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Hippobroma longiflora

(L.) G.Don (1834)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Campanulaceae Genus: Hippobroma

pua hōkū [pua hoku], star of Bethlehem, star-of-bethlehem

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Erect or decumbent annual or biennial herbs.

Stems: Stems coarse, fleshy, 15–50(–80) cm long, glabrous or pubescent.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades lanceolate to oblanceolate, 6–25 cm long, 1.5–8 cm wide. Apex obtuse to acute, mucronulate. Surfaces glabrous or pubescent on the veins. Margins coarsely dentate to pinnately lobed. Subsessile. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers solitary in the axils of cauline leaves or arranged in terminal or axillary racemes, spikes, or cymes; pedicels erect at anthesis but declined in fruit, 5–10 mm long, pubescent. Flowers bisexual (perfect); Hypanthium turbinate, with a conspicuous rim; 10–nerved, 8–11 mm long, 3–5 mm wide, sparsely pubescent. Calyx lobes linear, denticulate and ciliate, 10–22 mm long; sepals connate, tube adnate to ovary, 5-lobed. Corolla actinomorphic or, if zygomorphic, then often laterally fenestrate or dorsally cleft, connate, with 5 valvate lobes, white, salverform, the tube straight and entire, the lobes subequal and lanceolate, 7–15 cm long, pubescent externally, glabrous within. Stamens 5, alternate with corolla lobes; anthers white, dithecal, connate, with an apical tuft of hairs, forming a tube into which pollen is shed; staminal column adnate to corolla tube from the base to just below the orifice; filaments distinct or connate above, attached to the epigynous nectary disk or to base of corolla. Ovary inferior, sometimes only partly so, rarely almost superior, 2–5-carpellate, with as many cells as carpels; ovule placentation axile, or when 1-celled with 2 parietal placentas, often crowned with an annular nectary disk; stigmas wet or dry, 2–5-lobed, appressed and nonreceptive as the style grows through the anther tube, pushing out the pollen, after which the stigmas spread apart and become receptive.

Fruit: Fruit a loculicidal ellipsoid capsule; 1.8–2.5 cm long; 1–1.5 cm wide; dehiscent by 2 apical valves; pendent. Seeds numerous; pale brown; minute; 0.6–0.8 mm long; ellipsoid; minutely pitted–reticulate; with a straight; short to spatulate dicotyledonous embryo embedded in oily endosperm.

Ploidy: 2n = 28

Habitat: Naturalized in low elevation disturbed areas with moderate rainfall.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

  • Yes

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Maui Not in flora
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Notes

  • All parts of the plant contain a irritating alkaloid that can be absorbed easily into the skin and cause a rash

Bibliography

Name Published In: Gen. Hist. 3: 717 (1834)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:472 (K, O, M, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:217 (KEY), 218 (DESCR); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:166 (remove M [no evidence of nat.])

