Summary
Welcome to the Invasive Informant, sponsored by Kaua’i Invasive Species Committee. KISC works across Kaua’i to prevent, control, or eliminate the most threatening invasive plant and animal species in order to preserve Kauaʻi’s native biodiversity and minimize adverse ecological, agricultural, economical, and cultural impacts. This month, we we discuss the lifecycle of ʻōhiʻa lehua.
Right now, you may see lehua blossoms decorating ʻōhiʻa in the forest. You may even have lehua on trees in your own yard.
Did you know what we think of as the flower on ʻōhiʻa–those needle-like projections—is actually a constellation of stamens surrounding a pistil, making up the reproductive parts of the flower. The petals of lehua are actually quite small, cupping the base of the stamens and pistil.
Some stamens may already be falling off your lehua. Last to go is generally the pistil. Once the pistil falls off, the next stage of development is fruiting. Each fruit is light green in color and about the size of a small pea. In time, the fruit will turn brown and dry out, leaving a seed pod containing up to 200 tiny ʻōhiʻa seeds. This process from blooming to fruiting to seeding can take months. Lehua you see in full blossom today may not be ready to release seeds for six or eight months.
One way to help ensure the survival of ʻōhiʻa for generations is to help it re-establish in places it was once plentiful, likely your very neighborhood. If you have ʻōhiʻa growing—and blooming—in your yard, take note of the blooming-fruiting-seeding lifecycle. Maybe youʻll be inspired to gather seed from your trees and grow more ʻōhiʻa for family and friends.
