Hibiscus furcellatus
Genus
Hibiscus
Species
furcellatus
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Aloalo
- Hau hele
- Hau hele wai
- ʻAkiahala
- ʻAkiohala
Hawaiian Names
- Akiahala
- Akiohala
- Aloalo
- Hau hele
- Hau hele wai
Common Names
- Hawaiian pink hibiscus
- Linden-leaf rosemallow
- Lindenleaf rosemallow
- Rosemallow
Synonyms
- Hibiscus furcallatus var. youngianus
- Hibiscus furcellatus var. youngianus
- Hibiscus youngianus
Names with Unknown Sources
- Purple hibiscus
Distribution Status
Indigenous
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
ʻAkiohala has a 6- to 8-foot spread.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Container
- Hedges
- Screening
Additional Landscape Use Information
ʻAkiohala can be grown along water features or even with roots submerged in water. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Source of Fragrance
- No Fragrance
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Light Purple
- Pink
Additional Flower Color Information
Flower colors range from pale magenta or rose to light purple, with deeper shades at the base and dark purple centers and last a day.
Blooming Period
- Year Round
Plant texture
- Medium
- Coarse
Additional Plant Texture Information
The leaves of ʻakiohala are 2 to 6 inches long and have a fine sandpaper-like texture.
Leaf Colors
- Medium Green
Additional Leaf Color Information
This hibiscus has coarse heart-shaped leaves.
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Plants are prone to sucking insects. Chinese rose beetles will chew holes in leaves and can be removed by hand at night.
Fertilizer
Fertilize ʻakiohala 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
Spent seed heads can be trimmed for a more attractive appearance since they tend to be numerous. Because of the prickly spiny hairs use thick gloves when trimming off seed pods.
Water Requirements
- Moist
- Wet
Additional Water Information
ʻAkiohala naturally grow in marshes or other wet locations but do not require wet areas to flourish. [Rick Barboza, Hui Kū Maoli Ola]
Soil must be well drained
No
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
ʻAkiohala prefers full sun.
Tolerances
- Waterlogged Soil
Soils
- Organic
Limitations
ʻAkiohala is intolerant of salty conditions. [Anna Palomino, Hoʻolawa Farms]
Stalks covered with bristled hairs and can make handling difficult without good gloves.
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- Less than 150, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 150 to 1000, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
Additional Habitat Information
This indigenous species is primarily found in wet forests, swampy disturbed sites, and marshy areas near sea level in the West Indies, Florida, and Central and South America.
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. [3]
There are perhaps as many as 300 species worldwide in the genus Hibiscus. There are six native species of hibiscuses in Hawaiʻi and all but one are endemic.
Etymology
The generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow.
The Latin specific epithet furcellatus, refers to having a small forked notch (at the apex). [5]
Hawaiian Names:
ʻAkiahala and ʻAkiohala are variant spellings of the name given to this species.
Aloalo is the name given for hibiscus in general.
Hau is an introduced hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus), perhaps by early Hawaiians. Hau hele literally means "traveling hau."
Hau hele wai means "traveling hau in water," due to its swampy habitat.
Background Information
Hibiscus furcellatus is the only indigenous species of hibiscus in Hawaiʻi, the others are endemic. Stems are covered with bristled hairs on specimens from the Hawaiian Islands, a feature absent or with very little hairs, outside of the islands.
ʻAkiohala is one of two native pink flowering hibiscuses. The other is a form of Hibiscus kokio formerly referred to as "Hibiscus kahilii" and has light to dark pink flowers.
Early Hawaiian Use
Agriculture:
ʻAkiohala were cultivated by the early Hawaiians. [2]
Medicinal:
The bases of the buds of hau hele (H. arnottianus, H. furcellatus) were chewed by the mother and given to infants as a laxative. [2,4] Too, children would chew and swallow seeds for general weakness of the body. [4]
Additional References
[1] Jill Coryell, Hibiscus Lady http://www.hibiscusladyhawaii.com/
[2] "Native Planters in Old Hawaii--Their Life, Lore, & Environment" by E. S. Handy and Elizabeth Green Handy, page 233.
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malvaceae [Accessed 10/14/09]
[4] "Hawaiian Herbs of Medicinal Value," by D.M. Kaaiakamanu & J.K. Akina, page 40.
[5] "The Names of Plants" by David Gledhill, page 172.
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%20furcellatus
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