Ipomoea Species, Hawaiian Moonflower

Threatened status pending in Hawaii. Native Hawaiian plant, which should be (but is not yet) protected by law. Conservation group in Hawa...Read Moreii is attempting to get a law passed which will make it illegal to collect any part of this plant, including seeds, from the wild.

Has historic and cultural significance to Hawaii- unlike the regular Moonflower. This Native Hawaiian moonflower has a very limited natural range. Tends to die when people attempt to grow it in other areas. Even if taken to some other tropical setting, it won't usually survive outside of its preferred coastal niche. So- please if you see this plant, take photos but leave the plant, and its seeds, where they are.

This species of moonflower is a Hawaiian native and also endemic to the Hawaiian islands, according to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Becoming scarce in the Hawaiian isles due to development, overcollection, and loss of space to more aggressive invading plant and vine species- including but not limited to various non-Hawaiian Ipomoeas, Kudzu, Ampelopsis, Crown Vetch/Coronilla, and Banana Poka.

Hawaiians ate roots and stems in time of famine.