Chrysodracon fernaldii
Genus
Chrysodracon
Species
fernaldii
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Hala pepe
- Leʻie
Hawaiian Names
- Hala pepe
- Leie
Common Names
- Lānaʻi hala pepe
Synonyms
- Dracaena fernaldii
- Pleomele fernaldii
- Pleomele lanaiensis
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Tree
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Tree, Small, 15 to 30
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Specimen Plant
Additional Landscape Use Information
Though this hala pepe is currently rare in landscapes, it has the potential to become a beautiful native plant replacing he much used money tree (Dracaena marginata) seen in Hawaiian landscapes today.
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Green
- Yellow
Additional Flower Color Information
Flowers of Chrysodracon fernaldii are yellowish-green or greenish-yellow. It seems this species most resembles C. aurea and C. forbesii and was erroneously attributed to them by early botanists. Petals are slight to fully re-curved (folded back), unlike some other species such as C. aurea, C. forbesii and C. halapepe, which are slightly or not at all re-curved. [1]
Fruits (berries) are bright red and roundish to two- or three-lobed. [1]
Blooming Period
- Spring
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
Flowering spring; fruiting in summmer.
Plant texture
- Coarse
Leaf Colors
- Dark Green
- Medium Green
Additional Leaf Color Information
Leaves are glabrous (without hairs).
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Too much much water can cause fungal rot and kill the plant. It needs dry conditions to avoid rot. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Pruning Information
None necessary except to remove dead lower leaves and spent fruit stems (panicles).
Water Requirements
- Dry
Additional Water Information
This hala pepe does best with waterings when dry.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
In its natural habitat the Lānaʻi hala pepe (C. fernaldii) can be found in bright light to full sun conditions. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Tolerances
- Drought
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
Natural Range
- Lānaʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 1000 to 1999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 2000 to 2999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
Additional Habitat Information
This distinct hala pepe is endemic to Lānaʻi and found in remnant dry forests and on rather steep slopes [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi] from about 1600 to over 22,650 feet. [1]
Special Features and Information
General Information
The endemic genus Chrysodracon has been recently placed in the family Asparagaceae. [7]
Etymology
The former generic name Pleomele is derived from the Greek pleon, many, and melon, apple, in reference to the large inflorescence that produce many fruits.
The current generic name Chrysodracon is from the Greek Chrsyo, golden, and dracon, dragon, referring to the unique yellow (golden) flowers of this genus; other dracaena have white, green and/or purple tepals (flowers). [7]
The specific epithet fernaldii was named by Harold St. John, professor of botany at University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa, in honor of his principal botany teacher, Merritt L. Fernald (1873-1950). [1]
Hawaiian Names:
The Hawaiian name hala pepe (pēpē means baby) apparently meaning "baby hala," is most likely named for its likeness to hala. [2]
Halapepe, as one word, has at times been used for this species, whereas it is generally referred to as hala pepe, a two word name.[6]
Background Information
There are six endemic species of hala pepe (Chrysodracon spp.). Some of the most distinctive features among the Hawaiian species of hala pepe are found in leaf length, width and shape, and in the characteristic perianth, the portion of the flower that has petals and sepals (tepals). [3]
Early Hawaiian Use
Medicinal:
Early Hawaiians used the leaves in bathing and steam baths for chills (liʻa), headaches, fever, and thought to stop burning temperature or sensation. [5]
Religion:
The soft wood was used by early Hawaiians to make idols and to decorate altars.
Modern Use
Leaves and flowers are used in lei making today.
Additional References
[1] "Pleomele fernaldii (Liliaceae), A New Species from the Hawaiian Islands," by Harold St. John, pages 39-42, and Plate III.
[2] "Endangered Plants and Threatened Ecosystems on the Island of Hawaiʻi" by J. Juvik, J. DeLay, M. Merlin, M. Castillo, L. Perry, K. Kinney, page 30.
[3] "Monograph of the Hawaiian Species of Pleomele (Liliaceae)," by Harold St. John, pages 171-189.
[4] "The Strory of Lānaʻi" by George C. Munro, pages
[5] "Native Hawaiian Medicine--Volume III" by The Rev. Kaluna M. Kaʻaiakamanu, pages 47-48.
[6] Hawaiian Dictionaries online http://www.wehewehe.org [11/16/11]
[7] "Phylogenetic Relationships among Dracaenoid Genera (Asparagaceae: Nolinoideae) Inferred from Chloroplast DNA Loci" by Pei Luen-Lu and Clifford W. Morden, pages 91, 101.
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=Chrysodracon%20fernaldii
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