Hawaii is home to an extraordinary variety of flowering plants, including many native and endemic species found nowhere else in the world. From the yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei) to ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), these plants are closely connected to the islands’ distinctive ecosystems and natural history.
Not every flower associated with Hawaii is native. Plumeria, anthuriums, bird of paradise, and other familiar tropical flowers were introduced to the islands but have become prominent in Hawaiian gardens, landscapes, and floral traditions.
In this guide, you’ll explore native and endemic Hawaiian flowers, Polynesian-introduced plants, and later-introduced ornamentals, along with their habitats, cultural significance, and roles in Hawaii’s landscapes.
Flower Lovers Want to Know
What flowers are native to Hawaii?
Native Hawaiian flowers include ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei), naupaka (Scaevola spp.), and several species of silversword (Argyroxiphium spp.). Hawaii has an exceptionally high number of endemic plants that occur naturally nowhere else in the world.
What is the difference between native and endemic Hawaiian plants?
A native plant reached Hawaii naturally, without human introduction. An endemic plant is native to Hawaii and occurs naturally nowhere else in the world. Some Hawaiian native plants also occur naturally elsewhere in the Pacific and are therefore native but not endemic.
What is Hawaii’s official state flower?
Hawaii’s official state flower is the native yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei), commonly known as maʻo hau hele. It was officially designated the state flower in 1988.
Is plumeria native to Hawaii?
No. Plumeria (Plumeria spp.) is native to tropical regions of the Americas and was introduced to Hawaii. Despite its non-native origin, it has become strongly associated with the islands and is widely used in leis and ornamental plantings.
Is ʻōhiʻa lehua native to Hawaii?
Yes. ʻŌhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) is native to Hawaii and is one of the most important trees in the islands’ native ecosystems. Its distinctive flowers are usually red, although other color forms occur.
Are ti plants native to Hawaii?
No. Ti (Cordyline fruticosa), also called kī, was brought to Hawaii by Polynesian voyagers. Although it is not botanically native, it has long held cultural and practical importance in Hawaii.
Are anthuriums and bird of paradise native to Hawaii?
No. Anthuriums are native to tropical regions of the Americas, while bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is native to South Africa. Both were introduced to Hawaii and are now familiar ornamental plants in the islands.
Native Hawaiian Flowers: A Guide to Hawaii’s Unique Flora
Hawaii’s flowering plants come from several different origins. Some are native or endemic to the islands, others were brought by Polynesian voyagers, and many familiar tropical ornamentals were introduced much later.
Understanding these differences helps explain which flowers are truly part of Hawaii’s native flora and which have become associated with the islands through cultivation and cultural traditions.
History of Hawaiian Flora
Hawaii’s flora is unique and diverse, with many species found nowhere else in the world. The first Hawaiian plants arrived on the islands millions of years ago, carried by wind, ocean currents, and birds. Over time, these plants evolved into unique species adapted to Hawaii’s environment.
Polynesian Introductions
Polynesian voyagers brought important plants to Hawaii for food, fiber, tools, and cultural practices. Although these plants were not part of Hawaii’s original native flora, many became deeply connected with Hawaiian life and traditions.
Western Influence on Hawaiian Botany
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Western explorers and botanists began documenting Hawaii’s flora. Increasing contact with other regions also brought new crops, fruit trees, and ornamental plants to the islands, including coffee and sugarcane. Some introduced species later became invasive and placed additional pressure on native Hawaiian ecosystems.
Today, Hawaii’s native flora faces threats including habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change. Conservation programs work to protect remaining habitats, control invasive species, restore native vegetation, and preserve threatened plants.
Diversity of Native Hawaiian Flora
Hawaii has approximately 1,400 native plant taxa, including species, subspecies, and varieties, and nearly 90% are found nowhere else in the world. This exceptionally high level of endemism reflects the Hawaiian Islands’ geographic isolation and the long evolution of plants within their distinctive environments.
Endemic Species
Endemic species are those that are found only in Hawaii and nowhere else in the world. These species are particularly vulnerable to extinction due to their limited distribution. Some of Hawaii’s best-known endemic plants include the yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei) and silverswords (Argyroxiphium spp.), a distinctive group adapted to specialized Hawaiian habitats.
Indigenous Species
Indigenous Hawaiian plants occur naturally in Hawaii but are also native to other parts of the world. Unlike endemic species, they are not restricted to the Hawaiian Islands.
These plants reached Hawaii without human assistance, carried over long distances by wind, ocean currents, or animals. Beach naupaka (Scaevola taccada) is one example of an indigenous Hawaiian plant. Together with Hawaii’s endemic species, indigenous plants form the islands’ native flora.
