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'Ahakea is hard to tell from Kopiko because both look similar to one another. One way I can tell is that 'Ahakea flowers protrude from the middle of the stem and Kopiko flowers shoot out from the top. 'Ahakea flowers clusters in 2-3 while Kopiko flowers come in up to 12. But if there are no flowers, then it is hard to tell. Kopiko usually has a row of alternating dots under each leaf while 'Ahakea doesn't. One place to find 'Ahakea is on the Wiliwilinui trail.
Background Information
'Ahakea is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. The occurrence is usually in the native forest and is restricted to the Ko'olau mountains on the island of Oahu. The plant is part of the coffee family. In ancient times, Hawaiians used the wood for poi boards and paddles.
Wiliwilinui trail
'Ahakea
'Ahakea grows into a tree about 10-15 feet tall, but can reach heights up to 60. The tallest one I seen was about 20 feet which is on the Wiliwilinui trail. The scientific name is bobea elatior.
Kopiko
Ahakea
'Ahakea
Look at these two pictures. Two trees near each other. 'Ahakea has no more than 3 flowers that cluster together. Kopiko can have up to 12. Also Ahakea flowers in the middle between the leaves while Kopiko flowers from the top
Sources
- Hawaiian Plant Life, 145
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