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Heliocarpus americanus

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Malvales Family: Malvaceae Genus: Heliocarpus

moho, white moho

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Trees 6–30 m tall.

Stems: Young branches puberulent to tomentulose.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades ovate to cordate, 20–30 cm long, 14–18 cm wide, unlobed or shallowly 3–lobed. Apex acuminate. Base truncate to cordate. Surfaces minutely stellate pubescent. Margins irregularly serrulate. 5–7 veined. Petioles 6–8 cm long. Stipules present.

Flowers: Flowers 12–20 usually in terminal cymes, perfect flowers with pedicels 2–4 mm long; pistillate flowers with pedicels ca. 2 mm long, cymose inflorescences. Flowers bisexual (perfect) and pistillate (and plants gynodioecious). Calyx of 4 sepals; sepals valvate in bud, pubescent; sepals of perfect flowers lanceolate, 4–7 mm long. sepals of pistillate flowers 4–5.5 mm long. Corolla actinomorphic to moderately zygomorphic, tubular to rotate or reflexed. Valvate in bud, shorter than sepals, without glands at base, perfect flowers corolla of 4 petals, narrowly spatulate, 3–4.5 mm long; pistillate flowers petals rudimentary or absent. Stamens of perfect flowers 12–24; anthers dithecal.; pistillate flowers with numerous staminodes. Pollen globose, echinate. Ovary superior, 2-celled, falsely 4-celled at base, laterally compressed; ovules 2 per cell, placentation axile; perfect and pistillate flowers ovary on a short gynophore; style 1, 2-lobed, ovary with as many cells.

Fruit: Capsules loculicidally dehiscent; ellipsoid to ellipsoid–ovoid; on a gynophore 5–10 mm long; the body 3–4 mm long; 2 rows of plumose bristles along the margins; the plumose bristles 4–7 mm long; the faces with stellate hairs or very short plumose bristles. Seeds ovoid; ca. 2.5 mm long; depressed in the middle; with endosperm.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Cultivated and naturalized in disturbed forest.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Only found in cultivation
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Wind
Forestry

Pollinators

Specimens

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Notes

  • Description digitized by Rafael Domingo
  • Description digitized from the Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii
  • also known as moho, white moho
  • not mentioned

