Pua kalaunu

In the Hawaiian language, kalaunu means "crown." Thus the Pua kalaunu is known as the crown flower. Although the flower is native to India, it became the favorite flower of Queen Lili`uokalani and thus became considered a symbol of royalty. Monarch butterfly caterpillars use this shrub as a source of food and habitat.

Pua kalaunu grows as a large evergreen shrub. The fibrous stem can reach up to 13 feet in height and has waxy, either purple or white flowers that grow in clusters. Each lightly fragrant flower is about ½ to ¾ inches in size. The "crown" refers to the configuration of its flowers. Each flower has five points and a "crown" holding central stamens. The oval leaves are light green, and vary in size from approximately 3 to 5 inches. They are slightly leathery to touch with a soft down, sessile and have a pale yellow midvein. When cut or bent, the stem of the crown flower excretes an opaque milky sap. Be careful not to get the sap in your eyes.

Pua kalaunu can be found in dry climates.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• It takes about 65 flowers to make a Pua kalaunu lei
• Strong fibers were made into bowstrings and fabric for royalty
• Medicinal uses include the treatment of fever, rheumatism, indigestion, cough, cold, eczema, asthma, elephantiasis, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea