Hawaiian Names for Vascular Plants

Abstract

This is a list of vascular plants, the more conspicuous kinds of plants that typically have stems, leaves, and roots. The list does not include mosses, lichens, algae, or fungi. Before the arrival of the white man, Hawaiians had names for several hundred of the native plants. All common genera had names, and other descriptive major words (adjectives) were added to distinguish the different species or varieties. The origins of many Hawaiian plant names are now obscure, because the Hawaiians have lived here for many generations, but often the names simply describe the size, shape, color, odor, resemblance to plants and animals, location, ritual or practical use, growth form or pattern, etc. The exotic plants' names have followed much the same system, often being modified by the name "haole," indicating that they are foreign or introduced. The list is arranged by plant order and family, and within families by scientific name; it gives the Hawaiian name and its meaning. There is an index of Hawaiian names.