• Orchids are a popular ornamental flower in Hawaii.maroon orchid,orchid,maroon,showy,flower,beautiful image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
  
  Hawaii's warm climate is home to numerous types of plants. Hawaii has many species of tropical flowers that are popular for gardening and landscaping. It is also home to many varieties of native plants--some of which are found nowhere else in the world. Some of Hawaii's most common plants, however, are categorized as invasive, which means they have the potential to crowd out native species and do harm to Hawaii's ecosystem.
  
  

Common Flowers

• One of the most common and recognizable flowers of Hawaii is the plumeria. It can grow to a height of 30 feet, has glossy green leaves and produces blooms that are two to three inches in diameter. It is the flower most commonly used to construct leis. The pohuehue, also referred to as the beach morning glory, is found along the shores of Hawaii. It produces purple or pink trumpet shaped blooms which open only in early morning. The lokelani is a delicate, rose-like flower, and although it is not native to Hawaii, it was named the official flower of Maui in 1923.
  
  

Native Plants

• The hibiscus brackenridgei is a flower native to Hawaii that produces large, colorful, five-petal blooms. It is one of the most recognizable plants in Hawaii, and in 1988 the yellow version of the plant was named the official state flower. The koa is a native species of tree with large green leaves and can grow to a height of 50 feet. It is valued for its large canopy which provides shade. The ilima is a shrub that produces large, hibiscus-like blooms all year long. It grows in many places on the islands and is the official flower of Oahu. The ohia lehua is another type of native tree that produces colorful flowers all year. It is found all over the islands, from areas at sea level to elevations of 7,200 feet. It is the most common of all native trees.
  
  

Invasive Plants

• The state of Hawaii has recognized a variety of species as invasive. Some of the more widespread invasive plants include fountain grass, miconia and salvinia. Fountain grass is a fast-spreading, destructive type of perennial grass. It has had a particularly negative effect on Hawaii's Big Island. Fountain grass grows to a height of three feet. Miconia is a type of tree that is sometimes referred to as "purple plague." It grows to a height of 25 feet and can take over moist forests, crowding out native vegetation. Salvinia, commonly known as floating fern, thrives in freshwater lakes, ponds or streams. It colonizes quickly and can cover entire areas of still water if it is not eradicated.