Mamaki – endemic

(Pipturus albidus)  

Description:

        A multi-branched shrub, 2-6 m (6-20t) tall with watery sap.  Bark is smooth and light to reddish brown.  Gray-green large leaves are heavily veined, fuzzy, rough and almost heart shaped.  Flower clusters appear to be fuzzy, greenish balls attached directly to the stem.  Fruit clusters look like waxy, swollen, white balls with tiny yellow-brown seeds.

 

Where is it located?

        This species of Mamaki in Honouliuli Preserve occurs mainly on the largest islands in elevations of about 75-2,000 m.

 

Cultural uses:

        Hawaiians used these plants to make tapa or bark cloth by pounding it till thin and drying it.