Native Plants of Hawai‘i - Ochrosia compta

Ochrosia compta

Apocynaceae or Dogbane family

Synonyms: Bleekeria compta, Ochrosia forbesii, Ochrosia holei, Ochrosia kondoi, Ochrosia lamoureuxii, Ochrosia microcalyx

Hōlei

Natural Range & Environment

Ochrosia compta is an endemic tree found in the Wai‘anae and Ko‘olau Mountains of O'ahu, on the Pelekunu Trail in Wailau Valley and Kahanui on Moloka‘i, and, most recently, in Kahakuloa, West Maui [Flora of the Hawaiian Islands]. It is found scattered in gulches and on ridges in remnant dry to mesic forests at elevations ranging from 300 to 500[-870] m (984 to 1,640[-2,854 ft]) [Wagner et al. 1990].

A whirl of new hōlei leaves atop older leaves. The large fruits of hōlei often develop in pairs; these are nearly ripe. Hōlei has ornate endocarps (i.e., the pit of its fruit) that may have been used by Hawaiian in necklaces and lei [Sam Ohu Gon III, per. comm.]. (Photograph courtesy of Kenneth R. Wood CC BY-NC 4.0).

Description

Ochrosia compta is an at-risk long-lived (greater than five years) small to medium-sized tree ranging in height from 3 to 10 m (10 to 33 ft) [Wagner et al. 1990]. Like other species in Apocynaceae, hōlei has a milky sap. Its leathery leaves, 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long and up to 2 inches (5 cm) wide, are dark green on the upper surface and light green on the lower surface with a prominent yellow to white midrib. Typically, two to four leaves emerge from each node.

Ochrosia compta's fragrant tubular yellowish-white perfect (bisexual) flowers have five spiraled petals and develop in small clusters at the ends of the branches. They have a mild scent similar to plumeria. Hōlei appears to bloom continuously over a long period with each flower lasting a day and only a single flower at the terminal end developing into one or two large football-shaped yellow to dark purple smooth drupes (i.e., a fleshy fruit with a central hard pit). The fruit has an ornate endocarp (i.e., pit) containing a single flattened seed. Hawaiʻi botanist Joel Lau has noted: "In this part of Mākua [O‘ahu] most of the Ochrosia compta trees have lanceoloid fruits; some have ovoid fruits. These fruits would turn yellow if they were allowed to ripen. Also in this area was this plant with reddish ovoid fruits."

Growth Requirements

General

Our combined experience growing Ochrosia compta is limited and mixed, primarily because of the difficulty in obtaining and germinating seeds; no one currently sells hōlei plants or seeds. (To date (2025), neither of us have grown a hōlei to maturity (i.e., producing flowers)). Despite this scarcity, we believe this slow-growing tree has potential as a beautiful and fragrant accent in residential and commercial landscapes.

Hōlei does best in a site with full sunlight for all or most of the day but can also tolerate partial shade. Water your hōlei only enough to keep it from showing signs of drought stress such as wilting or premature leaf-loss. The soil or media (for container-bound hōlei) should drain well enough to eliminate any possibility of waterlogging. Hōlei grow slowly and sporadically, but seem to benefit from a monthly foliar feeding of an organic water-soluble fertilizer.

Pests and Diseases

Hōlei are prone to infestations of scale insects, often protected and farmed by ants. These infestations can secondarily result in sooty mold, as will too-frequent watering. Too much water may also cause root rot. Refer to the Pests & Diseases page for treatments.

Uses

Ancient Hawaiian

There are four endemic species of hōlei, and it's unclear if all four species were used the same ways or if different species had different uses. Medeiros et al. [1998] provide a generic summary of how Hawaiians used hōlei, citing multiple sources. In summary: Hōlei wood was used to make the gunwales (mo‘o) of canoes [Holmes 1981], as well as lā‘au kahi olonā or papa olonā, the long slender thin hardwood boards used for scraping olonā [Summers 1990]. The bark and roots were used to produce a yellow dye for kapa [Neal 1965].

Additionally, according to Ka‘aiakamanu & Akina [1922], hōlei nuts were eaten as food, as well as being chewed along with other plants and then given to infants for general debility. And, an infusion of hōlei bark and leaves was used to produce the steam in a sweat-bath.

Modern

Special Features and Information

General

Apocynaceae is a large diverse group of trees, shrubs, herbs, succulents, and vines with a worldwide tropical, subtropical, and temperate distribution. Called the Dogbane family because some species members were used as dog poison, its taxonomy has varied over the years; however, currently (2025) there are about 5,100 species within 376 genera [Wikipedia;Apocynaceae].

In addition to Ochrosia compta, there are seven other Apocynaceae native to Hawai‘i: the indigenous maile (Alyxia stellata); three other endemic species of hōlei (Ochrosia spp.); two endemic species of kaulu (Pteralyxia spp.); and the endemic hao (Rauvolfia sandwicensis) [Flora of the Hawaiian Islands].

Several non-native species of Plumeria, also in Apocynaceae and a popular ornamental tree, have been introduced to Hawai‘i. However, none of these have become naturalized (i.e., established and successfully reproducing in the wild) [Wagner et al. 1990].

Hawaiian Name

The name hōlei is closely associated with the color yellow and kapa, as other meanings for hōlei include: tapa dyed with hōlei or to dye thus; an introduced yellow-dotted cloth; and a variety of sweet potato [Pukui & Elbert 1986].

Etymology

Ochrosia is derived from the Greek word ochros, meaning "pale yellow," in reference to the color of the fruit [Wagner et al. 1990]. The species name, compta, can mean "adorned" or "elegant" [Latdict], perhaps, a reference to the fruit's endocarp.

BPK