Freycinetia arborea

Description:

IeiePandanaceae (Screw pine family)Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (Also found The Marquesas, The Society Islands, The Cook Islands, New Caledonia, and possibly Samoa, with one record)Aiea Ridge Trail, OahuThe aerial roots of ieie were used to make many useful items by early Hawaiians. After the roots were gathered, perhaps stripped on the bark, and then baked in an earth oven (imu) to soften them before use. If not used immediately, the root fiber were dried, coiled, and stored for future use. When needed, they were soaked in water and plaited into baskets or other objects upon which the material would set up again in the characteristic brittle wicker state.Medicinally, the early Hawaiians used the shoots and leaves. These were laid over sheets in bed for severe body pain. The shoots were pounded with other plants, squeezed, and the juice giving to strengthen children with general debility. The stems were pounded with other plants, squeezed, and the juice taken for menstrual problems.Polynesian Names: Fara pepe (Samoa); Ieie (Hawaii, Samoa, Societies); Kahikahi (Tonga); Kiekie (Cooks, Marquesas, Futuna, New Zealand); Mangu (Australs); Me (Fiji); Mere (Fiji); Vukavuka? (Fiji); Wa me (Fiji)NPH00001nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Freycinetia_arborea