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pukiawe

Scientific Name: Styphelia tameiameiae

Family: Epacridaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Tree, Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Styphelia tameiameiae: The P?kiawe

Styphelia tameiameiae, commonly known as P?kiawe (also spelled Pukiawe), is a flowering plant species native to Hawaii.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant produces berries, which may be attractive to pets.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant produces berries, which may be attractive to children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Styphelia tameiameiae (Cham. & Schltdl.) F. Muell.
  • Family: Ericaceae (Heather Family) / Epacridaceae (Heath Family - Note: Epacridaceae may be considered an outdated classification)
  • Synonym: Leptecophylla tameiameiae
  • Common Names: P?kiawe, a?ali?i mahu, k?nehoa, k?w??u (L?na?i, Maui), maiele, maieli, puakeawe, puakiawe, p?p?kiawe.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Hawaii.
  • Abundant in the Hawai?i Volcanoes National Park and Volcano area.
  • Found across Mauna Kea.
  • Grows in a variety of habitats, ranging from coastal to alpine environments.
  • Common in mesic and wet forests, windswept ridges, lava flows, and bogs.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Ranges in form from low, spreading shrubs to small erect trees, up to 15 feet tall in tree form.
  • A stiff, many-branched shrub.
  • Produces hard berries that can be red, pink, or white.
  • Berries are small, about an eighth of an inch round and somewhat flattened. Most are pinkish red.

Quirky Facts

  • P?kiawe essence is associated with a revitalizing effect, decreasing apathy and encouraging the desire to improve one's quality of life, inspiring change.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Observed to be eaten by the Nene or Hawaiian Goose.

Further Information

  • Plants of Hawaii (Starr Environmental): Images and information available.