Hawaii Landscape Architect Plant Materials Exam 2026 – 400 Q&A with Rationales

Hawaii Landscape Architect Plant Materials
State Examination Hawaii State Board of Landscape
Architects Actual Questions with Answers and
Rationales 2026 | Instant Download PDF

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
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Hawaiʻi?
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A. ʻŌhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)
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B. Kukui (Aleurites moluccanus) j j



C. Noni (Morinda citrifolia)
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D. Ti (Cordyline fruticosa)
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Answer: A. ʻŌhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)
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Rationale: ʻŌhiʻa lehua is endemic to Hawaiʻi, meaning it is found
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naturally nowhere else in the world. Kukui, noni, and ti are Polynesian
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introductions .
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2. The ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) is significant in Hawaiian
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culture as the tree associated with:
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A. Pele, the volcano goddess j j j



B. Laka, the hula goddess j j j



C. Kāne, the creator god j j j



D. Kū, the war godj j j




Answer: A. Pele, the volcano goddess
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Rationale: ʻŌhiʻa is sacred to Pele, and its lehua flowers are associated
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with the volcano goddess. The tree is one of the first to grow on new lava
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flows .
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,3. What is the primary threat currently affecting ʻōhiʻa lehua forests in
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Hawaiʻi?
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A. Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) j j j



B. Avocado lace bug j j



C. Coconut rhinoceros beetle j j



D. Little fire ant j j




Answer: A. Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD)
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Rationale: Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) is a fungal disease (Ceratocystis
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fimbriata) that has killed millions of ʻōhiʻa trees across Hawaiʻi Island
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and Kauaʻi .
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4. Which of the following is an indigenous Hawaiian plant (found both in
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Hawaiʻi and elsewhere naturally)?
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A. Hala (Pandanus tectorius)
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B. ʻĀkia (Wikstroemia uva-ursi)
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C. Maʻo (Hibiscus brackenridgei)
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D. ʻIlima (Sida fallax) j j




Answer: A. Hala (Pandanus tectorius)
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Rationale: Hala is indigenous to Hawaiʻi, meaning it arrived naturally without
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human assistance, but is also found throughout the Pacific. The others are
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endemic to Hawaiʻi .
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5. The koa tree (Acacia koa) is prized for its wood. Which of the
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following describes its native habitat?
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A. Lowland dry forests j j



B. Mesic to wet forests at higher elevations
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C. Coastal strand j



D. Wetlands and stream banks j j j

,Answer: B. Mesic to wet forests at higher elevations
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Rationale: Koa grows naturally in mesic to wet forests at elevations from
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300 to 2,000 meters, often mixed with ʻōhiʻa .
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6. Koa (Acacia koa) exhibits which unique leaf morphology as it
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matures?
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A. Bipinnately compound leaves (juvenile) to sickle-shaped phyllodesj j j j j j



(adult)
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B. Simple leaves throughout its life
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C. Needle-like leaves j



D. Palmatecompound leaves j j




Answer: A. Bipinnately compound leaves (juvenile) to sickle-shaped
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phyllodes (adult)
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Rationale: Koa seedlings produce bipinnately compound leaves; as they
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mature, they develop sickle-shaped phyllodes (flattened petioles that
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function as leaves) .
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7. Which native Hawaiian plant is known as the "canoe plant" and was
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brought by Polynesian voyagers?
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A. Koa
B. ʻŌhiʻa lehua j



C. Kalo (taro) j



D. Naupaka
Answer: C. Kalo (taro)
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Rationale: Kalo (taro, Colocasia esculenta) was one of the most
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important canoe plants brought by Polynesian settlers and is central to
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Hawaiian culture and diet .
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8. The naupaka plant (Scaevola taccada) is known for its distinctive:
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A. Half-flowers
B. Red flowers
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, C. Spiny leaves j



D. Fragrant blossoms j




Answer: A. Half-flowers j j



Rationale: Naupaka flowers have a distinctive fan-like shape with petals
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arranged on only one side, giving the appearance of half a flower .
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9. In Hawaiian legend, the naupaka plant represents:
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A. Separated lovers j



B. The goddess Pele
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C. The creation of the islands
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D. The first humans
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Answer: A. Separated lovers j j j



Rationale: The legend tells of two lovers separated by circumstances;
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one naupaka flower remained in the mountains (Scaevola
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gaudichaudiana) and one by the sea (Scaevola taccada), explaining the
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plant's presence in both habitats .
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10. Which of the following is a native coastal shrub with silver-gray
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leaves and yellow flowers?
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A. ʻĀkia (Wikstroemia uva-ursi)
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B. Naupaka (Scaevola taccada) j j



C. Pohinahina (Vitex rotundifolia) j j



D. ʻIlima (Sida fallax) j j




Answer: C. Pohinahina (Vitex rotundifolia)
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Rationale: Pohinahina is a native coastal shrub with round, silver-gray
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leaves and small purple-blue flowers. It is excellent for dune stabilization
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.
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11. The ʻilima (Sida fallax) is the official flower of which Hawaiian
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island?
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A. Hawaiʻi Island j