Developing propagation protocols for native Hawaiian plants with potential landscape and indoor uses

摘要

Native plants as ornamentals are gaining popularity across the United States, including Hawaii where native plants have been promoted since the 1990s and are required in state-funded landscaping projects. Due to limited information and to increase availability and variety of native Hawaiian plant selections, a research program was established at the University of Hawaii atManoa to collect, select, and evaluate non-endangered and underutilized species for ornamental uses.Research has provided useful information on propagation of Heteropogon contortus (pili grass), Chenopodium oahuense (aweoweo), Melanthera integrifolia (nehe), Eragrostis deflexa (Pacific lovegrass), Jacquemontia ovaliifolia (pau o hiiaka), and Peperomiaspp. (ala ala wai nui).