Family: Convolvulaceae

Kaunaʻoa is the only member of the Cuscuta genus that is endemic to all the Hawaiian Islands, except Kaho‘olawe. It is a parasitic yellowish-orange vine that grows in a tangled manner around it’s host plant. This vine uses its tiny, claw-like, haustoria to penetrate and extract nutrients and water from it’s host. The vine is leafless, but has tiny, star-shaped, yellowish-white perfect (both male and female) flowers which grow in small clusters.

Kaunaʻoa is often mistaken for another type of parasitic vine, kaunaʻoa pehu (Cassytha filiformis), which is indigenous and from a different plant family (Lauraceae). Kaunaʻoa pehu can be distinguished from Kaunaʻoa as it has thicker and coarser stems that are yellowish-green in color. 

Habitat & Uses

Kaunaʻoa is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, and is commonly found in coast regions and sandy-soil, ranging from sea level to 300m in altitude. It is a parasitic vine that parasites a large variety of native, and non-native host plants. It’s most common hosts are other coastal plants such Beach Morning Glory as they typically grow within the same habitat range.

In Ancient Hawaii, Kaunaʻoa was braided and used to make lei haku. Kaunaʻoa when pounded until soft, and strained, the juice was drank by Women who had just given birth to thin their blood or to help remove blood from the womb. The vine when combined with young kī leaves can be used to remove phlegm from the chest which causes congestion. In modern day, Kaunaʻoa is used alone or combined with other materials to make both lei haku and lei poʻo. In 1923, Kaunaʻoa was designated by the Territorial legislature and is recognized as the official lei material of Lāna‘i.

Landscaping & Cultivation

Kaunaʻoa is not typically used or recommended for landscaping or cultivation. However, lei makers may choose to cultivate this plant if needed in large quantities. Kaunaʻoa will parasitize many different species of both native and non-native plants in Hawai‘i, meaning it is not picky and almost any plant will work. If being cultivated, it is important to remember that becuase Kaunaʻoa is a parasite, it is quite capable of killing its host. Therefore a non-valuable host plant should be chosen, and it should be pruned or harvested often. It is extremely easy to grow, either by taking cuttings and wrapping them around a new host plant, or smearing the seeds onto the stem, or planting them in a pot already containing a host.

Name Origins

The Hawaiian name kaunaʻoa is an ancient traditional name whose exact etymology is unknown. Kaunaʻoa shares its name with two other organisms, a family of marine worm snails, called kaunoʻa, that attach to rocks and in Ancient Hawaii are believed to be poisonous when stepped on, and a golden seaweed (Galaxaura rugosa) that resembles kaunaʻoa in appearance.

Plant Uses:

• Cultural significance
• Lei flower
• Medicinal

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers