Mamaki - Revered Hawaiian Medicinal Plant

Warm greetings all. 🙏 💚

Today I wanted to introduce you (for those that don't yet know it) to Mamaki, Pipturus albidus, an endemic (found only in the Hawaiian Islands), arborescent (growing like a tree), spineless nettle (it's in the nettle family, Urticaceae), that often appears as a pioneer in disturbed areas. Mamaki is revered by the native Hawaiians as a sacred miracle plant for healing and health, affecting the whole human system in superlatively beneficial ways.

I love making medicinal tea blends. I put Mamaki is in just about every one I make, as it is such a nourishing tonic for the human system. The first pouring of Mamaki tea is usually dark brown, while the second pouring is often peach color. The taste is pleasant, mild, and unique. It feels good to drink!

In the 18-acre, off-grid, food forest intentional community, deep in the jungle of Lower Puna, on the Eastern tip of the Big Island of Hawai'i, where I've lived for three and a quarter years now, there are several Mamaki plants, mostly scattered along one of the newer driveways. This is one plant that I have found very challenging to propagate, as it does not grow from cuttings, and the seeds seem to germinate wherever they want, without my desire having anything to do with it. It's also quite challenging to transplant, as its roots are very sensitive, so great care must be taken.

These first three photos are of a Mamaki that we just found recently, on the edge between trees and lava (2018 eruption). The characteristic red veins and petioles (though some variations are not red) can be easily seen.

This one is a younger plant that is growing vigorously now, after one of our cows grazed on it, twice.

These three photos are of some of the larger Mamaki on the property, all in the same area. Mamaki are small trees at maturity, attaining 15-30 feet in height. Our largest trees are still on the shorter end of thr spectrum.

These two shots are of a rather sad event; one of the oldest and largest Mamaki on the property fell over last week, cause unknown. I harvested and dried as much of the usable foliage as possible. Thankfully, even though it fell over, it's not dead. There are still some living, growing branches, so it may yet survive and grow a new leader.

This is the only Mamaki that I have in a pot. It was carefully transfered to the pot from less than ideal location that it decided to grow. It needs to get in the ground soon, as Mamaki have very extensive roots, and they if they get pot bound, it can affect how they grow for the life of the tree. This one got its top munched off by a cow, too, but it grew a new leader, and now looks quite nice.

This Mamaki began life on the roof of one of the community buildings, and even got to about 3-feet tall. I very, very carefully extricate it from its roof perch, kept the roots wet, and dug out a good hole with long trenches for its extensive root system. It looked sad for a while, but if recovered quickly, and now is growing quite well.

These are photos of Mamaki's unusual white fruit. They look like strange white mulberries or raspberries. They are edible and medicinal, like the whole plant, and have very little taste all (at least I can't detect much).

Thank you for allowing me to share one of my beloved medicinal plants with you today! 🙏 💚