Plants of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Scientific Name Hedychium gardnerianum Ker-Gawl.
Family Zingiberaceae (ginger family)
Other Names Kahili ginger, kahili, 'awapuhi kahili
Status Alien
Distribution & Habitat Native to the area of the Himalayas and cultivated in the tropics.  Naturalized in Hawai`i on Kauai, Maui, Lana`i and Hawai`i (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1623).
Locations in this Guide  
General Appearance
Park Headquarters
Research Center Mid-Elevation Woodland (near highway)
Research Center Research Center
Leaves
The leaves are 20 to 45 cm long and 10 to 15 cm wide (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1623). Research Center
Flowers & Fruits
Research Center

Research Center

 Research Center
Park Headquarters Research Center

Park Headquarters

 Research Center
This species produces round fruits and bright red seeds.  These attract birds which then introduce this plant to new areas, often deep in the forest (Stone and Pratt 1994: 197).

The developing fruit can be seen on the right.  Below, you can see how the bright red seeds stand out.

 

 Research Center

Research Center

 Research Center

It appears that birds have already taken some seeds.

 Research Center
Phenology The fruits open in the late fall and winter (Stone and Pratt 1994: 197).

Phenology Observations

Research Center Many developing fruits and some open fruits. No flowers. 11/10/00
Research Center and Park HQ Fruits at the end of the season. 2/13/01
Research Center No flowers or fruit. 5/6/01
Research Center No flowers or fruit. 6/10/01
Research Center A few plants fully in flower. 8/4/01
     
Natural History
Conservation This species was introduced into the Park sometime before 1943 as an ornamental (Stone and Pratt 1994: 197).

Once this species is established in an area, it spreads with the growth of its underground rhizone and eventually dominates the understory (Stone and Pratt 1994: 197).
Miscellaneous Photos
Other Notes There are two other problem gingers, the white (H. coronarium) and yellow (H. flavescens).  These have been present in Hawaii for over 100 years.  They are found in the Park only around Park Headquarters and Thurston Lava Tube.  Since they don't produce fruit and seed, these two species aren't spread by birds and are, therefore, more easily controlled (Stone and Pratt 1994: 197).
References
Links to Other Sites
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Last Updated: 08/05/03

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