Plants of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Scientific Name Geranium cuneatum subsp. hypoleucum Hook.
Family Geraniaceae

Other Names Nohoanu, hinahina
Status Endemic
Distribution & Habitat This subspecies is found mostly on Mauna Loa in the elevation range from 1,480 to 2,440 m.  The area inhabited ranges from above Kulani Prison to Kahuku, Hawai`i (Wagner, et al. 19XX: 730).

This species grows in the  shrubland and forests of subalpine and alpine areas.  It is also reported to be a pioneer species on lava flows in fog swept subalpine areas (Wagner, et al. 19XX: 730).

Locations in this Guide Top of the Strip Road.  Patches are located on both sides of the trail up Mauna Loa, starting at about 6,800 feet.
General Appearance
Plants grow to a height between 0.3 and 1 m (1 to 3 ft).

The plants are found in small clumps and occasionally extend over a fairly large area.  The prominent white flowers call attention to the plants, showing that they sometimes form a conspicuous part of the shrub vegetation (Wagner, et al. 19XX: 730).

Leaves
The leaves usually range from 2.5 to 5 cm long and .7 to 1.2 cm wide (Wagner, et al. 19XX: 729).

Four to eight teeth at the leaf tip are a prominent characteristic.

Flowers & Fruits
Flowers are white or cream colored, sometimes with purple veins or purple at the base (Wagner, et al. 19XX: 730).  They occur in clusters of 7 to 30 flowers.

Size?

Phenology
Natural History
Conservation
Miscellaneous Photos
Other Notes Four subspecies have been defined although only minor characteristics separate them.  It is likely that further study will, at some point, modify this subspecies division (Wagner, et al. 19XX: 730).

References
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Last Updated: 08/08/03

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