Hawaiian Name: Ohia Lehua, Ohia
The Ohia is one of the most common Native Hawaiian Tree. An attribute to this plants commonality is that it can be found in a wide range of habitats and can range from small shrubs to 98 foot trees. This plant has distinct flowery tuffs that come in colors of red, pink, orange, white and yellow. The flowers are also sacred to the Hawaiian Lava god Pele. This common plant also is an essential part of the Hawaiian watershed The Hawaiians used the wood was used for flooring, firewood, and kapa( bark cloth) beaters.
Hawaiian Name: Palapalai, Palai
The palapalai fern is quite attractive and tends to prefer wetter shady areas. This plant was used by the Hawaiians to treat insanity and remains very popular in many hula leis and garments. The fern is sacred to the Hula god Laka and contains a fragrance that remains even when dried.
Hawaiian name: Pili, Lule
This plant was the Hawaiians’ choice grass to be used for thatching. The common use of this plant helped Hawaiian houses earn the title of “grass shacks” The Hawaiians also used this plant for dye and as flooring pad. This grass is used to restore the United States Great Plains’ grasslands and prairies.( Image by Forest and Starr)
Hawaiian Name: Ilima
Ilima is a common plant that thrives in sunny and hot conditions. This plant was prized for it’s beautiful flowers that were strung into delicate leis. This is the offical flower for Oahu. However, many people don’t know that this flower is actually edible and can be eaten in salads.
Scientific Name: Nototrichium sandwicense
This native plant has silvery leaves and is very popular among landscapers. This plant is drought resistant so it’s good for those looking to create a xeriscaping garden. The Hawaiians packed the flowers and wood of this plant in bamboo and would toss it over a cliff to create something similar to a firework display.
* Polynesian Introduced
Hawaiian Name Niu
This is probably both the most recognizable palm tree and Hawaiian plant in the world. The Hawaiians used this plants’ fronds extensively for weaving. The fruit can also be eaten, in green form as a jello, or brown form as a tough meat. Incredibly, the fruit is edible for up 5 months while on a tree. Unlike in many TV shows and movies, coconuts actually have a fibrous husk surrounding the fruit that must be removed before cracking.
Hawaiian Names: Ki, Ti
This plant was another introduction by the Hawaiians to Hawaii. They used the Ti plant had a wide range of uses, ranging from, wrappings for food, thatching, medical purposes, plates, and clothes. The plant also was considered sacred to the god of agriculture ( Lono) and the godess of hula (Laka). An incredible demonstration of the use as a rain coat can be found here.
* Polynesian Introduced
Hawaiian Name: Kalo
This plant represented the God Kane who the Hawaiians considered the creator of all life. The tuber provided that life for the Hawaiians, because of it’s use as by far the common staple of Hawaiian diet. Taro is purple potato like starch that was often ground into poi(akin to mashed potatoes). The Hawaiians went to great lengths to cultivate this plant creating aqueducts and massive rock wall terraces using 100’s of thousands of rocks.
Scientific Name: Gardenia Brighamii
Hawaiian Name: Nanu, Na u
This is another popular easy to grow landscaping plant. However, it has become extremely difficult to find in the wild and has been listed on the federally endangered list. The Hawaiians used the pulp of this flower for a rich yellow dye reserved for chiefs.
Hawaiian Name: Ekaha, Akaha
This is a unique looking plant with large banana leaf like fronds that take the shape of a birds nest. The Ekaha can often be found growing in rock crevices, or out of the branches of trees. The Hawaiians used this plant for medicine and the fronds were woven into Lau Hala mats.