‘Āhinahina (Achyranthes splendens var. splendens)

Achyranthes splndens by Jupiter Nielsen
Photo courtesy of Jupiter Nielsen

Hawaiian name: ‘Āhinahina (Hinahina, Hinahina ewa)
Botanical name: Achyranthes splendens var. splendens
Family: Amaranthaceae (Amaranth Family)
Status: Endemic Where found: Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Hawai‘i & O‘ahu (L/M)
Water/Light: Dry, with full sun exposure
Elevation range: 0 to 1,600 feet
Height: About 6 feet, with an up to 5 foot spread

 

‘Āhinahina is becoming an increasingly rare native species due to goats, deer, and cattle; but was once very common on Maui. It is an easy-to-grow landscape plant that quickly reaches the flowering and fruiting stage and will regenerate from fallen seed. Though there are no confirmed uses for this plant, it certainly would not have gone unnoticed by early Hawaiian settlers.

field of achyranthes-splndens by Forest and Kim Starr

Photo credit: Forest and Kim Starr

achyranthes splndens flowers by Jupiter Nielsen

Photo credit: Jupiter Nielsen

achyranthes-splndens by Forest and Kim Starr

Photo credit: Forest and Kim Starr

Location
The Garden is located at 150 Kanaloa Avenue in Kahului, Maui, right across from the War Memorial Stadium.
(808) 249-2798

Hours of Operation
Tuesday through Saturday,
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closed occasionally for inclement weather and Hawaii State Holidays.

Admission
Members:   Free
General:   $10
Keiki Under 12:   Free
Kama'aina:   Free
(with Hawai'i ID)

Plants from the MNBG Collection:

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