They are found in mesic valleys, mesic to wet forests, and diverse mesic forests (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1308).
| These are shrubs or small trees, 2 to 6 m tall. The smaller forms are generally multi-trunked. There are some larger individuals that may reach 20 feet in height. These taller individuals are more likely to be single-trunked (Stone and Pratt 1994: 251). |  |
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The trunk has bark that is colored grayish brown to reddish brown (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1308). |
| The leaves are usually
dark green on the top and range from dull to glossy (Wagner, et
al. 1990: 1308).
The leaves are ovate in shape. They range in size from several inches to as much as 16 inches long. This is often related to the amount of sunshine with shady areas having the larger leaves (Stone and Pratt 1994: 251). The leaves themselves are thick and dull green (Stone and Pratt 1994: 251). There are short hairs on the underside of the leaf. The surface is relatively rough. The leaves have prominent veins. Look for small teeth on the margin. |
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| The flowers are small and grouped into clusters on the stem. Fruits develop in fleshy white masses along the stem (Stone and Pratt 1994: 251). |  |
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| Kipuka Puaulu | Abundant flowers. | 7/15/00 |
| Kipuka Puaulu | No flowers | 2/13/01 |
| Kipuka Puaulu | Abundant flowers. | 8/4/01 |
| This is one of the hosts of the Kamehameha butterfly (Stone and Pratt 1994: 251). |  |
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