Plant Profile
Canavalia galeata
Puakauhi, ʻĀwikiwiki
Main Plant Information
Genus
Canavalia
Species
galeata
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Puakauhi
- ʻĀwikiwiki
Hawaiian Names
- Awikiwiki
- Puakauhi
Synonyms
- Canavalia gaudichaudii
- Dolichos galeatus
Plant Characteristics
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Vine/Liana
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
No data available.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Container
- Ground Cover
- Trellis or Fence Climber
Additional Landscape Use Information
The quick growing and vining ʻāwikiwiki ( Canavalia spp.) soon provide a thick barrier on a fence. Stems will get woody, especially at the base, upon maturity.
Seeds can be planted directly in the soil at the base of a trellis or fence post. Protection from rodents, slugs, and snails may be needed.
While apparently not necessary for growing ʻāwikiwiki, innoculated plants tend to be the most vigorous. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
They can also be grown as a groundcover over cinder and rocks.
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Characteristics
Flower Type
Showy
Additional Flower Color Information
Corolla dark purple with white spot and streaks toward base. Calyx often flecked with short purple streaks.
Leaf Characteristics
Plant texture
- Medium
- Coarse
Additional Plant Texture Information
Leaves wider than long.
Additional Leaf Color Information
Calyx often flecked with purple streaks, leaves slightly reddish when young.
Pests and Diseases
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Southern green stink bugs ( Nezara viridula ), a polyphagous* feeder, can gather in great numbers if left uncontrolled.
- Eating, or subsisting on, many kinds of foods.
Growth Requirements
Fertilizer
Fertilize every 6 months or foliar feed monthly for more flowers. High amounts of nitrogen are not necessary since these are nitrogen-fixing vines.
Pruning Information
Prune as needed to keep under control.
Water Requirements
- Moist
Additional Water Information
Water weekly if weather is dry.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Partial sun
Tolerances
- Drought
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
Environmental Information
Natural Range
- Oʻahu
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- Less than 150, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- Less than 150, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 150 to 1000, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 150 to 1000, Greater than 100 (Wet)
Habitat
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
Canavalia galeata is endemic to Oʻahu and found scattered, primarily in mesic forest, and those degraded by guava and other alien vegetation or occasionally in Lantana shrubland from 590 to about 2625 feet.
Special Features and Information
General Information
Canavalia are members of the very large Pea or Legume family (Fabaceae). There are six endemic species.
The introduced maunaloa ( Canavalia cathartica ) is very closely related to ʻāwikiwiki and naturalized in some areas.
Etymology
The generic name Canavalia comes from the Indian kanavali , a common name for Canavalia maritima .
The specific epithet galeata is from the Latin galeatus , helmet-, or skull-, shaped.
Hawaiian Names:
The name ʻāwikiwiki comes from wikiwiki meaning fast or speedy, referring to its rapid growth rate.
Early Hawaiian Use
Food (Fishing):
Early Hawaiians made roughly constructed fish nets and traps from stems and scoop nets probably made from ʻāwikiwiki vines for small rock paoʻo (blennies) and ʻopae (freshwater shrimps). [1,2] Isabella Abbott notes that “crude, temporary traps were improvised from vines such as ʻāwikiwiki ( Canavalia galeata ).” [3]
Lei:
Flowers used for lei making. [1,2]
Medicinal:
A topical for skin disorders was made from leaf buds, leaves, bark, and roots. [4]
Modern Use
The flowers are strung on lei as they have been since the early days.
Additional References
[1] “Plants in Hawaiian Culture” by Beatrice H. Krauss, pages 38, 77. [2] “Arts and Crafts of Hawaii” by Te Rangi Hiroa (Sir Peter H. Buck), page 312.
[3] “Lāʻau Hawaiʻi: Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants” by Isabella Aiona Abbott, page 84.
[4] “Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database” http://data.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb [Accessed 2/5/13]
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