Coastal Plants of Hawaii

link to Endemic Hawaiian Plants (terrestrial)

link to non-Hawaiian Flowers

 

Sesbania tomentosa   

Ohai

An endangered shrub formerly common on coastal dunes, and rocky outcrops.  Has silvery leaves coated with dense hairs to reflect sunlight.

Sida fallax

Lana'i Lookout, Oahu

'Ilima

Common in coastal habitats.  Flowers about 1 inch.

Batis maritma

Kaupo, Waimanalo, Oahu

 

Kaloko, Oahu

Kaloko, Oahu

Kaloko, Oahu

PICKLEWEED    'Akulikuli kai

An introduced succulent plant that forms thickets on sandy coastal flats subject to flooding by salt water.  Leaves are shiny with green compound fruits.

Lycium sandwicense

Lanai Lookout, Oahu

Ohelo Kai

Occasional on rocky coasts exposed to salt spray.  Leaves are succulent with a dull waxy coating.  Fruits are red berries.  Indigenous to Hawaii.

Sesuvium portulacastrum

Popoi'a Island, Kailua, Oahu

 

Popoi'a Island, Kailua, Oahu

Lanai Lookout, Oahu

 'Akulikuli

An indigenous succulent that forms mats along rocky or gravel shores exposed to salt spray.  Leaves are shiny green with red stems.  Fruits are dry capsules.

Portulaca lutea

Popoi'a Island, Kailua, Oahu

Popoi'a Island, Kailua, Oahu

 'Ihi

Uncommon along isolated rocky shores.  Indigenous to Hawaii.

Portulaca pilosa

'Ihi

Chamaesyce degeneri   

'Akoko

Uncommon along rocky coasts.  An endangered species that is endemic to Hawaii.

Chamaesyce celastroides var. kaenana   

'Akoko

A rare shrub on talus slopes near Kaena Point on Oahu.  An endangered subspecies that is endemic to Hawaii..

Nama sandwicensis

Kaloko, Oahu

Kaloko, Oahu

An uncommon species on coastal dunes and cliffs.

Boerhavia repens

Kaloko, Oahu

Alena

Ipomoea indica

Kaupo, Waimanalo, Oahu

INDIAN MORNING GLORY

Ipomoea pes-caprae

Sandy Beach, Oahu

 

Sandy Beach, Oahu

Sandy Beach, Oahu

BEACH MORNING GLORY    Pohuehue

Myoporum sandwicense

Kaloko, Oahu

Kaloko, Oahu

BASTARD SANDALWOOD    Naio

Santalum ellipticum

Makapu'u, Oahu

Makapu'u, Oahu

COASTAL SANDALWOOD    'Ili'ahi

Vitex rotundifolia

BEACH VITEX    Pohinahina

Tournefortia argentea

Kaupo, Waimanalo, Oahu

 

Kaupo, Waimanalo, Oahu

Kaupo, Waimanalo, Oahu

 TREE HELIOTROPE

Rhizophora mangle

Kaloko, Oahu

 

Kaloko, Oahu

Ft. Kamehameha, Oahu

Kaloko, Oahu

 

Ft. Kamehameha, Oahu

 

Kaloko, Oahu

Kaloko, Oahu

Ft. Kamehameha, Oahu

RED MANGROVE

Scaevola sericea

Kailua, Oahu

BEACH NAUPAKA    Naupaka kahakai

Wikstroemia uva-ursi

'Akia

Sporobolus indica

Lanai Lookout, Oahu

Lanai Lookout, Oahu

SMUT GRASS

Sporobolus virginica

 

 

 

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