aalii k makani

Description:

AaliiSapindaceae (Soapberry family)Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (all main islands)Hawaiiloa Ridge TrailIn Hawaiian, aalii k makani means aalii standing in the wind, and another name, kmakani, is windbreak or wind resisting. Here, aalii k makani growing among ironwood (Casuarina)--a feat in itself since the leaf litter suppresses germination of most understory plants using a biochemical means or allelopathy. This is one reason it can be such a damaging invasive species in places outside its native range.Regarding the resiliency of these tough shrubs, an ancient boasts of the people of Ka states: "He aalii au; aohe makani e hina ai" which means "I am an aalii shrub; no wind can push me over," or in other words, "I can hold my own even in the face of difficulties."Early Hawaiians had many uses for alii. The yellowish-brown hard wood, sometimes with black heartwood, was used for canoe building, weapons, agricultural tools, rafters, posts and thatching posts or purlins in house (hale) construction.The seeds were boiled to make red dye for decorating kapa (tapa) cloth.The very hard, durable wood is heavy and sinks in water and so was used for bait sticks. From a canoe, the bait sticks were lowered into water at a depth or twenty or so feet to attract fish or hee (octopus), which then could be lured to the surface and caught with a waiting net. Aalii was also fashioned into light fishing spears, especially for hee.Fruits (capsules) and leaves were used in lei making by early Hawaiians.The crushed leaves were used as a topical medicine for relief from irritating rashes and contagious diseases such as ringworm or "haole rot" and staff infections.Like hops, flowers were used to impart a bitter flavor, and also used as a tonic.For a treatment called holoina, aalii leaves are mixed with alaa (Planchonella sandwicensis) bark and puakala ku kula (Argemone glauca) root then ground and strained. The liquid is heated in a steam bath, which is followed with a purge of ground pilikai (Stictocardia tiliifolia) fruit to treat skin rash (hune or maneo).EtymologyThe generic name Dodonaea is named after the Flemish physician and botanist Rembert Dodoens (1517-1585), who was later a professor of medicine at Leiden, The Netherlands.The specific epithet viscosa is derived from viscous or sticky.nativeplants.hawaii.edu