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Saccharum officinarum

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Poales Family: Poaceae Genus: Saccharum

kō [ko], sugar cane

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form:

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves:

Flowers:

Fruit:

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Synonyms (39)

Arundo saccharifera Garsault (1764)
Saccharifera officinalis Stokes (1812)
Saccharum atrorubens Cuzent & Pancher ex Drake (1892)
Saccharum bataviense André (1866)
Saccharum fragile Cuzent & Pancher ex Drake (1892)
Saccharum glabrum Cuzent & Pancher ex Drake (1892)
Saccharum hybridum R.M.Grey (1927)
Saccharum infirmum Steud. (1857)
Saccharum luzonicum Cuzent & Pancher ex Drake (1892)
Saccharum maddenii André (1866)
Saccharum monandrum Rottb. (1777)
Saccharum occidentale Sw. (1829)
Saccharum officinale Salisb. (1796)
Saccharum officinarium
Saccharum officinarum var. atrorubens Cuzent & Pancher ex Drake (1892)
Saccharum officinarum var. brevipedicellatum Hack. (1883)
Saccharum officinarum var. fragile Cuzent & Pancher ex Drake (1892)
Saccharum officinarum var. genuinum Hack. (1883)
Saccharum officinarum var. giganteum Kunth (1833)
Saccharum officinarum var. glabrum Cuzent & Pancher ex Drake (1892)
Saccharum officinarum var. jamaicense Sickenb. (1901)
Saccharum officinarum var. litteratum Hassk. (1848)
Saccharum officinarum var. litteratum-breve Hassk. (1848)
Saccharum officinarum var. luridum Hassk. (1848)
Saccharum officinarum var. luteum-durum Hassk. (1848)
Saccharum officinarum var. luzonicum Cuzent & Pancher ex Drake (1892)
Saccharum officinarum var. obscurum Cuzent & Pancher ex Drake (1892)
Saccharum officinarum var. oceanicum Endl. (1836)
Saccharum officinarum var. otaheitense Roem. & Schult. (1817)
Saccharum officinarum var. purpureum Kunth (1833)
Saccharum officinarum var. rubicundum Cuzent & Pancher ex Drake (1892)
Saccharum officinarum var. rubrum-altum Hassk. (1848)
Saccharum officinarum var. rubrum-humile Hassk. (1848)
Saccharum officinarum var. tahitense Andersson (1855)
Saccharum officinarum var. variegatum André (1866)
Saccharum officinarum var. violaceum Pers. (1805)
Saccharum rubicundum Cuzent & Pancher ex Drake (1892)
Saccharum spontaneum subsp. luzonicum Hack. (1889)
Saccharum violaceum Tussac (1808)

Uses and Culture

USES

  • Black dye made from leaf & stem charcoal

  • Handy et al. (1972:187) state that the main use of kōwas as a food. Normally a condiment, in times of famine a "life saver". Cane was chewed to harden gums. Used as inside wall covering (Abbott 1992:69). Kōcharcoal used as a dye (Krauss 1993:65), cane for darts (Krauss 1993:89), and leaves for thatch (Degener 1930:58). In the Ethnology Collection at Bishop Museum there are post-contact examples of kōused in different types of hatbraids.

  • Young leaf buds of the kōare mixed with kowali pehu vines (Ipomoea alba) and salt for pouring on deep cuts/wounds and compound fractures. Used for many medical purposes mixed with other plants, apparently as a sweetener, as many of the herbal remidies are bitter; it eliminates scarring as well (Abbott 1992:103; Chun 1994:152–155). For the illness hilo, waiki kō‘aina kea is mixed with niu fruit (coconut, Cocos nucifera), and hau ka‘eka‘e and used as a topical remedy. Toasted cane juice used for ailing babies (Handy et al. 1972:187)

