1. The tendrils twine around other plants allowing ‘Ānunu to climb
‘Ānunu (Sicyos)
These are the female flowers
©Forest and Kim Starr
The tendrils twine around other plants allowing ‘Ānunu to climb
over other plants
If the flowers are pollinated, a single seed will develop in each section of the fruit
In Hawai‘i, ‘Ānunu is a vine that is found mainly in coastal shrublands, dry or wet forests. Most plants produce pollen and ovules in a single flower. But, ‘Ānunu plants produce pollen in male flowers and ovules in female flowers. In Ānunu, male and female flowers even grow on different plants!
FACT BOX:
Hawaiian name: ‘Ānunu
Scientific name: Sicyos
Scientific family: Cucurbitaceae
Hawaiian species: There are 14 different species in Hawai‘i, all of which are endemic, meaning they are only found in Hawai‘i.
Worldwide distribution: Different species are found on North America, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. The Hawaiian species are most closely related to the species in Mexico!
©Forest and Kim Starr
Hawai‘i is
here!
© J.L. Birch, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (with support from the National Science Foundation (Award # ))