Hō‘awa (Pittosporum hosmeri)

Photo courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr

Hawaiian name: Hō‘awa (`a`awa, `a`awa hua kukui, ha`awa )
Botanical name: Pittosporum hosmeri
Family: Pittosporaceae
Status: Endemic
Where found: Hawai‘i Island
Water/Light: Dry, with full to partial sunlight
Elevation range: 1,250 to 3,510
Height: 10-26 feet, with a 12 foot spread

Of the 11 endemic Hawaiian species of hō‘awa, this one is most associated as an important food for a rare native bird. The Hawaiian crow, or ‘alalā, is now extinct in the wild but is being raised in captivity for reintroduction on Hawaiʻi island and Maui. The last wild populations of ‘alalā fed on this species of hō‘awa, attracted by its bright orange fruits and dark seeds. ‘Alalā helped to spread hō‘awa seeds, ensuring the survival of this plant. Now that ‘alalā are extinct in the wild, the hō‘awa population in former ‘alalā habitats are becoming scarce. The flowers of hōʻawa have a subtly sweet fragrance at night.