Family: Onagraceae

Kāmole (Ludwigia octovalvis) is an indigenous plant more widely known as Mexican primrose flower. Kāmole grows as a multi-branched herb that usually stays around 3-6 ft. Single flowers emerge from the leaf axils and stem tips. Flowers have four broad yellow petals and four green lance- to egg-shaped sepals. The floral tubes can be up to 1-inch long and are narrow. Pollinated flowers lead to elongated, cylindrical, 8-ribbed seed capsules (hence octovalvis) tipped with 4 calyx lobes (the former sepals). Leaves are alternate and lance- to egg-shaped with sunken venation. The stems are green to sometimes brownish and woody at the base.

Habitat & Uses

Here in Hawaiʻi, kāmole grows in wetlands, along streams, and other moist areas at lower elevations. This plant is a well-known weed of of rice and legume crops in other parts of Asia and the Pacific. This may be how it eventually got to Hawaiʻi even before Western contact in 1778 as canoe crops brought by Polynesian settlers may have had some unintended seeds. It is also equally possible that native waterbirds and other migratory birds may have accidentally introduced long ago as the kāmole produce numerous tiny sand grain seeds that can get easily transported in mud. There is still some debate about whether or not this plant is native to Hawaiʻi. However, kāmole was collected by botanist David Nelson on the first ever Western plant collection mission from Kealakekua up towards Mauna Loa in 1779. Therefore, we will consider this plant as native until new determinations are made.

Kāmole can be found growing anywhere with enough moisture from sea level to 5000+ feet. Although this plant is largely viewed as an irritating weed, many cultures around the world have found use for it! Boiled pulp is used as a diuretic (removes excess sodium/water, lowers blood pressure), vermifuge (expels parasites), laxative, and carminative (relieves bloating/cramping). Leaf poultices are used for headaches and swollen glands. While roots are important for treating skin conditions like eczema and fungal infections. Extracted leaf juice can even help with cough, cold, and fever. This plant seems to contain a whole pharmacy, if you know how to use it!

Landscaping & Cultivation

To grow kāmole, you will need a consistently moist area of your yard to grow this plant. Otherwise, you can grow in a pot with no holes to help retain necessary moisture. This plant grows very easily and requires little to no maintenance besides removing individuals that may be spreading from seed. To propagate, you can either do from seed or cutting.

Name Origins

When we break up the word kāmole, kā can mean to hit, strike, toss, dash, or stroke. It can also mean to clean, as weeds or mud from a pond. Mole can mean taproot, foundation, source, or cause. So, kāmole could refer to this plant as weed source in loʻi (taro patches) and loko (ponds). It could also highlight kāmole’s woody taproot, which would be tossed out of cultivated areas. Kāmole can flourish in these flooded environments because they have specialized roots with air sacs that keep the plant afloat and help with respiration when there is low oxygen.

Plant Uses:

• Aquatic plant
• Container plant
• Cultural significance
• Edible
• Erosion control
• Medicinal

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers