Smilax melastomifolia

Common Names

Hawai'i Greenbrier, Aka‘awa, Hoi Kuahiwi, Uhi

Summary

Hawai'i greenbrier is a woody climbing vine endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, found on all main islands except Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe, in mesic to wet forests and bog margins at elevations of 180–2,080 m. It is a spiny liana with prickles on stems and on the underside of leaves and on peduncles of female flowers, and two tendrils at leaf bases for support; leaves are simple, alternate, glossy, cordate to broadly ovate (roughly 5–18 cm long, 3.3–18 cm wide); flowers are unisexual and borne in axillary or round umbels with pale green to white tepals; fruits are globose berries about 6–7 mm in diameter and white to pale green; the plant is dioecious.

Practical considerations include habitat preference for mesic to wet forests and bog margins at 180–2,080 m; the plant is dioecious, with bird-dispersed berries and a host plant role for the Hawaiian endemic moth Scotorythra ortharcha; conservation status is Apparently Secure.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-10 feet

Sunlight Requirements

Full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-draining, organic-rich soil; pH 6.0–7.0

Soil Drainage

Well-draining soil

Soil pH

6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Pale green to white

Bloom Time

Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, Attracts other pollinators (insects)