Hibiscus kokio
Genus
Hibiscus
Species
kokio
Subspecies
- kokio
- saintjohnianus
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Kokiʻo
- Kokiʻo ʻula
- Kokiʻo ʻulaʻula
- Mākū
Hawaiian Names
- Kokio
- Kokio ula
- Kokio ulaula
- Maku
Common Names
- Hawaiian red hibiscus
- Red rosemallow
Synonyms
- Hibiscus arnottianus var. kokio
- Hibiscus kahilii
- Hibiscus oahuensis
- Hibiscus roetae
- Hibiscus saintjohnianus
- Hibiscus ula
Names with Unknown Sources
- Hibiscus kokio subsp. pukoonis
- Hibiscus kokio subsp. st. johnianus
- Hibiscus saint johnianus
- Hibiscus saint-johnianus
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
At Risk
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Shrub
- Tree
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Shrub, Small, 2 to 6
- Shrub, Medium, 6 to 10
- Shrub, Tall, Greater than 10
- Tree, Small, 15 to 30
- Tree, Medium, 30 to 50
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Container
- Hedges
- Screening
- Specimen Plant
Additional Landscape Use Information
Kokiʻo ʻula is a small tree which does well as a container plant in a 3 gallon or larger pot in sunny locations.
Source of Fragrance
- No Fragrance
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Orange
- Pink
- Red
- Yellow
Additional Flower Color Information
Kokiʻo ʻula flowers can be red, orange red, dark orange, yellowish orange, pinkish or, more rare, yellow.
Blooming Period
- Year Round
Plant texture
- Fine
- Medium
Additional Plant Texture Information
Kokiʻo ʻula leaves are about an inch to nearly 4 inches long.
Leaf Colors
- Dark Green
- Medium Green
Additional Leaf Color Information
Leaves are green and glossy.
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Plants are prone to sucking insects. Chinese rose beetles can be removed by hand. The native red hibiscuses is just as prone to attract the hibiscus erineum mite as non-native red hibiscuses.
Fertilizer
Fertilize this 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
Kokiʻo ʻula tolerates pruning. Hedges may need pruning two or three times a year. Clear out dead wood occasionally for minor shaping. It can also be pruned to form upright plants with optimal heights of 3 to 6 feet.
Water Requirements
- Dry
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
Kokiʻo ʻula can tolerate shade, but appears to flower more profusely with more sunlight.
Tolerances
- Drought
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
Limitations
Protect plants from strong winds, especially those planted in containers.
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 150 to 1000, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 1000 to 1999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
Additional Habitat Information
Kokiʻo ʻula grow naturally in dry, mesic and wet 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.
The Hawaiian name Kokiʻo ʻula is shared by our two native red hibiscus (Hibiscus clayi and H. kokio). The word ʻula means "red" or "scarlet" and ʻulaʻula refers to a deeper red. Even though the flowers of subspecies saintjohnianus are orange (ʻalani), orange-yellow (melemeleʻiliʻalani), or yellow (melemele), and not red (ʻula), they still go by the name Kokiʻo ʻula.
Hibiscus clayi differs from Hibiscus kokio in a few ways:
- Leaves of H. clayi are smooth, or occasionally toothed only near tip; H. kokio leaves are toothed from below middle to the tip (sometimes smooth).
- H. clayi is restricted to Kauaʻi; H. kokio is naturally found on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi.
- H. clayi shrubs are generally more compact in habit or form than H. kokio.
Early Hawaiian Use
The wood was used by early Hawaiians to make a fine charcoal. Both the native red and white hibiscuses were grown near their houses for their flowers. [3]
The beautiful flowers were fashioned into striking lei, but lasting only a day. [5]
Kokiʻo was pounded with other plants, juice strained, and taken to purify blood. The leaves were chewed and swallowed as a laxative or mothers would chew buds and given to infants and children as a laxative. Mother would also chew the buds and give to chidren or children would eat the seeds to strengthen a weak child. [6]
Modern Use
There are several cultivars known for this species. Those for subspecies kokio are cv. 'Garden Club of Hawaii', cv. 'Hakalau Red', cv. 'Kipu Red', and cv. 'Oʻahu Red'.
Those for subspecies saintjohnianus are cv. 'Haena Red' and cv. 'Velvet Sunset'. [2]
Propagater and grower Dennis Kim has also created a few cultivars such as cv. 'Mary Foster,' cv. 'Keahi,' and cv. 'Gold.' [Priscilla Millen, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Additional References
[1] Jill Coryell, Hibiscus Lady
[2] http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/HBS/botany/cultivatedplants/?str=hibiscus&fld=&pge=2 [Accessed 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] "Nā Lei Makamae--The Treasured Lei" by Marie A. McDonald & Paul R. Weissich, page 47.
[6] "Hawaiian Herbs of Medicinal Value," by D.M. Kaaiakamanu & J.K. Akina, page 54.
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%20kokio
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