Kokia drynarioides

Description:

Kokio, hau hele ula or Hawaii tree cottonMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii Island only)EndangeredHawaii Island (Cultivated)Kokio flower buds pictured hereHawaiian name is from hau, an introduced hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus), perhaps by early Hawaiians. Hau hele ula literally means "red traveling hau."Kokio flowerwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5112686955/in/photolist-...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.Kokia drynarioides and K. kauaiensis have helped to save Kokia cookei from total extinction. Because Kokia cookei currently does not produce viable seed, it now survives only by grafted scions (a shoot with a bud) on rootstock from either of its two close relatives. Efforts are being made by micropropagation to help save this species, one of the planet's rarest plants.NPH00002nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Kokia_drynarioides