24 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. XV, January 1961 
FIG. 17. Hibiscus immaculatus Roe. 
tips 10-20 mm., located on the upper third of 
column. Style branches 1. 5-2.0 mm., erect, pap- 
illate. Ovary 1.0 cm. long, 7-8 mm. wide. 
HOLOTYPE: Pali of Olokui above Waiehu, 
Wailau Valley, Molokai, September 1912. C. 
N. Forbes 5 51. Mo. 
specimens examined: Wailau Valley, Mo- 
lokai, C. N. Forbes 550.Mo. Hibiscus Gardens 
in Honolulu, introduced from Molokai, July 10, 
1958. Roe 301. 
In September, 1912, Forbes made several col- 
lections of a distinct white hibiscus from the 
Pali of Olokui above Waiehu, Wailau Valley, 
Molokai. He noted that the staminal column 
was entirely white, which is not the case in our 
other Hawaiian white-corolled species. Forbes 
at first considered this a form of H. Arnottianus; 
in fact an early label read: "H. Arnottianus 
Gray Form nov.” Forbes, following subsequent 
study of his specimens of the plant, concluded 
it was a distinct species and noted this on his 
herbarium sheets. However, he did not leave 
any description of the new species. In 1913 
Rock related that this "pure white flowered one 
occurs on the beach of Wailau Valley on Mo- 
lokai.” A letter written on July 16, 1958, by 
Henry Wiebke, Hoolehua, Molokai, confirmed 
the fact that the species continues to exist in the 
original locality. Mr. Wiebke wrote: "There is 
a native white hibiscus still growing in Wailau 
Valley in and around Kalae. Records show that 
these have been reported a number of times. 
This one is completely white.” 
The plant has also been found in cultivation 
in Honolulu, and in each case its origin has 
been traced to Molokai. It is attractive, but 
smaller and less showy than H. Arnottianus. Its 
rounded leaf of "lettuce green” is quite distinc- 
tive and this, together with the pure white 
corolla and column of the flower, makes it a 
desirable plant for cultivation. 
12. Hibiscus waimeae Heller 
Figs. 15, 19, 20 
Hibiscus waimeae Heller. Observation of the 
Ferns and Flowering Plants of the Hawai- 
ian Islands, Minn. Pub. of Botany (1897) 
851, pi. 53. 
H. Arnottianus Gray forma. Mrs. Sinclair, 
Indigenous Flowers of Hawaiian Islands 
(1885), pi. 8. 
H. waimeae var. Helleri. Hochreutiner, Ann. 
Conserv. Jard. Bot. Geneve 4: 132, 1900. 
DESCRIPTION: Tree 7-8 m. in height; DBH, 
16 cm. Stipules 5-6 cm. long, lanceolate. Petioles 
3-4 cm. long, 2-3 mm. wide, puberulent. Blade 
6-9 cm. long, 5-7 cm. wide, obovate-orbicular, 
surfaces entirely velvety pubescent, margin ser- 
rate, "forest green.” Peduncles 2-3 cm. long, 
articulate 6 mm. below involucre. Bracts 7, lan- 
ceolate, 1.5-2. 5 cm. long, pubescent. Calyx 3.5- 
4.0 cm. long, 1.0-1. 5 cm. wide, widest at base 
of teeth, cleft 1-1.5 cm. from apex, teeth ovate- 
lanceolate, velutinous. Corolla white, pubescent 
on outer surface. Petals ca. 14 cm. long, 4-5 
cm. wide (at greatest width), prominently 
veined. Staminal column stout, long exerted, 
FIG. 18. Distribution of Hibiscus immaculatus: 
Solid circles, represent localities of collections 
Open circles, represent areas where plants have 
been reported 
