General Information

Habitat Requirements

Sicyos macrophyllus occurs in montane wet Metrosideros polymorpha (ohia) forest, mesic Acacia koa (koa)-M. polymorpha forest, and subalpine Sophora chrysophylla (mamane)-Myoporum sandwicense (naio) forest at 1,219 to 2,012 m (4,000 to 6,600 ft) on the island of Hawaii. Associated native species include Coprosma rhynchocarpa (pilo), Dryopteris fusco-atra (ii), Microlepia strigosa (palapalai), Myrsine lessertiana (kolea lau nui), Nephrolepis exaltata (nianiau), Nestegis sandwicensis (olopua), Peperomia spp. (alaala wai nui), Pipturus albidus (mamaki), Pisonia brunoniana (papala kepau), Psychotria hawaiiensis var. hillebrandii (kopiko ula), and Sapindus saponaria (ae).

Movement / Home Range

Historically, Sicyos macrophyllus occurred throughout the island of Hawaii and on Maui in wet forest habitat at Kaukauai. It currently occurs throughout the island of Hawaii in various habitat types.

Reproductive Strategy

Sicyos macrophyllus is monoecious with unisexual flowers of both genders on the same plant. This vine has an annual or sub-annual pattern of flowering. Male and female flower production peak twice a year in fall and spring, but flowering is also seen throughout the intervening winter months. During summer months plants produce virtually no buds or flowers. Male flowers were produced in greater abundance slightly earlier than female flowers. Fruit production is seasonal, showing an annual pattern with a peak in winter and no or little fruit production in late summer or early fall. Green, immature fruit as well as brown mature fruit were most abundant in the late spring and fall.

Other

Sicyos macrophyllus was described by Gray in 1853 and verified in Wagner and Shannon 1999 (pp. 441–447). Sicyos macrophyllus is the currently accepted taxonomy.