- Source: Pittosporum hosmeri
Pittosporum hosmeri, which also goes by Hō'awa, Hāʻawa, ʻaʻawa, ʻaʻawa hua kukui, or Kona cheesewood is a Perennial Dicot endemic to the island of Hawai'i. It is a species of tree in the Pittosporaceae family. This species is listed as endangered and is endemic to the islands.
Description
Pittosporum hosmeri is small tree with height ranging from 10 to 25 feet. Branches are typically smooth but new growth is often covered in woolly brown hairs. Leave are leathery and oblong ranging in length of 3 to 10 inches. There are large white colored flower clusters.
The fruits of the Pittosporum hosmeri are 1-3 inch fuzzy brown capsules. The contain about 40 seeds arranged in two rows.
Pittosporum hosmeri are part of the largest genus, Pittosporum Banks.
Distribution and habitat
Pittosporum hosmeri is endemic to Hawaii. It can be found in wet and mesic forests on the west and south sides of the island of Hawai'i at an elevation of 1200 to 3500 ft. It can also occasionally be found in dry leeward forests.
Human use
The plant has traditionally had use a wood for gunwales in canoes. The outer layer of the capsules were also pounded and used on sores. It now has use in landscaping.
