While referred to as the "Green-flowered abutilon," flower color is actually quite variable in Abutilon sandwicense. Above are three examples (Green and mostly-red flower photographs courtesy of Joel Lau ©.). Abutilon sandwicense is the largest (in stature, as well as leaf, flower, and fruit size) of the three Hawai‘i endemic (and endangered) Abutilon (Photo-comparison courtesy of T. Motley via G.D. Carr ©.). A large mature cultivated Abutilon sandwicense. 

Growth Requirements

General

Hedges

Screening

Specimen Plant

As with most abutilons, green-flowered abutilon are easy to grow when given somewhat drier and sunny conditions.

Shrubs of this species can grow quite large, to over 10 feet.

The flowers are large and spectacular and draw attention when noticed

Do not over fertilize! Otherwise this will produce large floppy leaves and plants with fewer flowers. It will also attract leaf-eating insects, such as Chinese rose bettles. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]

Abutilon sandwicense does not grow quickly. Shrubs take pruning well as long as it is not done heavily each time. It is best to prune minimal so as not to stress the shrub. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]

Water Requirements

Moist

This abutilon does well in moist to dry conditions but best kept on the drier side.

Soil must be well drained

Full sun

Tolerances

Drought

Soils

Cinder

Organic

Pests and Diseases

The Green-flowered abutilon is subject to Chinese rose beetle attacks which chew unsightly holes in the leaves.

 refer to the Pests & Diseases page for methods to control/eliminate these pests. 

Special Features and Information

General

    Abutilon sandwicense is a relative of the more familiar hibiscus, both belonging to the Mallow family (Malvaceae), which contains about 4,225 species within 243 genera. Family members include herbs, shrubs, and trees found worldwide, but most commonly in the tropics. Some of the more economically important species include: cotton (Gossypium spp.), cacao (Theobroma cacao), linden (Tilia spp.), durian (Durio spp.), Hibiscus, and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) [Britannica;Malvaceae].

    There are some 200 Abutilon species worldwide, found primarily in the tropics and subtropics [WikipediA;Abutilon]. In Hawai‘i, there are four native Abutilon species: the indigenous Abutilon incanum, and three endemic endangered species, A. eremitopetalum, A. menziesii, and A. sandwicense.

    Abutilon sandwicense is the largest (in stature, as well as leaf, flower, and fruit size) of the three Hawai‘i endemic (and endangered) Abutilon.

Artificial (man-made) crosses between the two endemics Abutlion menziesii x A. sandwicense have been produced. However, natural hybrids of this combination could potentially be found on the western side of Oʻahu in or near the Waiʻanae Mountains. Abutilon sandwicense is endemic to the Waiʻanae Mountains, and A. menziesii has been recorded from two areas in the lowlands adjacent to the Waiʻanae Mountains (Kapolei area and Lualualei). [Joel Lau, Botanist]

Threat of A. grandifolium hybridization ECOS

Hawaiian Name

Names with Unknown Sources

Koʻolua maʻomaʻo

Koʻolua ʻōmaʻo

The Hawaiian names Koʻolua maʻomaʻo and Koʻolua ʻōmaʻo (ʻōmaʻo, green) may a indicate a "green flowered abutilton," but there is no reason to believe that these are valid Hawaiian names for this species that some use. The true Hawaiian name is still yet unknown.

Etymology

    Abutilon comes from the Arabic word abū-ṭīlūn (أبو طيلون), which means "Indian mallow." The name was first used in the 18th century as a Neo-Latin word [WikipediA;Abutilon]. The species name, sandwicense, refers to the "Sandwich Islands," as the Hawaiian Islands were once called and named by James Cook on one of his voyages in the 1770s. James Cook named the islands to honor John Montagu (The fourth Earl of Sandwich) for supporting Cook's voyages [Gledhill 2008].