LLIFLE > Encyclopedias > Trees > Family > Euphorbiaceae > Euphorbia > Euphorbia olowaluana
Euphorbia olowaluana Sherff
Bot. Gaz. 97: 580 (1936)
Family: EUPHORBIACEAE
Euphorbia olowaluana Photo by: Forest Starr & Kim Starr
Habit at Puu Mali, Hawaii, Hawaii Islands, (USA). July 23, 2004.
Origin and Habitat: Western Maui and Hawaii,United States (Hawaiian Is.)
Altitude range: Euphorbia olowaluana (Chamaesyce olowaluana) was once common over a wide altitudinal range up to 2,800 metres above sea level.
Habitat and Ecology: It grows in scattered stands in dry open forests. Above 700 metres this plant is found as a shrub, while at lower elevations 350 metres it is a 7.5 metres tree with a trunk diameter of 30 cm inches. Chamaesyce olowaluana or akoko is an important habitat for at five species of native yellow-faced bees (Hylaeus spp.) most of which are exteremely rare and endangered. One is even named Hylaeus akoko. Disturbance caused by grazing, conversion to pastureland and the consequent invasion of introduced grasses increasing the likelihood of serious fires have all contributed to the decline in this habitat.
Chamaesyce olowaluana (Sherff) Croizat & O.Deg.
Euphorbia olowaluana var. typica Sherff
See all synonyms of Euphorbia olowaluana
Euphorbia olowaluana var. gracilis (Rock) Sherff
Euphorbia lorifolia var. gracilis Rock
Euphorbia olowaluana var. lepidofolia O.Deg. & Sherff
Common Names include:
ENGLISH: Alpine sandmat
HAWAIIAN (ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi): Koko, Kōkōmālei, ʻakoko, ʻekoko, Akoko, Ekoko, Koko, Kokomalei
Description: Euphorbia olowaluana (syn: Chamaesyce olowaluana), known in Hawaii as ?akoko, is a trees up to 9 m tall (perhaps the tallest Chamaesyce in the entire genus of 250 species worldwide!). The specific epithet olowaluana is named after Olowalu, West Maui, one of the locations where this species is found.
Stems: Trunk 2-7(-9) m tall 10-20(-30) cm in diameter. Branches glabrous to pilose, especially at the nodes. Stems produce a considerable flow of latex when bruised or cut.
Leaves: Opposite, distichous (growing in two vertical rows), elliptic to lanceolate or rarely linear, 20-70 mm long, 4-15 mm wide, glabrous or pilose on lower surface and at basal margin, margins entire, apex acute, mucronulate, rarely retuse or truncate, base cuneate, oblique, petioles 1-3 mm long, lower surface pilose to glabrate, stipules acute to acuminate-triangular, 1-4 mm long, pilose to villous, erose, ciliate.
Flowers (cyathia): Solitary in the leaf axils or on shortened, much-reduced branches, peduncles 1-3 mm long, glabrous to villous; involucre campanulate, 1.5-2(-2.5) mm high, 2-3 mm wide, glabrous or pilose beneath the glands, glands 4, pilose to villous; styles red, bifid at least 1/2 their length, 0.5-1 mm long, pubescent; stigma thickened. The pungent flowers of ?akoko have been described as smelling like bad breath.
Fruit (capsules): Green, 2-3.5 mm long, glabrous to pilose, gynophores (stalk which supports the the ovule-producing part of the flower, elevating it above the branching points of other floral parts) recurved, exserted 2-4 mm from involucre, pilose.
Seeds: Grey to brown, 1.5-2 mm long, rugose.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Forest & Kim Starr "Euphorbia olowaluana (Akoko)". Plants of Hawaii. <http://www.starrenvironmental.com>. Web. 27 Sep. 2014.
2) Bruegmann, M.M. & Caraway, V. 2003. Euphorbia olowaluana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 30 September 2014.
3) Beatrice Krauss "Plants in Hawaiian Culture" Univ of Hawaii Pr August 4, 2001
4) Marie C. Neal "In Gardens of Hawaii" June 1, 1965
5) The Xerces Society http://www.xerces.org [Web. 27 Sep. 2014]
6) Joseph Francis Charles Rock "The indigenous trees of the Hawaiian Islands" J.F. Rock, 1913
7) Wagner, W. L. et al. 1990. "Manual of the flowering plants of Hawai`i." University of Hawaii Press. (Bishop Museum Special Publication 83).
