Pittosporum napaliense
Genus
Pittosporum
Species
napaliense
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Hāʻawa
- Hōʻawa
Hawaiian Names
- Haawa
- Hoawa
Common Names
- Royal cheesewood
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
Federally Listed
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Shrub
- Tree
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Tree, Small, 15 to 30
- Tree, Medium, 30 to 50
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Screening
Additional Landscape Use Information
This hōʻawa is rarely seen in landscapes and botanical gardens, but are easy to grow and maintain in the home landscape.
Source of Fragrance
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
Additional Fragrance Information
Hōʻawa have a resonous scent found in the leaves and fruits. The flowers are very fragrant, especially at night. The scent has been described as a rich lemon smell.
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- White
Additional Flower Color Information
The flowers (corollas) are whitish with a dense pale brown or gray tomentose (fuzz) externally. The flowers are attractive en masse.
Blooming Period
- Spring
- Winter
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
The winter to spring blooming period is based on cultivated plants. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Plant texture
- Coarse
Leaf Colors
- Medium Green
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Ocassionally spider mites can be a problem, but not plagued as with some other plants.
Back sooty mold can be problematic if not controlled. This mold often appears during the wetter times of the year.
Pruning Information
Takes moderate, selective trimming well.
Water Requirements
- Dry
- Moist
Additional Water Information
Once established, it requires little extra watering except in extented dry periods. Mulching helps to lower the need for additional water.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
Limitations
When outplanting hōʻawa (Pittosporum spp.), try to disturb roots as little as possible. [Leland Miyano, Landscape Architect, Artist]
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 150 to 1000, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
Habitat
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
This rare hōʻawa is found in scattered in disturbed hala forest and mesic valleys at about 490 to over 1800 feet from Limahuli to Hanakoa valleys, northwestern Kauaʻi.
Special Features and Information
General Information
Pittosporum, a genus of 150-200 species, belong to Pittosporaceae or Pittosporum family.
The Hawaiian Islands are home to 11 endemic species, four of are rare and/or endangered. There are also three naturalized species.
Etymology
The generic name Pittosporum is derived from the Greek pittos, pitch, and sporos, seed, in reference to the film of viscid resin covering the black seeds.
The specific epithet napaliensis is named for the Nāpali Coast, Kauaʻi.
Background Information
In the vacinity of Limahuli Valley, Pittosporum napaliense appears to hybridize with two other endemic hōʻawa P. kauaiense and perhaps P. glabrum.
Early Hawaiian Use
The outer layer of the fruit valves of hōʻawa (Pittosporum spp.) were used medicinally. They were pounded and used externally on sores. [1]
Modern Use
Additional References
[1] "In Gardens of Hawaii" by Marie C. Neal, page 382.
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=Pittosporum%20napaliense
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