Plant Happenings at Pālehua

Just like us, plants experience a generational cycle, from seed to baby to buds to flowers, seeding and growing on repeat until they achieve mākua and kūpuna status (plus death, rebirth, repeat). … All contribute to a healthy forest. And at Pālehua, we have all generations. For a while now, with the shorter days and more rain, the focus has been getting rooted by planting and collecting seeds to germinate. Now, some more established plants are getting ready to seed anew, which kicks off or continues with … flowers! We checked in with Aliah to find out more about what was flowering and seeding at Pālehua in Mei and early Iune. This included: mauka naupaka (pictured above), ʻŌhia lēhua (pictured below), Peperomia, Lonomea, ʻĀwikiwiki, Olopua, and ʻIlima. Right now the ʻIliahi (sandalwood) is budding, so in a couple weeks we can gather those seeds as well!

One of the best things about Pālehua is that we are able to experience the whole life cycle, from seeds to germination to propagation to outplanting and death and rebirth. We are blessed to be able to do so.

Another bonus: kūpuna kahuli (snails), pictured below!