Plant Profile
Elaphoglossum crassifolium
ʻĒkaha, Hoe a Māui, Hoe a māui
Main Plant Information
Genus
Elaphoglossum
Species
crassifolium
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- ʻĒkaha
- Hoe a Māui
- Hoe a māui
Hawaiian Names
- Ekaha
- Hoe a Maui
- Hoe a maui
Common Names
- Maui’s paddle
Synonyms
- Acrostichum crassifolium
- Acrostichum reticulatum
- Anetium reticulatum
- Elaphoglossum reticulatum
- Hymenodium crassifolium
- Hymenodium reticulatum
Plant Characteristics
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Non-Woody, Clumping
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Fern/Fern-like, Short, Less than 1
- Fern/Fern-like, Medium, 1 to 3
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Container
Additional Landscape Use Information
Though not seen in many gardens or landscapes, it is an easy species to grow and care for with sufficient shade and mositure. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Plant Produces Flowers
No
Leaf Characteristics
Plant texture
- Medium
Leaf Colors
- Dark Green
- Medium Green
Pests and Diseases
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Thrips can occasionally infest plants. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Growth Requirements
Fertilizer
Foliar feeding monthly or every other month with kelp or fish emulsion at half strength has proved to be beneficial. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Pruning Information
None needed, except to remove spent fronds.
Water Requirements
- Moist
- Wet
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Partial sun
- Shade
Soils
- Organic
Limitations
Somewhat slow growing. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Environmental Information
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 150 to 1000, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 150 to 1000, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 1000 to 1999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 2000 to 2999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 2000 to 2999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 3000 to 3999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 3000 to 3999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 4000 to 4999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 4000 to 4999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
Habitat
- Epiphyte
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
This common medium-sized Elaphoglossum is found from about 985 to 4265 feet forming large, close-set clusters in habitats varying from open mesic woods and open wet forests to dense rain forests on all main islands except Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe.
Special Features and Information
General Information
With some 600 species worldwide, Elaphoglossum belong to the Dryopteridaceae or Wood Fern family.
The Hawaiian Islands are home to eight endemic and one indigenous species.
Etymology
The generic name Elaphoglossum is from the Latin elaphos , deer, stag, hart, and glossa , tongue, in reference to the shape of the frond.
Hawaiian Names:
ʻĒkaha is the Hawaiian name given to the eight endemic species of Elaphoglossum . ** But it is also the name for the native Bird’s-nest fern ( Asplenium nidus ), as well as a type of moss growing on rotted trees, also called limu ʻēkaha .
Hoe a Māui or Hoe a māui means Maui’s paddle.
The specific epithet crassifolium is from the Latin crassifolius, with thick, fleshy or leathery leaves. **
Background Information
Elaphoglossum crassifolium is the most common species of this genus in the Hawaiian Islands.
It may be recognized by its leathery fronds and is the only Hawaiian Elaphoglossum spp. with a netlike vein pattern. The veins are easily seen by holding the fronds aganst bright light.