Hawaiian Flowers

Yellow Hibiscus is the Hawaiian State Flower

Hawaiian State Flower

It is scientifically known as Hibiscus brackenridgei (Asa Gray) and locally named ma‘o hau hele or pua aloalo. The yellow hibiscus is a tall shrub that grows up to 10 feet with bright yellow petals and maplelike leaves, which closely related to the widespread woodland sunflower. Two subspeciesof this Hawaiian flower are recognized as H. b. brackenridgei, a sprawling shrub to an erect tree found on Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Maui, and Hawaii; and H. b. mokuleianus, a tree from dry habitats on Kaua‘i and Wai‘anae mountains on O‘ahu.

The most visible difference between the two subspecies is in the leaves and stems. The leaves of subspecies mokuleianus have more serrated margins and pink veins with tiny spines on the branches. Subspecies brackenridgei, on the other hand, has leaves with more rounded margins and yellow veins, and it lacks the tiny spines on its branches.

Yellow Hibiscus

This species is listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Home (USSFWS). This yellow flower is the official Hawaiian flower, and although endangered in its natural habitats, has become a moderately popular ornamental plant in most Hawaiian yards. It can be found in the dry to mesic forests of all main islands of Hawaii except Niihau, although it was once reportedly collected from Kahoolawe province on the island.

Some may claim that this Hawaiian flower had been regarded as state flower on May 2, 1923 after a long struggle by a group of women who aimed to beautify Honolulu, called Outdoor Circle which was established in 1912. But it was then officially adopted by the Hawaii Legislature June 6, 1988, 30 years after Hawaii joined as the 50th state of USA.