Maui Nui Botanical Gardens

Hawaiian name: Mmane Botanical name: Sophora chrysophylla Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family) Status: Endemic Where found: Maui, Moloka‘i, Lna‘i, Hawai‘i, O‘ahu & Kaua‘i ... Water/Light: Dry, with full sun exposure Elevation range: 1,500 to 10,600 feet Height: Up to 50 feet, with a 20 foot spread Notes: In old Hawai‘i, mmane wood was used in home construction and fashioned into spears, fence posts, and frames for wagons. The bright yellow flower clusters that appear at the end of its branches can be used to make beautiful lei. Mmane leaf buds, flowers, and seed pods are a main food source for many of Hawai‘i’s birds including the palila (an endangered honeycreeper) and amakihi. Mmane is drought and wind tolerant. ‘lelo No‘eau: Haiam ka manu i ka pua o ka mmane. Translation: The birds gather about the mmane blossom. Meaning: Said of one who is very popular with the opposite sex. *Photo courtesy of Jupiter Nielsen

Hawaiian name: Ipu Botanical name: Lagenaria siceraria Family: Cucurbitaceae (Gourd Family) Status: Polynesian-introduced Where found: In cultivation only ... Water/Light: Moist, Full sun Elevation range: up to 3,000 feet Notes: Ipu is the kino lau of Hawaiian God, Lono. The hardened fruit is made into a variety of containers to hold items including water, food, natural dyes and fishing supplies. Ipu is also used for musical instruments, such as the bases of ‘uli‘uli (feather gourds), knee drums, pa ipu or ipu heke (a percussion instrument made by joining two ipu, one atop the other). This vine benefits from the support of a trellis, so the fruit can grow round without being deformed by contact with the ground. Within Hawaiian culture, ipu is a part of ancient legends, myths and rituals, and were used in making masks worn by priests during religious ceremonies. ‘lelo Noeau [M.K.Pku´i]: ‘A‘ohe ipu ‘opio e ‘ole ka mimino i ka la. Translation: No immature gourd can withstand withering in the sun. Meaning: No child can get along without adult supervision.

Mother’s Day Plant Sale Update! Planters: We still have planters 7 and 8 available. E kala mai, we missed planter 10 in our original post. Planter 7 (Alaala wai nui): $70... Planter 8 (2 different Alaala wai nui): $70 Planter 10 (Kupukupu): $45 Available Plants: lula, 2 pots for $3 each Ihiihilaukea, 3 pots for $4 each Ulu (Maafala), 1 gal. pots for $40 each Five (5) ulu trees available Stop by the Garden on Saturday, May 8th to purchase! We are open from 8am to 4pm. Mahalo!

Mother’s Day Plant Sale, Part 2: PLANTERS! We are excited to have more handmade planters by local ceramics artist Hillary Richards (@hrichardsclay)!... TO ORDER: 1. Email your order, name, and phone number to [email protected]. 2. We will email you an invoice. We are only accepting credit cards and PayPal for this sale. 3. We will email you a confirmation when your payment is received and you can pick up your plants. Emails will be answered in the order they are received. Absolutely no DMs or phone calls. Mahalo!