Laua`e

Laua`e, also spelled Lawa`e is known as Maile-scented fern, Monarch fern or Wart fern. It is native to Australia. In the Hawaiian language, laua`e means "beloved, sweet" like the endearing sweet fragrance of the crushed leaves. Other common names include: Chiichi (Chuuk), Sra kwem kwem (Kosrae), Lau maga maga (Samoa), Laufale (Tonga), and Kadakada (Fiji).

Laua`e is an evergreen ground cover fern that can grow 3 feet high. The thin woody, dark brown stems are connected by underground horizontal stems that send out shoots and new roots. From this it gets its family name Polypod which means "many feet," referring to the rhizomes. The ovate, triangular shaped long, green, glossy leaves are about a foot in length and deeply pinnated with several lobes. On the underside of the female species of the fern are clusters of raised reddish brown spore sacs called sori.

Laua`e grows in full sun or partial shade and tolerates wind in gardens, mesic forests, lava fields and beach areas.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• Used for kuahu (hula altars) and as an adornment in hula
• Leaves used for scenting kapa and making lei
• Non-spore leaves can be crushed in water and inhaled to help clear chest congestion
• Leaves poulticed to treat boils (Fiji, Tonga)
• Leaves used to treat headaches; scraped rhizomes used to treat inflammation (Samoa)
• Young fronds detract bed bugs (Polynesia)
• Garlands worn on the head used for spiritual protection of dancers (Pohnpei)