Plumbago zeylanica

Description:

Iliee or White leadwortPlumbaginaceae (Leadwort family)Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (all the main islands)Oahu (Cultivated)The sap was used by early Hawaiians for tattoos with hues ranging from navy blue to black and as "baby medicine."The roots are toxic, less than the red or blue flowered introduced species, but used by early Hawaiians in small amounts to relieve tooth aches or as a tonic.A poultice made from pounded bark, leaves and roots were applied to swollen body parts. The leaves and stems were made into a paste and put on sores.EtymologyThe generic name Plumbago is derived from the Latin plumbum, lead, and agere, to convey, possibly to due the gray color the roots imparts when handeled.The specific epithet zeylanica is from the Latinized name for Sri Lanka (Ceylon).NPH00003nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Plumbago_zeylanica