Scientific Name: Rauvolfia sandwicensis
Description: These plants are one of a few native plants related to Plumeria, which is not native. They are gorgeous trees which can reach heights up to 30 ft. but generally are in the 5- 15 ft. range with great looking elliptical leaves that form whorls of up to seven leaves per node. Each leaf has smooth margins, is bright green with a yellow mid-rib and is about five inches in length. The flowers are very tiny, white and emerge on clusters just like Plumeria and have a fragrance very similar to it; surprisingly they are very easy to smell considering how small they are. Once pollinated, the flowers will form small fruit about ¾ of an inch across which eventually turn dark purple/black when ripe. The outer bark is a very light tan as is the inner wood which is very hard hence the name “hao” which is also the Hawaiian word for iron or any iron tool. Like the Plumeria, hao also bleeds a milky sap when either leaves or stems are broken.
Distribution: This is an uncommon tree most likely found in mesic forests but occasionally lower dry forests on all of the larger islands except Kaho’olawe, although it may have well occurred there in the past.
Landscape Use and Care: Hao look great anywhere and if more were available I’m sure you would see it more often, its sad that more people are familiar with its non-native cousin the Plumeia. You could plant it as a specimen plant or use it to fill blank spaces, they thrive in full sun to light shade and require minimal watering once established. You can pretty much plant it anywhere you would normally plant a Plumeria. Few pests bother it since most don’t like their milky sap. Personally I think this plant is awesome; I love the way it looks as well as the beauty it adds to the landscape.
Additional Info: Like I said above, this is one of a few native plants related to Plumeria which are in the family Apocynacea, the other native plants in this family include maile (Alyxia oliviformis) which is still faily common; holei (Ochrosia spp.) which is very rare; and kaulu (Pteralyxia spp.) which is very, very rare.
Hao