Ma'o
Ma'o - It took me a long time to id this plant, the features are unique like the dull green hairy leaves, cotton, and bright yellow flower. Now, I can id it pretty easily even in the wild.
Background Information
There is only 1 endemic species of Ma'o. It is in the mallow family, same as the Hibiscus. Ancient Hawaiians used the plant as a green dye and also for lei making. In modern times, the plant saved the cotton industry when cotton trees in the mainland were depleted because of disease. Ma'o wasn't used for industrial use, but agriculturalist interbred the mainland cotton with Ma'o to ward off the insects producing the disease. The Ma'o plant doesn't have nectar producing organs which attract the insects. With the new hybrid plant, cotton growers were able to grow their cotton without interference from insects.
Ma'o
The plant likes hot conditions like other species of cotton plants. It occurs on all main islands, however it is not common on Oahu shorelines. It grows like a weed, so I'm not sure why it is almost endangered. One reason is destruction of our beaches by well...everyone.
Ma'o
The scientific name is gossypium tomentosum. It's Hawaiian nickname is Hawaiian Cotton. The plant seems to flower in June as evidence by the picture which believe me was taken in June. Google photos is amazing.
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