DRYLAND SHRUB AND FOREST Photo by Michael McKenney Photo by Dave Boynton

Native Plants

Dryland has probably suffered the greatest loss and extinction of species of any zone. Many of the unique trees and shrubs are gone or very rare. Wiliwili, naio and the small koa, koa koai'a, (Acacia koaia) were once common components.

Erythrina sandwicensis Wiliwili Photo by Glenn Bauer

Myoporum sandwicensis Naio Photo by Charles Lamoureux

Acacia koaia Koa Koai'a Photo by Marilyn Bauer

Other photos by Priscilla Millen

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Introduced Plants

Presently, dryland shrub and forest land is dominated by introduced grasses, such as African fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) and molasses grass (Melinus minutiflora) which burn in hot fires that native plants cannot withstand. Also lantana (Lantana camara), haole koa, mesquite, and prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) are present.

Lantana camara Lantana

Leucaena leucocephala Koa haole

Prosopis pallida Kiawe

Opuntia Prickly Pear Cactus