Euphorbia skottsbergii var. kalaeloana
Genus
Euphorbia
Species
skottsbergii
Varieties
- kalaeloana
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Koko
- Kōkōmālei
- ʻAkoko
- ʻEkoko
Hawaiian Names
- Akoko
- Ekoko
- Koko
- Kokomalei
Common Names
- Coast sandmat
- ʻEwa Plains akoko
Synonyms
- Chamaesyce skottsbergii
- Chamaesyce skottsbergii var. audens
- Chamaesyce skottsbergii var. kalaeloana
- Chamaesyce skottsbergii var. skottsbergii
- Euphorbia multiformis f. pekelonis
- Euphorbia skottsbergii
- Euphorbia skottsbergii var. audens
- Euphorbia skottsbergii var. skottsbergii
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
Federally Listed
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Partially Woody / Shrub-like
- Shrub
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Shrub, Dwarf, Less than 2
- Shrub, Small, 2 to 6
Mature Size, Width
About 5 to 6 feet in width.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Container
Additional Landscape Use Information
This graceful shrub (var. skottsbergii) can be used in the landscape to lessen the harshness of an otherwise hot, dry location and does well on a west, southwest or south facing area. Black or red cinder or clean coral "rock" provide a natural mulch as well as highlight the tiny leaves. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Source of Fragrance
- Flowers
Additional Fragrance Information
The pungent flowers of ʻakoko have been described as smelling like bad breath. [Kim Starr, United States Geological Survey-Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit]
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Not Showy
Flower Colors
- Brownish
- Greenish-White
Blooming Period
- Year Round
- Sporadic
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
Plants begin growing and flowering with the winter rain and throughout the wet season. When the dry season comes, the plants began to loose leaves and eventually beome dormant in the summer peak drought season. The winter wet season again initiates the growth and flowering cycle. [1]
After flowering, tiny fruiting capsules are formed. Upon ripening the capsules split and explosively cast (dehiscent) the tiny seeds abroad. They easily germinate under moist and partial sun conditions. The seedlings can at first be mistaken for some of the taller weedy spurges that plague many urban yards. But before pulling up the "weed," take the time to identify the difference between an ubiquitous spurge and a very rare ʻakoko. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Plant texture
- Fine
Leaf Colors
- Dark Green
- Medium Green
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Whiteflies and spider mites on underside of leaves and sometimes scale along stems. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Fertilizer
This ʻakoko does appreciate foliar feedings of fish or keep emulsion monthly or every other month on a regular basis. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Pruning Information
Little or no pruning required, but does taking moderate pruning well if needed. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Water Requirements
- Dry
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
This ʻakoko can grow in partial sun, but definitely prefers long days of full sun. This is a great plant to use on a west, south, or south-west location in the landscape. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Spacing Information
For denser plantings, perhaps 3 to 4 feet apart. To showcase these delicate shrubs, perhaps 5 or more feet apart. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Tolerances
- Drought
- Wind
- Salt Spray
- Heat
Soils
- Sand
- Cinder
- Coral
Natural Range
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- Less than 150, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 150 to 1000, 0 to 50 (Dry)
Habitat
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
This species of ʻakoko is found among coastal vegetation and dry shrubland, apparently restricted to calcareous (calcium carbonate or limestone) habitats.
The fedearlly endangered variety skottsbergii is restricted to Kalaeloa around the Barber's Point (Naval Air Station) vacinity on Oʻahu, and on northwest Molokaʻi from Waiakanapō and Pōhakumauliuli to Moʻomomi. [1]
Even though there are separate island populations of var. skottsbergii, on Molokaʻi this variety appears to be genetically closer to the variety vaccinioides than it does to the Oʻahu var. skottsbergii. Thus, C. Morden & M. Gregoritza suggest that it "should be recognized by the previously used variety name, C. skottsbergii var. audens." [2]
Special Features and Information
General Information
ʻAkoko belong to the Spurge or Euphorbia family (Euphorbiaceae). The genus has recently been chnged from Chamaesyce to Euphorbia.
There are seventeen native species of ʻakoko (Euphorbia spp.)--all of which are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. A number of ʻakoko are either vulnerable, rare or endangered, with two considered extinct. Several have beautiful foliage and range in size from very prostrate sub-shrubs such as Euphorbia degeneri to Euphorbia olowaluana, which are nearly 30-foot trees--perhaps the tallest in the entire genus of 250 species worldwide!
Another native member in Euphorbiaceae is poʻolā (Claoxylon sandwicense). Some well known non-native relatives are the Castor oil plant (Ricinus communis), kukui (Aleurites moluccana), poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), cassava (Manihot esculenta), and the Pará rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) from which latex comes.
Etymology
The former generic name Chamaesyce is derived from the Greek chamai, on the ground, and sykon, fig, perhaps in reference to the low habit of most species and the fig-like apperance of the capsules.
The current genus is Euphorbia, and is classically supposed to have been named for Euphorbus, a physician to the king of Mauretania in the first century A.D. (C.E.).
The specific epithet skottsbergii, is named for Prof. Carl Johan Fredrik Skottsberg (1880-1963), a Swedish explorer and plant collector in the Hawaiian Islands and elsewhere.
Hawaiian Names:
The name ʻakoko comes from the Hawaiian word koko for blood. They get their name from the red, or blood-colored, seed capsules appearing as drops of blood on the plant. [3,4]
Background Information
The two currently recognized Chamesyce skottsbergii varieties are separated by the following characteristics:
- Variety skottsbergii is an overall smaller plant with toothed (serrate) or sometimes smooth edged leaves usually less than 3/4 of an inch (2 cm.).
- Variety vaccinioides is a more robust plant with smooth edged (entire) leaves usually more than 3/4 of an inch (2 cm.). [2]
Modern Use
Additional References
[1] "Recovery Plan for Chamaesyce skottsbergii var. skottsbergii and Achyranthes spendens var. rotundata," by USFWS, pages 4, 10, 13, 14, 17.
[2] "Population variation and phylogeny in the endangered Chamaesyce skottsbergii (Euphorbiaceae) based on RAD and ITS analyses," by Clifford W. Morden & Monica Gregoritza, pages 969-977.
[3] "Plants in Hawaiian Culture" by Beatrice Krauss, page 138.
[4] "In Gardens of Hawaii" by Marie C. Neal, page 516.
PHOTOS FOR THIS SPECIES CAN BE SEEN AT THE LINK (Copy & Paste to your browser):
https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=50823119%40N08&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=Euphorbia%20skottsbergii%20var.%20kalaeloana
Back to Plant List