Kokio keokeoMalvaceae (Mallow family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (These shrubs to trees are found in the gulch bottoms in mesic to wet forests in the Koolau Mountains from Kaipapau to Waihole, Oahu)Oahu (Cultivated)Hawaiian Names:Aloalo is the given Hawaiian name for hibiscus in general.Kokio kea and Kokio keokeo literally mean "white kokio" and "white, white [clear white] kokio," respectively.Pmakani is a name given to this species of hibiscus and also to a native violet (Viola chamissoniana).The flowers and leaves are wider than my open hand! This subspecies grows to be the tallest all the native hibiscuses to over 40 feet tall trees. The fragrance on this particular plant is by far the strongest I have yet detected with any native white hibiscus. JUST AWESOME!Note: The two native white species of Hawaiian hibiscuses (H. arnottianus, H. waimeae) are the only two known fragrant hibiscus species in the world.Early Hawaiians used these flowers medicinally. The bases of the buds of hau hele (H. arnottianus, H. furcellatus) were chewed by the mother and given to infants as a laxative. Too, children would chew and swallow seeds for general weakness of the body.Plants were cultivated by early Hawaiians "for the sake of their flowers." Both the native red and white hibiscuses were grown near their houses for their flowers.The astounding publication "N Lei Makamae--The Treasured Lei" features Hibiscus punaluuensis as its subject for lei.EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow. The specific and subspecific epithets are named in behalf of George Walker Arnott (1799-1868), Scottish botanist, traveler, collector and director of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.The subspecies punuluuensis is named for the area where it is found, Punaluu, Koolau Mountains on Oahu.
Kokio keokeo or Molokai white hibiscusMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian IslandsEndangeredOahu (Cultivated)The two native Hawaiian white hibiscuses, Hibiscus arnottianus and H. waimeae, are the only known species of hibiscuses in the world known to have fragrant flowers!EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow.The specific epithet is named in for George Walker Arnott (1799-1868), Scottish botanist, traveler, collector and director of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.Flowers have a white staminal (stamen) column and fittingly has the subspecific epithet immaculatus, Latin for "without spots" or "pure."NPH00030nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Hibiscus_arnottianus_i...
Kokio keokeo or Oahu white hibiscusMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian IslandsOahu (Cultivated)The two native Hawaiian white hibiscuses, Hibiscus arnottianus and H. waimeae, are the only known species of hibiscuses in the world known to have fragrant flowers!Early Hawaiians used these flowers medicinally. The bases of the buds of hau hele (H. arnottianus, H. furcellatus) were chewed by the mother and given to infants as a laxative. Too, children would chew and swallow seeds for general weakness of the body.NPH00012nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Hibiscus_arnottianus_a...
Kokio keokeo or Molokai white hibiscusMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Molokai only)EndangeredOahu (Cultivated)The two native Hawaiian white hibiscuses, Hibiscus arnottianus and H. waimeae, are the only known species of hibiscuses in the world known to have fragrant flowers!Early Hawaiians used these flowers medicinally. The bases of the buds of hau hele (H. arnottianus, H. furcellatus) were chewed by the mother and given to infants as a laxative. Too, children would chew and swallow seeds for general weakness of the body.EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow.The specific epithet is named in for George Walker Arnott (1799-1868), Scottish botanist, traveler, collector and director of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.Flowers have a white staminal (stamen) column and fittingly has the subspecific epithet immaculatus, Latin for "without spots" or "pure."NPH00023nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Hibiscus_arnottianus_i...
Kokio keokeo or Oahu white hibiscusMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian IslandsOahu (Cultivated)The two native Hawaiian white hibiscuses, Hibiscus arnottianus and H. waimeae, are the only known species of hibiscuses in the world known to have fragrant flowers!Early Hawaiians used these flowers medicinally. The bases of the buds of hau hele (H. arnottianus, H. furcellatus) were chewed by the mother and given to infants as a laxative. Too, children would chew and swallow seeds for general weakness of the body.NPH00011nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Hibiscus_arnottianus_a...
