Pua Kala

argemone glauca

Pua Kala (Argemone glauca), also known as the Hawaiian poppy, is a striking endemic plant species native to the Hawaiian Islands. This hardy perennial is renowned for its brilliant white blossoms contrasted against a center of numerous bright yellow stamens. Thriving in the harsh, arid environments of coastal dunes, dry shrublands, and volcanic slopes, it stands out as one of the few native Hawaiian plants equipped with sharp defensive spines. Historically, Pua Kala held significant cultural and medicinal value for Native Hawaiians, who utilized its bright yellow, latex-like sap to relieve toothaches and skin ailments. Today, it serves as a vital component of Hawaii's fragile dryland ecosystems, providing nourishment for native pollinators and acting as a pioneer species on dry volcanic terrains. If you want to identify Pua Kala in the wild, use the Snappit app.

Habitat: Typically found on dry, rocky, and sun-exposed slopes, lava fields, and coastal shrublands across the Hawaiian Islands.

Appearance

This erect, bushy herb typically reaches heights between 60 to 120 cm. It is easily identified by its spectacular, large white flowers with crepe-paper-like petals measuring up to 8 cm across, surrounding a dense central cluster of golden-yellow stamens. Its foliage is deeply lobed, pale bluish-green (glaucous), and heavily armed with sharp, stiff spines along the leaf margins and stems. After flowering, it produces oblong, spiny seed pods that split open to release numerous small black seeds.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRanunculalesFamilyPapaveraceaeGenusArgemone

Pua Kala

Interesting facts

Ancient Hawaiians used the bright yellow latex sap of the plant as an analgesic to treat painful toothaches and neuralgias.

Its scientific name, Argemone glauca, refers to its glaucescent or bluish-green waxy leaves that help it survive intense Hawaiian sunlight.

Pua Kala is one of the very few native Hawaiian plants that evolved physical defenses like thorns, which is unusual since Hawaii historically lacked native mammalian herbivores.

Special abilities

Produces a powdery, waxy coating on its leaves that gives them a bluish hue and helps reduce water loss in arid conditions.

Deters potential herbivores with sharp, formidable spines that densely cover its stems, leaves, and seed pods.

Develops a deep, robust taproot system to secure moisture and stabilize itself in loose volcanic soils.

Measurements & details

Length: 60-120 cm
Lifespan: 2-5 years
Clutch Size: 50-150
Incubation: 14-28 days

Diet & Feeding

As a photoautotrophic plant, Pua Kala generates its own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and minerals through the process of photosynthesis.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Carbon dioxide
Water
Soil minerals

Ecological connections

mutualism

Anthricinan Yellow-faced Bee

Hylaeus anthracinus

The endemic Hawaiian yellow-faced bee collects pollen from the large yellow centers of Pua Kala flowers.

mutualism

Sonoran Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa sonorina

The introduced Sonoran carpenter bee visits the flowers for nectar and acts as an effective pollinator.

Traits

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Also known as

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Pua Kala?

The easiest way to identify Pua Kala is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Pua Kala?

60-120 cm

How long does Pua Kala live?

2-5 years

What does Pua Kala eat?

As a photoautotrophic plant, Pua Kala generates its own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and minerals through the process of photosynthesis.

Where is Pua Kala usually found?

Typically found on dry, rocky, and sun-exposed slopes, lava fields, and coastal shrublands across the Hawaiian Islands.

How many eggs does Pua Kala lay?

50-150

How long do Pua Kala eggs take to hatch?

14-28 days