Maiapilo (Capparis sandwichiana) is an endemic plant that requires little water once established and is also salt tolerant. This means it grows well on the dry side of the island along the coast. This of course is also an area popular with humans, both for living and recreation. Consequently, maiapilo is considered an at risk plant.
Its standout feature is the beautiful white flowers, but if you want to see them, bring a flashlight or be prepared to get up early. Maiapilo blooms at night and begins to wilt early in the morning, fading to pink as it does so.
These photos were taken around nine in the morning and the bees were busy exploring and pollinating the flowers. At night though, native moths are the main pollinators, attracted by the white flowers and pleasant lemon scent. A cucumber-like fruit follows the flowers but, unlike them, it is said to have a very pungent smell.
The plant can be low-growing and sprawling, or a more upright shrub reaching 10 feet.
Graham's Island 
Wonderful flowers and I’d be up early for some photos for sure 🙂 🙂
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I wanted to get both the white and pink phases so it wasn’t too early a start. Well worth it either way.
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Beautiful flowers – almost a shame they fade in the day but it does make seeing them in the earlier part of the morning even more special.
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There are a few plants here that do that, but I don’t mind the short bloom. It does makes it feel a bit special to see them.
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An extraordinary plant, Graham, and worth getting up early for 🙂 🙂
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Luckily, I didn’t have to get up to early. I wanted to see both the white and fading pink flowers and the time I went was about perfect for that.
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Beautiful and interesting
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It was a new plant for me. It’s not widespread, but I’ll be on the lookout for it now.
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