Broussaisia

Description

Kanawao (Broussaisia arguta) is a species of perennial flowering plant in the Hydrangea family, Hydrangeaceae, that is endemic to Hawai-i. 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.