp (Quadrastichus erythrinae), or simply known as EGW, has been a serious wasp pest greatly affecting many populations of wiliwili and other non-native Erythrina species throughout the State of Hawaii. [3] In November 2008, a few thousand Tanzanian parasitoid wasp (Eurytoma erthrinae) were released on most of the Main islands to paristize the EGW in hope of saving these beautiful trees. Recent reports indicate successful results for parisitizing EGW. [6]
Fertilizer
Young potted plants require low doses of soluble fertilizer on a regular basis. But once wiliwili is put in the ground, no additional fertilizer is required for these nitrogen-fixing trees.
Water Requirements
Dry
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
Tolerances
- Drought
- Wind
Soils
- Cinder
Natural Zones
- Less than 150, 0 to 50
- 150 to 1000, 0 to 50
- 1000 to 1999, 0 to 50
Natural Range
- Niʻihau
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Kahoʻolawe
- Hawaiʻi
Additional Growth Environment Information
Wiliwili is from the dry forests of the leeward slopes on all the main islands.
Special Notes and Information
Wiliwili is the sole native member in Erythrina, a genus of about 130 species worldwide and more or less collectively known as coral trees.
These large trees have a yellow somewhat spiny trunk. The name Hawaiian name wiliwili means twist-twist or repeatedly twisted referring to the seed pods that twist to expose brightly colored seeds.
Early Hawaiian Use:
The lightweight wiliwili wood was the preferred choice for large surfboards (papa heʻe nalu) called olo. Since larger trees may have been difficult to find to be suitable for the surfboards, they were probably reserved for the nobility, including the chiefs. [1]
Because the wood was light, it was used for fishing gear containers and would float if a canoe was upset. The wood was also used on the canoes (waʻa) for the float. [2]
The seeds were used by early Hawaiians to make permanent lei and the flowers for temporary lei.
Modern Use:
Today, seeds and flowers are still used to make beautiful lei. [5]
Landscape Use:
These beautiful stately trees can be used as a single, focal show case tree or planted en masse in larger areas provided there is full sun and optimal drainage.
Additional References
[1] "Plants in Hawaiian Culture" by Beatrice H. Krauss, pages 78, 96
[2] "Arts and Crafts of Hawaii" by Te Rangi Hiroa (Sir Peter H. Buck), pages 38, 275
[3] http://www.hear.org/egw/ (accessed 1/23/09)
[4] "The Indigenous Trees of the Hawaiian Islands" by J.F. Rock, page 191
[5] "Hawaiian Seed Lei Making--Step-by-Step Guide" by Laurie Shimizu Ide, pages 56-57.
[6] "Environmental Hawaiʻi," a monthly newletter, Volume 20, Number 4, October 2009, page 12.
Plant Gallery
Back to Plant List
Other Nursery Profiles for Erythrina sandwicensis