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 448 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1292 (K, O, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:549 (DESCR); Oppenheimer 2007:31 (L)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Heliocarpus americanus L. Kipapa Trail, ~1 mi from refuge boundary, trailside wet lowland forest; Metrosideros, Acacia, Dicranopteris PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Reynolds, L.S. 145 Oahu BISH 6/15/2006
2 Heliocarpus americanus L. s of hilo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN krajina, v.j. collector number: 611227020 Hawaii BISH 12/27/1961
3 Heliocarpus americanus L. Vicinity Hulopoe Gulch In alien forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. Collector Number: H120644 Lanai BISH 12/20/2006
4 Heliocarpus americanus L. along stainback highway PRESERVED_SPECIMEN herbst, d.r. collector number: 881 Hawaii BISH 2/2/1968
5 Heliocarpus americanus L. honohina (lower piha) PRESERVED_SPECIMEN adee, k.t. collector number: s.n. Maui BISH 12/15/1978
6 Heliocarpus americanus L. N Halawa Valley, lower valley scrubland PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lennstrom, H. 1994-36 Oahu BISH 2/2/1994
7 Heliocarpus americanus L. tantalus drive, roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN kerr, m. Oahu BISH
8 Heliocarpus americanus L. Waiakea HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 1/3/2011
9 Heliocarpus americanus L. Honolulu, Tantalus, near hogback PRESERVED_SPECIMEN McGuire, T. s.n. Oahu BISH
10 Heliocarpus americanus L. n halawa valley, lower valley scrubland PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lennstrom, h. collector number: 1994-36 Oahu BISH 2/2/1994
11 Heliocarpus americanus L. Honolulu, Tantalus forest, roadside; with Eucalyptus, Psidium guajava, Persea americana PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Ray, G. 34 Oahu BISH 8/13/1997
12 Heliocarpus americanus L. S of Hilo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Krajina, V.J. 611227020 Hawaii BISH 12/27/1961
13 Heliocarpus americanus L. N Halawa Valley access road Alongside road w/Buddleia asiatica, Lantana camara, Acacia koa, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Aleurites moluccana. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Imada, C.T. 94-4 Oahu BISH 2/2/1994
14 Heliocarpus americanus L. Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 2/17/2020
15 Heliocarpus americanus L. Trail to Kahili Bog, Wahiawa Valley Wet forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 13613 Kauai BISH 12/24/1933
16 Heliocarpus americanus L. Waiakea HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 1/3/2011
17 Heliocarpus americanus L. Waiakea HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 1/3/2011
18 Heliocarpus americanus L. Honolulu, very top of Tantalus Dr., along winding road. Weedy, disturbed roadside. With Citharexylum caudatum, Schinus terebinthifolia, Cestrum nocturnum, Montanoa hibiscifolia, Tibouchina herbacea, Ipomoea indica PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kennedy, B. 82 Oahu BISH 1/16/2019
19 Heliocarpus americanus L. koloa district, lawai, lauoho road at lawai stream. west of bridge in stream bottom PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. collector number: 2637 Kauai BISH 12/3/1987
20 Heliocarpus americanus L. Honolulu, Tantalus, near hogback forest type, wet PRESERVED_SPECIMEN McGuire, T. s.n. Oahu BISH 1/15/1943
21 Heliocarpus americanus L. hilo-kulani road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hawaii BISH
22 Heliocarpus americanus L. Honolulu, section 22, lower part PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Osgood, R.V. 54 Oahu BISH 12/5/1965
23 Heliocarpus americanus L. honolulu, section 22, lower part PRESERVED_SPECIMEN osgood, r.v. collector number: 54 Oahu BISH 12/5/1965
24 Heliocarpus americanus L. kalauao valley (ewa side of aiea ridge trail) Small gulch in back of Kalauao Valley just below the summit. Disturbed wet gulch vegetation: Erigeron karvinskianus, Ageratina adenophora, Pterolepis, Paspalum conjugatum, Clidemia, Machaerina angustifolia, Wikstroemia oahuensis, Metrosideros polymorpha, Cibotium, Oplismenus, Rubus rosifolius. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN imada, c.t. collector number: 2003-188 Oahu BISH 11/17/2003
25 Heliocarpus americanus L. honolulu, tantalus, near hogback PRESERVED_SPECIMEN mcguire, t. Oahu BISH
26 Heliocarpus americanus L. kipapa trail, ~1 mi. from refuge boundary, trailside wet lowland forest; Metrosideros, Acacia, Dicranopteris PRESERVED_SPECIMEN reynolds, l.s. walker, r. collector number: 145 Oahu BISH 6/15/2006
27 Heliocarpus americanus L. Koloa District, Lawai, Lauoho road at Lawai Stream. West of bridge in stream bottom PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 2637 Kauai BISH 12/3/1987
28 Heliocarpus americanus L. s of hilo along beach PRESERVED_SPECIMEN krajina, v.j. collector number: 611228039 Oahu BISH 12/28/1961
29 Heliocarpus americanus L. trail to kahili bog, wahiawa valley Wet forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. fosberg, f.r. collector number: 13613 Kauai BISH 12/24/1933
30 Heliocarpus americanus L. Kalauao Valley (ewa side of Aiea Ridge trail) Small gulch in back of Kalauao Valley just below the summit. Disturbed wet gulch vegetation: Erigeron karvinskianus, Ageratina adenophora, Pterolepis, Paspalum conjugatum, Clidemia, Machaerina angustifolia, Wikstroemia oahuensis, Metrosideros polymorpha, Cibotium, Oplismenus, Rubus rosifolius. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Imada, C.T. 2003-188 Oahu BISH 11/17/2003
31 Heliocarpus americanus L. n halawa valley access road Alongside road w/Buddleia asiatica, Lantana camara, Acacia koa, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Aleurites moluccana. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN imada, c.t. lennstrom, h.; preston, d. collector number: 94-4 Oahu BISH 2/2/1994
32 Heliocarpus americanus L. honolulu, 3800 tantalus dr., 100 m s of access road to puu ohia Acacia koa, Hibiscus tilliaceus, mesic-wet ridgeline, E facing slope, disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN ray, g. gibney, e. collector number: 66 Oahu BISH 1/9/1998
33 Heliocarpus americanus L. vicinity hulopoe gulch In alien forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN oppenheimer, h.l. collector number: h120644 Lanai BISH 12/20/2006
34 Heliocarpus americanus L. Honohina (Lower Piha) PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Adee, K.T. s.n. Maui BISH 12/15/1978