Conservation Efforts
Threats to Native Species
Hawaii’s native flora faces numerous threats, including habitat loss, invasive plants, introduced animals, disease, and a changing climate. Invasive plants can compete with native species for water, nutrients, light, and space, while introduced animals such as feral pigs and goats can damage native vegetation through rooting, grazing, and trampling.
Conservation programs use several approaches to protect native ecosystems, including controlling invasive species, excluding destructive animals from sensitive habitats, collecting and propagating native plants, and restoring damaged plant communities.
Protecting and Restoring Native Plants
The Lyon Arboretum Hawaiian Rare Plant Program, part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, works to prevent the extinction of rare Hawaiian plants through seed banking, micropropagation, greenhouse cultivation, and propagation for approved restoration and reintroduction projects.
Conservation also takes place directly within native habitats. At Haleakalā National Park, for example, the National Park Service uses fencing to exclude invasive animals, removes invasive plants, collects and propagates native species, and replants native plants in suitable habitats.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Hawaiʻi Conservation Program supports broader efforts to protect and restore native ecosystems. Its conservation priorities include improving native watershed function and biodiversity, reducing extinction risks, and strengthening the resilience of Hawaii’s natural habitats.
Native and Endemic Hawaiian Flowers
Hawaii’s native flora includes plants that reached the islands naturally, while endemic species occur naturally nowhere else in the world. Because of Hawaii’s long geographic isolation, many native plants evolved into distinctive species found only on the islands.
Yellow Hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei)
The yellow hibiscus, or maʻo hau hele, is a Hawaiian endemic and the official state flower of Hawaii. Its large yellow flowers and naturally limited distribution make it one of the islands’ most recognizable native flowering plants.
ʻŌhiʻa Lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)
ʻŌhiʻa lehua is an endemic Hawaiian tree and an important part of native Hawaiian forests. Its distinctive brush-like flowers are most commonly red, although yellow and orange forms also occur.
ʻŌhiʻa lehua also has deep cultural significance in Hawaii. The tree and its blossoms appear in Hawaiian moʻolelo (stories), oli (chants), hula, and lei making and are closely associated with the volcanic deity Pele.
One well-known moʻolelo tells of ʻŌhiʻa and Lehua, two lovers separated when Pele transformed ʻŌhiʻa into a tree and Lehua into its blossom. Traditionally, different versions of Hawaiian moʻolelo may vary, so this story is best understood as one of several traditions associated with the plant.
Silversword (Argyroxiphium spp.)
Silverswords are among Hawaii’s most distinctive endemic plants. Their narrow, silvery leaves form striking rosettes adapted to high-elevation environments. Certain species occur within very restricted areas, making their conservation especially important.
Naupaka (Scaevola spp.)
Naupaka is known for its unusual fan-shaped flowers, which appear as though only half of the petals have developed. Native Scaevola species occur in both coastal and mountain habitats in Hawaii.
The flower’s distinctive half-flower appearance is also associated with Hawaiian stories about separated lovers. Different versions of the story have been told, so it is best presented as a traditional cultural narrative rather than as the botanical origin of the flower’s shape.
Native Hawaiian Hibiscus
Hawaii is home to several native hibiscus species in addition to the yellow state flower. Kokiʻo keʻokeʻo (Hibiscus arnottianus) is native to Oʻahu and is known for its large white flowers, which may develop a pale pink tint as they age. Hibiscus waimeae, another white-flowered native hibiscus, occurs naturally on Kauaʻi.
Native Hawaiian hibiscuses vary in flower color, growth habit, and habitat. Their flowers can include shades of yellow, white, red, orange, and light purple, making them considerably more diverse than the familiar ornamental hibiscus commonly grown in Hawaiian landscapes.
Pua Kala (Argemone glauca)
Pua kala, or Hawaiian poppy (Argemone glauca), is an endemic Hawaiian species, meaning it occurs naturally only in the Hawaiian Islands. It produces white flowers with yellow centers and distinctive prickly, blue-green foliage.
Pua kala grows in dry, sunny habitats and is well adapted to exposed conditions. Its prickly foliage gives it the distinctive appearance reflected in another of its common names, Hawaiian prickly poppy.
ʻŌhā Wai (Clermontia spp.)
ʻŌhā wai refers to plants in Clermontia, a genus found naturally only in the Hawaiian Islands. Members of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae), these native shrubs and small trees produce distinctive tubular or curved flowers that vary in color and form among species.
Different Clermontia species occur in native Hawaiian forests, particularly in moist and wet habitats. Some have restricted distributions and face threats from habitat disturbance, invasive species, and other pressures on Hawaii’s native forests.
Polynesian-Introduced Plants
Polynesian voyagers brought numerous useful plants to Hawaii for food, fiber, tools, and cultural practices. These included taro, sweet potato, breadfruit, coconut, and ti.
