BWS Native Plants for Water Conservation

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Native Plants for Water Conservation Presentation made by: Amy Tsuneyoshi Watershed Planner ATSUNEYOSHI@hbws.org Board of Water Supply O‘ahu
Seven Principles of Xeriscaping Native Hawaiian Plants Groundcovers and Vines Shrubs Trees Resources For More Information
Seven Principles of Xeriscaping 1. Planning and Design Plan and design landscapes for water conservation Work with existing surroundings and utilize plants that are appropriate for the area. 2. Limit Turf Areas Minimize unnecessary turf areas which require more water and maintenance. In the areas where turf is utilized, use the appropriate grass for the area. 3. Soil Improvements Improve the quality of your soil by adding organic matter such as compost or manures. Soil amendments improve water absorption and the water-holding capacity of the soil. 4. Mulching Mulches protect the soil from direct sunlight which can dry out the soil. They minimize evaporation, inhibit weed growth and slow erosion. Some mulches such as wood chips break down over time and add organic matter which enriches the top soil. 5. Efficient Irrigation Plants should be watered early in the morning or in the evening to prevent moisture loss due to evaporation. Drip irrigation is one example of an efficient irrigation system. 6. Appropriate Maintenance Keep your plants healthy by practicing routine basic maintenance, such as proper pruning and regular pest control. Pests are attracted to weak or dying plants. 7. Appropriate Plant Selection Select plants that are suited for the area to minimize water use and maintenance efforts. Group plants that have similar water requirements In general, native plants require less water and maintenance. Back to Top Native Hawaiian Plants Native Hawaiian Plants are... Plants that managed to get to Hawai‘i and survive prior to human settlement. 3 methods of arrival: Wind, Ocean, Birds Two classifications of Hawaiian plants Indigenous (Eg. ‘A‘ali‘i) Plants that came to Hawai‘i without the help from humans. Plants that grew in Hawai‘i (pre-Polynesian contact) as well as other parts of the world. Endemic (Eg. ‘Ōhi‘a) Plants that came to Hawai‘i without the help from humans Plants that grew in Hawai‘i (pre-Polynesian) and can ONLY be found in Hawai‘i Plants for the Island of O'ahu: What and How to Plant in Your Area Back to Top
GROUNDCOVERS AND VINES
‘Āwikiwiki Canavalia galeata Endemic Vine Purple flower, glossy green leaves O‘ahu, mesic forest 180-800 m elevation Semi-shade Some drought tolerance
Hinahina Heliotropium anomalum Indigenous with endemic variety argenteum Prostrate plant White flowers, silver-gray leaves Coastal Salt, wind, drought tolerant
Nanea Vigna marina Indigenous Vine Yellow flower, glossy green leaves Coastal 0-120 m elevation Salt tolerant, full sun Has the potential to climb
Pā‘ūohi‘iaka Jacquemontia ovalifolia Indigenous with endemic subspecies sandwicensis Vine Pale lavender-blue flower, light green leaves Coastal 0-30 m elevation Salt, drought tolerant, full sun Leaves used medicinally
Pohinahina Vitex rotundifolia Indigenous Prostrate plant Purple flower, silver-green leaves Coastal 0-15 m elevation Salt, wind and drought tolerant, full sun Used medicinally
‘Uki ‘Uki Dianella sandwicensis Indigenous Clumping plant Pale to dark purple-blue flowers, glossy green leaves Dry to Mesic forest 120-2140 m elevation Grows best in shade Blue fruit used as dye
*Bonamia menziesii* Endangered, endemic Liana White-cream flowers, hairy light green leaves Dry to mesic forest 150-625 m elevation Drought tolerant Can be grown on a fence or trellis Back to Top
SHRUBS
