Yellow hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii. It is a rare flowering shrub that is native to the Hawaiian Islands. Yellow hibiscus became the official state flower in 1988. It is known as ma`o hau hele or sometimes pua aloalo in the Hawaiian language. Yellow hibiscus is the only yellow-flowered hibiscus native to Hawaii. Most of the hibiscus plants grown in Hawaiian yards and gardens are not native to the islands.
Yellow hibiscus grows to the size of a shrub or small, soft-wooded tree. It may reach about 15 feet (5 meters) or more in height. The plant has hairy branch tips. The leaves have toothed edges and may be heart-shaped or deeply lobed, resembling maple leaves.
The showy blossoms are brilliant yellow in color. Each flower usually lasts for only a day or two, but flowers continue to bloom for much of the year. The flowers reach up to about 6 inches (15 centimeters) wide. They consist of five delicately creped (crinkled) petals. Each petal usually has a maroon patch at the base. The patches come together to form the maroon center of the flower. A long stalk rises from this center. Much of the stalk is covered by yellow stamens (pollen-bearing parts). The column ends in yellow to reddish stigmas (pollen-receiving parts).
Yellow hibiscus was once found on all the main islands except Niihau and probably Kahoolawe. However, it has become highly endangered in the wild and has disappeared entirely from Molokai and Kauai. The plant faces a number of threats in the wild. These threats include loss of habitat as well as fire and damage from invasive plants and animals. Yellow hibiscus plants in the wild are protected by law. A number of botanical gardens grow yellow hibiscus to preserve it from extinction.
