Plant Profile
Rumex giganteus
Pāwale, Uhauhakō
Main Plant Information
Genus
Rumex
Species
giganteus
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Pāwale
- Uhauhakō
Hawaiian Names
- Pawale
- Uhauhako
Common Names
- Climbing dock
- Dock
- Giant dock
- Sorrel
Plant Characteristics
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Sprawling Shrub
- Vine/Liana
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Herbaceous, Tall, Greater than 3
Mature Size, Width
Low sprawling shrubs (decumbent) with stems to 65 feet long supported by trees in forested areas.
Life Span
No data available.
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Ground Cover
Additional Landscape Use Information
As with many native plants, even though uhauhakō is naturally found at high elevations, they do well in lower elevation gardens.
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Characteristics
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Red
Additional Flower Color Information
The floral display, produced en masse, are red or rarely green and sometimes tinged red.
Blooming Period
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
The blooming period from May to October is based on photographic evidence and may extend before or after this period. The capsules (fruit) are red, orange-brown, or sometimes yellowish-green and produced en masse. [4]
Leaf Characteristics
Plant texture
- Medium
- Coarse
Leaf Colors
- Medium Green
Pests and Diseases
Growth Requirements
Water Requirements
- Dry
- Moist
- Wet
Additional Water Information
Kim Dillman [Big Island Plants] notes that uhauhakō “does not require well-drained soil, in fact, it is quite happy in a low lying muddy puka.”
Since this is such a variable plant, perhaps the habitat (dry, moist, or wet) where plants are originally from determines the amount of water needed.
Soil must be well drained
No
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
It grows slow, but healthy in shade, and will grow toward sunlight eventually. [Kim Dillman, Big Island Plants]
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
Environmental Information
Natural Range
- Molokaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 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
Uhauhakō is found from 2165 to over 10,000* feet in mesic to wet forest and subalpine woodland on Molokaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi, and one collection just above the surf zone in hala ( Pandanus sp.) forest on windward Molokaʻi.
- However, one source notes that it can be found on the rocky slopes above Hale Pohaku to around 12,000 feet on Mauna Kea, Hawaiʻi Island. [6]
Special Features and Information
General Information
Rumex is a genus of about 200 species in the Buckwheat family or Polygonaceae. There are native are three native species of Rumex endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.
Additionally, there are at least five alien introductions, some weedy.
Etymology
The generic name Rumex , rumicis , in Pliny for sorrel, is an ancient Latin name for the plants of the genus.
The specific epithet, giganteus , is Latin literally meaning “of giants.”
Hawaiian Names:
Pāwale is the name for this species as well as for another native dock ( Rumex skottsbergii ).
Uhauhakō is obscure in meaning. But, Hawaiian Dictionaries online notes that “used as medicine the name may have been uhau .” [3]
Background Information
Uhauhakō ( R. giganteus ) is the most variable species of endemic Rumex , covering a correspondingly wide ecology range of habitats. The most typical form occurs in forested regions as large lianas with large, red, pendent inflorescences. In open areas in forested regions as well as at lower and higher elevation sites the plants are sprawling, decumbent, or erect shrubs that often have smaller leaves and usually have smaller, somewhat narrower inflorescenses. These plants are similar to pāwale ( R. skottsbergii ), particularly at high elevations.
Otto Degener, botanist, notes that “they grow well in the crevices of cliffs and on extremely arid and barren lava flows where few other plants are able to gain a foothold. In such places they are stocky, upright shrubs several feet in height.” [5]
Some older journals refer to Uhauhakō as “Climbing dock” and “Giant dock” [5,7]
Early Hawaiian Use
Medicinally, Uhauhakō was used for purifying the blood, heart disease, skin diseases including leprosy, and for general body weakness. [1,5] The plant was used to cure pāʻaoʻao (childhood disease with physical weakening), and for lepo paʻa (constipation). [2] It was also used to condition the mother for pregnancy. [1]
Additional References
[1] “Hawaiian Herbs of Medicinal Value,” by D.M. Kaʻaiakamanu & J.K. Akina, page 73.
[2] Native Hawaiian Medicine–Volume III" by The Rev. Kaluna M. Kaʻaiakamanu, page 85.
[3] http://wehewehe.org [Accessed on 4/23/13]
[4] “Hawaii–A Natural History” by Sherwin Carlquist, page 373.
[5] “Plants of Hawaii National Parks” by Otto Degener, page 152.
[6] Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/
[7] “The Hawaiian Forester and Agriculturist" Vol. 1, Issue 1, page 4