35 Heliocarpus americanus L. Honolulu, 3800 Tantalus Dr., 100 m S of access road to Puu Ohia Acacia koa, Hibiscus tilliaceus, mesic-wet ridgeline, E facing slope, disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Ray, G. 66 Oahu BISH 1/9/1998
36 Heliocarpus americanus L. puu kaua. planted in foothills for reforestation. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener|kwan k. park|will bush|potter|d. leroy topping degener 10843 MO 1/19/1936
37 Heliocarpus americanus L. tantalus, 3800 round top dr, 100m s of access road to puu ohia Mesic-wet ridgeline, E-facing slope, disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN g. j. ray 66 NY 1/9/1998
38 Heliocarpus americanus L. Waiahole Valley, road up to Waiahole Ditch Trail. In semi-open places, in wet forest of exotic trees. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN F. R. Fosberg 59478 Oahu PTBG 3/1/1980
39 Heliocarpus americanus L. Tantalus, 3___ Tantalus Dr, below second set of multiple switchbacks Understory of mesic forest, disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN G. J. Ray 34 NY 8/13/1997
40 Heliocarpus americanus L. tantalus, 3___ tantalus dr, below second set of multiple switchbacks Understory of mesic forest, disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN g. j. ray 34 NY 8/13/1997
41 Heliocarpus americanus L. Tantalus, 3800 Round Top Dr, 100m S of access road to Puu Ohia Mesic-wet ridgeline, E-facing slope, disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN G. J. Ray 66 NY 1/9/1998
42 Heliocarpus americanus L. Vicinity Hulupoe Gulch. In alien forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hank Oppenheimer H120644 Lanai PTBG 12/20/2006
43 Heliocarpus americanus L. Lawai. Lauoho Road at Lawai Stream. West of bridge in stream bottom. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 2637 Kauai PTBG 12/3/1987
44 Heliocarpus americanus L. Wahiawa Mts. Along road to relay towers on Mt. Kahili. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 678 Kauai PTBG 12/9/1983
45 Heliocarpus americanus L. Kalaheo. PuuWai Road at Water tank just before junction with Puulima Road. Secondary vegetation. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 7192 Kauai PTBG 1/25/2005
46 Heliocarpus americanus L. Hoary Head Mountain Range, NE slopes of Mt. Haupu. Weedy mixed lowland forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Natalia Tangalin 2427 Kauai PTBG 10/18/2010
47 Heliocarpus americanus L. Honohina. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN K. Adee s.n. Hawaii PTBG 12/15/1978
48 Heliocarpus americanus L. Honolulu, Manoa Valley, Paradise Park. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN W. M. Bush 283 Oahu PTBG 12/31/1975
49 Heliocarpus americanus L. Mountains above Kalaheo. Along road to Wahiawa Bog, ca. 4 miles from junction with Hwy 50. Disturbed area. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN John J. Fay 250 Kauai PTBG 11/25/1974
50 Heliocarpus americanus L. Along HWY 56 (Kuhio Highway) near Moloaa. Only one plant observed. Roadside alien dominated, growing in full sun PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kelsey Brock 802 Kauai PTBG 4/16/2017
51 Heliocarpus americanus L. Waiahole Valley, rd up to Waiahole ditch trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F. R.; Evans, E. C. 59478 Oahu US 3/1/1980
52 Heliocarpus americanus L. waiahole valley, rd up to waiahole ditch trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN f. r. fosberg & e. c. evans 59478 Oahu US 3/1/1980
53 Heliocarpus americanus L. honolulu, tantalus, near hogback PRESERVED_SPECIMEN t. mcguire s.n. Oahu US 1/15/1943
54 Heliocarpus americanus L. Koloa District. Lawai, Lauoho road at Lawai Stream, Kauai PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. W. 2637 Kauai US 12/3/1987
55 Heliocarpus americanus L. koloa district. lawai, lauoho road at lawai stream, kauai PRESERVED_SPECIMEN t. w. flynn 2637 Kauai US 12/3/1987
56 Heliocarpus americanus L. Honolulu, very top of Tantalus Dr., along winding road Weedy, disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kennedy, B.; Brock, K. 82 Oahu US 1/16/2019
57 Heliocarpus americanus L. Honolulu, very top of Tantalus Dr., along winding road Weedy, disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN B. Kennedy & K. Brock 82 Oahu US 1/16/2019
58 Heliocarpus americanus L. Honolulu, Tantalus, near hogback PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Mcguire, T. s.n. Oahu US 1/15/1943
59 Heliocarpus americanus L. Kawaihau District. Along Highway 56 (Kuhio Highway) near Moloaa. Only one plant observed. Roadside alien dominated growing in full sun Urochloa maxima, Grevillea banksii, Leucaena leucocephala, Syzigium cumini PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Brock, K. 802 Kauai BISH 4/16/2017
60 Heliocarpus americanus L. honolulu, very top of tantalus dr., along winding road Weedy, disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN b. kennedy & k. brock 82 Oahu US 1/16/2019
61 Heliocarpus americanus L. Vicinity Hulopoe Gulch In alien forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. H120644 Lanai BISH 12/20/2006
62 Heliocarpus americanus L. Honolulu, Tantalus forest, roadside; with Eucalyptus, Psidium guajava, Persea americana PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Ray, G. Gibney, E. Collector Number: 34 Oahu BISH 8/13/1997
63 Heliocarpus americanus L. vicinity hulopoe gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN oppenheimer, h.l. collector number: h120644 Maui BISH 12/20/2006
64 Heliocarpus americanus L. Along Stainback Highway PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D.R. 881 Hawaii BISH 2/2/1968
65 Heliocarpus americanus L. Tantalus Drive, roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kerr, M. s.n. Oahu BISH
66 Heliocarpus americanus L. Wahiawa mts., south of Kapalaoa, below and along west ridge. Metrosideros wet forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN K. R. Wood 7471 Kauai PTBG 9/8/1998
67 Heliocarpus americanus L. waiahole valley, road to waiahole ditch trail Common in semi-open places in wet forest of exotic trees. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN fosberg, f.r. evans iii, c. collector number: 59478 Oahu BISH 3/1/1980
68 Heliocarpus americanus L. S of Hilo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Krajina, V.J. 611228039 Hawaii BISH 12/28/1961
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