Mamaki offers sustenance that native butterfly needs

Question: What plants can we grow to help save our native Kamehameha butterfly, or pulelehua, for our moopuna (future generations)? It’s so pretty and becoming rare. — MK, Kalihi

Answer: The best thing we can do is protect and nurture our native Hawaiian forests, and grow some of the plants that the Hawaiian butterfly needs, in both our home and public gardens.

Mamaki and its relatives in the nettle family; Urticaceae, like olona, akolea, and opuhe; and koa are good options.

The caterpillars feed on native Hawaiian stingless nettles like mamaki, and the butterflies like the sap of koa and other native Hawaiian plants.

Mamaki leaves are the main food for the larvae and caterpillars of the pulelehua, or Kamehameha butterfly. One of the reasons this butterfly is becoming rarer is a loss of habitat and thus food. Mamaki likes a moist environment and rich organic soil. It does well in dappled shade or in a site with morning sun exposure.

Besides feeding the butterflies, mamaki can be used to make a soothing tea and has medicinal uses.

When mamaki flowers are pollinated, they form into little white berries that grow along the stem. They are not super ono, but they are refreshing to eat.

Scientifically known as Pipturis albidus, mamaki is in the Urticaceae plant family. Urticaceae in other parts of the world have more defenses than native mamaki. Stinging nettles are related, but as mamaki evolved in Hawaii, where it had no natural predators until they were introduced by Western explorers, they lost their stinging ability.

Mamaki has many different leaf colorations, from solid green with a silvery underside to those with pronounced red or pink venation. In wet conditions, larger leaves are produced, with smaller leaves produced in drought times.

Mamaki has been named one of the 10 Project BudBurst plants, part of a nationwide cooperative educational program featuring rare and interesting native plants. BudBurst is a national tracking program that studies how climate change is affecting native plants and animals. (Check out budburst.org).

Buy mamaki plants at your local garden shop or botanic garden. The spring plant sale at Foster Botanical Garden is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 24, and there should be some keiki mamaki plants for sale. Call 537-1708 for more details on the plant sale.

ON THE NET:
» If you want to learn more and see more pictures of the butterflies and their Hawaiian host plants, check out the pulelehua project website at UH-Manoa, featuring Daniel Rubinoff. www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/dnn/kb/HostPlants.aspx.

Heidi Leianuenue Bornhorst is a sustainable landscape consultant specializing in native, xeric and edible gardens. Reach her at heidibornhorst@gmail.com.