Family: Papaveraceae

Pua kala is a native flower that thrives in dry areas. Although they are covered in prickles, the beautiful flowers are worth it to many gardeners because they are so easy to grow. The plants are drought, wind, and heat tolerant. They can get weedy and increase wildly, deadhead flowers to minimize spread. One of the few native plants that can survive fires, it, has been seen to re-appear soon after an area has burned. Although it tends to be short-lived, it will re-establish as seeds naturally germinate.

The flowers are iridescent white, and it is truly stunning in a dry, coastal landscape. Pua kala is one of the few native plants that grow in pastures. Cattle and other ungulates avoid it due to the thorns.

Pua kala can be used as a beautiful, native border hedge to keep unwanted grazers from entering fragile areas.

Plant Uses:

• Cultural significance
• Medicinal
• Ornamental

Plant Dangers:

• Thorns or spines
• Toxic to animals and humans