Page 1 of 132
Hawaii Landscape Architect Plant Materials Exam Actual
exam Questions with Correct Answers and explanations
LATEST THIS YEAR -JUST RELEASED
Summarized Exam Coverage – HI Landscape Architect Plant Materials
Hawaiian native plants (ʻōhiʻa lehua, koa, hala pepe, pōhuehue, naupaka kahakai, ʻilima, etc.),
Polynesian introductions (kukui, noni, ʻawa, ʻulu, maiʻa, kī, etc.), naturalized and ornamental species
(plumeria, bougainvillea, monkeypod, shower trees, croton, heliconia, ginger, bamboo, palms – loulu,
coconut, areca), growth habits (tree, shrub, groundcover, vine, palm, grass), sun/shade requirements,
water needs (xeric, mesic, hydric), wind and salt tolerance (coastal vs. upland), soil pH preferences
(acidic vs. alkaline), bloom time and flower color, fruit characteristics, invasive potential, cultural
significance, erosion control, stormwater management, wildlife value (birds, bees, butterflies), and
design applications (hedge, specimen, screen, shade, street tree, foundation planting).
1. A landscape architect is designing a coastal park on Oʻahu. Which native plant is highly tolerant of salt
spray and sandy soils?
A) ʻŌhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)
B) Naupaka kahakai (Scaevola taccada)
C) Koa (Acacia koa)
D) Hala pepe (Dracaena aurea)
Answer: B – Naupaka kahakai is a native shrub that thrives in coastal, salt-exposed areas.
2. A client wants a large shade tree with a broad canopy and showy pink flowers in summer. Which tree
is most suitable for a residential yard in Honolulu?
, Page 2 of 132
A) Monkeypod (Albizia saman)
B) Rainbow shower (Cassia fistula × javanica)
C) Kukui (Aleurites moluccanus)
D) ʻŌhiʻa lehua
Answer: B – Rainbow shower (and other shower trees) are widely planted for their profuse pink to yellow
blooms.
3. A landscape architect specifies a native tree for a windward site with heavy rainfall. Which species is
adapted to very wet conditions?
A) Wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis)
B) ʻŌhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) – has varieties for wet and dry
C) Naupaka kahakai
D) Pōhuehue (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
Answer: B – ʻŌhiʻa lehua is extremely adaptable, with varieties found in bogs and rainforests.
4. Which plant is traditionally used for making hula skirts (leaves) and also for thatching?
A) Kī (Cordyline fruticosa)
, Page 3 of 132
B) ʻIlima (Sida fallax)
C) Noni (Morinda citrifolia)
D) ʻAwa (Piper methysticum)
Answer: A – Kī (ti) leaves are used for hula skirts, rain capes, and thatching.
5. A slope requires deep-rooted, erosion-control plants. Which native grass or sedge is most effective?
A) Pili grass (Heteropogon contortus)
B) Mānienie (Cynodon dactylon) – introduced
C) Kāwelu (Eragrostis variabilis)
D) Both A and C
Answer: D – Native pili grass and kāwelu are deep-rooted and excellent for slope stabilization.
6. A landscape architect wants to attract native birds (ʻiʻiwi, ʻapapane) to a restoration site. Which plant
provides nectar?
A) ʻŌhiʻa lehua
B) Koa
, Page 4 of 132
C) Hala
D) Loulu palm
Answer: A – ʻŌhiʻa lehua flowers are a primary nectar source for Hawaiian honeycreepers.
7. Which palm is endemic (native) to Hawaii?
A) Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera)
B) Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
C) Loulu palm (Pritchardia spp.)
D) Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera)
Answer: C – Loulu is the only palm genus native to Hawaii.
8. A coastal home owner wants a groundcover that can tolerate foot traffic and salt. Which native plant
is best?
