Common Plants seen on the Trail:

• Koa haole: Leucaena leucocephala : these are the large sticks that seem to be dead trees scattered all over the trail.
• Pili grass: This is actually a rare grass on the mountain but is often what guides call the abundant grasses growing on the crater.
• Kiawe: this is a relative of the common American mesquite tree. In Hawai'i it is also used as a sort of flavored wood for barbques and grilling
• Lions ear: When its dry these appear as sticks with balls on the ends. When its wet they have flower infloresences that are have red flowers coming out of ball-like infloresences resembling lion's ears.
• Ilima: Sida fallax : this native species has medium sized orange flowers that adorn the trail. They flower throughout the year and should be seen most of the time.
• Carrion plant: Stapelia gigantea : This plant looks like a cactus but is actually a type of milkweed. The flowers to this plant attract fly pollinators and smell like rotting meet.
• Hawaiian Poppy: (Pua kala) Argemone glauca: this plant can sometimes be seen growing along the upper slopes of the crater. Its a native plant and actually is only present a month or so each year. Keep an eye out for it though as its a great treat to see.

The flower above is the native Waltheria indica. It lacks a good common name. Its a small herb with flowers that are approx. 8-10 mm accross.