<body><div>Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center continues its Native Plant Spotlight series, highlighting native species propagated for outplanting at ʻAikoʻolua in the Kamalō Ahupuaʻa as part of the Kīpuka Kamalō Restoration Project. This month’s plant: Kou (Cordia subcordata)Kou is a canoe plant brought to Hawaii by early Polynesian voyagers. It can grow 30 to 40 feet tall and is well suited for coastal environments because it tolerates salt, drought and wind. Kou can be found along coastlines and in dryland forest areas at elevations up to approximately 1,000 feet. It has large, oval-shaped leaves, bright orange, trumpet-shaped flowers, and fleshy fruit that turns brown to black when mature.Kou has long been valued for its many cultural uses. Its wood is used to make ʻumeke (food bowls), cups and other dishes because it does not leave an unwanted taste or scent on food. The wood hardens as it dries and is appreciated for its durability and beautiful grain. It was also used to carve kiʻi and make containers for fishhooks, feathers and other items. The leaves and fruit were used to make dyes for kapa, and the bright orange flowers are used for lei. An interesting feature of kou wood is that it is naturally resistant to termites.One challenge we have faced at Kamalō is the kou leafworm (Ethmia nigroapicella), which feeds on the leaves. After the Kona Low storms, we noticed increased damage to our mother plants at the nursery, where we collect seeds. Our outplanted kou have also experienced leaf damage, but they continue to grow despite the pests. We are looking into ways to manage them while being mindful of the environment.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1AmhTU_1H2bR5Te00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1AmhTU_1H2bR5Te00" width="1800" height="1350" ><figcaption>&nbsp;ʻAnakala Bobby Alcain with a Kou tree. Photo courtesy Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center</figcaption></figure>At Kīpuka Kamalō, kou is helping us work toward something especially important in our hot, dry environment: shade. We are planting kou to provide cover for native shrubs and groundcovers, creating cooler conditions where other plants can grow.The kou trees we planted in February are already growing overhead and have begun flowering and producing fruit. It is exciting to see them establishing themselves so quickly. Our ʻāina crew is also enjoying the shade they provide while working on site. Even a little shade goes a long way at Kamalō! As the trees continue to grow, we hope they will help surrounding plants thrive and make the area more comfortable for our community to spend time on the ʻāina.To learn more or get involved with the Kīpuka Kamalō Restoration Project, contact Aulani Herrod-Perkins at [email protected].</div></body>

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Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center continues its Native Plant Spotlight series, highlighting native species propagated for outplanting at ʻAikoʻolua in the Kamalō Ahupuaʻa as part of the Kīpuka Kamalō Restoration Project. This month’s plant: Kou (Cordia subcordata) Kou is a canoe plant...

Native Plant Spotlight from Kamalō: Kou

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Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center continues its Native Plant Spotlight series, highlighting native species propagated for outplanting at ʻAikoʻolua in

Native Plant Spotlight from Kamalō: Kou

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