CULTURE

  • I] ‘Aina kōkiola wale ‘ia i ka nahele. Sugarcane trash thrown in the wilderness. A derogatory expression applied to a person of no consequence. [II] He laukona ke kō, konakona ke aloha. Laukona is the sugar cane; love is despised. Laukona sugar cane was often used to free the victim of hana aloha sorcery. Instead of falling madly in love, the victim grew to dislike the subject. [III] He pa‘a kōlea no Kohala, e kole ai ka waha ke ‘ai. A resistant white sugar cane of Kohala that injures the mouth when eaten. A person that one does not tamper with. This was the retort of Pupukea, a Hawai‘i chief, when the Maui chief Makakuikalani make fun of his small stature. Later used in praise of the warriors of Kohala, who were known for valor. [IV] He papa‘a ke kō, pa‘a ke aloha. The papa‘a is the sugar cane that holds fast to love. Said of the papa‘a variety of sugar cane, used in hana aloha sorcery. [V] I ‘ike ‘ia no o Kohala i ka pae kō, a o ka pae kōia kole ai ka waha. One can recognize Kohala by her rows of sugar cane which can make the mouth raw when chewed. When one wanted to fight a Kohala warrior, he would have to be a very good warrior to succeed. Kohala men were vigorous, brave, and strong. [VI] Ke kō‘eli lima o Halali‘i. The sugar cane of Halali‘i, dug out by hand. Winds blowing over this place on Ni‘ihau buried the sugar cane. Here and there the leaves would be seen and the people would dig them out by hand. [VII] O ka li‘ili‘i pa‘a kokea ia Kohala, e kole ai kōnuku. It is the little white sugar stalk of Kohala that makes your mouth raw. Said by Pupukea when Makakuikalani make fun of his small size. The fine, hair-like growth on stalks of sugar cane can cause irritation. [VIII] Ola a kau kōkea. Lives till the sugar cane tassels. Said of one who lives until his hair whitens with age. [IX] Pau ke kō, ku ka he'e. When the sugar cane tassels, the octopus season is here. The sugar cane tassels in late October or early November. [X] Pau ke kō, ne‘e i ka he‘e holua. When the sugar cane tassels, move to the sledding course. The tops of sugar cane were used as a slippery bedding for the sled to slide on. [XI] Puhipuhi la‘u a kahuna, ka maunu loa‘a a ka pupuka. By blowing the medicine given by a kahuna, can the ugly gain his desire. Said of one who resorted to the prayers and ceremonies of a kahuna hana aloha to gain the love of his desired one. The person consulting the kahuna ate pilimai and manulele sugar cane after the kahuna had dedicated them to Makakanikkeoe, the love god. Then he blew in the direction of the desired person. The god, who also had a wind form, bore the mana along, and when it touched the one desired he or she became very much in love with the sender. When used with evil intent-for revenge or to humiliate-the sender is spoken of as an ugly person who has no charm of his own, hence he must resort to sorcery.

  • Kinolau of Kāne

PROPAGATION/CULTIVATION

  • (Handy et al. 1972:186).

Natural History

Statewide Status

Only found in cultivation

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Only found in cultivation
Kaua'i Only found in cultivation
O'ahu Only found in cultivation
Molokai Only found in cultivation
Lana'i Only found in cultivation
Kaho'olawe Only found in cultivation
Maui Only found in cultivation
Hawai'i Only found in cultivation

Dispersal Agents

Wind

Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Specimens

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 54 (1753)

Other References

Non-naturalized Polynesian introduction; Wagner et al. 1990:1588; Staples & Herbst 2005:748 (KEY, DESCR)

