Milo

Milo is a close relative of hau, `ilima, and ma`o, Hawai`i cotton. It is also known as the Portia tree, Pacific rosewood or Seaside mahoe. It is told that the Waikīkī home of King Kamehameha I was surrounded by Milo trees. In the Hawaiian language milo means "to curl or twist" as in the use of the bark for cordage. Other common names of the tree include: Badrirt (Palau), Kilulo (Guam), Mio (Marquesas), Mulomulo (Fiji), Polo (Chuuk), Panu (Kosrae) and Pone (Pohnpei).

Milo is a small to medium-sized tree that can grow up to 40' high with a trunk 2' around. Its horizontally spreading branches make for a good shade tree. It is a spicy fragrant tree that loses its scent when carved into. The bark of the tree is brown and corrugated with scaly branches. Leaves are firm, green, glossy, and heart-shaped about 3"-5" inches long. Flowers are tulip-shaped with 5 overlapping pale yellow petals. The center of the flower is maroon in color. Flowers last only a day, turning from yellow to light red. After flowering, flattened round, 5 angled, dark brown seed capsules appear. The 1" woody capsules are covered with fine hairs.

Milo grows well in sunny coastal areas.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• Milo wood has an attractive grain that was made into jewelry and household items for the ali`i, chiefs of Hawai`i
• Bark was used to make cordage
• Dyes, oils, gum and medicine were also derived from the tree
• Young leaves are edible