Cyrtandra is a very large genus, and is complicated by extensive hybridization between the different species. (It is also a prolific genus worldwide) Most cyrtandra are similar in their basic form and appearance, with distinctive white flowers and pearly fruits. A cyrtandra is easy to spot - it just looks like a cyrtandra - yet there is a pleasing and confusing variety of leaf shapes, colors and textures among the many different species. Often several different species and their hybrids can be found growing happily side-by-side in a single location.

WARNING: Do not use these galleries as a definitive ID tool! I am still in the early stages of beginning to sort out the multitude of cyrtandras I see daily, and in many cases have not differentiated hybrids from pure species. Some of the labels are my best guess, and have not been verified. Many of these photos are from my early experience with them, and I should re-evaluate those. While I can recognize many cyrtandras from experience, and a few definite species that are obvious, I cannot ID some of the more obscure ones and perhaps have seen more of their hybrids than the "pure" type. In these galleries I have binned the cyrtandras with similar characteristics, sometimes combining the "pure" with the hybrids, and likely also presenting hybrids as the pure type. I have also heard that the genus is getting completely revised, anyway.

Cyrtandra species occuring on Hawai'i, according to The Manual: Giffardii (Kilauea, Kulani, Laupahoehoe), Platyphylla (widespread), Hawaiensis (Manuka), Lysiosepala (Hilo & 'Ola'a), Tintinnabula ('Ola'a & Laupahoehoe), Menziesii (Kona & Ka'u?), Paludosa, Nanawaleensis (lower Puna). Extinct?: Kohalae. Alien: Wagnerii. (possibly others...!)