Kadua littoralis

Main Plant Information

Genus

Kadua

Species

littoralis

Common Names

• Kadua
• Seacliff starviolet

Synonyms

• Hedyotis littoralis

Plant Characteristics

Distribution Status

Endemic

Endangered Species Status

At Risk

Plant Form / Growth Habit

• Partially Woody / Shrub-like
• Sprawling Shrub

Mature Size, Height (in feet)

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

Mature Size, Width

These are great plants for pots and containers. They also work well as a groundcover. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]

Life Span

Long lived (Greater than 5 years)

Landscape Uses

• Accent
• Container

Plant Produces Flowers

Yes

Flower Characteristics

Flower Type

Showy

Flower Colors

• White

Additional Flower Color Information

The bright white four-petaled flowers form clusters to make a showy display.

Blooming Period

• Year Round
• Sporadic

Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information

This species does not appear to have any set blooming period.

Leaf Characteristics

Plant texture

• Medium

Leaf Colors

• Dark Green
• Medium Green

Additional Leaf Color Information

Leaves are glossy and clustered toward the base of the stem.

Pests and Diseases

Additional Pest & Disease Information

Ants, mealybugs, thrips, aphids, and red spider mites are among the pests known to attack this plant. Control the ants and you can control the other pests. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]

Growth Requirements

Fertilizer

Light foliar applications of fertilizers are appreciated by this plant.

Pruning Information

None required except to remove spent flower stalks.

Water Requirements

• Moist

Soil must be well drained

Yes

Light Conditions

• Full sun
• Partial sun

Tolerances

• Wind
• Salt Spray

Soils

• Sand
• Cinder
• Organic
• Coral

Environmental Information

Natural Range

• Kauaʻi
• Oʻahu
• Molokaʻi
• Maui
• Hawaiʻi

Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)

• Less than 150, Greater than 100 (Wet)

Habitat

• Terrestrial

Additional Habitat Information

Occurring on wet rocky sea cliffs and coastal talus, usually within salt spray from 6 to about 20 feet. Now extinct on Oʻahu, but still found on Princeville, Kauaʻi; from Hālawa to Wailau valleys, Molokaʻi; Keʻanae-Wailua area, Hanawī, and ʻĀlau, East Maui; Honopue, Hawaiʻi.

Special Features and Information

General Information

This species 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 55 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. [1]

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. [1,2]

The specific epithet littoralis is Latin for “growing by the sea shore.”

Additional References

[1] “Resurrection of Genus Kadua for Hedyotidinae (Rubiaceae)” by Edward E. Terrell, page 819.

[2] “A General System of Gardening and Botany, Vol. 3,” by George Don, page 533.