Ko‘oloa ‘Ula

The ko‘oloa ‘ula (Abutilon menziesii) is an endemic plant with silvery green leaves and hibiscus shaped flowers. The flower color is most commonly pink, but colors can range from pale yellow to dark maroon.

It grows in the dry forests on the leeward sides of Hawai‘i, Maui, Lāna‘i, and O‘ahu. Habitat loss, and overgrazing by animals, has brought the ko‘oloa ‘ula to the brink of extinction in the wild.

The ko‘oloa ‘ula was one of the first endangered Hawaiian plants to be used in urban landscaping. This attractive low maintenance plant is drought resistant and thrives in sunny dry areas.

Using native plants in landscaping is a mutually beneficial way to preserve natural diversity. Native plants can be low maintenance when planted in an environment where they are naturally adapted. Landscape plants can also be a reservoir of seeds and genetic diversity to repopulate the wild. Native plants can also attract indigenous insects and birds.

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