Plant Profile
Lobelia hypoleuca
Kuhiʻaikamoʻowahie, Liua, Moʻowahie, ʻŌpelu
Main Plant Information
Genus
Lobelia
Species
hypoleuca
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Kuhiʻaikamoʻowahie
- Liua
- Moʻowahie
- ʻŌpelu
Hawaiian Names
- Kuhiaikamoowahie
- Liua
- Moowahie
- Opelu
Synonyms
- Neowimmeria heterocarpa
- Neowimmeria hypoleuca
- Neowimmeria rockii
Plant Characteristics
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Partially Woody / Shrub-like
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Shrub, Dwarf, Less than 2
- Shrub, Small, 2 to 6
Life Span
Short lived (Less than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Container
- Specimen Plant
Additional Landscape Use Information
Plants can live beyond 5 years, but generally considered to be short-lived and die after blooming.
Source of Fragrance
- No Fragrance
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Characteristics
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Blue
Additional Flower Color Information
Gerorge C. Munro (1866-1963), botanist and rancher, notes this for this species on Lānaʻi: “I once saw a wonderful plant in full bloom in the upper part of Hoʻokiʻo Gulch. It was about 6 feet tall with a stem with about 1 1/2 inches at base, had 19 flower spikes, and leaves several feet long.” [1]
Blooming Period
- August
- September
- October
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
The blooming and fruiting period is based on photgraphic evidence of wild and cultivated plants and likely extend before and/or after these months. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Leaf Characteristics
Plant texture
- Medium
Leaf Colors
- Dark Green
- Gray / Silverish
- Medium Green
Additional Leaf Color Information
Leaves are medium to dark green above and bright white underneath.
George Munro again comments of this plant: " Lobelia hypoleuca , which is not peculiar to Lānaʻi, is a very spectacular plant there. In a fairly strong wind the white underparts of the long sword-shaped leaves show conspicously." [1]
Pests and Diseases
Additional Pest & Disease Information
An unknown caterpillar(?), or another insect, can devastate plants, especially seedlings, within a very short period. Once noticed, treat as soon as possible with a systemic insecticide. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Slugs and snails may also be pests, since these relish other members of this family (Campanulaceae). [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Growth Requirements
Water Requirements
- Moist
- Wet
Additional Water Information
Watering may depend on the origin. However, this species appears to be somewhat adaptable. Best to keep soil on the moist-side. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
In cultivation, ʻōpelu seems to best with full sun on the north and east sides of the property, or with some shading on the west and south sides. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Tolerances
- Wind
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
Limitations
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
ʻŌpelu is found at about 1970 to over 4900 feet in mesic to wet forest.
Special Features and Information
General Information
The fifteen endemic species of Lobelia are members of the Bellflower family (Campanulaceae). Lobelia is a genus of over 350 species form warm temperate to tropical regions of the world.
Other kin include many endemic species in Brighamia , Clermontia , Cyanea, Delissea , and Trematolobelia. Amazingly, all but Lobelia are endemic genera!
Etymology
The generic epithet Lobelia is named in behalf of the Flemish botanist Mathais de L’Obel (1538-1616).
The specific Greek epithet, hypoleuca , whitish below, is in reference to the white tomentose undersides of the leaves of this species.
Hawaiian Names:
One of the few native Lobelia species to have not only one known Hawaiian name, but four !
The complete meaning of Kuhiʻaikamoʻowahie is unknown. However, the name Moʻowahie, literally means “fragment of wood for burning.” [3]
Liua ( Nuia ) means “dizzy.” [3]
ʻŌpelu , perhaps the most commonly used name for this species, is named for the supposed resemblance of its leaf to the fish, Mackerel scad ( Decapterus macarellus ), of the same name. [3]
Background Information
This is the most widespread of Hawaiian Campanulaceae, occuring on the six largest islands. And as expected, it is extemely variable morphologically, especially in size and shape of leaves.
Hawaiʻi Botanist Joel Lau, notes the following observations of Lobelia “green hypoleuca -like” (Oʻahu, Waiʻanae Mts., northern part):
“Lobelia “green hypoleuca -like” is known from three areas in the northern Waiʻanae Mountains, Oʻahu: at a spot along the ridge that extends from Kaʻala to Puʻupane (a small number of plants), in the Kalena area (a small number of plants), and on ʻŌhikilolo Ridge (the ridge between Mākua and Mākaha Valleys) (Only a single plant has been observed here; it died years ago.). It is a rare and endangered plant.
“This entity appears to be a taxon distinct from L. hypoleuca . It occurs in mesic habitats, whereas L. hypoleuca in the Waiʻanae Mountains occurs only in wet habitats on the sides of Kaʻala. Lobelia hypoleuca in the Koʻolau Mountains also occurs only in wet habitats and it seems to be morphologically indistinguishable from the L. hypoleuca plants in the Waiʻanae Mountains. Lobelia “green hypoleuca -like” and Oʻahu L. hypoleuca differ in the size and shape of their leaves, the hairiness of the lower leaf surfaces, the venation of their leaves, and the shininess of the upper leaf surfaces. The two appear also to differ in the color of their flowers.”
Early Hawaiian Use
The plant was used to sprinkle water on an image of the rain god to induce rain. [2]
Modern Use
ʻŌpelu has occasionally been offered as a nursery plant, but still rarely seen in landscapes and botanical gardens.
Additional References
[1] “The Story of Lānaʻi” by George C. Munro, page 71.
[2] “In Gardens of Hawaii” by Marie C. Neal, pages 815-816.
[3] Hawaiian Dictionaries online http://wehewehe.org [Accessed on 9/16/13]