Maʻo hau hele.
The bright yellow Hawaiian hibiscus — official state flower of Hawaiʻi.
Maʻo hau hele is the bright yellow Hawaiian hibiscus and the official state flower of Hawaiʻi. Its large, sun-yellow blooms with a deep maroon center are unmistakable on dry leeward slopes.
It is the only endemic Hawaiian hibiscus on the federal endangered species list — wild populations have been devastated by habitat loss, fire, and browsing by introduced ungulates.
Despite its rarity in the wild, maʻo hau hele is grown by many native plant nurseries and is a popular landscape plant in dry coastal gardens, where it can flower nearly year-round.
More from Coastal Plants.
ʻŌhai
An endangered native shrub with stunning orange-red pea-like flowers and silvery foliage.
Naupaka kahakai
A wave-tough beach shrub with distinctive "half-flowers."
Hala
The Hawaiian screwpine, instantly recognizable by its aerial prop roots and pineapple-like fruit.
Pōhuehue
Beach morning glory — a sprawling vine that anchors loose sand with runners up to 100 feet long.