Ti (Cordyline fruticosa)
Ti, known as kī in Hawaiian, was brought to Hawaii by Polynesian voyagers. The plant became important for practical and cultural uses, and its distinctive foliage remains common in Hawaiian landscapes today.
Traditionally, ti leaves have been used for purposes including cooking, wrapping food, lei, hula adornments, and ceremonial practices.
Famous Hawaiian Flowers That Were Introduced
Some of the flowers most strongly associated with Hawaii actually originated elsewhere. Introduced ornamentals have nevertheless become prominent in gardens, landscapes, floral arrangements, and lei making throughout the islands.
Plumeria (Plumeria spp.)
Plumeria is native to tropical regions of the Americas rather than Hawaii. Its fragrant flowers, available in numerous colors, have become closely associated with Hawaiian landscapes and lei making.
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
Bird of paradise is native to South Africa. Its dramatic orange and blue flowers resemble a colorful bird in flight, making it a popular ornamental in Hawaii’s warm climate.
Anthurium (Anthurium spp.)
Anthuriums originated in tropical regions of the Americas. Their colorful, heart-shaped spathes and prominent spadices have made them important ornamental and cut-flower plants in Hawaii.
Orchids
Orchids require a little more explanation because Hawaii has both native orchids and numerous introduced ornamental orchids. The spectacular cultivated orchids commonly associated with Hawaii are often introduced species or hybrids, while Hawaii’s small number of native orchid species are much less conspicuous.
When Do Hawaiian Flowers Bloom?
Hawaii’s mild climate allows flowering plants to bloom at different times throughout the year, but there is no single flowering season for all native Hawaiian species. Bloom timing varies by species, location, elevation, and local growing conditions.
Some of the native and endemic plants featured in this guide have recognizable flowering patterns:
- Yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei) typically flowers from winter through spring, with blooming commonly reported from February through late May. Intermittent flowers may appear at other times of year.
- ʻŌhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) blooms primarily in spring but may flower sporadically at other times of the year.
- Haleakalā silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum) flowers during the warmer months, producing a tall flowering stalk after many years of rosette growth. Individual plants flower only once before setting seed and dying.
- Beach naupaka (Scaevola taccada) can flower year-round in Hawaii’s warm coastal environments.
- Pua kala (Argemone glauca) flowers sporadically rather than following a single, clearly defined annual blooming season.
Rather than relying only on the calendar, the best time to see a particular Hawaiian flower depends on the species and where it grows. Coastal plants experience very different conditions from species growing in wet forests or high-elevation volcanic landscapes.
Habitats and Ecosystems
Hawaii’s isolation, volcanic origins, and wide range of elevations and rainfall patterns have created remarkably diverse habitats. Native plants have adapted to environments ranging from humid forests and exposed lava fields to dry coastal areas.
Native Forests
Hawaii’s native forests support a rich variety of trees, shrubs, ferns, and other plants. ʻŌhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) is especially important and occurs across an unusually broad range of elevations and environmental conditions.
Wetter forests can support dense vegetation, including native ferns, shrubs, and epiphytes. Some endemic flowering plants, including species of ʻōhā wai (Clermontia spp.), are also associated with moist and wet native forests.
Volcanic and High-Elevation Habitats
Volcanic landscapes present plants with challenging conditions, including exposed lava, strong sunlight, wind, and limited soil development. Native Hawaiian species have evolved different adaptations that allow them to survive in these environments.
Silverswords (Argyroxiphium spp.) are among the best-known examples. Different silversword species and subspecies occupy particular high-elevation habitats in Hawaii, including the famous Haleakalā silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum) found on Haleakalā.
ʻŌhiʻa lehua is also notable for its ability to colonize relatively young lava flows, eventually contributing to the development of more complex plant communities.
Coastal and Dry Habitats
Native coastal plants must tolerate conditions such as strong winds, intense sunlight, salt spray, and relatively dry or sandy soils.
Beach naupaka (Scaevola taccada) is well adapted to coastal environments and forms dense shrubs along beaches and shorelines. Pua kala (Argemone glauca), an endemic Hawaiian plant, can also occur in dry, open habitats, including coastal and lowland areas.
These native plants contribute to Hawaii’s distinctive coastal vegetation while providing habitat and resources for other organisms.
Final Sprouts of Wisdom
Hawaii’s flowering plants reflect the islands’ remarkable isolation, varied habitats, and cultural history. Native and endemic species such as ʻōhiʻa lehua, yellow hibiscus, silverswords, and pua kala are important parts of Hawaii’s natural ecosystems, while Polynesian-introduced and later ornamental plants have also become familiar features of the islands.
Understanding the difference between native, endemic, Polynesian-introduced, and later-introduced plants provides a clearer picture of Hawaii’s botanical diversity. Protecting native habitats and learning about the origins of these plants can help preserve Hawaii’s distinctive flora for future generations.
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