Native Hawaiian berry plant spotted and confirmed in Pahoa
iNaturalist: shakthi6
Native Plants
If you're hiking Hawaii's volcanic slopes, spotting 'ohelo 'ai in fruit means you're looking at a plant native Hawaiians have picked for generations and that native birds still depend on for food.
Someone out exploring near Pahoa on the Big Island found and photographed 'ohelo 'ai, a low shrub related to blueberries that only grows in Hawaii. Other naturalists reviewed the photos and confirmed the identification, so it now counts as a verified record of where this plant is still growing wild.
Key Findings
Observation reached 'research-grade' status on iNaturalist, meaning the identification was community-verified.
Location recorded was Pahoa, on the island of Hawaii.
Species is Vaccinium reticulatum, a Hawaiian endemic in the blueberry family.
chevron_right Technical Summary
A citizen scientist confirmed a sighting of 'ohelo 'ai, a native Hawaiian blueberry relative, growing in Pahoa on the Big Island, adding to the public record of where this culturally important plant still thrives.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
'ohelo 'ai (Vaccinium reticulatum) observed in Pahoa
Research-grade observation of 'ohelo 'ai in Pahoa.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
Was this useful?
Want to tell us more? (optional)
Thanks for the note!
Something went wrong — please try again.
Too many submissions. Try again in an hour.
Street trees cut heat deaths by 39 percent in European cities
Trees in your local park or street aren't just pretty — they are literally keeping people alive during heatwaves, and planting even a modest number of the ri...
Vaccinium reticulatum, known as ʻōhelo ʻai in Hawaiian, is a species of Hawaiian Vaccinium.