Poisonous Plants of Paradise (Scott & Thomas) p.152-153

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don 7 mi SW of State Route 11 on Mamaki Rd. to Kualani Prison, Waiakea Forest Reserve PRESERVED_SPECIMEN James S. Miller|Mary Merello Miller 7946 Hawaii HAPI 8/6/1992
2 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Jct. Stainback Hwy. and Hwy. 13 to Hilo; disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wagner, W.L. 4851 Hawaii BISH 7/26/1983
3 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Hilo, Catholic School PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Rock, J.F.C. 12853 Hawaii BISH 7/1/1912
4 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Honolulu, Cluett house, 1309 Queen Emma St garden bed PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 26056 Oahu BISH 7/15/1957
5 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Near Hilo on roadside to Volcano House PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 2088 Hawaii BISH 7/23/1926
6 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Hanalei PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. 457.K Kauai BISH 9/1/1913
7 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don occurs along roadside at haena state park PRESERVED_SPECIMEN corn, c. collector number: s.n. Kauai BISH 6/15/1978
8 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don 7 mi SW of State Route 11 on Mamaki Rd. to Kualani Prison, Waiakea Forest Reserve PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Miller, J.S. 1946 Hawaii BISH 8/6/1992
9 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Haena by road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Neal, M.C. s.n. Kauai BISH 4/29/1929
10 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don hanalai valley grassy roadside bank. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN brenan, j.p.m. collector number: 14876 Kauai BISH 2/24/1980
11 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Hanalei District. Nuololo aina (alt. spell. Nualolo), Na Pali coast. Myoporum shrublands w/ secondary invasive species. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wood, K.R. 17946 Kauai BISH 10/4/2018
12 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Terminal portion of 1880 - 12 ma flow near Hilo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. 528.H. Hawaii BISH 5/17/1915
13 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don hawaii PRESERVED_SPECIMEN herbarium experiment station, hspa collector number: 198 Maui BISH
14 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don honolulu, cluett house, 1309 queen emma st garden bed PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. collector number: 26056 Oahu BISH 7/15/1957
15 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Hawaii PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbarium Experiment Station, HSPA 198 Hawaii BISH
16 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Waiuika cliffs PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Rock, J.F.C. s.n. Kauai BISH 2/1/1956
17 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don 7 mi SW of State Route 11 on Mamaki Road to Kulani Prison. Waiakea Forest Reserve. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN James S. Miller|Mary Merello Miller 7946 Missouri Botanical Garden 8/6/1992
18 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don maunapuluo, hanakapiai, napali coast roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. et al. collector number: 10865 Kauai BISH 12/30/1930
19 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Hanalai Valley grassy roadside bank. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Brenan, J.P.M. 14876 Kauai BISH 2/24/1980
20 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don hanalei PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. forbes, h.j. collector number: 457.k Kauai BISH 9/1/1913
21 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Hawaii PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 7773 Hawaii BISH 4/11/1930
22 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Along trail at beginning of Limahuli Valley. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 262 Kauai PTBG 7/8/1982
23 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Hanalei Valley. Ohiki Road. On bank of ditch at east end of Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 1358 Kauai PTBG 11/13/1985
24 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Nuololo aina (alt. spell. Nualolo), Na Pali coast. Myoporum shrubland w/ secondary invasive species. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN K. R. Wood 17946 Kauai PTBG 10/4/2018
25 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Road from Route 56 to Anini Beach. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN John J. Fay 189 Kauai PTBG 4/5/1974
26 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Kalihiwai Stream Valley just SW of Highway 56; secondary vegetation with pasture in valley and slopes. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN David H. Lorence 5984 Kauai PTBG 4/23/1988
27 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Hawaii Island, near Kilauea roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Vladimir J. Krajina 660731008 UBC 7/31/1966
28 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don 7 mi sw of state route 11 on mamaki road to kulani prison. waiakea forest reserve. Mixed lowland mesic forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN james s. miller|mary merello miller 7946 Lanai US 8/6/1992
29 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don roadside near haena. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN t. g. yuncker 3502 Kauai US 1/26/1933
30 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don hanalei district: 3 miles west of hanalei on hwy 560, just past mile marker 6. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN t. g. lammers 8166 Kauai US 6/5/1991
31 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don between hilo and glenwood. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener & h. wiebke 2088 Hawaii US 7/23/1926
32 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don west of hanalei. kumu road. japanese cemetery. Fissure near Sulphur Banks PRESERVED_SPECIMEN thorne, k.; zupan, c. 10452 YPM 5/28/1992
33 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Hanalei District, Nuololo aina, Na Pali coast Shrubland, along stream banks PRESERVED_SPECIMEN K. R. Wood & S. P. Perlman 17946 Kauai US 10/4/2018
