Scientific Name: Peperomia blanda
Indigenous : All the main islands except Kahoolawe
Description: A low growing very succulent plant that grows up to about 10 inches tall with fleshy, light green stems, dark green leaves that have a semi-rough texture, sometimes reddish-pink streaks are found on the underside of the leaves. They have tiny insignificant flowers that rise up above the rest of the plant on short soft flowering stalks and once pollinated they form slightly adhesive, poppy-seed looking seeds that cover the stalk.
Distribution: In Hawai’i, this indigenous plant is found in numerous types of environments from dry rocky areas in full sun to shadier mesic forests. In many cases, they can be found growing on mossy rocks under larger trees. Once I even seen this species of ‘ala’alawainui growing directly on an asphalt road and to tell you the truth it was one of the nicest examples I’ve ever seen because it formed a nice dense mat-like covering, it was very cool. Today this plant exists naturally on all of the main Hawaiian Islands except Kaho’olawe although it most likely occurred there in the past.
Landscape Use and Care: This plant looks great as an accent plant around large landscape stones or as a bedding plant. Full sun is ok but partial shade is better. In full sun, ‘Ala’alawainui will require a little more water than if in partial shade. When used as a bedding plant, space them approximately one foot apart since this plant doesn’t spread too far. Few pests are known to bother this plant, but I have seen slugs munch on the young off shoots.
Cultural Uses: A rich, gray dye for dying kapa can be made from the ashes of this plant.
Alaalawainui