Australian Native Flowers

Kia'i Moku: Invasive wattle tree taking hold Upcountry

Mention "wattle" in a conversation with a Kula or Olinda resident and chances are you'll get an earful of information - and not about the facial features of a chicken. Black wattle, or Acacia mearnsii, is the fast-growing tree currently choking pastures, gulches and empty lots across 3,000 acres Upcountry.

Even outside of Kula, many people became aware of black wattle following a recent Upcountry flood. Piles of dead trees choked gulches on the slopes above Kula, exacerbating flooding conditions caused by a Kona storm. A 2,000-acre forest fire earlier in the year had stripped the mountain's upper region of vegetation. As gulches filled with muddy water, black wattle dams broke free and logs were carried down slope. The floods damaged at least five homes.

Wattle is the common name for Acacia species from Australia. Throughout the world, an estimated 1,300 species of Acacia inhabit tropical and warm-temperate climates. Hawaii has two native Acacias: koa and koaia. Australia is home to 960 species, which evolved to live throughout the wide range of habitats found Down Under, from the rain forest to desert. Several, including black wattle, are invasive on Maui.

The following four wattles, not yet widespread on Maui, could become as notorious as black wattle. Learn how to recognize them and report any sightings.

These are:

* Earpod wattle, or Acacia auriculiformis. It is a habitat generalist and can live anywhere on Maui. The seeds of earpod wattle not only survive fire, they have better germination rates following a blaze, and can dominate native species in recolonizing burned acres. Currently found in only a few places on Maui, earpod wattle was introduced to several experimental agriculture stations and at one location in Olowalu. This exotic tree, also found on Oahu, has a reputation for invasiveness throughout the Pacific and Asia, including Micronesia, Palau and Singapore. In Florida, it has invaded many areas, including native pinelands and scrub forests.

The leaves of earpod wattle are flattened leaf stalks, 8 inches in length, similar to the sickle-shaped leaf of a koa. The seedpods are the most distinct feature: curled like the folds of an ear. The flowers are typical of Acacia trees: miniature yellow pom-poms.

* Acacia mangium. It is another fast-growing Australian species. Mangium wattle has a reputation for being invasive in subtropical environments. It is also a habitat generalist and has demonstrated an ability to invade degraded volcanic soils. On Maui, there are only two known locations, both experimental agriculture plantings.

Australian native shrubs and groundcovers range by Ozbreed ...

Of native shrubs and groundcovers are beautiful and functional. The plants in this range have been bred and selected for better performance and looks. They are able to handle harsh conditions including drought while still looking great in the landscape. These new native shrubs and groundcovers are more uniform, tidier and have very little maintenance needs. Small and compact shrubs in this range are great for low growing, native hedges.

Plants in this range include:

MUNDI ™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR – A tidy ground cover Westringia with white flowers, only growing to knee height

MEEMA™ Hardenbergia violacea ‘HB1’ PBR – Upright Hardenbergia that will grow into a shrubby groundcover, tougher than the common form with a longer flowering period

NARINGA™ Westringia ‘WES01’ PBR – Hedge in a hurry with less pruning than other Westringias with its upright growth

PURPLE FUSION ™ Scaevola humilis ‘PFS100’ PBR – A tough landscape Scaevola that is a flat growing groundcover, it flowers for months at a time!

The NEW Ozbreed AUSSIE BOX® Westringia ‘WES02’ PBR – This Westringia is dramatically different and is a tough, native alternative to Japanese Box

See the full range in the brochures below. Reduces water consumption

Products that reduce water consumption can make a valuable contribution to managing natural resources. There are several types of products that reduce water consumption – products that actively save water (water tanks, for example); products that enable the reuse of water (grey water recycling systems); and products that consume minimal water in operation (water-efficient tapware and appliances, self-cleaning glass).

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