Scientific Name: Hedyotis Littoralis
Endemic
Description: Spectacular, unusual-looking plants, similar to succulents in appearance. Leaves are rigid, extremely glossy and elliptical. They often fold back on the margins from the base of the leaf, to the pointed tip.
New leaves emerge in pairs and alternate to the opposite side of the stem from the previous pair. Most of the branching, if any, occurs toward the base of the plant with individual stalks rising upward. Flowers are small, white and star-shaped, usually with only four lobes or petals. Numerous flowers are arranged in a round cluster that forms at stalk tip.
Distribution: This plant is naturally found on coastal sea cliffs within the salt spray on the islands of Kauai Molokai, Maui, Hawaii and formerly on Oahu.
Landscape Uses and Care: The extraordinary appearance of this plant makes it a definite “eye catcher,” and they look great, especially around rocks or in pots on the lanai. Few pests are known to bother this plant, and watering every other day is fine, making it ideal for those with not-so-green thumbs.
Coastal Hedyotis