Hibiscus kokio subsp. kokio
Genus
Hibiscus
Species
kokio
Subspecies
- kokio
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 ula
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
Mature Size, Width
Kokiʻo ʻula has an 8- to 12-foot spread.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Container
- Hedges
- Screening
Additional Landscape Use Information
These are small trees and do good as container plants in 3 gallon or larger pots in sunny locations.
Subspecies kokio tends to produce long, slender, sparingly-branched upright or arching stems and is probably best suited as a background plant. [8]
Source of Fragrance
- No Fragrance
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Pink
- Red
Additional Flower Color Information
The plant has red flowers with narrow petals. The form formerly referred to as "Hibiscus kahilii" has light to dark red/pink flowers.
Blooming Period
- Year Round
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
Kokiʻo ʻula is nearly in constant bloom year around.
Plant texture
- Fine
- Medium
- Coarse
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
Kokiʻo ʻula is prone to sucking insects. The Chinese rose beetle can be removed by hand. The native red hibiscus is just as prone to attract the hibiscus erineum mite as the non-native red hibiscus.
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
Occasionally, the shrubs should be cleared out of dead wood. Can be pruned to form upright plants. Best if kept at 3 to 6 feet tall. But overall, kokiʻo does not like too much pruning since it is a slow grower.
If used as a hedge, it may require light pruning two or three times a year. Do not prune heavily.
Water Requirements
- Dry
Additional Water Information
When plant is well established, water once a month or less during dry months.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
Can tolerate some shade but plant does best with direct sunlight each day. Plants produce more flowers in full sun.
Spacing Information
Kokiʻo ʻula should be spaced 3 to 5 feet apart. Plant out 2 1/2 to 3 feet apart for hedges. Specimen plants should be spaced 10 to 15 feet apart.
Tolerances
- Drought
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
Limitations
Protect from strong winds especially 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)
Habitat
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
Kokiʻo ʻula is rare and found in dry to 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. [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 specific and subspecific epithet kokio comes from the Hawaiian name for this hibiscus.
Hawaiian Names:
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 (melemele ʻili ʻalani), or yellow (melemele), and not red (ʻula), they still go by the name Kokiʻo ʻula.
Mākū is an additional name for this species, but its meaning is unclear. Other meanings for mākū are "firm, hard; thick, stiff, as molasses; jellied, solidified; to gel, harden; to settle, as dregs; to thicken, as cream; dregs, sediment, lees." [7] The connection, if any, is uncertain.
Background Information
When the hibiscus was named as the official flower for the Territory of Hawaiʻi by the Legislature in 1923, it was not specified as to any particular hibiscus species or variety. This lead to some confusion. In time many considered the Native red (Hibiscus kokio) or the Chinese red hibiscuses as the state flower. In 1988, however, Hawaii's State Legislature resolved the issue by declaring the Native yellow hibiscus or Maʻo hau hele (Hibiscus brackenridgei), as the official flower of the State of Hawaiʻi. [9]
The two native red hibiscus species, Hibiscus clayi and H. kokio differ in a few ways:
- The flowers of H. clayi are always red; H. kokio can be red, deep red, orange, or yellow.
- 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. The subspecies kokio is generally a lanky or straggly shrub, while subsp. saintjohnianus is a tree-like shrub.
New DNA evidence suggests that Hibiscus kokio subsp. kokio may now be given full species status as Hibiscus kokio and Hibiscus kahilii. [10]
Early Hawaiian Use
Agriculture:
Both the native red and white hibiscuses were grown near their houses for their flowers. [4]
Lei:
The beautiful flowers were fashioned into striking lei, but lasting only a day. [5]
Medicinal:
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 children or children would eat the seeds to strengthen a weak child. [6]
Other Uses:
The wood was used by early Hawaiians to make a fine charcoal. [4]
Modern Use
Some cultivars have been recognized for subspecies kokio: 'Garden Club of Hawaii', 'Hakalau Red', 'Kipu Red', and 'Oʻahu Red.' [2]
Additional References
[1] Jill Coryell, Hibiscus Lady http://www.hibiscusladyhawaii.com/
[2] http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/HBS/botany/cultivatedplants/?str=hibiscus&fld=&pge=2 [Accessed 10/1/08]
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malvaceae [Accessed 10/14/09]
[4] "Native Planters in Old Hawaii--Their Life, Lore, & Environment" by E. S. Handy and Elizabeth Green Handy, page 233.
[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.
[7] http://www.wehewehe.org [Accessed 12/04/12]
[8] "How to Plant a Native Hawaiian Garden" by Kenneth M. Nagata, page "Kokiʻo ʻulaʻula."
[9] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malvaceae [Accessed 10/14/09]
[10] "Hawaii Landscape" Sept./Oct. 2013 issue, pages 16-17.
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