8) Wagner, W. L. et al. 1999. "Manual of the flowering plants of Hawai`i, revised edition with supplement" by Wagner, W. L. and D. R. Herbst, pp. 1855–1918. University of Hawaii Press, 1919 pp. in 2 volumes. (Bishop Museum Special Publication 97)
9) ) National Museum of Natural History "Euphorbia multiformis" in "Flora of the Hawaiian Islands" <http://botany.si.edu/pacificislandbiodiversity/hawaiianflora/> Smithsonian Institution Web. 27 Sep. 2014
10) S. H. Sohmer, R. Gustafson "Plants and Flowers of Hawai_i" University of Hawaii Press, 1987
11) Alan C. Ziegler "Hawaiian Natural History, Ecology, and Evolution" University of Hawaii Press, 2002
Habit at Puu Mali, Hawaii, Hawaii Islands, (USA). July 23, 2004. Photo by: Forest Starr & Kim Starr
Branches at Puu Mali, Hawaii, Hawaii Islands, (USA). July 23, 2004. Photo by: Forest Starr & Kim Starr
Flowers at Puu Mali, Hawaii, Hawaii Islands, (USA). July 23, 2004. Photo by: Forest Starr & Kim Starr
Flowers and fruits at Puu Mali, Hawaii, Hawaii Islands, (USA). July 23, 2004. Photo by: Forest Starr & Kim Starr
Leaves at Puu Mali, Hawaii, Hawaii Islands, (USA). July 23, 2004. Photo by: Forest Starr & Kim Starr
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Cultivation and Propagation: Euphorbia olowaluana or akoko is an attractive tropical species that requires temperatures of 15 °C and light shade. This plant develops in a fashion similar to a small tree and is tolerant of heat and drought.
Potting medium: A gritty, very free-draining compost is suitable, and clay pots help the plants to dry out between watering. Re-pot every 2-3 years.
Fertilization: Akoko respond well to liquid fertilizer (once every one to two months).
Waterings: They like only a short winter's rest and should be kept almost completely dry during the winter months. If the soil is allowed to be dry for too long root loss could follow but equally the same result would occur if the plants are both wet and cold. From March onwards the plant will begin to grow and watering should be increased gradually until late May when the plant should be in full growth. Water regularly during the summer so long as the plant pot is allowed to drain and not sit in a tray of water. During hot weather you may need to water the plants more frequently so long as the plant is actively growing. From late September watering should be reduced to force the plant to go in to a state of semi dormancy, by October you should be back in to the winter watering regime.
Maintenance: Pruning is sometime necessary to shape.
Hardiness: This spurge is tender, hates prolonged cool and is suited for tropical or subtropical climates, it is killed at 0°C or colder for any appreciable length of time, but may survive cold weather even if it end up getting nearly defoliated each winter. (USDA Zones 10a-12b) Any temps below 4° C degrees call for protection for this plant. Seedling growth arrests below 15°C.
Wind hardiness: It is very tolerant and even survives to strong hurricane wind with minimal damages, but will grow better with slow wind.
Salt tolerance: It is tolerant of coastal and beach exposure.
Landscape Use: Accent.
Hawaiian Uses: The wood of this ?akoko was used as firewood, the leaves medicinally, and the latex used as an ingredient in canoe paint.
Pest and diseases: They are susceptible to fungal diseases. Wet soil quickly causes root and stem rot, especially during winter months. Pests of akoko include whitefly, and scale insects. The plants also attracts root mealy bug which should be treated with a systemic pesticide or horticultural oil. Often the scale in-sects and mealybugs are brought in and protected by ants.
Propagation: Seeds or cuttings. It is best to collect seed just before or just after the capsules split open to be sure to have fresh but mature seeds. Because of the small size of the seedlings, place little or no cover over the seedbed. Take extra care to avoid letting the seedbed dry out. The seeds will begin sprouting in one to two weeks (sometimes take longer). Let the seedlings grow to about 5 cm in height before separating and transplanting to individual containers. You can also propagate it by stem tip cuttings. Take cuttings about 10 cm in length from actively growing tips with mostly green wood. Rooting time is variable as long as two to three months. After root growth and new stem growth are obvious, transfer the new plant to a standard potting mix.
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