OHA-WAI-CLERMONTIA-PARVIFLORA-FLOWERS

`ŌHᾹ WAI (CLERMONTIA PARVIFLORA)

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

  • fairly common shrub up to 10 feet tall with arching branches
  • leaves alternately arranged on stems and finely toothed on the margins
  • milky juice in veins of leaves
  • flowers with curved and spreading petals about one inch long
  • fruits turn orange when ripe

TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN USES

  • fruits eaten raw
  • sap used to treat cuts
  • sap or fruits combined with other plant species to treat shortness of breath and asthma

HAWAIIAN RAIN FOREST ECOLOGY

  • common shrub in Ni`aulani from deep shade to partial shade or nearly full light on edge of forest
  • frequently seen as an epiphyte on tree ferns and `ōhi`a and nurse logs
  • now more commonly found growing out of the soil where tree fern litter is sparse, following removal of kahili ginger
OHA-WAI -CLERMONTIA-PARVIFLORA
Entire `ŌHᾹ WAI (CLERMONTIA PARVIFLORA) plant.

HOW TO SAY “`ŌHᾹ WAI” IN HAWAIIAN