THE MIXED MESIC VEGETATION ZONE

Native Plants

Native plants are represented by some of the largest genera (those with largest number of species) such as Pelea, the largest flowering genera, to which alani and mokihana belong, Cyanea, the largest tree lobelioid genus, to which haha and haha lua belong, and Schiedea. Many species of these genera are endemic to the islands.

Pelea Mokihana Photo by Dave Boynton
Schieda mannii Photo by Gerald Carr





Canthium odoratum Alahe'e
Canthuium odoratum, or alahe'e, is an indigenous plant that occurs in dry shrubland to dry to mesic forests. It can be found on all the main islands except Ni'ihau and Kaho'olawe. Alahe'e 's hard, durable wood was used for adze blades since it could cut softer wood such as wiliwili and kukui. A dye was also produced from the leaves.


Koa (Acacia koa) and 'ohi'a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) are the common trees here along with shrubs such as ho'awa (Pittosporum sp.), endemic and rare Koki'o (Kokia), and hau kuahiwi (Hibiscadelphus).




Acacia koa Koa
Hibiscusadelphus Hau Kuahiwi



Pittosporum gayanum Ho'awa
Photo by Charles Lamoureux
Kokia cookei, Koki'o
Kokia cookei, Koki'o, is an endangered species once found in mesic forests but no longer found in the wild. It is among the rarest plants in the world. A survivor can be found at Waimea Falls Park.


The more common maile (Alyxia oliviformis) and 'uki'uki (Dianella sandwicensis) are also found in mixed mesic forests.


Photo by Dave Boynton

Photo by Gerald Carr

Alyxia oliviformis Maile


Photo by M. Bauer

Dianella sandwicensis 'Uki 'uki

Introduced Plants

Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) is so ground-covering and aggressive that native plants cannot reseed. Also, it burns and the grass recovers, but not the native plants.

Banana poka (Passiflora mollissima) has escaped from garden cultivation and covers and smothers the native plants.

Also Christmas berry (Schinus terebinhifolius), lantana (Lantana camara), silk oak tree (Grevilla banksii), and firetree (Myrica faya) invade and take over from the native plants.
Schinus terebinhifolius Christmas Berry
Photos by Priscilla Millen
Lantana camara Lantana



Passiflora mollissima Banana poka