Kokia drynarioides

Description:

Hau hele ula or Hawaii tree cottonMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii Island only)IUCN: Critically EndangeredHawaii Island (Cultivated)Hawaiian name is from hau, an introduced hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus), perhaps by early Hawaiians. Hau hele ula literally means "red traveling hau."The early Hawaiians cultivated this species in Kona. The flower petals were used to make pink and lavender dyes. Sap from the bark produced a dark red waterproof dye for fishnets. The dual-purpose resinous dye would extend the life of the fishing nets and the red color underwater is nearly invisible to fish, thus the fishermen would catch more.The spectacular flowers were used for lei.Medicinally, the bark was also used to cure thrush.EtymologyThe generic name Kokia is derived from kokio, the Hawaiian vernacular name for these species.Botanists Otto & Isa Degener notes this regarding the name: "Lewton believes the vernacular name comes from ko-ki, "'The extremety; the end of the tree; a very high place. The native name of the these trees, kokio, possibly relates to the habitat.'"The specific epithet drynarioides is derived from the Drynaria, a genus of ferns, and the Latin -oides, resembling.NPH00007nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Kokia_drynarioides