Mountain Colicwood: A Rare Hawaiian Native Worth Preserving
If you’re lucky enough to garden in Hawaii and want to support native biodiversity, mountain colicwood (Myrsine emarginata) deserves a spot on your radar. This understated evergreen shrub may not win any flashy flower contests, but it plays an important role in Hawaii’s native ecosystems—and it needs our help to stick around.
What Makes Mountain Colicwood Special?
Mountain colicwood is a perennial shrub that’s completely native to Hawaii, making it a true island endemic. You’ll typically find it growing as a multi-stemmed woody plant, usually staying under 13-16 feet tall, though it can get taller or even single-stemmed depending on where it’s growing.
The plant gets its scientific name from its distinctive leaves—emarginata means notched, referring to the small indent you’ll often see at the tip of each oval leaf. It’s these subtle details that make native plants so fascinating once you start paying attention!
Where Does It Grow?
This shrub is found exclusively in Hawaii across multiple islands, typically in montane forests at higher elevations where the air is cooler and mistier. It’s perfectly adapted to the unique conditions of Hawaiian mountain ecosystems.
A Plant That Needs Our Help
Here’s something important every potential grower should know: mountain colicwood has a Global Conservation Status of S3, which means it’s considered vulnerable. With typically only 21-100 occurrences and between 3,000-10,000 individuals remaining, this species is at risk.
What this means for gardeners: If you want to grow mountain colicwood, make absolutely sure you’re getting your plants from responsibly sourced material. Never collect from wild populations, and work with reputable native plant nurseries that propagate their own stock.
Garden Design and Landscape Role
Mountain colicwood shines as an understory shrub in native Hawaiian gardens. It’s not a showstopper, but that’s exactly what makes it valuable—it provides structure, habitat, and authentic native character without demanding all the attention.
Consider using it for:
- Forest restoration projects
- Erosion control on slopes
- Understory plantings beneath taller native trees
- Authentic Hawaiian native gardens
- Shaded areas that need native ground cover
Growing Conditions and Care
Mountain colicwood is adapted to Hawaii’s mountain environments, so it has some specific preferences:
Light: Partial shade to full shade—this isn’t a sun-loving plant
Soil: Well-draining but consistently moist soil with good organic content
Climate: Cooler temperatures of higher elevations (USDA zones 10-12)
Water: Regular moisture is key, but avoid waterlogged conditions
Planting and Care Tips
Successfully growing mountain colicwood requires mimicking its natural mountain habitat:
- Plant in a location protected from strong winds
- Apply organic mulch to keep roots cool and moist
- Ensure consistent moisture without waterlogging
- Provide afternoon shade, especially at lower elevations
- Be patient—native plants often establish slowly but last longer
Ecological Benefits
While mountain colicwood produces small, inconspicuous flowers and dark berries, it serves important ecological functions. The flowers may attract native Hawaiian insects, and the berries can provide food for native birds. Its wetland status is facultative, meaning it can handle both wet and drier conditions, making it useful for various native habitat restoration projects.
Should You Plant It?
If you garden in Hawaii and want to support native biodiversity, mountain colicwood can be a meaningful addition—but only if you source it responsibly. This vulnerable species needs gardeners who understand the importance of conservation and are committed to using properly propagated plants.
It’s not the easiest native plant to find or grow, but for dedicated native plant enthusiasts willing to provide the right conditions, mountain colicwood offers the satisfaction of helping preserve a piece of Hawaii’s unique natural heritage.
Remember: every responsibly grown native plant in a garden is a small victory for conservation. Mountain colicwood may be quiet and unassuming, but it represents something irreplaceable—Hawaii’s botanical legacy that exists nowhere else on Earth.