Laau Hawaii (Abbott) p.15

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Saccharum officinarum L. Between Waipahu & Ewa From field. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Bushnell, O.A. s.n. Oahu BISH 3/6/1934
2 Saccharum officinarum L. Honolulu; H.S.P.A. Experiment Station, Makiki Plot PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Mangelsdorf, A.J. s.n. Oahu BISH 1/11/1937
3 Saccharum officinarum L. Koloa District, 3581 Kaloke St, Kalaheo House yard. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lorence, D.H. 7120 Kauai BISH 12/8/1991
4 Saccharum officinarum L. Honolulu; 1527 Keeaumoku St PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Mangelsdorf, A.J. s.n. Oahu BISH 3/6/1962
5 Saccharum officinarum L. Kailua, H.S.P.A. substation PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Mangelsdorf, A.J. s.n. Oahu BISH 1/11/1937
6 Saccharum officinarum L. Field 33-B, Honokaa Sugar Co, Hamakua District PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tomich, P.Q. 894 Hawaii BISH 2/24/1960
7 Saccharum officinarum L. Honolulu; University of Hawaii campus PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Krajina, V.J. 620604005 Oahu BISH 6/1/1962
8 Saccharum officinarum L. Lower Nanawale Forest Reserve. Off Rail Road ave Found in assoc. with Andropogon, Pluchea, Dicranopteris, and other exotics. In shade of Mangifera tree. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Croft, L.K. 790056LKC Hawaii BISH 2/22/1979
9 Saccharum officinarum L. Ka Lae o Ka Laau PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. 62.Mo Molokai BISH 6/1/1912
10 Saccharum officinarum L. honolulu; keeaumoku st, h.s.p.a. experiment station PRESERVED_SPECIMEN warner, j. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 12/20/1962
11 Saccharum officinarum L. honolulu; h.s.p.a. experiment station, makiki plot PRESERVED_SPECIMEN mangelsdorf, a.j. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 1/11/1937
12 Saccharum officinarum L. Honolulu; Keeaumoku St, H.S.P.A. Experiment Station PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Warner, J. s.n. Oahu BISH 12/20/1962
13 Saccharum officinarum L. honolulu; university of hawaii campus wooded PRESERVED_SPECIMEN krajina, v.j. collector number: 620604005 Oahu BISH 6/1/1962
14 Saccharum officinarum L. lower nanawale forest reserve. off rail road ave Found in assoc. with Andropogon, Pluchea, Dicranopteris, and other exotics. In shade of Mangifera tree. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN croft, l.k. collector number: 790056lkc Hawaii BISH 2/22/1979
15 Saccharum officinarum L. On roadside to Waipahu, Kamehameha Hwy PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Koike, M. s.n. Oahu BISH 11/9/1930
16 Saccharum officinarum L. on roadside to waipahu, kamehameha hwy PRESERVED_SPECIMEN koike, m. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 11/9/1930
17 Saccharum officinarum L. Narrow ridge betw wooded gulches, Wailau Valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 13202 Molokai BISH 7/3/1933
18 Saccharum officinarum L. aiea roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN nakagawa, s. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 11/9/1930
19 Saccharum officinarum L. betw waipahu & ewa From field. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN bushnell, o.a. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 3/6/1934
20 Saccharum officinarum L. narrow ridge betw wooded gulches, wailau valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. suehiro, a.; dunn, j.; kerns, k.; storey, w.b. collector number: 13255 Molokai BISH 7/3/1933
21 Saccharum officinarum L. koloa district, 3581 kaloke st, kalaheo House yard. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lorence, d.h. collector number: 7120 Kauai BISH 12/8/1991
22 Saccharum officinarum L. narrow ridge betw wooded gulches, wailau valley Subtidal PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. suehiro, a.; dunn, j.; kerns, k.; storey, w.b. collector number: 13202 Nihoa BISH 7/3/1933
23 Saccharum officinarum L. honolulu; keeaumoku st, h.s.p.a. experiment station PRESERVED_SPECIMEN mangelsdorf, a.j. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 3/6/1962
24 Saccharum officinarum L. Narrow ridge betw wooded gulches, Wailau Valley on narrow ridge twetween wooded gulches PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 13202 Molokai BISH 7/3/1933
25 Saccharum officinarum L. National Tropical Botanical Garden, McBryde Garden. Along trail to waterfall at north end of garden (north of Polynesian Canoe Plant garden). PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Robert Brand Brand 9 Kauai HAPI 3/11/1998
26 Saccharum officinarum L. Manoa garden HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Oahu 12/18/2014
27 Saccharum officinarum L. Aiea roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Nakagawa, S. s.n. Oahu BISH 11/9/1930
28 Saccharum officinarum L. Koloa District; Kalaheo; 3581 Kaloke Street In yard of house. Cultivated for eating. Plant purchased. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lorence, D.H. 7120 Kauai BISH 12/8/1991
