Lonomea
Description: Tree ranging in height from twenty to fifty feet. It has a light grey-white bark and oval green leaves with a yellow midrib. The texture is of thick paper and range in size from three to ten inches long and the edges of the leaves are somewhat wavy. The flowers grow at the base of the leaf stem in clusters and are white in color.
ʻōlelo mua (Introduction):
Inoa(Name):
- Scientific – Sapindus oahuensis
- Hawaiian – Lonomea, Āulu or Kaulu
- English – Oʻahu Soapberry or Soapberry
ʻOhana: Part of Sapindaceae family
Kūlana olakino(Status): Endemic
Kaianoho(Habitat):
- Naturally is found only in mesic to dry forests on northwest Kauaʻi and in the Waiʻanae and Koʻolau Mountains (Waimalu to Niu valleys) on Oʻahu from about 200 to 2,000 feet.
Nū hou Propagation(Propagation Information):
- Nū hou Paʻipaʻi(Trim Information)
- Trim dead material as needed.
- Fallen fruits and leaves should be raked up in a formal landscape or they can be left as compost in more natural settings.
- Tolerance:
- Drought
- Wind
- Lepo:
- Sand
- Cinder
- Coral
- Limitations:
- susceptible to stem rot if over watered.
Lāʻau lapaʻau(Medicinal Use):
- The seeds were used for medicinal purposes and to string gorgeous leis.
Ways it was Used:
- Used to string gorgeous leis.
- The hard wood was used to make spears and other things.
Kino lau(Many Forms taken by Supernatural body): None
Nū hou Propagation(Propagation Information):
- Hiʻohiʻona ʻāina Hoʻohana (Utilize Landscape):
- Provides Shade
- Screening
- Specimen Plant
- Pua
- Yes, Keokeo(white) iki (small)
- Wā Pua(Blooming Period):
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
- Hoʻomomona lepo(Fertilizer)
When younger, lonomea appreciate an application of a balanced slow release fertilize with minor elements every six months.
Foliar feed monthly with kelp or fish emulsion, or a water-soluble fertilizer with a dilution of one half to one third of recommended strength. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
