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Nototrichium humile
Alternative Botanical Names
Psilotrichum humile
Common Names
Humble Kulu'i
Kulu'i
Family
Amaranthaceae
Potential or Traditional Uses
Landscape
Lei (Flower or Seed)
Photo of Nototrichium humile
Description
Nototrichium humile is a medium to large shrub ranging in height from 3 to 15 feet. The overall shape of the shrub varies because the stems can grow upright or can be more horizontal with upward sweeping ends. The mature leaves are oval, 1 to 3 inches long and 3/4 to 2 inches wide. Younger leaves and leaves on young plants are narrower. New leaves are have short hairs, but these hairs are lost with age and older leaves are more or less smooth. The flower spikes are thin and silvery, 1 to 7 inches long. (Koob 2000; Wagner 1990)
Habitat and Geographic Range
Nototrichium humile is a Hawaiian endangered endemic plant. It can be found in the Wai'anae Mountains on Oahu and the Lauala'ilua Hills of East Maui. It grows in the remaining patches of dry forests on cliff faces, in gulches, and on steep slopes at elevations from 900 to 2,300 feet. (Wagner 1990)
Propagation by Seeds/Spores
The seeds of Nototrichium humile are very small, about 1/16 of an inch long, and lens shaped. Nototrichium humile can be grown from seed, but the resulting plants are variable in habit and leaf size. (Koob 2000; Wagner 1990)
Propagation by Cuttings
Nototrichium humile is very easy to grow from cuttings. Use tip cuttings and remove the lower leaves before inserting the cuttings in the planting medium. Almost any sterile medium that will hold water (such as perlite, vermiculite, or potting soil) will work for this easy to root plant. No rooting hormone is required. Roots for quickly and cuttings are well rooted in less than 4 weeks. (Koob 2000)
Propagation by Division
Not applicable.
Propagation by Air Layers
No information located to date.
Propagation by Grafting
No information located to date.
Propagation by Tissue Culture
No information located to date.
References
Koob, Gregory A. 2000. The other kulu'i. Hawai'i Horticulture 3 (8): 5-6.

Wagner, Warren L., Darrel R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawai'i. 2 vols., Bishop Museum Special Publication 83. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press and Bishop Museum Press. p. 193-194.


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Notes
The image in this record is used with permission from Dr. Gregory A. Koob. It originally appeared in the August 2000 issue of Hawai'i Horticulture.


Last updated:
5 February 2001

Please send comments and suggestions to eherring@hawaii.edu