Chinalaurel: A Mysterious Native Hawaiian Tree
Meet Antidesma ×kapuae, commonly known as chinalaurel – a native Hawaiian tree that’s something of an enigma in the plant world. If you’re scratching your head wondering why you’ve never heard of this one, you’re not alone! This perennial tree is one of Hawaii’s lesser-known native species, and honestly, there’s still quite a bit we don’t know about it.
What We Do Know About Chinalaurel
Here’s what we can tell you for certain: chinalaurel is a legitimate native Hawaiian species that belongs to the tree family. Like many of its tree relatives, it’s built to last as a perennial woody plant, typically growing with a single trunk and reaching heights greater than 13-16 feet when it’s happy and healthy. In some conditions, it might surprise you by developing multiple stems or staying on the shorter side (under 13 feet), but it’s still very much a tree at heart.
Where You’ll Find It
Chinalaurel calls Hawaii home and only Hawaii – it’s what we call an endemic species. This means it evolved specifically in the Hawaiian Islands and doesn’t naturally occur anywhere else on Earth.
The Mystery Factor
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit frustrating if you’re hoping to grow one): chinalaurel is somewhat of a botanical mystery. The × in its scientific name suggests it might be a natural hybrid, which could explain why detailed growing information is so scarce. Many of the specifics we’d love to share – like its exact growing conditions, wildlife benefits, and care requirements – simply aren’t well-documented in available sources.
Should You Plant Chinalaurel?
While we’d love to give you the full scoop on growing this native Hawaiian tree, the lack of detailed cultivation information makes it challenging to recommend for home gardens. Here’s what to consider:
- As a native Hawaiian species, it would theoretically be an excellent choice for supporting local ecosystems
- The limited available information makes successful cultivation uncertain
- Sourcing may be extremely difficult or impossible
Better Alternatives for Your Hawaiian Garden
If you’re passionate about growing native Hawaiian plants (and we applaud you for that!), consider these well-documented alternatives that offer similar benefits:
- ʻŌhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) – iconic native tree with stunning red flowers
- Koa (Acacia koa) – majestic native tree perfect for larger landscapes
- Māmane (Sophora chrysophylla) – beautiful native tree with golden flowers
The Bottom Line
Chinalaurel represents the fascinating diversity of Hawaii’s native flora, even if we can’t tell you exactly how to grow it in your backyard. Sometimes the plant world keeps its secrets, and this appears to be one of those cases. If you’re determined to include native Hawaiian trees in your landscape, we’d recommend sticking with the better-known species that have established cultivation guidelines and available sources.
Who knows? Maybe future botanical research will unlock more secrets about this mysterious native tree. Until then, it remains one of Hawaii’s botanical puzzles – intriguing, native, and just out of reach for most home gardeners.
