Native Plant Highlight: Pūkiawe

Though it’s no longer Native Hawaiian Plant Month, it’s never a bad time to think about native plants! The plant for this native plant highlight is the hardy and versatile Pūkiawe (Leptecophylla tameiameiae). 

Plant description

Pūkiawe is a common indigenous plant, commonly growing as a small shrub, and occasionally growing to 12+ feet in wet areas with deep soil. growing from elevations of 50-10,500 feet, Pūkiawe is a common sight in mesic forests, open areas, wet forests, and up to alpine shrublands and bogs. Because Pūkiawe grows in so many different environments, each plant greatly varies in size, berry color, leaf color, flower color, and leaf shape. However, all Pūkiawe are characterized by very small, opposite leaves, round berries ranging from white to red, and small, white to pale pink flowers.

A map of the natural range of Pūkiawe - Credit: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1192/jpgs/Leptecophylla_tameiameiae.jpg

The leaves of an individual at high elevation, The leaves of an individual in a wet forest,

Mauna Loa - Credit: Kai Garcia-Tobar Kohala Mountains - Credit: Kai Garcia-Tobar

Scientific roots

Pūkiawe belongs to Ericaceae, the heath family, which includes blueberries, cranberries, rhododendrons, and the beloved ‘Ōhelo berry. The family has a nearly worldwide distribution. The genus of Pūkiawe, Leptecophylla, comes from the Greek root leptos, meaning slender or thin, and kophylla, meaning leaf. The species name tameiameiae is a reference to King Kamehameha I, who was the ruling chief when Pūkiawe was described by Europeans. Pūkiawe’s ancestors likely arrived through the poop of birds, since its berries are very palatable to birds. 

Pūkiawe Berries, Kohala Mountains - Credit: Kai Garcia-Tobar

Ecology

Pūkiawe is ecologically very important for many reasons. Pūkiawe tends to grow in places less preferred to other native species, like in alpine and bog environments, in the undergrowth of wet forests, and in bare lava plains. Since it is a pioneer species, it provides biomass and stabilizes the ground to build up soils in desolate lava plains. Pūkiawe is a critical food source for nēnē and other birds, who feed on its bountiful berries. Additionally, Pūkiawe’s flowers provide nectar for the Nalo Mele Maoli (endemic yellow-faced bees) and countless other native insect pollinators. 

Pūkiawe Flowers, Mauna Loa - Credit: Kai Garcia-Tobar

Pūkiawe growing in lava plains, Mauna Loa - Credit: Kai Garcia-Tobar

Cultural significance

Pūkiawe was a very important plant to ancient Hawaiians. When burned, the smoke that emanated from Pūkiawe was used by ali’i to temporarily lower their status, as to talk to commoners without impeding on their own mana. Additionally, the heavy, close-grained wood of Pūkiawe was used for second-stage kapa beaters. Today, Pūkiawe is used medicinally for headaches and colds, and all parts are commonly used in lei. 

Pūkiawe stands growing on Pu'u Keikipa'u'ula, Parker Ranch - Credit: Kai Garcia-Tobar

Threats

Though Pūkiawe is a fairly common and secure species, like all native plants, it is threatened by fire, climate change, invasive species like pigs and rats, and human development. However, the future of Pūkiawe depends too on the future of native birds that spread its seeds. 

Pūkiawe is an immensely beautiful and important plant. It’s our duty to protect it, harvest it responsibly, and allow it to continue to grow in the place it has evolved to inhabit.