‘Akoko (Euphorbia degeneri)

Photo courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr

Hawaiian name: ‘Akoko
Botanical name: Euphorbia degeneri
Family: Euphorbiaceae (Poinsettia family)
Status: Endemic
Where found: Maui, Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i, O‘ahu, Ni‘ihau & Kaua‘i
Water/Light: Dry, with full sun
Elevation range: 0 to 150 feet
Height: up to 1 foot, with an up to 2 foot spread

There are seventeen native species of ‘akoko; all of which are native to the Hawaiian Islands. They do best in dry and even windy environments; do not overwater. The name ‘akoko comes from the Hawaiian word "koko,” which means blood; referring to the red seed capsules appearing like drops of blood on its leaves. This deep red color develops only in very bright, and dry conditions. In lāʻau lapaʻau (Hawaiian medicine), ‘akoko is mixed with other plants for treatments of kohepopo and wai‘opua hinanawe (women’s weakness and debilitation). Other names for this plant are koko, kōkōmālei, and ʻekoko.