The queen palm may be the fastest-growing palm in Hawai’i, reaching heights of 20 feet in five years when given proper care. Once established, it is a low maintenance tree. It does not drop much leaf litter. Ornamental Moderately salt tolerant Full sun to partial sun
I 07 FIDDLEWOOD TREE (Citharexylum spinosum) Verbenaceae family
Introduced to Hawai‛i in 1931 by the Hawai’i Sugar Planter Association Arboretum (now Lyon Arboretum). Also known as Juniper Berry, it is a common ornamental landscaping plant. Ironically, its original use was to feed non-native birds, the same frugivorous birds that spread invasive species across Hawai‛i, including fiddlewood. It is a pest on all of the major Hawaiian islands. Prolific …
I 06 BROMELIAD Bromeliaceae family
Bromeliads are a family of plants (Bromeliaceae, the pineapple family) native to tropical North and South America. There are about 2500 species and several thousand hybrids and cultivars. Those species used as houseplants have some of the most colorful bracts, ranging from pink to deep purple. These plants form short, fairly flat rosettes of leaves; some miniatures are no more …
I 05 SINGAPORE HOLLY (Malpighia coccigera) Malphighiaceae family
This low-maintenance shrub native to the West Indies can reach 5-10 feet in height. It produces showy flowers of pink, white, and off-white colors that appear all summer long. Red berries ripen soon after, attracting a variety of birds. Ornamental foliage with spiny or thorny edges make this species a perfect choice for a bonsai plant. Sun: Full sun to …
I 04 SPLIT LEAF PHILODENDRON (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidium) Araceae family
n spite of its common name, it is not a member of the genus Philodendron (it was formerly classified in that genus) but is in the same family (Araceae). It has glossy, heart-shaped or rounded leathery leaves that develop deep clefts and oblong perforations as they grow older. The leaves may be as much as 18” wide on foot-long leafstalks. …
I 03 SINGAPORE PLUMERIA (Plumeria obtusa) Apocynaceae family
This is among the most fragrant plumeria and is easily recognized by its glossy, rigid, dark green leaves. The tree produces beautiful bouquets of gardenia-magnolia scented flowers. Known as the first plumeria variety brought to Hawai’i, Singapore’s creamy white flowers have a bright yellow center with elegant, rounded tips. Elevation range: 0 to 3,000 feet Highly salt tolerant Full sun …
I 02 NIGHT BLOOMING JASMINE (Cestrum nocturnum) Solanaceae family
This is a highly invasive plant in the horticultural trade. This plant has been observed growing in native koa forests, preventing new koa seedlings from establishing. Birds, attracted to the white pea-sized fruit, consume the fruit containing viable seed and fly away where they excrete the seed, which survives passage through the bird’s gut. It is tough to control in …
I 01 LIGNUM VITAE (Guaiacum officinale) Zygophyllaceae family
The Latin common name means “tree of life” or “wood of life,” which is derived from the tree’s many medicinal uses. Regarded as one of the heaviest and hardest woods in the world. Its durability in submerged or ground-contact applications is legendary—it has been used for propeller shaft bearings on ships, and its natural oils provide self-lubrication that gives the …