Abutilon menziesii

Description:

Kooloa ulaMalvaceae (Mallow family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Oahu, Lnai, Maui, Hawaii)IUCN: Critically EndangeredOahu (Cultivated)Pictured is a rare blond or butter colored form of kooloa ula.* Abutilon menziesii is known from 10 sub-populations on the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Lnai and Oahu, with a total population size of 450-500 individuals.Early Hawaiians used the flowers in lei making. The juice of the red blossoms was used as a laxative.EtymologyThe generic name Abutilon is derived from the Arabic awbtln (ab ln), for malvaceous (mallow-like) plants.The species epithet menziesii refers to Archibald Menzies (1754-1842) a Scottish surgeon and naturalist, and the first to taxonomically identify the species._____* Kooloa ula. Although the Hawaiian name ula refers to the more commonly seen red (ula) color, kooloa ula flowers are known in a range of colors: pink, pink and white, pale red, maroon, deep purplish-red (wine), salmon, and blond or butter.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Abutilon_menziesii