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The Native Hibiscus is not common in the wild. It is much easier to observe in the botanical gardens such as the Lyon Arboretum, Koko Crater Botanical Garden, Queen Kapiolani Botanical Garden, even the Diamond Head Culinary of the Pacific has some.
Background Information
No doubt, one of my top 5 native plants. There are 5 endemic species and 2 indigenous species of Native Hibiscus - but unfortunately there are dozens of subspecies within the those 7, ugh! It is a member of the mallow family, there are a number of Native Hawaiian plants in this family.
If you see Native Hibiscus in the wild, it is a treat and the experience should be appreciated. Native Hibiscus is easy to cultivate and great for landscaping. But don't confused it with the more common Chinese Hibiscus plant, even I have problems distinguishing the two. The Native Hibiscus usually comes in white (Kokiʻo Keʻokeʻo), that's the easier one to pick out, it should have a fragrant smell. However there is the red (Kokiʻo ula) and yellow (Ma'o Hau Hele) and others, it is hard distinguishing the red/yellow from the Chinese Hibiscus which comes in the same color as well. The Red Native Hibiscus is usually smaller. In ancient times, Hawaiians chewed the buds and leaves of the Hibiscus to relieve constipation. Petals from the plant were used as a dye.
Hibiscus
The Hawaiian name for the Native White Hibiscus is called Kokiʻo Keʻokeʻo. This species is called hibiscus arnottianus. The Native White Hibiscus is the only known Hibiscus on earth that has a fragrant smell.
Hibiscus
The Hawaiian name for this Hibiscus species is called Ma'o Hau Hele, it is the State Flower of Hawaii. This species is called hibiscus brackenridgei. But don't be confused, this particular plant is a subspecies of the brackenridgei called mokuleianus. As the name implies, it is only restricted to the North Shore and Northern Waianae Range on Oahu. Unfortunately it is on the list of federally endangered species with only 100-300 plants left in the wild. Finding one of these plants in the wild is really rare and you should be excited if you see one.
Hibiscus
I didn't want to put these two together because I feel that this species of arnottianus should get respect. So this one is a Kokiʻo Keʻokeʻo, the subspecies is punaluuensis. What makes this one different is the sheer size of the plant. Look at the picture, the plant is like 25 feet tall and the leaves are huge. I don't have confirmation yet, but it is the biggest most baddest Hibiscus tree on the planet! As the name implies, it occurs in the Punalu'u-Waiahole area.
Hibiscus
This is the Red Hibiscus called Koki'o 'Ula. The scientific name is hibiscus clayi and is restricted to only Kauai. It is listed as federally endangered with only 4 populations left in the wild. I only was able to see this Hibiscus in cultivation at the Lyon Arboretum.
Hibiscus
I'm not too sure about this Hibiscus. It could be Kokiʻo Keʻokeʻo, but it is a subspecies called saintjohnianus. Honestly, I've done a ton of research, but I can't really categorized all the subspecies of Hibiscus. I'm not sure if they cross it with other species. I saw this at the Diamond Head Culinary Institute of the Pacific while watching the Hapalua Half Marathon. If this is in fact the saintjohnianus, the true location to find it in the wild would be on Kauai.
Kokio?
Yellow flower
Hibiscus Kokio
Subspecies: Pekeloi
Hibiscus Unknown
Rounded leaves
Pictures above all taken at Queen Kapiolani Botanical Garden 2018
Source
- DLNR Fact Sheet
- Flowering Plants of Hawaii, 881-889
- Hawaiian Plant Life, 121-122
- IUCN Red List
- Native Plants Website
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