Ever Green

By Lois Taylor

Friday, July 24, 1998

By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Greg Koob displays a handful of seeds that, if properly
germinated, will result in a popolo plant such as the one he's holding.

Seeds of change

Home gardeners can now
raise rare species

Not too long ago, like about six months, acquiring and planting seeds from a native delissea plant was as illegal as growing a patch of pakalolo in your garden. But the delissea police never made any arrests, probably because nobody knew what it looks like. There are only 19 delissea plants growing in the wild, and it is one of the most endangered of Hawaii's long list of endangered native plants.

A revision of state Department of Land and Natural Resources regulations now permits possession of threatened or endangered plant species from cultivated sources, recognizing that cultivating the plants in home gardens is one of the best ways to keep the species alive. The previous law, intended to prohibit the destruction of plants in wild habitats, was revised to allow distribution of seeds from cultivated plants by licensed growers.

A leader in the program is Keith Robinson of Kauai who has propagated thousands of seeds from endangered Hawaiian plants at his 100-acre Kauai Wildlife Reserve, despite the law against it. Now that the value of his program has been recognized, Robinson has decided to give away packets of two of these endangered species, plus seeds of two other native but not endangered plants, through the Board of Water Supply.

The giveaway will be part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Halawa Xeriscape Garden a week from tomorrow at the garden. The event, sponsored by the Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden and the BWS, will include a plant sale, Hawaiian music, craft demonstrations and tips on water conservation.

Yours to sow Packets of seeds for two endangered Hawaiian species and for two other native plants will be given, one packet per person, to visitors to the Halawa Xeriscape Garden after Aug. 1, while supplies last. Neighbor Island residents may send a stamped self-addressed envelope to Halawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1258 Iwaena Street, Aiea HI 96701. Oahu residents must pick up their seeds in person.

"Xeriscape" means a dry landscape, planting that will thrive with very little water beyond rainfall. The BWS, through its water conservation program, emphasizes the use of native plants because many of them require little irrigation.

According to Denise De Costa of the BWS, Robinson gave seeds of an endangered native hibiscus, kooloaulua, to the Halawa plant sale last year. But because the rule change had not yet been approved, it was decided to hold the seeds for later distribution. "We kept them in a small refrigerator at Halawa where we also kept our lunches, and then somebody stole it, seeds, sandwiches and all," she said.

De Costa visited Robinson after the law was changed, and he agreed to allow the BWS to give away seeds at this plant sale and thereafter. He listed three provisos which will be strictly followed: the seeds must be given free, they must be cultivated in the garden of the person receiving them, and only one pack will be given to any individual.

Also, De Costa said, these plants are not to be returned to the wild, but kept in private gardens. The same thing that wiped the plant out in the first place will come back for a second shot.

"Some of these endangered plants are very difficult to grow. Some of the seeds take six months to germinate, but we hope people will understand the importance of the program and keep trying," De Costa said. Several have already been given to Greg Koob, publisher of the excellent newsletter, Hawaii Horticulture. As far as he knows, he's been successful, but some of the seeds won't germinate for months.

These are the seeds that will be offered on Aug. 1.

Delissea, which is not a xeriscape plant, has almost disappeared from the wild. It has small green and white flowers that appear on a single stem. It is not only difficult to cultivate, but is short-lived and may die after a few years. But it produces seeds which can be used to propagate a new set of plants. Robinson suggests keeping it as a house plant.

Popolo is now extinct on Oahu, but is growing in isolated areas of Kauai. The plant grows to about 5 feet, and will fruit and flower in two years. A small shrub, it grows to no more than 3 feet with small white flowers that grow in clusters. Ripe fruit are a dark purple. The leaves were used by early Hawaiians for a tonic tea, or as a poultice.

Naio, which is not endangered, can be grown either in the garden or as a houseplant. Known as "bastard sandalwood," it grows at high levels on Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Haleakala. The heartwood is scented much like that of the true sandalwood, which is an endangered species.

Sapindus is a fairly common forest tree on Oahu and Kauai, and is drought tolerant. It comes from the dry gulches of the Waianae Mountains, but is adaptable to other climates. Native to Oahu, this plant grows into a medium-sized tree. The fruit is less than an inch in diameter with a large brown or black seed used by haku lei makers.

Instructions on cultivation will be given with each pack of seeds. All the seeds are thought to be viable, but before getting deeply involved in the process, place the seeds in water, and stir them around a bit. If they sink, you're in business, if they float, go back for another packet.

Out in the garden

What: Halawa Open House and Unthirsty Plant Sale
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1
Where: Halawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1268 Iwaena St., at back of Halawa Valley. Park on Iwaena or Iwaiwa streets and catch the free shuttles
Admission: Free
Call: 527-6113

Gardening Calendar in Do It Electric!

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