Scientific Name: Myrsine sandwicense
Endemic: O’ahu, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Maui and Hawai’i
Description: Beautiful shrubs or small trees up to 20 ft. tall with small elliptical leaves that cluster up toward the stem tips. Like all kolea, the young leaves, called liko, are bright pink and add tremendous color to the plant. Small yellow flowers tinged with red and purple emerge from small woody knobs along the length of the branch. Once these are pollinated they develop in to tiny black fruit about ¼” in diameter.
Distribution: Kolea lau li’i is endemic to the islands of O’ahu, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Maui and Hawaii. It primarily occurs in wet forest and bogs but can occasionally be found in mesic forests.
Cultural Uses: The bright yellow-green liko with purple mid-vein and margins are highly sought after to make lei. Liko lehua is not the only type of liko that looks good in lei kolea lau li’i is right there next to it.
Landscape Uses and Care: If you are ever able to get your hands on one of these plants get it, plain and simple. They do however require regular watering at least three times a week even once established in the ground. These plants are a little more finicky than most and they are very slow growing so don’t be disappointed if its not growing as quick as you would like, that’s just how it is. Rich, well drained soil is best for this one.
Kolea lauli’i