MAMAKI-PIPTURUS-ALBIDUS

MᾹMAKI (PIPTURUS ALBIDUS)

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

  • large shrub or small, spreading tree
  • leaves alternately attached to stem
  • leaves thin, light green above and whitish green below, sometimes with red veins and leaf stems

TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN USES

  • tea made from leaves used for non-specific “run down” conditions
  • fruits also used medicinally for various syndromes identified in Hawaiian medicine
  • inner bark fibers compressed together in sheets to make kapa (barkcloth) clothing

HAWAIIAN RAIN FOREST ECOLOGY

  • uncommon in Ni`aulani Rain Forest; a few plants found mostly on edge of forest but occasionally in large canopy gaps
  • light-requiring species, preferring full light but tolerating a little shade
  • fast-growing and short-lived, ideal for occupying temporary canopy gaps
  • germination of seedlings stimulated by soil disturbance
MᾹMAKI-PIPTURUS-ALBIDUS
Entire MᾹMAKI (PIPTURUS ALBIDUS) shrub, at center.

HOW TO SAY “MᾹMAKI” IN HAWAIIAN