Puakenikeni

~Puakenikeni

Fagraea berteroana

The tree is small and spreading and the flowers are plentiful much of the. Puakenikeni in Hawaiian translation means “ten cent flower”, which they sold for in the 1930’s when first introduced to Hawaii. The puakenikeni flower, referred to as “Fagraea berteroana” scientifically, is used in lei making throughout Hawaiʻi, as well as on the mainland. The Fagraea berteroana trees have green, blunt-tipped leaves and are 13 feet tall on average. The trees themselves have rather skinny trunks and branches. The puakenikeni flowers, which can range from a creamy white to a deep orangey-gold in color, grow from bulbous stalks attached to the branches of the trees. The fragrant flowers grow in clusters and tend to be located at the end of branches . Flower clusters are generally dispersed throughout the trees. In addition to leaves and flowers, round waxy fruits also grow on Fagraea berteroana trees.