Phinahina or Beach vitexLamiaceae (Mint family)Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (All the main islands except Kahoolawe). Naturalized only in southeastern states along the east and gulf coasts.Photo: Oahu (Cultivated)Phinahina leaves are aromatic with a sage-like spicy odor when crushed and smelling much like the simpleleaf vitex (Vitex trifolia) frequently used in Hawaiian landscaping as hedges. Other descriptions of the leaf fragrance are black pepper, basil, minty, and fir trees or "like being in a forest."EtymologyThe generic name Vitex is derived from the Latin viere, to bind or twist, in reference to the flexible creeping stems of some species.The specific epithet rotundifolia is from the Latin rotundatus, rounded, and folius, leaves, in reference to the round-shaped leaves of this species.NPH00002nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Vitex_rotundifolia
Waianae Range phyllostegiaLamiaceae (Mint family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Waianae Mts., Oahu only)IUCN: Critically EndangeredOahu (Cultivated)Phyllostegia is a near endemic Hawaiian genus in the mint family, Lamiaceae. There is one species in Tahiti, (Phyllostegia tahitensis), one in Tonga (P. tongaensis), and 32 species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.Phyllostegia are among the over 60 species of Hawaiian scentless mints, found nowhere else on the planet! EtymologyThe generic name Phyllostegia is from the Greek phyllon, leaf, and stego, cover, probably in reference to the leaf-like calyx lobes enclosing the flower in the type species P. vestita.The specific epithet mollis means softly hairy or soft.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/