No images found for this plant ID: 9852.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "9852" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
olapa
Scientific Name: Cheirodendron forbesii
Family: Araliaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Tree
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Cheirodendron trigynum
Cheirodendron trigynum, also known as Ōlapa or Common Cheirodendron, is a fascinating plant species native to Hawaii. The name Ōlapa is also associated with traditional Hawaiian dance, adding a cultural dimension to this plant.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cheirodendron trigynum
- Common Names: Ōlapa, Common Cheirodendron, lapa, lapalapa
- Family: Araliaceae (Ginseng family)
- Synonyms: Aralia trigyna, Cheirodendron gaudichaudii
Distribution and Habitat
- Cheirodendron trigynum is endemic to Hawaii.
- It is a dominant tree in the Hawaiian wet forests at elevations of 4,000 to 6,000 feet.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Ōlapa trees are easily recognized because of their constant quaking.
- It's the only native tree in Ni`aulani with 3-7 leaflets emerging from the same point on the leaf stem.
Quirky Facts
- The Hawaiian name Ōlapa is used to refer to both the plant and a type of traditional Hawaiian dance.
- The constant quaking of the Ōlapa and lapalapa trees in Hawaiian wet forests makes them easily recognizable.