Many consider holly to be a Christmastime favorite. However, the tree associated with the holiday season’s cheer is nothing but bad tidings for native ecosystems. In Hawai'i, holly is invasive. The Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most pristine and healthy native ecosystems in the … [Read more...] about Invasive Holly in Hakalau, Hawaii
Invasive Species
A new weed in potted plants
A menace for Hawai'i: A newly established weed promises to add even more burden to gardeners and plant lovers. Hairy crabweed (Fatoua villosa) was recently found invading a Hilo garden. Just a few weeks after planting a locally purchased Samoan gardenia, an unsuspecting gardener found hairy … [Read more...] about A new weed in potted plants
Is Medinilla invasive in Hawaii?
Betrayed by beauty - Invasive Medinilla: Medinilla magnifica and Medinilla cumminigii are invasive species in Hawaii. Yet, some garden stores continue to promote and sell them as prized horticultural specimens. Profusely blooming and fruiting, the plant blooms with showy pink or purple flowers that … [Read more...] about Is Medinilla invasive in Hawaii?
What’s the Stink About Night Blooming Jasmine?
Introduction Popular for its sweet scent rather than for its hideous form, Cestrum nocturnum, commonly called night blooming jasmine, is the most commonly sold horticultural invasive species. This sprawling shrub has pointed alternately arranged leaves, green bark, tubular white flowers, and … [Read more...] about What’s the Stink About Night Blooming Jasmine?
Accelerating landscape change
Nonnative plant introductions have changed Hawaii forever. Alien introductions like pineapple and plumeria are synonymous with Hawaii. These pono species are good. They feed us and make our land more beautiful. But some alien plants escape cultivation and drastically harm he native … [Read more...] about Accelerating landscape change
