Hibiscus arnottianus
Genus
Hibiscus
Species
arnottianus
Subspecies
- arnottianus
- immaculatus
- punaluuensis
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Aloalo
- Hau hele
- Kokiʻo kea
- Kokiʻo keʻokeʻo
- Pāmakani
Hawaiian Names
- Aloalo
- Hau hele
- Kokio kea
- Kokio keokeo
- Pamakani
Common Names
- Molokaʻi white hibiscus
- Oʻahu white hibiscus
- White rosemallow
Synonyms
- Hibiscus immaculatus
- Hibiscus punaluuensis
- Hibiscus waimeae var. hookeri
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Shrub
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Shrub, Medium, 6 to 10
- Shrub, Tall, Greater than 10
Mature Size, Width
20 feet
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Container
- Hedges
- Screening
- Specimen Plant
Source of Fragrance
- Flowers
Additional Fragrance Information
Depending on the source and variety, kokiʻo keʻokeʻo may have scentless to mildly fragrant flowers.
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Red
- White
Additional Flower Color Information
Kokiʻo keʻokeʻo flowers are white with a red center or staminal (stamen) column in subspecies arnottianus and subsp. punaluuensis. They are pure white with a white staminal column in subspecies immaculatus.
Blooming Period
- Year Round
Plant texture
- Medium
Leaf Colors
- Dark Green
Additional Leaf Color Information
Many varieties will have red veins in leaves.
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Plants are prone to sucking insects. Chinese rose beetles can be removed by hand. Leaf spot is also a common fungal disease.
Fertilizer
Fertilize hibiscus using a 2-1-3 or 2-.5-3 ratio with minor elements. It is important to keep the phosphorus low because it tends to accumulate and prevents the nitrogen and potassium from working. Minor elements such as magnesium and iron are also important to maintain healthy green foliage. [1]
Pruning Information
Prune as required but generally best not to prune too heavily.
Water Requirements
- Moist
Additional Water Information
Kokiʻo keʻokeʻo can do well in either moist or dry conditions.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
Kokiʻo keʻokeʻo seem to flower more profusely in full sun.
Tolerances
- Drought
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
Natural Range
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- Less than 150, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 150 to 1000, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
Additional Habitat Information
Wet or mesic forests.
Special Features and Information
General Information
The large Mallow family Malvaceae contains some 2,300 species, with notables such as okra, cacao, durian, baobab, kenaf, and cotton. [4]
There are perhaps as many as 300 species worldwide in the genus Hibiscus. There are six native species of hibiscuses in Hawaii and all but one are endemic.
Kokiʻo keʻokeʻo (Hibiscus arnottianus) has three uniquely different subspecies. The Molokaʻi subspecies immaculatus is an endangered species and extremely rare in its native habitat.
The two native Hawaiian white hibiscuses, Hibiscus arnottianus and H. waimeae, are the only known species of hibiscuses in the world known to have fragrant flowers!
Early Hawaiian Use
The bases of the buds of hau hele (H. arnottianus, H. furcellatus) were chewed by the mother and given to infants as a laxative. Children would chew and swallow seeds for general weakness of the body. [5]
Both red and white hibiscuses were grown near dwellings for their flowers. [3]
Modern Use
The native white hibiscuses have been used extensively in hybridization. Several cultivars are recognized for this species. For the subspecies arnottianus, the cultivars include cv. 'Kanani Kea', cv. 'Shy Girl', cv. 'Tantalus White' and cv. 'Waiʻanae White'. For the subspecies immaculatus, the cultivars include cv. 'Molokaʻi White' and cv. 'Nuʻuanu White'. The subspecies punaluuensis has one known cultivar called cv. 'Punaluʻu White'. [2]
Additional References
[1] Jill Coryell, Hibiscus Lady
[2] http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/HBS/botany/cultivatedplants/?str=hibiscus [Accesed 10/1/08]
[3] "Native Planters in Old Hawaii--Their Life, Lore, & Environment" by E. S. Handy and Elizabeth green Handy, page 233.
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malvaceae [accessed 10/14/09]
[5] "Hawaiian Herbs of Medicinal Value," by D.M. Kaaiakamanu & J.K. Akina, page 40.
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=Hibiscus%20arnottianus
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