Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Urticaceae

Genus:

Pipturus

Species:

Pipturus albidus

USDA Symbol:

PIAL2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub , Tree

Height:

900 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Colors:

white, green

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:

★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Reported Fauna Sightings

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from the base after fire or cutting; historically important in Hawaiian dryland and mesic forests subject to periodic disturbance.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

native to Hawaiian forests, prefers organic matter

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Germination Time:

14–60 days

Notes:

Fresh seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; light may improve germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI