Schiedea globosa
Caryophyllaceae or Pink family
Synonyms: Schiedea remyi
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No Known Ancient Hawaiian Name (See Hawaiian Name below)
Globe schiedea
Natural Range & Environment
Schiedea globosa is scattered to locally common on steep, rocky slopes or cliffs in coastal habitats from sea level to 300 m (985 ft) [Wagner et al. 1990] in southeastern Oʻahu, the north and northwest coasts of Molokaʻi, the east and west coasts of Maui, and the Kohala coast of Hawai‘i Island [Flora of the Hawaiian Islands].
Schiedea globosa can easily be seen in its natural seaside habitat at Makapuʻu, Oʻahu. It looks nice and does well as a groundcover and providing a unique leaf texture in the landscape. Flowers can be either female, male (as seen here) or possess both sexes on a single plant. It does great as a potted plant, as seen here on Maui.
Description
Māʻoliʻoli is a low-growing, dense shrub and woody only at the base. The leaves are narrow and medium to succulent-like. However, Oʻahu plants usually have broader leaves [Wagner et al. 1990]. The small, white to greenish-white flowers are clustered in "globose" heads and have been described as smelling like butter. It is a wind-pollinated plant, allowing for gene flow and preventing species divergence across its range. If planted in a windy location, then wind pollination can occur if both sexes are planted together. It seems to bloom mostly from January to June, with a peak in March and April. I (Eickhoff) have experience that cultivated māʻoliʻoli on Oʻahu are sporadic bloomers throughout the year, but mostly a spring flower. If pollination has occurred, the small papery fruit capsules will ripen and contain numerous tiny reddish-brown seeds.
Growth Requirements
General
Māʻoliʻoli is uncommonly available from time to time at native nurseries. It is one of the easiest and most rewarding of the Schiedea species to grow and keep for many years. Although Schiedea globosa is described as an annual or perennial, some plants live from 5-8 years or longer in cultivation, and it is probably best to reseed. If you want to sow the seeds, they should be gathered immediately, as gusts of wind will scatter them, and I (Eickhoff) can almost guarantee that you will not be able to find them. Māʻoliʻoli does like full to partial sun. But in my experience, māʻoliʻoli do best when protected from harsh afternoon sun. It does well in containers and hanging baskets.
Soil conditions can range from moist to nearly dry. Water weekly during extended periods of drought. It is tolerant of drought, wind, and salt spray.
Soil must be well-drained. Black cinder should be added to the media for good drainage.
Pests and Diseases
Schiedea are prone to slugs, root mealy bugs, aphids, thrips and red spider mites. Refer to the Pests & Diseases page for ways to deal with each of these pests.
Uses
Ancient Hawaiian
No Ancient Hawaiian uses are known.
Modern
Special Features and Information
General
Schiedea is an endemic genus of 37 species belonging to the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae), all of which are considered vulnerable, rare, or endangered, with a few extinct. The only other native Hawaiian members are Silene, which includes 7 endemic species. Notable non-native family members include catchflies, pinks and carnations.
Hawaiian Name
No Hawaiian name for this species is known. In fact, there are very few Schiedea sp. that have known Hawaiian names. Some use the name Māʻoliʻoli for this S. globosa. According to Hawaiian Dictionaries, māʻoliʻoli is "the same as ʻoliʻoli, joy." Too, it is "the same as laulihilihi (Schiedea stellarioides), endemic to Kauaʻi, with small, linear leaves, and large open panicles of small flowers. Lit., bordered leaf. Also māʻoliʻoli." On this website we are comfortable using either Māʻoliʻoli or Schiedea.
Etymology
The generic name Schiedea is named in honor of Christian Julian Wilhelm Schiede (1798-1836), a German-born physician who resided and collected in Mexico until his death [Flora of the Hawaiian Islands]. The specific epithet globosa is from the Latin globosus, spherical- or globe-shaped, likely in reference to the globe-shaped inflorescence (group of flowers) [Gledhill 2008].
DWE
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