Hibiscus kokio subsp. saintjohnianus
Genus
Hibiscus
Species
kokio
Subspecies
- saintjohnianus
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Kokiʻo
- Kokiʻo ʻula
- Kokiʻo ʻulaʻula
- Mākū
Hawaiian Names
- Kokio
- Kokio ula
- Kokio ulaula
- Maku
Common Names
- Hawaiian red hibiscus
- St. John's hibiscus
- St. John's rosemallow
Synonyms
- Hibiscus kokio subsp. st. johnianus
- Hibiscus roetae
- Hibiscus saint johnianus
- Hibiscus saint-johnianus
- Hibiscus saintjohnianus
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
At Risk
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Shrub
- Tree
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Shrub, Medium, 6 to 10
- Shrub, Tall, Greater than 10
- Tree, Small, 15 to 30
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Container
Additional Landscape Use Information
These are small trees and do good as container plants in 3 gallon or larger pots in sunny locations.
Source of Fragrance
- No Fragrance
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Orange
- Yellow
Additional Flower Color Information
Flowers can be orange to orangish red or, more rare, yellow.
Blooming Period
- Year Round
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
Kokiʻo ʻula is almost in constant bloom year around.
Plant texture
- Fine
- Medium
Leaf Colors
- Dark Green
- Medium Green
Additional Pest & Disease Information
These 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 the 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
Tolerates pruning. For hedges, the plants may need pruning two or three times a year. Occasionally clear out dead wood for minor shaping. Can be pruned to form upright plants. Best if kept at 3 to 6 feet tall.
Water Requirements
- Dry
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Tolerances
- Drought
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
Limitations
Protect against strong wind, especially when planted in containers.
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
Restricted in dry to mesic forests on northwestern Kauaʻi.
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.
The subspecies is named after Harold St. John (1892-1991), a professor of botany at University of Hawaʻi Mānoa from 1929 to 1958 and a prolific field botanist, credited with discovering hundreds of new species. [4]
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." [8] 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.
New DNA evidence suggests that Hibiscus kokio subsp. saintjohnianus may now be given full species status as Hibiscus saintjohnianus. [10]
Early Hawaiian Use
Agriculture:
Both the native red and white hibiscuses were grown near their houses for their flowers. [5]
Lei:
The beautiful flowers were fashioned into striking lei, but lasting only a day. [6]
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. [7]
Other Uses:
The wood was used by early Hawaiians to make a fine charcoal. [5]
Modern Use
Two recognized cultivars for subspecies saintjohnianus are 'Haena Red' and 'Velvet Sunset'. [2]
Propagater and grower Dennis Kim has also created a few cultivars such as 'Mary Foster,' 'Keahi,' and 'Gold.' [Priscilla Millen, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
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] "Maui's Floral Splendor" by Angela K. Kepler, page 33.
[5] "Native Planters in Old Hawaii--Their Life, Lore, & Environment" by E. S. Handy and Elizabeth Green Handy, page 233.
[6] "Nā Lei Makamae--The Treasured Lei" by Marie A. McDonald & Paul R. Weissich, page 47.
[7] "Hawaiian Herbs of Medicinal Value," by D.M. Kaaiakamanu & J.K. Akina, page 54.
[8] http://www.wehewehe.org [Accessed 12/04/12]
[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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