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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 (40)

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 officinalis
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 Kunth (1833)
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) Unknown
Kaua'i Only found in cultivation
O'ahu Only found in cultivation
Molokai Only found in cultivation
Lana'i Unknown
Kaho'olawe Unknown
Maui Unknown
Hawai'i Only found in cultivation

Dispersal Agents

Wind

Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Bibliography

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

Other References

Laau Hawaii (Abbott) p.15

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Saccharum officinarum Koloa District; Kalaheo; 3581 Kaloke Street In yard of house. Cultivated for eating. Plant purchased. Preserved_Specimen Culms densely clumped; 3-4 m tall; yellow with longitudinal red & green stripes. Inflorescence treminal; solitary; pale pinkish white. Noble cane variety known as rainbow cane Lorence, D.H. 7120 Kauai BISH 1991-12-08
2 Saccharum officinarum Narrow ridge betw wooded gulches, Wailau Valley Preserved_Specimen Small clump of flowering stalks, 8 ft ht. St.John, H. 13255 Molokai BISH 1933-07-03
3 Saccharum officinarum 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. 790056 Hawaii BISH 1979-02-22
4 Saccharum officinarum 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. 790056 Hawaii BISH 1979-02-22
5 Saccharum officinarum Between Waipahu & Ewa From field. Preserved_Specimen Tasseled leaves of cane stalk. Bushnell, O.A. Oahu BISH 1934-03-06
6 Saccharum officinarum Narrow ridge betw wooded gulches, Wailau Valley Preserved_Specimen Small clump of fr. stalk, 8' high. St.John, H. 13255 Molokai BISH 1933-07-03
7 Saccharum officinarum Lyon Arboretum in moist valley Preserved_Specimen erect +/- 9 ft tall. Herbst, D.R. 1265 Oahu BISH 1968-11-06
8 Saccharum officinarum Manoa garden HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Oahu 12/18/2014
9 Saccharum officinarum Honolulu; University of Hawaii campus Preserved_Specimen Krajina, V.J. 620604005 Oahu BISH 1962-06-01
10 Saccharum officinarum Palama Preserved_Specimen Ca 4 ft ht. Brown, F.B.H. Oahu BISH 1924-11-01
11 Saccharum officinarum Honolulu; Keeaumoku St, H.S.P.A. Experiment Station Preserved_Specimen Sterile now, flowers in December. Mangelsdorf, A.J. Oahu BISH 1962-03-06
12 Saccharum officinarum Honolulu; H.S.P.A. Experiment Station, Makiki Plot Preserved_Specimen Tassel silvery lavender. Mangelsdorf, A.J. Oahu BISH 1937-01-11
13 Saccharum officinarum Kailua, H.S.P.A. substation Preserved_Specimen Tassels pinkish lavender. Mangelsdorf, A.J. Oahu BISH 1937-01-11
14 Saccharum officinarum Kailua, H.S.P.A. substation Preserved_Specimen Tassels yellowish. Mangelsdorf, A.J. Oahu BISH 1937-01-11
15 Saccharum officinarum Honolulu; H.S.P.A. Experiment Station, Makiki Plot Preserved_Specimen Tassel silvery lavender. Mangelsdorf, A.J. Oahu BISH 1937-01-11
16 Saccharum officinarum Honolulu; H.S.P.A. Station Preserved_Specimen 12 ft ht. Grant, M.L. 7561 Oahu BISH 1934-12-03
17 Saccharum officinarum Narrow ridge betw wooded gulches, Wailau Valley Preserved_Specimen Few stalks. St.John, H. 13202 Molokai BISH 1933-07-03
18 Saccharum officinarum unknown Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. BISH
19 Saccharum officinarum Field 33-B, Honokaa Sugar Co, Hamakua District Preserved_Specimen Tomich, P.Q. 894 Hawaii BISH 1960-02-24
20 Saccharum officinarum L:yon Arboretum: Beatrice Krauss loi. growing on the bank towards the wauke near the edge of the holding area. Preserved_Specimen Cane, 2 meters tall with long strap-like leavs; node coloration - deep purple/black, internodes - silvery/grey; sharp hairs on petiole sheath; inflorescence in panicle, coppery-reddish brown, white stamens. Dunn, L. 522 Oahu BISH 2006-11-23
21 Saccharum officinarum Ka Lae o Ka Laau Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 62 Molokai BISH 1912-06-01
22 Saccharum officinarum Honolulu; Keeaumoku St, H.S.P.A. Experiment Station Preserved_Specimen Warner, J. Oahu BISH 1962-12-20
23 Saccharum officinarum Aiea roadside Preserved_Specimen Nakagawa, S. Oahu BISH 1930-11-09
24 Saccharum officinarum On roadside to Waipahu, Kamehameha Hwy Preserved_Specimen Koike, M. Oahu BISH 1930-11-09
25 Saccharum officinarum Honolulu; Keeaumoku St, H.S.P.A. Experiment Station Preserved_Specimen Warner, J. Oahu BISH 1962-12-20
26 Saccharum officinarum unknown Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. BISH 1864-01-01
27 Saccharum officinarum unknown Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. BISH 1864-01-01
28 Saccharum officinarum Niaupala Fishpond, Kaluaaha Flat near shore. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 19960 Molokai BISH 1939-01-02
29 Saccharum officinarum Narrow ridge betw wooded gulches, Wailau Valley on narrow ridge twetween wooded gulches Preserved_Specimen Few stalks. St.John, H. 13202 Molokai BISH 1933-07-03
30 Saccharum officinarum Koloa District, 3581 Kaloke St, Kalaheo House yard. Preserved_Specimen Culms densely clumped, 3-4 m tall, yellow w/ longitudinal red & green stripes. Inflorescence terminal, solitary, pale pinkish white. Lorence, D.H. 7120 Kauai BISH 1991-12-08
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