Kōpiko flowers, fruits and leaves, under cultivation, except for the photo of the large trunk of an Oʻahu specimen in its natural habitat.

Growth Requirements

General

    Although this common species is rarely used, thus far in the urban landscape, it does have great potential as an easy-to-grow shrub or tree. Kōpiko is not fussy and appears to tolerate wet or dry conditions. For containers, kōpiko appreciates a rich potting mix of equal parts of peat, perlite, and black cinder. I (Eickhoff) also add "native compost" containing mycorrhizal fungi, which helps plants to take up water and nutrients and is beneficial to a plant’s resistance against pathogens [Koko 2021]. See Soils & Media Native Soils.   

    Although kōpiko can be seen growing in full sun in its natural habitat at higher elevations, I (Eickhoff) prefer to give it partial or morning sun at lower elevations in cultivation since the leaves on potted specimens can get scorched by the summer sun. It is reliable in producing flowers and fruits each spring and summer under these conditions. If you plan to grow plants from seeds, protect the fruit from birds, especially bulbuls, doves and pigeons, which are attracted to the brightly colored fruits!

Pests and Diseases

    In cultivation, if left unchecked, scale can be somewhat problematic. Inspect under the leaves and the new leaves and treat as needed. Ants can be a source of the problem. Control the ants, and you will likely control the scale problem. For further information, please see Pests & Diseases.

Special Features and Information

General

    Kōpiko (Psychotria) belongs to Rubiaceae or Coffee family. This extensive family is one of the five largest plant families in the world, encompassing some 14,200 species in about 615 genera. Notable members include coffee (Coffea spp.), ixora, gardenia, and noni (Morinda citrifolia), as well as some invasive garden weeds such as buttonweed (Spermacoce assurgens) and field madder or spurwort (Sherardia arvensis).

    Among the native members of the Rubiaceae family are several unique species, including the endemic species ʻahakea (Bobea spp.), pilo (Coproma spp.), nānū or nāʻū (Gardenia spp.), manono (Kadua spp.), noni kuahiwi (Morinda trimera), mākole (Nertera granadensis), and kōpiko (Psychotria spp.), with one indigenous species, alaheʻe (Psydrax odorata).

Hawaiian Name

    Although there are 11 endemic Psychotria spp., the name kōpiko applies only to P. hawaiiensis, P. kaduana and P. mauiensis. However, we choose to use kōpiko to apply to the featured species, P. mariniana, since it is generally used for all native Hawaiian Psychotria spp. Piko means "navel, navel string, umbilical cord" [Hawaiian Dictionaries].

Etymology

    The generic name Psychotria is derived from the Greek psychros, cold, and trophos, feeder, literally meaning refreshment, in reference to the reputed medicinal properties of some in this genus [Gledhill 2008]. Regarding the origin of the specific epithet mariniana, one source under the heading The Romanzoffian expedition, Chamisso and his collections admits that "The protologue of Psychotriamariniana lacks information about the etymology of the name, but the species appears to be named in honour of the Spanish Don Francisco de Paulo Marín (1774–1837), who is mentioned in Chamisso’s expedition report." It further states that "Marín settled on the island of Oahu and soon became an influential advisor to the Hawaiian King Kamehameha I, a wealthy merchant, horticulturalist and introducer of many useful plants and animals such as pineapple" [Berger 2018].