Matching Plants
Kou
The federal status of the plant (Endangered, Threatened, or Not listed) based on the US Fish and Wildlife Services Environmental Conservation Online System as of 6/26/2024. Also see "Population Status" designations (PEPP, SWAP). Learn more.
NoneThe Hawaiian name(s) or other common name(s) of the plant.
KouThe taxonomic family for the plant.
CordiaceaeOther names the plant may be called.
Sea trumpet, beach cordia, kerosene woodDoes your site's environmental conditions meet this plant's needs?
The climate zones where this plant grows best. Learn more.
Salt tolerance is variable. If your site is right on the coast with direct salt spray, do some additional research to determine its tolerance. Learn more.
YesIf the plant grows better above or below 2,000' in elevation. Learn more.
<2,000 Feet OnlySelect what best represents the amount of sunlight at the planting site.
The amount of water the plant needs: 1 is lowest, 5 is highest. Learn more.
1-2Plant prefers well-drained soil. Learn more.
YesDoes this plant meet your landscaping needs?
The plant's growth form.
TreeThe range of height of a fully-grown plant, in feet.
15-50'The range of width of a fully-grown plant, in feet.
30'Select the landscape design role you are looking for. Learn more.
Specimen, ShadeSelect a flower color or other attractive feature to filter for those plants. Learn more.
OrangeDoes this plant have the personality you're looking for?
How easy it is to find the plant. Learn more.
CommonSelect options below to match your gardening experience. Learn more.
AverageWhether or not the plant is short-lived. Learn more.
NoIf the plant spreads, how evenly. Learn more.
MinimalIf the plant needs pruning or not. Learn more.
May need regularPruning needed for shaping and to establish a dominant leader.
Does this plant provide the ecosystem and/or ethnotobanical benefits you're looking for?
Fishing lines were strained tan with the leaves. Aged leaves were used to make a red dye for kapa.
How the Ancient Hawaiians used the plant: food, tools, shelter, canoes, medicine, spiritual, crafts, lei, ornamental, and/or fire.
Kapa cloth, Crafts, Food, Famine Food, Games, Lei, Medicine, Ornamental, Shelter, Spiritual, ToolsNot all native plants, birds occur on all islands. Select to show only what naturally occurs on your island. Learn more.
Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lanaʻi, Maui, HawaiʻiProtection status for the plant under Federal and Hawai'I state laws. Learn more.
NoneThe native status of the plant in Hawaiʻi: Indigenous (found natively throughout Hawaiʻi), Endemic (found natively in specific areas), or Canoe (brought to Hawaiʻi by Ancient Hawaiians from other places in Polynesia). Learn more.
IndigenousWelcome to the Go Native App
Things will go here.
Fast growing, low maintenance, moderately drought tolerant and pest resistant. Note: tripping hazard from slippery fruits and exceptionally hard seeds. Tolerates some salt spray, but heavier spray will damage leaves.