Kokio keokeo or Molokai white hibiscusMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Molokai only)IUCN: EndangeredOahu (Cultivated)This subspecies may actually be a separate species known as Hibiscus immaculatus.Native Hawaiian white hibiscuses are the only known species of hibiscuses in the world known to have fragrant flowers!Early Hawaiians used these flowers medicinally. The bases of the buds of hau hele (H. arnottianus, H. furcellatus) were chewed by the mother and given to infants as a laxative. Too, children would chew and swallow seeds for general weakness of the body.As with many of spectacular flowers, the early Hawaiians may have used kokio keokeo for lei.EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow.The specific epithet is named in for George Walker Arnott (1799-1868), Scottish botanist, traveler, collector and director of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.Flowers have a white staminal (stamen) column and fittingly has the subspecific epithet immaculatus, Latin for "without spots" or "pure."
Kokio keokeo or Oahu white hibiscusMalvaceae (Mallow family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Oahu in wet to mesic forests in the Waianae and Koolau Mountains)Oahu (Cultivated)The two native Hawaiian white hibiscuses, Hibiscus arnottianus and H. waimeae, are the only known species of hibiscuses in the world known to have fragrant flowers!Early Hawaiians used these flowers medicinally. The bases of the buds of hau hele (H. arnottianus, H. furcellatus) were chewed by the mother and given to infants as a laxative. Too, children would chew and swallow seeds for general weakness of the body.EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow.The specific epithet is named in for George Walker Arnott (1799-1868), Scottish botanist, traveler, collector and director of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.Flowers have a white staminal (stamen) column and fittingly has the subspecific epithet immaculatus, Latin for "without spots" or "pure."nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Hibiscus_arnottianus_a...
Kokio keokeo or Molokai white hibiscusMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian IslandsEndangeredOahu (Cultivated)The two native Hawaiian white hibiscuses, Hibiscus arnottianus and H. waimeae, are the only known species of hibiscuses in the world known to have fragrant flowers!EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow.The specific epithet is named in for George Walker Arnott (1799-1868), Scottish botanist, traveler, collector and director of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.Flowers have a white staminal (stamen) column and fittingly has the subspecific epithet immaculatus, Latin for "without spots" or "pure."NPH00022nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Hibiscus_arnottianus_i...
Kokio keokeo or Molokai white hibiscusMalvaceae (Mallow family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Molokai)*IUCN: EndangeredOahu (Cultivated)* This subspecies of kokio keokeo is extremely rare in its native habitat on Molokai where the few remaining plants grow in wet to mesic forests (50-1600 ft.).The two native Hawaiian white hibiscuses, Hibiscus arnottianus and H. waimeae, are the only known species of hibiscuses in the world known to have fragrant flowers!Early Hawaiians used these flowers medicinally. The bases of the buds of hau hele (H. arnottianus, H. furcellatus) were chewed by the mother and given to infants as a laxative. Too, children would chew and swallow seeds for general weakness of the body.EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow.The specific epithet is named in for George Walker Arnott (1799-1868), Scottish botanist, traveler, collector and director of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.Flowers have a white staminal (stamen) column and fittingly has the subspecific epithet immaculatus, Latin for "without spots" or "pure."nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Hibiscus_arnottianus_i...
Kokio keokeo or Molokai white hibiscusMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Molokai only)EndangeredHawaii Island (Cultivated)The two native Hawaiian white hibiscuses, Hibiscus arnottianus and H. waimeae, are the only known species of hibiscuses in the world known to have fragrant flowers!Early Hawaiians used these flowers medicinally. The bases of the buds of hau hele (H. arnottianus, H. furcellatus) were chewed by the mother and given to infants as a laxative. Too, children would chew and swallow seeds for general weakness of the body.EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow.The specific epithet is named in for George Walker Arnott (1799-1868), Scottish botanist, traveler, collector and director of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.Flowers have a white staminal (stamen) column and fittingly has the subspecific epithet immaculatus, Latin for "without spots" or "pure."NPH00020nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Hibiscus_arnottianus_i...
Kokio keokeo or Molokai white hibiscusMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Molokai only)EndangeredHawaii Island (Cultivated)The flowers of this particular plant are turning out to be huge!The two native Hawaiian white hibiscuses, Hibiscus arnottianus and H. waimeae, are the only known species of hibiscuses in the world known to have fragrant flowers!Early Hawaiians used these flowers medicinally. The bases of the buds of hau hele (H. arnottianus, H. furcellatus) were chewed by the mother and given to infants as a laxative. Too, children would chew and swallow seeds for general weakness of the body.EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow.The specific epithet is named in for George Walker Arnott (1799-1868), Scottish botanist, traveler, collector and director of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.Flowers have a white staminal (stamen) column and fittingly has the subspecific epithet immaculatus, Latin for "without spots" or "pure."nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Hibiscus_arnottianus_i...