`A`ali`i

The`A`ali`i is also known as the Hawaiian hopseed bush. It belongs to a family of densely grown small trees and shrubs that grow from 3 to 25 feet high. In the Hawaiian language, `a`ali`i refers to "standing," as in standing against the wind.

The green leaves are simple and variable in shape from 1 to 4 inches long with a glossy sheen and slightly sticky surface. The pastel-colored flowers of this dioecious plant are dry and paper-like. Within the flower pods are small black, round seeds. The flowers grow in clusters with colors ranging from yellow to red to dark purple. The flowers have a subtle sweet fragrance to them.

The `A`ali`i blooms year round and is a hardy plant that can be found in lava fields and in a number of tropical and subtropical climates world-wide.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• The dark hard wood of the`A`ali`i has been used for making tools for fishing and for agriculture, such as in squid spears and `ō`ō digging sticks
• The leaves were used externally as medicine for inflammations and rheumatism. The flowers were used to make red dye
• Together, the leaves and flowers are commonly used in weaving haku lei
• Traditional Hawaiian proverb: He`a`ali`iau, 'a'ohe makani e hina ai. – I am an`a`ali`i shrub, no wind can push me over