34 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don hanalei PRESERVED_SPECIMEN e. y. hosaka 482 Kauai US 8/1/1931
35 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don napali coast, along kalalau trail Along trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN b. c. stone 820 Kauai US 6/18/1955
36 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don hilo. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN a. s. hitchcock 14172 Hawaii US 8/17/1916
37 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don 7 miles s of olaa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. bean, r.s.; hosaka, e.y. collector number: 11230 Oahu BISH 12/21/1931
38 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don s.kona, honaunau forest reserve, keei PRESERVED_SPECIMEN kondo, y. Hawaii BISH 7/30/1946
39 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don hawaii PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: s.n. Hawaii BISH
40 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Hawaii PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbarium Experiment Station, HSPA 357 Hawaii BISH
41 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Honolulu, Punchbowl, Dole Park dry open place on volcanic tuff PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hosaka, E.Y. s.n. Oahu BISH 5/5/1931
42 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don honolulu, punchbowl, dole park dry open place on volcanic tuff PRESERVED_SPECIMEN hosaka, e.y. Oahu BISH 5/5/1931
43 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don hanalei Receives full sun or partial shade depending on time of day. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN hosaka, e.y. collector number: 482 Oahu BISH 8/1/1931
44 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Waimea Arboretum partial shade PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lau, J. 2719 Oahu BISH 8/4/1986
45 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don 7 miles S of Olaa roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 11230 Hawaii BISH 12/21/1931
46 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don 7 mi sw of state route 11 on mamaki rd. to kualani prison, waiakea forest reserve PRESERVED_SPECIMEN miller, j.s. merello, m. collector number: 1946 Molokai BISH 8/6/1992
47 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don hawaii PRESERVED_SPECIMEN herbarium experiment station, hspa collector number: 357 Hawaii BISH
48 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don waimea arboretum partial shade PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lau, j. collector number: 2719 Oahu BISH 8/4/1986
49 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Maunapuluo, Hanakapiai, Napali Coast roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 10865 Kauai BISH 12/30/1930
50 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don waiuika cliffs PRESERVED_SPECIMEN rock, j.f.c. Kauai BISH 2/1/1956
51 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Hanalei wet pineapple fiels PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hosaka, E.Y. 482 Kauai BISH 8/1/1931
52 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don hilo, catholic school This is a native plant; though cultivated in garden. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN rock, j.f.c. collector number: 12853 Kauai BISH 7/1/1912
53 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don jct. stainback hwy. and hwy. 13 to hilo; disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN wagner, w.l. gustafson, r.; martin, w.c. collector number: 4851 Hawaii BISH 7/26/1983
54 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don 7 mi SW of State Route 11 on Mamaki Rd. to Kualani Prison, Waiakea Forest Reserve PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Miller, J.S. Merello, M. Collector Number: 1946 Hawaii BISH 8/6/1992
55 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Napali Coast, along Kalalau trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Stone, B.C. 820 Kauai BISH 6/18/1955
56 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don near hilo on roadside to volcano house loam; garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. collector number: 2088 Oahu BISH 7/23/1926
57 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don S.Kona, Honaunau Forest Reserve, Keei PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kondo, Y. 76-81 Hawaii BISH 7/30/1946
58 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don kona, kaimalino, mccandless ranch on dripping bank along stream in closed Metrosideros-Acacia forest. With Distichophyllum freycinetii PRESERVED_SPECIMEN mrs.a.l.marks Hawaii BISH 9/20/1957
59 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Kona, Kaimalino, McCandless Ranch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Marks, Mrs.A.L. s.n. Hawaii BISH 9/20/1957
60 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don napali coast, along kalalau trail Creeping under Metrosideros. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN stone, b.c. Oahu BISH 6/18/1955
61 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don hawaii PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. collector number: 7773 Hawaii BISH 4/11/1930
62 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don terminal portion of 1880 - 12 ma flow near hilo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: 528.h. Hawaii BISH 5/17/1915
63 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Road from Route 56 to Anini Beach roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fay, J.J. 189 Kauai BISH 4/5/1974
64 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don road from route 56 to anini beach roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN fay, j.j. stern, w.l.; r.eyde collector number: 189 Kauai BISH 4/5/1974
65 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don haena by road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN neal, m.c. Kauai BISH 4/29/1929
66 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Occurs along roadside at Haena State Park PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Corn, C. Collector Number: s.n. Kauai BISH 6/15/1978
67 Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don Occurs along roadside at Haena State Park PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Corn, C. s.n. Kauai BISH 6/15/1978
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