Hilo resident Nick Sakovich is a professor emeritus of the University of California. He has worked in the field of agriculture for 30 years and is a member of University of Hawaii Master Gardeners. Email your questions to Sakovich at askthegardenguy@earthlink.net.
Mamaki and Ko’oko’olau, plants that make tea
I have been searching for red veined mamaki and ko’oko’olau seedlings without much success. Please advise if you know anyone who sells seedlings. Thank you in advance. — M.
Future Forests Nursery in Kona sells mamaki plants, including the red-veined variety. The nursery’s telephone number is (808) 325-2377. They also sell a variety of Polynesian and Native Hawaiian trees and plants. Their website contains short descriptions along with pictures of the plants and the wood grains the trees would yield — www.forestnursery.com
For my readers, here is a brief description of these two Native Hawaiian plants.
Mamaki (Pipturus albidus) is a shrub or a small tree ranging in height from 6 to 20 feet tall. It is a highly variable plant. The leaves are dark green on the top and white to gray underneath. Some varieties have reddish veins. Mamaki is generally not suited for hot, dry coastal settings. It grows well in urban landscapes with some shading. It will also do well planted in containers in part shade. The red-veined varieties appear to tolerate full sun better than green-leaved varieties. The mature plant recovers after pruning if no more than one-third is removed.
Mamaki is a Hawaiian endemic plant occurring on all the main Hawaiian Islands except Niihau and Kahoolawe. It grows in moist to wet forests at elevations ranging from close to sea level to 6,000 feet.
Plants are usually propagated from seed. The fruit can be ripened in a plastic bag to soften the pulp. Seeds are then removed from the pulp by rubbing the fruits in a strainer under running water. The viable seeds will sink and the fruit pulp and other debris can be poured off. Seeds then need to be dried on a paper towel and stored. Once planted, seedlings will thrive in a well-draining soil in a semi-shaded to shaded location. Mamaki plants require moist to wet conditions. In addition, they can also be propagated from cuttings.
Mamaki is the primary food source for caterpillars of the native Kamehameha butterfly. Planting this shrub in the garden will provide a healthy, invigorating tea for the gardener and food for the butterfly.
Dried or fresh mamaki leaves are used to make a tea often drunk by those feeling lethargic. The tea is also used to help with many internal disorders such as for the stomach, colon, bladder, liver, and bowels. The fruit is eaten as a laxative or for stomach, colon and digestive problems. Infused leaves can be used in treatment for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver problems, and bladder problems. In some people mamaki can cause mild agitation or insomnia.
Ko’oko’olau (Bidens menziesii) is in the sunflower or aster family. It is an annual or perennial shrub, ranging from 3 to 12 feet in height, growing in a wide range of habitats. It can be found on Molokai and West Maui and on the leeward slopes of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on the Big Island. It is fairly easy to grow, preferring full sun and light to moderate watering. It grows well as a potted patio plant.
Ko’oko’olau was widely used by Hawaiians prior to European arrival. Its leaves were used as a revitalizing tea. Flowers were used to stimulate appetite. Today the tea is still sold, however, Bidens pilosa is often the species incorrectly labeled and sold as the traditional Hawaiian tea. Sorry, but I do not have any information on where to purchase Ko’oko’olau. Perhaps some of the readers will know and email me.
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January is still a good time to plant cool season vegetables. Check out my website: www.gardenguyhawaii.com. If you click on the tab “Vegetables” on the right hand column, you will find an article that I wrote recently entitled “Planting Cool Season Vegetables.” Happy gardening!
Hilo resident Nick Sakovich is a professor emeritus of the University of California. He has worked in the field of agriculture for 30 years and is a member of University of Hawaii Master Gardeners. Email your questions to Sakovich at askthegardenguy@earthlink.net.