Plants of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Scientific Name Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora (Lemoine ex E. Morr.) N. E. Brown
Family Iridaceae
Other Names Montrgretra crocosmiifolia
Status Alien
Distribution & Habitat Horticultural origin (see below).  In Hawai'i, naturalized from 170-1,200 m, on Kaua'i, O'ahu, Maui, and Hawai'i.  Wagner et al. (1990:1446).  Found mostly in mesic and wet forests.
Locations in this Guide Park Headquarters, Kipuka Puaulu, Thurston Lava Tube, Ola`a Forest
 
The plants are 20 to 50 cm tall and produce showy orange flower spikes (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1446). Thurston Lava Tube

Kipuka Puaulu

Kipuka Puaulu
Leaves
Narrow lanceolate leaves are 30 to 50 cm long and up to 2 cm wide (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1446). Thurston Lava Tube
Flowers & Fruits
The flowers have orange tepals arranged along arching spikes. 

The fruit capsules and seeds are usually not seen.  Instead, the plants spread by stolons and corms (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1446).

 Thurston Lava Tube

Kipuka Puaulu
Kipuka Puaulu Kipuka Puaulu

Kipuka Puaulu
Phenology
Kipuka Puaulu Some flowers but not too abundant. 5/6/01
     
     
     
Natural History A hybrid between Crocosmia pottsii Baker and C. aurea (Pappe ex Hook.) Planch.  Both species native to eastern South Africa.  Wagner, et al. (1990:1446).  Introduced to Hawaii in 1909.
Conservation
Miscellaneous Photos
Other Notes
References
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Last Updated: 08/05/03