Plant Pono

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Background of native Hawaii forest

Credit: J.L. Dowe

Semi-flat seed pods are covered in prickles and produce 1-2 seeds each.

Credit: Forest & Kim Starr

Racemes with yellow flowers shoot up from the axils.

Credit: Forest & Kim Starr

Mature kākalaioa can grow over 10 ft. tall with even longer climbers.

Credit: Forest & Kim Starr

The round gray seeds look like pearls and prized in lei.

Credit: Forest & Kim Starr

The bi-pinnately compound leaves host ovate leaflets.

Credit: Forest & Kim Starr

Prickles of varying sizes coat the new growth and leafy stipules can be seen at axils.

Guilandina bonduc (kākalaioa, hihikolo, kinikini, nickerbean, gray nickers, Hawaiian pearls)

Family: Fabaceae

Guilandina bonduc is an indigenous sprawling shrub with climbers that can grow up to 30m long. They are a part of the Fabaceae family, which means they have compound leaves and pea-like flowers. Their yellow flowers have five petals and are arranged in axillary raceme inflorescences. The fruits are the easiest way to identify this plant as they form semi-flat prickly pods that go from green to dark brown. Each dehiscent fruit reveals 1-2 gray pearl-like seeds. Finally, beware as G. bonduc has some serious prickles on their new growth, rachises (central stalks of compound leaves), and the fruits.

Habitat & Uses

Kākalaioa can be found across the tropics and even along Western European shores. This shrub is most often seen in low-elevation dry, open disturbed areas. Therefore, it enjoys growing in full sun. In Hawaiʻi, kākalaioa was traditionally used in medicine to clear phlegm, purify blood, treat constipation, and relieve pain. In more modern times, the seeds were used by keiki for marbles and by lei-makers to make attractive lei kui (strung lei).

Landscaping & Cultivation

This nitrogen-fixing plant works really well as a cover crop, while its prickles can make it a good security hedge. Just be sure not to grow this plant near walkways or other commonly visited areas. Sometimes kākalaioa is viewed as a weed, but pruning will help to manage its vigorous, sprawling, and thorny nature. Cultivation is easiest by seed. You can scarify and soak seeds 24-48 hours to accelerate germination.

Name Origins

The ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi kākalaioa literally means thorny, which shows just how prickly this plant really is. The other Hawaiian name for this plant is hihikolo, which refers to this plant’s entangling and creeping characteristics. Many other native plants have lost their thorniness through evolution without herbivores in Hawaiʻi. The common name gray nickers comes from the Dutch word ‘knikker’, which is a boy’s clay marble.

Plant Uses:

  • Cultural significance
  • Erosion control
  • Hedge
  • Lei flower
  • Medicinal
  • Nitrogen fixer
  • Privacy / screening
  • Specimen
  • Groundcover

Plant Dangers:

  • Thorns or spines