Plants of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Scientific Name Coprosma rhyncohcarpa A. Gray
Family Rubiaceae (Coffee Family)
Other Names pilo
Status Endemic
Distribution & Habitat This species is found in mesic to wet forest and occasionally in subalpine woodland.  It has an elevation range from 490 to 2,260 m (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1130).
Locations in this Guide Kipuka puaulu
General Appearance
These are small trees that range from from 3 to 15 m tall.

The stems are multi-branched and may droop (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1130).

 

 Kipuka Puaulu

Kipuka Puaulu

 Kipuka Puaulu

Kipuka Puaulu
Leaves
The leaves, which are arranged opposite, are 6 to 15 cm long and 2 to 5 cm wide (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1130).

The leaves of this species are longer and thinner than those of the common pilo of the rainforest, C. ochracea (Stone and Pratt 1994: 183).

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 Kipuka Puaulu
Flowers & Fruits
There are 3 to 6 flowers in each cluster. Kipuka Puaulu
The fruits are bright yellowish orange to yellowish red (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1130).

Note the protrusion, called a "beak," at the end of the fruit.

 Kipuka Puaulu
Phenology
Kipuka Puaulu No flowers or fruit. 5/6/01
Kipuka Puaulu No flowers or fruit. 6/10/01
Kipuka Puaulu Abundant green flowers (none ripe). 8/4/01
     
Natural History
Conservation
Miscellaneous Photos
Other Notes There are at least five Coprosma species in the Park (out of about a dozen  that are found in Hawai`i).  This species is common in both Kipuka Puaulu and the neighboring Kipuka Ki.
References
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Last Updated: 08/05/03