Hala pepe (Dracaena auwahiensis)

Hala pepe flowers and leaves by Forest and Kim Starr
Photo courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr

Hawaiian name: Hala pepe
Botanical name: Dracaena auwahiensis
Family: Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family)
Status: Endemic
Where found: Maui & Molokai
Water/Light: Dry to moist, with full sun exposure
Elevation range: 1,830 to 3,660 feet
Height: Up to 30 feet

 

This monocot is a beautiful tree that has a compact, narrow crown. The flowers appear in large panicles followed by bright red-orange berries. Hawaiians used the soft whitish or reddish wood for ki’i (carved images) and it was one of the essential plants represented on hula altars.

Hala pepe flowers by Jupiter Nielsen

Photo credit: Jupiter Nielsen

Hala pepe trunk by Forest and Kim Starr

Photo credit: Forest and Kim Starr

Halapepe old growth at Auwahi by Forest and Kim Starr

Photo credit: Forest and Kim Starr

Please Consider
Making a Donation

Plants from the MNBG Collection:

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.