Plant of the Month: March 2025
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| Hawaiian Mountain Begonia |
Hillebrandia sandwicensis Oliv.
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(BEGONIACEÆ); Begonia Family
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| The lone Hillebrandia species is a succulent perennial plant up to 6 feet high, of Hawai'i (Kauai, Maui, Molokai; Oahu previously) in montane rainforest shady wet ravines --especially near waterfalls. It was made known to western science in 1865 when Dr. Wilhelm Hillebrand (1821 - 1886) sent specimens to Kew Gardens in England. Hillebrand had authored the Flora of the Hawaiian Islands, published in 1888. |
| The plant is called in Hawai'i Aka'aka'awa or Pua Maka Nui (Big-eyed Flower). It resembles Begonia closely and for all practical purposes is one --but for several floral and seed capsule details. The whole plant has sparse reddish hairs. As with Begonia, the leaves are lopsided, 4 to 8 or more inches, lobed and toothed. Pink, white or rarely bright red flowers bloom from February to June, contasting beautifully with the dark green foliage. After ripening its tiny seeds in late summer, Hillebrandia stems die to the ground and the plants rest til January. |
| Hillebrandia is cultivated extremely rarely, being deemed less beautiful than most Begonia; and suited only to a greenhouse. For years, I have found no nursery selling Hillebrandia. I have offered in vain $200 to anyone who mails me viable seeds of it. My intent is to test it as a houseplant, and to taste it. I expect it will taste totally like a Begonia, and prove a pain to cultivate because I can give it only about 60% humidity, which will render is miserable and insect-prone. But maybe I will be pleasantly surprised . . . |
| It is not reported edible, though likely is. Begonia are not so much a caloric source as a sour condiment, perfect for pickling, their colorful flowers antioxidant additives to salads. People the world over eat well over 100 native Begonia species thus; some ethnic food markets sell them. Their oxalate content suggests moderate consumption is best, as with chard, spinach, sorrel, etc. If you savor acidity or lemony sourness food, Begonia is your genus. In that respect it recalls Oxalis, rhubarb and sorrels. |
Below is a watercolor from Indigenous Flowers of the Hawaiian Islands by Isabella Sinclair (1887).
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Hillebrandia sandwicensis ; watercolor by Isabella Sinclair
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