Kanawao | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Cornales |
Family: | Hydrangeaceae |
Subfamily: | Hydrangeoideae |
Tribe: | Hydrangeae |
Genus: |
Broussaisia Gaud. |
Species: | B. arguta |
Binomial name | |
Broussaisia arguta Gaud. |
Kanawao (Broussaisia arguta) is a species of perennial flowering plant in the Hydrangea family, Hydrangeaceae, that is endemic to Hawaiʻi. It belongs to a monotypic genus.
Kanawao is a widespread species occurring in mesic and wet forests on all of the main Hawaiian Islands. It is a dioecious, evergreen plant that either grows as a 1.5–3-metre (4.9–9.8 ft) shrub or a 6-metre (20 ft) tree. The obovate leaves are 10–25 centimetres (3.9–9.8 in) long and 4–9 centimetres (1.6–3.5 in) wide with finely serrated margins.