Plant Profile
Nototrichium divaricatum
Kuluʻī
Main Plant Information
Genus
Nototrichium
Species
divaricatum
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Kuluʻī
Hawaiian Names
- Kului
Common Names
- Nā Pali rockwort
Plant Characteristics
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
At Risk
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Sprawling Shrub
- Shrub
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Shrub, Dwarf, Less than 2
- Shrub, Small, 2 to 6
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Ground Cover
- Hedges
Additional Landscape Use Information
A beautiful low growing shrub that can be used as an accent plant or to add variety in color and texture to the landscape. Even when not in flower the plants are attractive.
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Characteristics
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- White
Additional Flower Color Information
From eight to thirty small white flowers tinged purple are arranged along several flowering spikes. [1]
Leaf Characteristics
Plant texture
- Medium
Leaf Colors
- Gray / Silverish
Additional Leaf Color Information
The greenish leaves are covered with a beautiful silvery-white fuzz.
Pests and Diseases
Growth Requirements
Water Requirements
- Dry
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Tolerances
- Wind
- Salt Spray
Soils
- Sand
- Cinder
Environmental Information
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 2000 to 2999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 2000 to 2999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 3000 to 3999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 3000 to 3999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
Additional Habitat Information
A recently discovered and rare kuluʻī from the Nā Pali, Kalalau rim area only on Kauaʻi in three valleys (Kalalau, Pōhakuao, and Honopū) in dry to mesic shrublands on northwest facing verticle cliffs at 2000 to 3600 feet. [1,2]
Special Features and Information
General Information
Kuluʻī belong to the Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). Other native Hawaiian family members include five species of Charpentiera , a rare and little known amaranth ( Amaranthus brownii ) from Nīhoa, ʻāweoweo ( Chenopodium oahuense ), and three species of Achyranthes .
These plants ( Nototrichium divaricatum ) differ from the other two native kuluʻī by the branched flower clusters that divaricate or spread apart on shorter spikes. [1]
While Nototrichium sandwicense is secure in numbers and N. humile is an endangered species, N. divaricatum is listed as a species of concern. [1]
Etymology
The generic name Nototrichium comes from the Latin nota , remarkable and tricho , hair, probably referring to the dense pubescence of the plants.
The Latin specific epithet divaricatum refers to the branched flower clusters that divaricate or spread apart on shorter spikes. [1]
Additional References
[1] Center for Plant Conservation http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/collection/cpc Plant Profile for Nototrichium divaricatum [accessed 1/4/10]
[2] “A New Species of Nototrichium (Amaranthaceae) from Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands” by David H. Lorence, Novon Vol. 6, No. 1 (Spring 1996), page 64.
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