Current Projects

Expanded ornamental use of native Hawaiian plants

The use of native plants as ornamentals in Hawaii has increased in the last twenty years due to: 1) growing concerns of invasive species spread; 2) the need to conserve local biodiversity; 3) the passing state laws (HB206/SB435) to promote/increase the use native plants in public landscaping; and 4) the increased promotion of Hawaiian culture and sense of place. Although native Hawaiian plants are now being incorporated in urban landscaping, the lack of plant material availability and knowledge of appropriate maintenance practices continue to be a constraint (Ricordi et al. 2014). To increase availability and variety native Hawaiian plants, we initiated a research program to collect, select, develop and package plants for various ornamental uses (i.e. landscape, potted flowering, indoor and cutfoliage).   

Indoor plant evaluation 

Many Native Hawaiian understory species possess the potential to be used as indoor plants.  We are currently studying the indoor plant potential of native Hawaiian Carex and Peperomia species. 

Concept interior greenwall with native Hawaiian plants

Landscape plant evaluation

The diversity of growth forms within a species provides opportunities to select plants suitable for landscape use. In this project, we are conducting selection and landscape evaluation of underutilized species such as Carex spp., Eragrostis spp., Chenopodium oahuense, Sida fallax and Jacquemontia sandwicensis. 

Concept container planting 

In collaboration with the University of Hawaii at Manoa Buildings and Grounds Management Office, we are establishing native plant research demonstration sites at the Magoon Research Facility and Varney Circle. We are hoping to expand our research and demonstration sites to other locations in the future.  

Plant propagation

The development of plant materials for ornamental use requires research to optimize propagation success. Alongside our plant evaluation research, we also conduct studies to optimize asexual and sexual (i.e. seed) propagation. We are interested in the following propagation subject areas: 1) developing seed production protocols; 2) determining seed dormancy and dormancy breaking treatments; and 3) cutting propagation, specifically optimizing the use of auxins and cytokinins in promoting rooting and shoot growth.