trefle.io · Taken Jul 23, 2004 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Fabaceae
`ohai
Sesbania tomentosa
Also known as Sesbania tomentosa var. molokaiensis, Ohai, Sesbania molokaiensis, Seabean
Tropical Plants · Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Trees & Shrubs · Hawaiian Native · Endangered · Ohai · Sesbania · Legume · Conservation Plant · Tropical Shrub · Fabaceae · Rare Plant · Bird-Friendly
'Ohai is a critically endangered Hawaiian native legume prized for its striking red-orange to yellow flowers that are beloved by native Hawaiian birds. It requires a warm, frost-free climate with bright indirect to part-shade light and consistently moist but well-draining soil. Growing 'ohai is a meaningful conservation effort, and it performs best in coastal or island-like conditions that mimic its native habitat.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 5 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply to keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged; reduce frequency during cooler periods · Every 5-7 days
- Maintenance
- High
- Soil
- sandy loam
- Soil pH
- 6–8
- Temperature
- 55°F to 100°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 9a-12b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 3 ft – 10 ft
- Spread
- 6.7 ft
- Spacing
- 60 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yes
- Foliage
- Fine
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Hawaii, Puerto Rico
- Attracts
- Birds, Bees
Sources: trefle, usda
Buy this plant
No nurseries currently list it
No nursery lists `ohai right now.