NAME:

Hawaiian:     Koa, koai‘a, koai‘e, koa‘ohā

English:

Latin:            Acacia koa

FAMILY:     Fabaceae

STATUS:    Endemic

APPEARANCE:

A tree up to 35m tall. Growing from 50-2100m in elevation.

Flower: 8mm in diameter. Cream colored.

Leaves: Narrow and elliptic. Sickle shaped. 7.5-26cm long, and 0.5-2.5cm wide.

CULTURAL/HISTORICAL USE:

Large Koa trees were prized for native seagoing canoes.