Family: Nyctaginaceae
Kaulu is a tree that is endemic to Hawaiʻi. Shiny green leaves are entire and oppositely arranged or whorled. Greenish-white flowers grow in clusters. The fruits are the most exciting feature. Purple in color and they are incredibly sticky.
Birds were caught using clusters of the sticky fruit. Feathers were plucked off before setting the birds free. Today, small unsuspecting critters like lizards, bugs, and birds get caught up in the fruit clusters. The fruits get stuck to everything including dogs, shoes, hair. So please plant in an area where the pods won’t be bothersome. Unlike Pisonia brunoniana, the sticky fruits of kaulu don’t leave a residue after touching.
The sap and leaves were used as medicine and as a glue to repair cooling implements.
Plant Uses:
- Cultural significance
- Medicinal
- Ornamental
- Privacy / screening
- Specimen
Plant Dangers:
- No dangers