Lipochaeta lavarum

Description:

[syn. Melanthera lavarum]Nehe or Coastal neheAsteraceae (Sunflower family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Molokai, Lnai, Maui, Kahoolawe, northwest Hawaii)Oahu (Cultivated)Flowerwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/4831905591/in/photostream/One older source (Charles Gaudichaud,1819) states that Hawaiians "used all fragrant plants, all flowers and even colored fruits" for lei making. The red or yellow were indicative of divine and cheifly rank; the purple flowers and fruit, or with fragrance, were associated with divinety. Because of their long-standing place in oral tradition, the flowers of nehe were likely used for lei making by early Hawaiians, even though there are no written sources.The flowers and foliage are still used in lei.EtymologyThe generic name Melanthera means black-stamened-one.