Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis

Main Plant Information

Genus

Ipomoea

Species

pes-caprae

Subspecies

• brasiliensis

Hawaiian Names with Diacritics

• Puhuehue
• Pōhuehue

Hawaiian Names

• Pohuehue
• Puhuehue

Common Names

• Bayhops
• Beach morning glory
• Goat foot
• Goat’s foot
• Goats foot
• Railroad vine

Plant Characteristics

Distribution Status

Indigenous

Endangered Species Status

No Status

Plant Form / Growth Habit

• Non-Woody, Spreading
• Partially Woody / Shrub-like
• Vine/Liana

Mature Size, Height (in feet)

• Herbaceous, Short, Less than 1
• Herbaceous, Medium, 1-3

Mature Size, Width

Vines spread from 7 to 15 feet.

Life Span

Long lived (Greater than 5 years)

Landscape Uses

• Accent
• Erosion Control
• Ground Cover

Additional Landscape Use Information

Pōhuehue is a great plant for beach front properties, and sandy, rocky, salt-spray or windy locations, while also providing erosion control.

This indigenous plant usually does form a dense groundcover and should have mulch added. [9]

Plant Produces Flowers

Yes

Flower Characteristics

Flower Type

Showy

Flower Colors

• Pink
• White

Additional Flower Color Information

Pōhuehue have small pink to lavender flowers with purple centers. A white flowered form is known from Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island.

Blooming Period

• Year Round

Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information

Flowers last one day.

Leaf Characteristics

Plant texture

• Fine
• Medium

Additional Plant Texture Information

Pōhuehue leaves are about 2 to 4 or more inches long.

Leaf Colors

• Medium Green

Pests and Diseases

Additional Pest & Disease Information

Vines are prone to sweet potato weevil and red spider mites.

Slugs and snails may be potential pests. [9]

“Leaf spot disease” is caused by a fungus called Cercospora alabamensis . For symptons and management please see the article “Leaf Spot of Beach Morning-Glory” provided by CTAHR http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/PD-95.pdf

Growth Requirements

Fertilizer

An application of a balanced slow release fertilize with minor elements every six months.

Foliar feed monthly with kelp or fish emulsion or a water-soluble fertilizer with a dilution of one half to one third of recommended strength. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]

Pruning Information

Can be somewhat aggressive in active growing period. Trim to confine in growing area.

Water Requirements

• Dry

Additional Water Information

When palnting, water them for two weeks then only in times of prolonged drought. Amend soil with cinder.

Soil must be well drained

Yes

Light Conditions

• Full sun

Spacing Information

Give pōhuehue vines room to spread. They will quickly fill in areas.

Tolerances

• Drought
• Wind
• Salt Spray
• Heat

Soils

• Sand
• Cinder
• Coral

Limitations

Pōhuehue is intolerant of shade. [9] Provide as much sun as possible and do not over water as it can contribute to a nasty fungal spot. (See the article in Pests & Diseases section above)

Special Growing Needs

If given enough drainage and exposure to sun, it will grow reasonably well in mauka regions as well. [9]

Environmental Information

Natural Range

• Niʻihau
• Kauaʻi
• Oʻahu
• Molokaʻi
• Lānaʻi
• Maui
• Kahoʻolawe
• Hawaiʻi
• Northwest Islands

Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)

• Less than 150, 0 to 50 (Dry)
• 150 to 1000, 0 to 50 (Dry)
• 1000 to 1999, 0 to 50 (Dry)

Additional Habitat Information

This indigenous beach morning glory is found on sandy beaches and occasionally inland. It can also be found in lowland marshes. [2]

Special Features and Information

General Information

Pōhuehue ( Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis ) ** is a member of the Morning glory family (Convolvulaceae), which comprises some 1,650 species throughout the world.

Pōhuehue is related to some local notable eatables as ʻuala or sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas ) and ung-choi or swamp cabbage ( Ipomoea aquatica ).

Native Hawaiian family members include a bonamia ( Bonamia menziesii ), makihi ( Cressa truxillensis ), koali ʻai ( Ipomoea cairica ), hunakai ( I. imperati ), koali ʻawa ( I. indica ), Hawaiian moon flower ( I. tuboides ), pōhuehue ( I. pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis ), kauna ʻoa ( Cuscuta sandwichiana ), pāʻuohiʻiaka ( Jacquemontia ovalifolia subsp. sandwicensis ), and possibly the White-flowered beach morning glory ( Ipomoea littoralis ).

Etymology

The generic name Ipomoea is derived from the Greek ips , worm, and homoios , similar to, meaning worm-like, in reference to the twining habit.

The hyphenated specific epithet pes-caprae is from the Latin pes , foot, and caprae , goat, or literally “foot of a goat,” in reference to the shape of the leaves similar to that of a goat’s foot (hoof).

The subspecies brasiliensis is in reference to the country of Brazil (Brasil), part of its pantropic range.

Background Information

Pōhuehue is often a host for its relative kaunaʻoa ( Cuscuta sandwichiana ). [9]

Surprisingly, some have labeled pōhuehue as a “weed.” [4]

Early Hawaiian Use

Cordage:

The vines were also made into a type of bushy rope attached to each of the sticks on the bag net used in fishing. [1] Cordage was sometimes made from the pliable stems. [8]

Food (Famine):

Roots and leaves were used by Hawaiians of old as famine foods. But carthartic compounds makes its use DANGEROUS! [3,7]

Lei:

The leafy vines were used as lei. [5]

Medicinal:

Even with its dangers, a few of the young leaf buds (muʻo) were eaten by women just prior to giving birth to hasten delivery. [3,7]

Modern Use

The subspecies brasiliensis is known as salsa-da-praia in Brazil and used in traditional folk medicine. However, due to the carthartic compounds, it should be viewed as unsafe for internal use . [6]

Additional References

[1] “Plants in Hawaiian Culture” by Beatrice H. Krauss, pages 39, 41. [2] “A Guide to Pacific Wetlands Plants” by Lani Stemmermann, page 82.

[3] “Native Planters in Old Hawaii–Their Life, Lore, & Environment” by E. S. Handy and Elizabeth Green Handy, pages 238, 240.

[4] “Handbook of Hawaiian Weeds” by E. L. Haselwood, page 310.

[5] “Nā Lei Makamae–The Treasured Lei” by Marie A. McDonald & Paul R. Weissich, pages 133-135.

[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipomoea_pes-caprae [Accessed 12/13/10]

[7] “In Gardens of Hawaii” by Marie C. Neal, page 709.

[8] “Lāʻau Hawaiʻi: Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants” by Isabella Aiona Abbott, page 63.

[9] “How to Plant a Native Hawaiian Garden” by Kenneth M. Nagata, page “Pōhuehue.”

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