Plant Profile
Kadua centranthoides
Manono
Main Plant Information
Genus
Kadua
Species
centranthoides
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Manono
Hawaiian Names
- Manono
Common Names
- Forest starviolet
- Kilauea hedyotis
Synonyms
- Hedyotis centranthoides
- Hedyotis glomerata
- Hedyotis hookeriana
- Kadua glomerata
Plant Characteristics
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Sprawling Shrub
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Shrub, Dwarf, Less than 2
- Shrub, Small, 2 to 6
Mature Size, Width
Stems can grow to over 6 feet long.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
No data available.
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Characteristics
Flower Type
Not Showy
Flower Colors
- Cream
- Greenish-White
- White
- Yellow
Additional Flower Color Information
Flower colors range from white, yellow to greenish-yellow.
Blooming Period
- Spring
- Summer
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
Blooming period is based on photos of this manono and may extend prior or beyond these months.
Leaf Characteristics
Plant texture
- Medium
Leaf Colors
- Dark Green
- Medium Green
- Red
Additional Leaf Color Information
Leaf color ranges from green to dark purplish-green or deep purple.
Pests and Diseases
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Ants, scale, mealybugs, thrips, aphids. Controlling the ants will help control the other pests.
Growth Requirements
Water Requirements
- Moist
- Wet
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Soils
- Organic
Environmental Information
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 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
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
Manono is found scattered to relatively populations about 1245 to 6300 feet often in open areas in wet forest and margins of bogs, occasionally in mesic forest.
Special Features and Information
General Information
Manono is a member of the very large Coffee family or Rubiaceae of more than 13,000 species throughout the world. The family is well represented in the islands with about 60 species.
The genus Kadua is comprised of 30 species total in the Pacific region and most are represented in the Hawaiian Archipelago with 25 endemic species. Recently a revision of the genus Hedyotis was made and the genus Kadua is accepted for all Hedyotis in the Hawaiian Islands. [2]
Etymology
Kadua is the oldest generic name for these species and is named in memory of M. Kadua, a native of Ulea, who sailed with Otto von Kotzebue (1787-1846), Baltic German navigator in Russian service, with the purpose of collecting plants. [2,3]
The specific epithet centranthoides is Greek meaning “resembling Centranthus ,” a genus of about twelve species and known by the vernacular or common name Valerian.
Early Hawaiian Use
The new growth (liko) is leathery, glossy, and dark purple is used in lei work and lasts well. [1]
Modern Use
Used in lei today as it was in early times. [1]
Additional References
[1] “Nā Lei Makamae–The Treasured Lei” by Marie A. McDonald & Paul R. Weissich, pages 90, 161.
[2] “Resurrection of Genus Kadua for Hedyotidinae (Rubiaceae)” by Edward E. Terrell, page 819.
[3] “A General System of Gardening and Botany, Vol. 3,” by George Don, page 533.