Kuluʻi
Nototrichium sandwicense
The kulu’i pictured here is the form that comes from Kaua’i. The underside, margins and veins of the leaves are extremely pubescent. In addition, the veins, stem tips and new leaf buds are tinged with pink. As a result, they shimmer and shine silvery-pink sparkles in the sun. The more sun it receives, the shinier the plant becomes. This kulu’i’s foliage is also very dense and the plant can reach a height of up to 4-7 ft. The flowers emerge in dangling spike clusters, 1-2 inches long that resemble teardrops.
No Kauaʻi mai ke kuluʻi ma ke kiʻi. He mau heu ko lalo o nā lau. ʻAno ʻōʻā nā aʻa, nā liko, a me nā lālā hou i ka ʻākala. A ʻano ʻalohi mai nā lau kukui i ka lā. Ke pā nui ai ka lā, ʻalohi nō nā lau. He lāʻau pūnohunohu ʻano nui ia; ʻehā a ʻehiku kapuaʻi. A he mau pua kalakala ko ke kuluʻi.
This endemic species is found in the dry forest on all the main islands from sea level to above two thousand feet elevation, however like stated earlier, this particular variety is restricted to the island of Kaua’i. It should also be noted that not only is it an endemic species, but the genus is endemic as well, making it even more unique to Hawai’i.
Ulu kēia lāʻau ʻāpaʻakuma i ka wao maloʻo ma nā mokupuni nui a pae o ka pae ʻāina mai ke kahakai a hiki i ka wao maʻukele. No Kauaʻi nō kēia ʻano kuluʻi.
The flower spikes and new leaves look great in head leis or flower arrangements.
Wili ʻia nā pua a me nā liko i nā lei poʻo.
Kulu’i is very easy to grow and take care of. Full sun and a good water soaking twice a week will make it look its best: compact, full and shiny. You may notice that when given too much water or not enough sun, the leaves will become larger, more green looking, and not as shiny. This also makes the plant look more ‘leggy’ and not as full. Naturally the plant is very bushy, but pruning it will make it even bushier. Kulu’i can also be shaped into a nice, thick hedge. Few pests bother this plant, but if you have a lot of ants, they may bring mealy bugs and scales. If you notice this, get rid of the ants first, if the other pests still remain you can either cut the plant back to remove them or spray pesticides or even do both if the problem is really bad.
Maʻalahi ka mālama ʻana i ke kuluʻi. E kanu i kahi e pā nui ai ka lā, a hāinu ʻelua manawa o ka pule. Inā pākela inu ke kuluʻi, a ʻaʻole paha lawa i ka lā, ʻaʻole nō piha ke kuluʻi; e wīwī ana. Ke paʻipaʻi ʻia, ʻoi aku ka pūnohunohu o ke kuluʻi. ʻAʻole nō nui nā mū e pilikia ai ke kuluʻi, akā inā nui nā nonanona, pilikia paha i nā ane ʻuku. E aho e pepehi koke i nā nonanona.