Pōhinahina
Common name: None
Scientific name: Vitex rotundifolia
Where to Find: Coastal environments
Status: Indigenous
Many Hawaiian plant names contain the phrase “hinahina”, which translates to “very silver”. Some native plants have adopted a silvery coloration in order to protect themselves from the sun’s strong UV rays. This color helps reflect a significant amount of sunlight that could otherwise damage the plant. Although many species share this namesake and coloration, they are not always closely related to one another. This is an example of convergent evolution, where multiple species independently evolved but share similar adaptations.
Did You Know?
The leaves of pōhinahina smell similar to eucalyptus.