`Ilima

There are many different varieties of `ilima in Hawai`i. Black Coral `Ilima is found mostly in the mesic forests of Kaua’i and O’ahu. In 1923, the 'Ilima was named the flower of O'ahu by the Territorial Legislature.

'Ilima grows as a ground cover or low shrub. It can be found on rocky areas or sandy beaches, even in wet forests. All `Ilima have rounded green leaves with serrated margins. The pale green leaves range in size from ½"-3". The woody stem can spread out to 8'. The velvety leaves are covered with delicate fine hairs, an evolutionary adaptation to reflect sunlight and prevent the plant from drying out. The paper-thin fragile flowers are about an inch in diameter and rich orange in hue.

`Ilima grows best in full sun and dry conditions. There is no fragrance to this year-round bloomer.

`Ilima is memorialized by Martha W. Beckwith in the following Hawaiian riddle:

Ahiahi, pu-iliili; kakahiaka, houhou; auakea, kau i ka lewa. In the evening, gathered; in the morning, pierced; in the forenoon, hung in the air.

*Answer: an `Ilima lei.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• It takes about 500 `Ilima flowers to make one lei
• Flowers consumed to treat female problems, to prepare for birth and to as a mild laxative for babies; to increase the production of milk by new mothers