ʻŌhiʻa ʻai (Syzygium malaccense)

Hawaiian name: ‘Ōhi‘a ‘ai
Botanical name: Syzygium malaccense
Family: Myrtaceae (Myrtle Family)
Status: Polynesian-introduced
Where found: All main islands
Water/Light: Wet, sun/shade
Elevation range: 600 to 1,600 feet
Height: 24 to 80 feet

 

Originally thought to inhabit all eight Hawaiian islands; nānū (Hawaii's native gardenia) is nearly extinct in its native habitat. Nānū wood was fashioned into kapa anvils (kua kuku) and the fragrant flowers were made into beautiful lei. The intense orange-yellow colored pulp of the fruit was used to dye kapa. Nānū is drought and wind tolerant, but can be susceptible to the same pests that like other plants in this family, like spider mites, scale, and sooty mold.

Please Consider
Making a Donation

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.