Hawaii Landscape Architect Plant Materials State Examination: Complete 400-Question Practice Test with Answers and Rationales – Hawaii State Board of Landscape Architects – 2026 Edition

Hawaii Landscape Architect Plant Materials State
Examination: Complete 400-Question Practice Test with
Answers and Rationales – Hawaii State Board of
Landscape Architects – 2026 Edition

Section 1: Native Hawaiian Plants – Endemic and Indigenous Species (Questions 1-80)

1. Which of the following is an endemic Hawaiian plant found only in Hawai‘i?
A) ‘Ōhi‘a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)
B) Kukui (Aleurites moluccanus)
C) Noni (Morinda citrifolia)
D) Ti (Cordyline fruticosa)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ‘Ōhi‘a lehua is endemic to Hawai‘i, meaning it is found naturally
nowhere else in the world. Kukui, noni, and ti are Polynesian introductions.
2. The ‘ōhi‘a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) is significant in Hawaiian culture as
the tree associated with:
A) Pele, the volcano goddess
B) Laka, the hula goddess
C) Kāne, the creator god
D) Kū, the war god
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ‘Ōhi‘a is sacred to Pele, and its lehua flowers are associated with the
volcano goddess. The tree is one of the first to grow on new lava flows.
3. Which of the following is an indigenous Hawaiian plant (native but also found
elsewhere)?
A) Hāpu‘u (Cibotium spp.)
B) ‘Ilima (Sida fallax)
C) Naupaka kahakai (Scaevola taccada)
D) All of the above


1

,Correct Answer: D
Rationale: All three are indigenous—they occur naturally in Hawai‘i and other
Pacific islands or tropical regions. Hāpu‘u is found in other Pacific islands, ‘ilima in
tropical Pacific, naupaka kahakai throughout the Indo-Pacific.
4. The native fern “hāpu‘u” (Cibotium spp.) is known for its use in:
A) Hula skirts
B) Lei making
C) Orchid growing medium
D) Building canoes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The fibrous trunk of hāpu‘u is commonly used as a potting medium for
orchids and other epiphytes due to its water-holding capacity and texture.
5. Which native Hawaiian tree produces a hard, heavy wood traditionally used for
making weapons and tools?
A) Koa (Acacia koa)
B) Kou (Cordia subcordata)
C) Ulu (Artocarpus altilis)
D) Kōlea (Myrsine lessertiana)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Koa wood is dense, strong, and was traditionally used for spears,
paddles, and tools. Kou was used for bowls, ulu (breadfruit) is Polynesian
introduction.
6. The endemic vine “hue” is the Hawaiian name for:
A) Morning glory (Ipomoea indica)
B) Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)
C) Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis)
D) Yam (Dioscorea alata)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hue is the Hawaiian bottle gourd, an indigenous or ancient Polynesian
introduction used for containers and instruments. It is not endemic but culturally
significant.


2

,7. Which of the following is a notable dry forest native tree with extremely hard
wood and fragrant flowers?
A) ‘Ōlapa (Cheirodendron trigynum)
B) Wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis)
C) Loulu (Pritchardia spp.)
D) Hala pepe (Dracaena aurea)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Wiliwili is endemic to Hawai‘i’s dry forests, with bright orange/red
flowers and extremely hard, light wood. Its seeds are buoyant and used in leis.
8. The Hawaiian name “pōhuehue” refers to which native coastal vine?
A) Pā‘ū o Hi‘iaka (Jacquemontia ovalifolia)
B) Beach morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
C) Naupaka kahakai (Scaevola taccada)
D) ‘Ākulikuli (Sesuvium portulacastrum)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ipomoea pes-caprae, known as beach morning glory or pōhuehue, is an
indigenous coastal vine with pink flowers that stabilizes sand dunes.
9. Which native Hawaiian palm is the only palm genus endemic to Hawai‘i?
A) Coconut (Cocos nucifera)
B) Pritchardia (loulu)
C) Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera)
D) Fishtail palm (Caryota mitis)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Loulu (Pritchardia) is the only palm genus native and endemic to
Hawai‘i. There are 19 species, each unique to specific islands or valleys.
10. The fern “‘ākōlea” (Polypodium pellucidum) is often found growing on:
A) Lava rocks in wet forests
B) Sandy beaches
C) Dry mountain slopes
D) Mangroves



3

, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ‘Ākōlea is an epiphytic or lithophytic fern commonly seen on lava rocks
and tree trunks in mesic to wet forests.
11. Which of the following is a lobeliad endemic to Hawai‘i known for its striking
red flowers pollinated by native birds?
A) Lobelia grayana
B) Clermontia spp.
C) Cyanea spp.
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: All are endemic Hawaiian lobeliads (Campanulaceae) with tubular
flowers adapted for bird pollination by now-extinct or rare honeycreepers.
12. The native sedge “mau‘u” (Machaerina angustifolia) is typically found in:
A) Alpine bogs
B) Coastal dunes
C) Mesic forests
D) Lava fields
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Mau‘u is a dominant sedge in montane bogs, especially on Kaua‘i and
Maui, forming dense tussocks.
13. Which native shrub has silvery leaves and is commonly used in lei making?
A) ‘A‘ali‘i (Dodonaea viscosa)
B) ‘Ilima (Sida fallax)
C) Pōpolo (Solanum americanum)
D) Kīpūkai (Heliotropium anomalum)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ‘Ilima has small, silvery leaves and produces yellow-orange flowers that
are strung into delicate, highly prized leis.
14. The native tree “kōlea” (Myrsine lessertiana) is adapted to:
A) Wet montane forests
B) Coastal dry areas

4