Māmaki

Māmaki

Common in gulches or wet forest. Usually a tree.

Background Information

Genus: Pipturus
- - 4 Endemic Species
Nettle family
Ancient uses: Favorite food of the caterpillar of the Kamehameha Butterfly. Inner bark used to make kapa. Made into Tea
Modern uses: Tea, non caffeinated

Pipturus

Appearance

Height: Up to 20 feet tall
Flower: Hug the stem
Leaves: Alternate oval leaves that come to a sharp point. Has small teeth around the edges. Leaves have fine hairs beneath. The veins underneath are reddish
Branch: Branches are gray, dark brown with woolly hairs

Mamake tree on Manoa Cliffs Trail

Pipturus albidus

Kahekili Trail

These are two variations

Sources:

Flowering Plants of Hawaii, 1307-1310
Hawaiian Plant Life, 166
Hall, p93

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