Koa, Koa Tree

Acacia koa

Summary 4

Endemic, Endangered; Kaua'i, O'ahu?, Moloka'i, Lāna, Maui, Hawai'i
Known bee plant, but pollen and nectar unknown

This is Hawaii's largest finest native tree, growing sometimes to over a hundred feet. It has a find straight trunk is the tree from which the native canoes were made. As the tree grows only cooler mountain areas, the great logs were pulled down to the ocean by the whole village after they had been partially hollowed out. The koa is marked by its sickle-shaped foliage which is a greyish green in color. These are not true leaves, however, but modified leaf stems. True leaves, seen in seedlings or sometimes on young growth, are doubly compound. The koa blossoms are inconspicuous, pale yellow balls of stamens, similar to those seen on other species of acacia. (Kuck, L. E., & Tongg, R. C. (1965). Hawaiian flowers & flowering trees)

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Scot Nelson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotnelson/5791151985/
  2. (c) Forest and Kim Starr, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/starr-environmental/25160837586/
  3. (c) Forest and Kim Starr, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/starr-environmental/24740747092/
  4. (c) Megan W., some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

iNat Map