Oheloberry

The 'Ōhelo that grows at higher altitudes and is abundant in the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Volcano area. The plant is usually small, from 6 inches to waste high, though it can ocassionally be larger. The plant has many branches with small rounded leaves. Young leaves at the thops are redish with green mature leaves. Related to the cranberry plant, the berries of the 'Ōhelo are edible and quite delicious. They range in color from bright red to yellows and oranges and the color is not necessairly indicative of the ripeness. The berries can be slightly tart to very sweet, depending on the plant and the maturity of the berries.