‘A‘ali‘i Dodonaea viscosa Indigenous Shrub to small tree Inconspicuous flowers, dark green leaves, fruit capsules range in color from pastel to dark red Wide range of habitat 3-2350 m elevation Salt, wind and drought tolerant Fruit capsules used for lei
Kokio ke‘oke‘o Hibiscus arnottianus Endemic Shrub to tree White, slightly fragrant flowers, dark green leaves Mesic to wet forest 300-800 m elevation Salt tolerant
Ko‘oko‘olau Bidens torta Endemic Perennial herb Yellow flowers, green leaves, corkscrew shaped fruit O‘ahu, Dry ridges to wet forest 300-1200 m elevation Plant used as tea
‘Ilima Sida fallax Indigenous Prostrate to erect shrub Orange flower, gray-green leaves Coastal to mesic forest 0-1980 m elevation Salt,wind, and drought tolerant Flowers used in lei
Maiapilo Capparis sandwichiana Species of concern, Endemic Prostrate to erect shrub Large fragrant white flowers, light gray-green leaves Coastal 0-100 m Drought tolerant
Ma‘o Gossypium tomentosum Endemic Shrub Yellow flowers, light gray-green leaves, brown hairs on seeds Coastal 0-120 m elevation Salt,wind, drought tolerant Used for dye
‘Ūlei Osteomeles anthyllidifolia Indigenous Prostrate to erect shrub White flowers, dark glossy green leaves Dry to mesic forest 10-860 m elevation Wind, drought tolerant Used medicinally Wood used for fishing equipment Back to Top
TREES
Alahe’e Psydrax odoratum Indigenous Shrub to small tree White fragrant flower clusters, glossy green leaves Dry to mesic forest 10-860 m elevation Drought tolerant Wood used for tools Used as a dye
Koa Acacia koa Endemic Very large tree Cream flower, sickle-shaped phyllodes (modified stem, not true leaves) Dry to wet forest 60-2060 m elevation Wind, drought tolerant once established Wood used for woodworking
Lama Diospyros sandwicensis Endemic Small to medium tree Inconspicuous flowers, dark green leaves, black trunk, edible orange fruit when ripe Dry to mesic sometimes wet forest 5-1220 m elevation Wind, drought tolerant Used medicinally and culturally
Naio Myoporum sandwicense Indigenous Shrub to small tree Pale pink-white flower, green glossy to hairy leaves Wide range of habitat 0-2380 m elevation Salt, wind, drought tolerant Hardwood has similar smell to sandalwood
Nānū Gardenia brighamii Endangered, endemic Shrub to small tree White fragrant flower, glossy green leaves Dry forest 350-520 m elevation Wind, drought tolerant
‘Ōhi‘a Metrosideros spp. Endemic Shrub to large tree Range of flower color Range of leaf type/shape Wide range of habitat 0-2200 m elevation Wind, and some salt and drought tolerance Flowers/leaves used in lei
Loulu Pritchardia spp. Endemic Palm Yellow flower cluster, green fan shaped leaves, edible fruit 360-610 m elevation Wind and some drought tolerance
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RESOURCES For More Information Honolulu Board of Water Supply Plants for O'ahu website shows a comprehensive list of native plants suitable for 9 climate zones on O'ahu. Bornhorst, H. 1996. Growing Native Hawaiian Plants. Bess Press, Honolulu Culliney, J.L., and B.P. Koebele. 1999. A Native Hawaiian Garden. UH Press, Honolulu. Kepler, A.K. 1998. Hawaiian Heritage Plants revised ed. UH Press, Honolulu. Krauss, B. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture. UH Press. Honolulu. Palmer, Daniel D. 2003. Hawai‘i’s Ferns and Fern Allies. UH Press, Honolulu Sohmer, S.H., and R. Gustafson. 1987. Plants and Flowers of Hawai‘i. UH Press, Honolulu. Valier, K. 1995. Ferns of Hawai‘i. UH Press. Honolulu. Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst, S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai‘i. UH Press. Honolulu. Hawai‘i Ecosystems At Risk: www.hear.org Hawaiian plant listserve: hiplants-l@hawaii.edu Back to Top