Palapalai

In the Hawaiian language, Palapalai is built upon the words pala which can mean "coated," as in its silvery hairs; and palai which means "fern." Palapalai is known as the lace fern. It is also native to India and Malaysia. Palapalai is considered sacred to Laka, the goddess of hula.

Palapalai can grow up to 3 feet tall or more. It has coarse, light to medium green fronds. It is their intricate recursive branching patterns that makes it look like fine lace. The fronds grow in the shape of an elongated triangle and can reach more than 3 feet long. The leaves are deep green in color. Fine silvery hairs coat the leaves and midrib giving it a reflective sheen. On the underside of the fern, can be found small brown, raised dots which are the spores.

Palapalai grows best in shady, moist areas.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• Fronds used to decorate hula altars
• The ferns were used as head lei , neck lei, and wrist lei
• The plants were used as a cure for insanity
• Young leaf fronds are edible