ʻŪlei for birds in Hawaii
Native rose-family shrub with white fruit. Native to Hawaii, where it feeds or shelters 3 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Osteomeles anthyllidifolia
- Native status
- Native in Hawaii
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 9a–13a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Hawaii birds supported
- 3
- Nesting birds among them
- 3
Growing conditions in Hawaii
Tropical, with wet windward slopes, dry leeward coasts and cool upland forest above 3,000 ft.
Most backyard birds are introduced species; native honeycreepers persist mostly in high-elevation forest.
Hawaii birds that use ʻŪlei
Year-round residents (3)
Nesting season it supports in Hawaii
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use ʻŪlei:
- Northern Cardinal — March–August
- House Finch — March–August
- Northern Mockingbird — February–August
Native plants to pair with ʻŪlei in Hawaii
The keystone native tree; red blossoms are nectar for honeycreepers.
Frequently asked
Is ʻŪlei native to Hawaii?
Yes. ʻŪlei (Osteomeles anthyllidifolia) is recorded as native in Hawaii. Hawaii spans USDA 9a–13a.
What birds does ʻŪlei attract in Hawaii?
In Hawaii, ʻŪlei supports 3 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Northern Mockingbird.
Does ʻŪlei help nesting birds in Hawaii?
3 of those birds nest in Hawaii: Northern Cardinal (March–August), House Finch (March–August), Northern Mockingbird (February–August).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Hawaii
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.