Coastal sea hibiscus tree confirmed growing on Kauaʻi shoreline
iNaturalist: cmwils21
Native Plants
If you're walking a Hawaiian beach and spot a tree with heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers that turn orange by afternoon, you're likely looking at sea hibiscus, a plant Polynesians brought across the Pacific for cordage, canoes, and medicine long before Western contact.
Someone out in Poʻipū, Kauaʻi spotted a sea hibiscus tree and logged it on iNaturalist, where other naturalists confirmed the identification, making it a verified 'research-grade' sighting. Sea hibiscus is a coastal tree with big yellow flowers that fade to orange and then red before falling, and it's been a fixture of Pacific Island shorelines and cultures for centuries.
Key Findings
Observation was verified as research-grade, meaning the community confirmed the species ID
Location documented: Poʻipū, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi, US
Species confirmed: Hibiscus tiliaceus (sea hibiscus), a Pacific coastal tree species
chevron_right Technical Summary
A citizen scientist confirmed a sea hibiscus tree growing in Poʻipū, Kauaʻi, adding to the verified record of this coastal species in Hawaiʻi. Sightings like this help track where culturally and ecologically important plants are actually growing.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
sea hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus) observed in Kauaʻi, Poʻipū, HI, US
Research-grade observation of sea hibiscus in Kauaʻi, Poʻipū, HI, US.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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