Koki‘o ‘ula‘ula (Hibiscus kokio subsp. kokio)

Hawaiian name: Koki‘o ‘ula‘ula
Botanical name: Hibiscus kokio subsp. kokio
Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)
Status: Endemic, rare
Where found: Maui, Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i, O‘ahu & Kaua‘i
Water/Light: Sun/shade, dry to wet
Elevation range: 210 to 2,400 feet feet
Height: 10 to 20 feet with a 10 foot spread

Photo: MNBG

Notes: This species of Hibiscus features narrow-petaled red flowers which are constantly in bloom. In old Hawai‘i, the wood was used to make a fine charcoal. Native Hibiscus (both red and white) were grown near the homes of early Hawaiians for their flowers. These flowers were fashioned into striking temporary lei, which only lasted a day. Medicinally, koki‘o ‘ula‘ula was mixed with other plants and consumed for blood purification, and the leaves were chewed and swallowed as a laxative. Koki‘o ‘ula‘ula makes a great hedge or screening plant within a Hawaiian landscape. This species is somewhat drought tolerant, but should be protected from strong winds.

Please Consider
Making a Donation
Every dollar contributed to Maui Nui Botanical Gardens goes directly towards the preservation of Native Hawaiian Plants and the upkeep of our collection that includes some of the rarest specimens in whole world!

A Few Native Hawaiian Plants from the MNBG Collection

Click the Links Below for Plant Information

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.