Family: Fabaceae

Māmane is a small native tree with a rounded crown and bright-yellow flowers. As a native member of the pea family, māmane is a pono nitrogen fixer. Pea-like flowers and compound leaves are common traits of the pea family. Naturally growing in the mid to high-elevation forests, it is drought, fire, and wind tolerant.

Sadly, it is not ungulate tolerant. Māmane forests have been decimated due to roaming mouflon sheeps, goats, and cattle. Much of the remaining māmane-naio forest is protected today thanks to a groundbreaking lawsuit brought by the Sierra Club. The palila, an endangered native honeycreeper, sued for habitat protection. This is because māmane seeds are primary food source of the endangered palila and they live in a symbiotic relationship as the māmane relies on the palila for seed dispersal and germination. Hunting programs, fencing, and habitat restoration have greatly helped the palila to recover.

The hardwood of māmane is used for fuel and woodworking and the golden yellow seeds and flowers can be used for lei making.

Plant Uses:

• Cultural significance
• Hedge
• Lei flower
• Nitrogen fixer
• Ornamental
• Woodworking