Lanai Colicwood: A Rare Hawaiian Native Worth Growing Responsibly
Meet the Lanai colicwood (Myrsine lanaiensis), also known as kolea—a charming native Hawaiian shrub that’s become increasingly rare in the wild. This unassuming perennial deserves a spot in your native garden, but with an important caveat: it needs our help to survive.
What Makes Lanai Colicwood Special?
This multi-stemmed woody shrub typically stays under 13-16 feet tall, making it perfect for those spots where you need something substantial but not overwhelming. As a true Hawaiian native, it has evolved specifically for island conditions and plays an important role in native ecosystems.
Lanai colicwood grows naturally across Hawaii, with populations scattered throughout the islands. Unfortunately, this plant has earned a Global Conservation Status of S3, meaning it’s considered vulnerable to extinction. With only 21 to 100 occurrences remaining and between 3,000 to 10,000 individuals in the wild, every garden that includes this species responsibly can make a difference.
Why You Should Consider Growing It (Responsibly)
Here’s where things get important: if you’re drawn to this rare beauty, you absolutely should grow it—but only with plants or seeds from reputable native plant nurseries or conservation programs. Never collect from wild populations.
Lanai colicwood offers several benefits for the thoughtful gardener:
- Supports native Hawaiian ecosystems and wildlife
- Requires less water than non-native alternatives once established
- Provides habitat for native insects and birds
- Adds authentic Hawaiian character to native landscapes
- Helps preserve Hawaii’s botanical heritage
Growing Conditions and Care
Good news for Hawaiian gardeners: Lanai colicwood is surprisingly adaptable when grown in the right conditions. This shrub thrives in USDA hardiness zones 10-11, making it perfect for Hawaii’s tropical and subtropical climates.
For best results, provide:
- Well-draining soil (this is crucial—soggy roots spell trouble)
- Partial shade to full sun exposure
- Moderate watering once established
- Protection from strong, drying winds
Perfect Garden Settings
Lanai colicwood shines in native Hawaiian gardens and dry forest restoration projects. It’s an excellent choice for drought-tolerant landscapes where you want to showcase indigenous plants. Consider using it as an understory shrub beneath larger native trees, or as part of a mixed native shrub border.
This plant works particularly well in gardens designed to attract native Hawaiian wildlife and support local ecosystems. While specific pollinator benefits aren’t well-documented, its small flowers likely provide resources for native Hawaiian insects.
The Bottom Line
Lanai colicwood deserves a place in Hawaii’s gardens—not just for its quiet beauty, but for its conservation value. By growing this vulnerable native species responsibly, you’re participating in an important conservation effort while creating a landscape that truly belongs to the islands.
Just remember: always source your plants responsibly from reputable native plant nurseries or conservation programs. Together, we can help ensure that future generations will know the simple pleasure of encountering kolea growing where it belongs—in Hawaiian gardens and wild spaces alike.
