From sunlight - soak shore to misty tropic rain woodland , the Hawaiian Islands are home to many outstanding vine . A few are natives , and many others have been imported over time from far off position . Different case of vines last in Hawaii often opt very dissimilar habitats . Some vines are well identify by their flowers or scented foliage . Sorting out which is which is largely a affair of knowing where to look .
History
Most of Hawaii ’s native vine are low - growing endemic coastal plant life , which are also found elsewhere in the Pacific . A few plant did diverge importantly from their original ancestors to become Hawaii ’s few endemic vine , many of which have interesting flowers , shaped to gibe specific aboriginal shuttlecock ’s beaks . Sweet white potato and gourd vine were among the first vines to be brought to Hawaii by the Polynesians , and many more have been introduce since Western contact .
Types
Most of Hawaii ’s coastal native vine inhabit the minute strand zona just above the sea ’s reach . They are adapted to exposed condition and perpetual sea nebuliser . Hawaii ’s upland aboriginal vines are found in the partly shaded understorey of dry to besotted forests . Many vines have been introduced to the islands from elsewhere , for ornament , yield and by accident . Some of these flora have naturalized and others have become serious pests , both to the nurseryman and native plant communities .
Identification
Pohuehue ( Ipomoea foot - caprae ) This low - sprawl vine , found on idle sand very close to the sea , has heart - shape leaves and large royal efflorescence that resemble dawn glory . These indigenous vines prevent beach erosion and are often used as nesting website by sea turtles .
Maile ( Alyxia olivifolia ) Perhaps Hawaii ’s most famous aboriginal vine , maile is an inconspicuous plant get in semi - shady native timberland . Its aromatic leaves occur at interval along the stems in whorls of three . It bears tiny sensationalistic bloom and belittled disastrous , olive - work fruit .
Stink Maile ( Paederia foetida ) This aggressive vine , with average green opposite leaves whitened flowers , endure no resemblance to true maile , except its name . Stink maile can quickly cover trees and shrub with its noisome smelling leaves , and is a pain in the neck to Hawaii gardeners .
Banana Poka ( Passiflora mollissima ) This vine was first imported to the island as an ornamental , for its pretty , weeping blossoms and eatable fruit . It quickly escaped refinement to become a serious threat to upland native wood . Efforts are under elbow room to slack the spread of this encroaching vine .
Considerations
When set any vine it ’s authoritative to consider the ultimate height or circularise the vine will attain . Often vine are hard to remove once they are instal , so heedful planning is a must . Many vines can finally become quite heavy and will demand a sturdy financial backing . Because vines are among the most invading types of plants , it ’s critical to avoid planting a plague that could harm native species .
Vines for the Hawaiian Garden
Blue Jade Vine ( Strongylodon macrobotrys ) This vine ’s spectacular blue blossom , borne in hanging cluster , are ground enough to want grow it . It is a somewhat libertine agriculturist , which needs moist grime , Sunday to part tad , and shelter from jazz and salt spraying .
Mandevilla(Mandevilla x amabilis ) Mandevilla ’s dark green leaf and sunny flowers are the perfect cover for a fencing or pergola . They require sun to part shadiness and moist dirt . Several cultivars are available with bloom range from light pinko to deep red .
Hawaiian Moon Vine ( Ipomoea tubifera ) The expectant , livid trumpet - work flower of this native vine opened at night and are extremely fragrant . The Hawaiian lunation vine is not to be confound with its cousin-german , the moonlight flower vine ( I. alba ) , which looks similar , but is an undesirable invasive .
Nanea ( Vigna maritima ) Nanea is a very low-spirited beach plant life with gamboge yellow-bellied blossoms and frail , three - lobed leaves . It will flourish in poor soil with full sun , and is a utile ground cover for corroding control .
