Scientific Name: Cyperus trachysanthos
Endemic Endangered: Oahu, Kauai
Description: Puukaa are beautiful sedges with long, graceful leaf blades that are very narrow and light green in color. The plant will reach a height of a little over three feet tall and it sends out short rhizomes to form dense tufts rather than long runners so they don’t spread too far. Within these long leaf blades emerges a tall stalk with several round clusters of spikelets (cyperus form of flowers) on top, as seen in the photo. These stalks will stand out taller than the rest of the plant and are an attractive feature.
Distribution: This federally listed endangered species is endemic to Hawaii and was once found on the islands of Niihau, Molokai, Lana’i, Oahu and Kauai but is now believed to only exist on the latter two. In the wild it is found in wetter conditions like pond margins or seasonal marshes.
Landscape use and care: This plant can be placed in or around water features as well as in the soil as long as it is watered regularly. Pruning of dead leaves keeps this plant looking full and beautiful. It looks great when planted along side rock features or as an accent combined with plants like groundcovers or other plants from which it can “burst” up out of. Pu’uka’a can also be added to dry floral arrangements to add some real flair. Few pests bother this plant but occasionally you may find some aphids on the new shoots, these can be taken care of simply by running your fingers up the leaf. Be careful though because the leaf blades are so slender that once they are bent and creased they won’t perk back up.
Additional information: One of the few remnant populations of this plant was at a place called Kealakipapa more commonly known as Allen Davis or the place where everyone parks to hike up to the Makapu’u lighthouse, the reason I say was is because recently this area fell victim to a brush fire that burned approximately 50 acres of land including the vernal pond in which this plant lived and numerous other native plants. Hopefully this population has not become extinct.
Puukaa