Pōhinahina

Pōhinahina

Pōhinahina

Names

  • ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi: Pōhinahina
  • Scientific: Vitex rotundifolia

Species Information

Pōhinahina are medium-sized shrubs with leaves that smell like sage. Their flowers are blue or purple and are used in lei. The pōhinahina is one of the first plants to colonize coastal dunes, keeping the sand from blowing away. This plant can also grow along rocky shores (Native Plants Hawaiʻi).

Distribution

Main Hawaiian Islands

Habitat

This shrub is found along coastal terrain and can grow in sand, rock, clay, or cinder (Native Plants Hawaiʻi).

Photos

Pōhinahina
Pōhinahina
PōhinahinaPōhinahina at Kaʻena Pt.

 

References

Native Plants Hawaiʻi, University of Hawaiʻi. Vitex rotundifolia: http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Vitex_rotundifolia/

Bishop Museum: Plants of Hawaiʻi. Vitex rotundifolia: https://plantsofhawaii.org/detail/%7B0EC3C422-129F-4594-86AA-3FADD5DF6FBA%7D