Native Hawaiian White Hibiscus

Description

• The Hawaiian white hibiscus isn't a flower; it is a flowering shrub that can also be mistaken for a small tree, since it can reach up to 30 feet in height. Generally, the Hawaiian white hibiscus is a minimum of 15 feet tall and comes in three subspecies. Oval leaves of the shrub vary in smoothness and leaf length, based upon the subspecies, and they sometimes boast red or white stems and red veins. Flowers can range from white to pink to pale pink in color.

Types

• The native Hawaiian white hibiscus shrub/tree comes in three subspecies types: arnottianus, immaculatus and punaluuensis, according to the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Hibiscus immaculatus is the rarest of the three, declared an endangered species, according to the National Tropical Botanical Garden. The endangerment is partly due to habitat destruction by feral goats, as well as potential inbreeding of the plant. Subspecies punaluuenis, one of the more robust plants, is recognized as having the strongest and most detectable fragrance of the three subspecies.

Geographical Locations

• You can find Hibiscus arnottianus in the wet and moist mountain forests of Hawaii's Moloka'i and O'ahu. It also grows in elevations between 390 to 2500 feet in Wai'anae and the eastern part of Ko'olau, other mountains of O'ahu. Hibiscus subspecies immaculatus grows in only a small number of valleys on Moloka'i Island in Hawaii, but Hibiscus punaluuensis can be found growing in the Ko'olau mountains, specifically from Kaipapa'u to Waiahole forests.

Significance

• The largest of the three native Hawaiian White Hibiscus plants is punaluuensis. This is the tallest growing of the other two subspecies, boasting the largest and thickest flowers and leaves of the three, which is why it was often used in garlands. In fact, the leaves of punaluuensis can each be as long as 1 foot.