29 Saccharum officinarum L. honolulu; keeaumoku st, h.s.p.a. experiment station Intertidal shelf PRESERVED_SPECIMEN warner, j. collector number: s.n. Molokai BISH 12/20/1962
30 Saccharum officinarum L. Island of Hawaii, Puna District. Private property (Rex Palmer). PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Robert Brand Brand 9 Missouri Botanical Garden 3/11/1998
31 Saccharum officinarum L. palama PRESERVED_SPECIMEN brown, f.b.h. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 11/1/1924
32 Saccharum officinarum L. Narrow ridge betw wooded gulches, Wailau Valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 13255 Molokai BISH 7/3/1933
33 Saccharum officinarum L. Lower Nanawale Forest Reserve. Off of Rail Road Ave Road side vegetation. Found in association with Andropogon, Pluchea, Dicranopteris, and other exotics. In shade of Mangifera tree. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Croft, L.K. 790056LKC Hawaii BISH 2/22/1979
34 Saccharum officinarum L. ka lae o ka laau PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: 62.mo Molokai BISH 6/1/1912
35 Saccharum officinarum L. kailua, h.s.p.a. substation PRESERVED_SPECIMEN mangelsdorf, a.j. collector number: s.n. Kauai US 1/11/1937
36 Saccharum officinarum L. honolulu; 1527 keeaumoku st PRESERVED_SPECIMEN mangelsdorf, a.j. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 3/6/1962
37 Saccharum officinarum L. wailau valley, narrow ridge between wooded gulches PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. collector number: 13255 Molokai BISH 7/3/1933
38 Saccharum officinarum L. Palama PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Brown, F.B.H. s.n. Oahu BISH 11/1/1924
39 Saccharum officinarum L. lower nanawale forest reserve. off of rail road ave Road side vegetation. Found in association with Andropogon, Pluchea, Dicranopteris, and other exotics. In shade of Mangifera tree. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN croft, l.k. collector number: 790056lkc Hawaii BISH 2/22/1979
40 Saccharum officinarum L. honolulu; h.s.p.a. station PRESERVED_SPECIMEN grant, m.l. collector number: 7561 Oahu BISH 12/3/1934
41 Saccharum officinarum L. Lower Nanawale Forest Reserve. Off of Rail Road Ave Road side vegetation. Found in association with Andropogon, Pluchea, Dicranopteris, and other exotics. In shade of Mangifera tree. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Croft, L.K. Collector Number: 790056LKC Hawaii BISH 2/22/1979
42 Saccharum officinarum L. laie, hawaii. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN ray j. davis 7274 IDS 2/17/1968
43 Saccharum officinarum L. island of hawaii, puna district. private property (rex palmer). PRESERVED_SPECIMEN robert brand brand 9 MO 3/11/1998
44 Saccharum officinarum L. Island School property, east of Puhi Stream; clumping along fence with skirt of dry leaves at base. Landscaped lowland vegetation with naturalized grasses and assorted weeds. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Megan Wood 2 Kauai PTBG 12/30/1998
45 Saccharum officinarum L. hawaiian sugar planters' association sugercane experiment station PRESERVED_SPECIMEN edward e. terrell 5416 USP 12/7/1987
46 Saccharum officinarum L. Mailepai. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hank Oppenheimer H10134 Maui PTBG 1/24/2001
47 Saccharum officinarum L. Yard of house at 3581 Kaloke St., Kalaheo. Noble cane variety known as "rainbow cane", cultivated for eating, plant purchased from Na Lima Kokua (NTBG). PRESERVED_SPECIMEN David H. Lorence 7120 Kauai PTBG 12/8/1991
48 Saccharum officinarum L. Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association Sugercane Experiment Station PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Edward E. Terrell 5416 TENN 12/7/1987
49 Saccharum officinarum L. kawainui marsh, about 1/4 mi from pali highway on quarry road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN l. b. smith 41 Oahu US 1/7/1976
50 Saccharum officinarum L. koloa district; kalaheo; 3581 kaloke street In yard of house. Cultivated for eating. Plant purchased. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lorence, d.h. collector number: 7120 Kauai BISH 12/8/1991
51 Saccharum officinarum L. wailau valley, narrow ridge between wooded gulches PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. collector number: 13202 Molokai BISH 7/3/1953
52 Saccharum officinarum L. Lower Nanawale Forest Reserve. Off Rail Road ave Found in assoc. with Andropogon, Pluchea, Dicranopteris, and other exotics. In shade of Mangifera tree. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Croft, L.K. Collector Number: 790056LKC Hawaii BISH 2/22/1979
53 Saccharum officinarum L. field 33-b, honokaa sugar co, hamakua district PRESERVED_SPECIMEN tomich, p.q. collector number: 894 Hawaii BISH 2/24/1960
54 Saccharum officinarum L. Honolulu; H.S.P.A. Station PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Grant, M.L. 7561 Oahu BISH 12/3/1934
55 Saccharum officinarum L. Honolulu; Keeaumoku St, H.S.P.A. Experiment Station PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Mangelsdorf, A.J. s.n. Oahu BISH 3/6/1962
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