A) Pōhuehue (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
B) ʻĀkulikuli (Sesuvium portulacastrum)
C) Kī
D) ʻIlima
Hawaii Landscape Architect Plant Materials Exam Actual
exam Questions with Correct Answers and explanations
LATEST THIS YEAR -JUST RELEASED
Summarized Exam Coverage – HI Landscape Architect Plant Materials
Hawaiian native plants (ʻōhiʻa lehua, koa, hala pepe, pōhuehue, naupaka kahakai, ʻilima, etc.),
Polynesian introductions (kukui, noni, ʻawa, ʻulu, maiʻa, kī, etc.), naturalized and ornamental species
(plumeria, bougainvillea, monkeypod, shower trees, croton, heliconia, ginger, bamboo, palms – loulu,
coconut, areca), growth habits (tree, shrub, groundcover, vine, palm, grass), sun/shade requirements,
water needs (xeric, mesic, hydric), wind and salt tolerance (coastal vs. upland), soil pH preferences
(acidic vs. alkaline), bloom time and flower color, fruit characteristics, invasive potential, cultural
significance, erosion control, stormwater management, wildlife value (birds, bees, butterflies), and
design applications (hedge, specimen, screen, shade, street tree, foundation planting).
1. A landscape architect is designing a coastal park on Oʻahu. Which native plant is highly tolerant of salt
spray and sandy soils?
A) ʻŌhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)
B) Naupaka kahakai (Scaevola taccada)
C) Koa (Acacia koa)
D) Hala pepe (Dracaena aurea)
Answer: B – Naupaka kahakai is a native shrub that thrives in coastal, salt-exposed areas.
2. A client wants a large shade tree with a broad canopy and showy pink flowers in summer. Which tree
is most suitable for a residential yard in Honolulu?
, Page 2 of 132
A) Monkeypod (Albizia saman)
B) Rainbow shower (Cassia fistula × javanica)
C) Kukui (Aleurites moluccanus)
D) ʻŌhiʻa lehua
Answer: B – Rainbow shower (and other shower trees) are widely planted for their profuse pink to yellow
blooms.
3. A landscape architect specifies a native tree for a windward site with heavy rainfall. Which species is
adapted to very wet conditions?
A) Wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis)
B) ʻŌhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) – has varieties for wet and dry
C) Naupaka kahakai
D) Pōhuehue (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
Answer: B – ʻŌhiʻa lehua is extremely adaptable, with varieties found in bogs and rainforests.
4. Which plant is traditionally used for making hula skirts (leaves) and also for thatching?
A) Kī (Cordyline fruticosa)
, Page 3 of 132
B) ʻIlima (Sida fallax)
C) Noni (Morinda citrifolia)
D) ʻAwa (Piper methysticum)
Answer: A – Kī (ti) leaves are used for hula skirts, rain capes, and thatching.
5. A slope requires deep-rooted, erosion-control plants. Which native grass or sedge is most effective?
A) Pili grass (Heteropogon contortus)
B) Mānienie (Cynodon dactylon) – introduced
C) Kāwelu (Eragrostis variabilis)
D) Both A and C
Answer: D – Native pili grass and kāwelu are deep-rooted and excellent for slope stabilization.
6. A landscape architect wants to attract native birds (ʻiʻiwi, ʻapapane) to a restoration site. Which plant
provides nectar?
A) ʻŌhiʻa lehua
B) Koa
, Page 4 of 132
C) Hala
D) Loulu palm
Answer: A – ʻŌhiʻa lehua flowers are a primary nectar source for Hawaiian honeycreepers.
7. Which palm is endemic (native) to Hawaii?
A) Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera)
B) Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
C) Loulu palm (Pritchardia spp.)
D) Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera)
Answer: C – Loulu is the only palm genus native to Hawaii.
8. A coastal home owner wants a groundcover that can tolerate foot traffic and salt. Which native plant
is best?
A) Pōhuehue (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
B) ʻĀkulikuli (Sesuvium portulacastrum)
C) Kī
D) ʻIlima
