Māmaki Tree

Mamaki Tree belongs to the Urticaceae family (related to nettles), but unlike its mainland counterparts, it has lost the stinging hairs over hundreds of years of evolution.
Traditionally, Māmaki was used as a remedy for sore throats or when someone felt “a little run down.” It was often brewed into a flavorful tea, sometimes combined with lemongrass.
Māmaki is endemic to the Hawaiian islands and a part of the Urticaceae family. It is a fast-growing species and can be a shrub or a small tree with heights ranging from 6 to 20 ft tall. Leaves on mature growth are 3 to 8 in long and 1 to 6 in wide, but leaves on young growth can be much larger. The small flowers form in small clusters close to the stem in the leaf axils. The flowers are unisexual with male and female flowers usually on the same plant. Early Hawaiians used mamaki wood to make clubs and kapa beaters.

Mamaki trees play a significant role in Hawaii’s native ecosystems, providing habitat and food for native insects and birds. They are often found in moist forests and streamside habitats, thriving in the island’s diverse microclimates.

Botanical name: Pipturus albidus

Origin: Hawai’i

Height: 6 to 20 ft