Plant Profile
Tetraplasandra hawaiensis
ʻOhe
Main Plant Information
Genus
Tetraplasandra
Species
hawaiensis
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- ʻOhe
Hawaiian Names
- Ohe
Common Names
- Hawaii ohe
Plant Characteristics
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Tree
Mature Size, Height
- Tree, Small, 15 to 30
- Tree, Medium, 30 to 50
- Tree, Large, Greater than 50
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Provides Shade
- Specimen Plant
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Characteristics
Flower Type
Not Showy
Flower Colors
- Red
Leaf Characteristics
Plant texture
- Coarse
Leaf Colors
- Dark Green
- Gray / Silverish
- Medium Green
Additional Leaf Color Information
The beautiful leaves of ʻohe are glabrous (without hairs) and medium to dark green above with yellowish or silverish tomentose (hairs) underneath. The trees can be recognized from a distance when the wind blows flashing the bright fuzzy under surface of the leaves. [Robert Hobdy, pers. comm.]
Source of Fragrance
No Fragrance
Pests and Diseases
Growth Requirements
Fertilizer
Responds well to fertilizers. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]
Pruning Information
None required to maintain this beautiful tree.
Water Requirements
Moist
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Tolerances
- Wind
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
Environment and Miscellaneous
Natural Zones
- 150 to 1000, 50 to 100
- 150 to 1000, Greater than 100
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100
- 1000 to 1999, Greater than 100
- 2000 to 2999, 50 to 100
- 2000 to 2999, Greater than 100
Natural Range
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Additional Growth Environment Information
These trees occurs in mesic to wet forests from about 500 to over 2600 feet.
Special Notes and Information
ʻOhe ( T. hawaiensis ) is perhaps the most distinctive of the eight species in the endemic genus Tetraplasandra .
This endemic genus shares the Aralia or Ginseng Family (Araliaceae) with other fascinating natives as ʻōlapa ( Cheirodendron spp.), the unique pōkalakala ( Munroidendron racemosum ), and ʻohe makai ( Reynoldsia sandwicensis )–one of the few deciduous native Hawaiian trees.
Landscape Use
These beautiful trees are relatively easy to grow and a very rewarding addition to the landscape. Depending on the origin of ʻohe, some trees are tall and narrow with few side branches and little canopy; others are shorter and branching having a wider canopy. It may be advantageous to inquire of the habit, or stature, of the trees desiring to be used so as to suit your specific landscape needs and planting location. [David Eickhoff, NPH]