Wikstroemia pulcherrima

Description:

kia or Kohala false oheloThymelaeaceae (Daphne family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (South Kohala and north Kona districts on Hawaii Island)Oahu (Cultivated)kia bark was used by early Hawaiians as a source of fiber material for ropes. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii, B. Peterson (1990) states that Species of Wikestroemia have furnished one of the strongest Hawaiian fibers, used in making ropes and braids. It is also said to have been used in making kapa. Measurements made from fibers of branches desiccated for 6 months demonstrated that the density of Wikestroemia fibers was about the same as that of New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) and ramie (Boehmeria nivea)."The wood, likely from larger species, was used as auamo (carrying sticks) and also used as a type of ceremonial firewood in anaana magic (Kamakau 1991).Medicinally, the sap of kia (Wikestroemia spp.) mixed with niu (coconut) and k kea (white sugarcane) was taken internally with uala (sweet potato) as a purgative. The leaves and leaf buds were mixed with the bark of hia ai (Syzygium malaccense) and uhaloa root (Waltheria indica), niu, k aina kea (a sugarcane variety). Plant material was pounded, water added, strained, and the liquid taken internally for waipua paa (leukorrhea) and nae klou (shortness of breath?).Roots, bark, leaves and stems were used as a poison to stupefy fish called hola which were then gathered by the early Hawaiians. The plant parts were crushed, placed in a porous container, and sunk in salt water pools. The fish were safe to eat because kia is not known to be poisonous to warm-blooded creatures by means of this fishing method.EtymologyThe genus is named for Johan Emanuel Wikstrm (1789-1856), a Swedish botanist and author of several papers on Thymelaeaceae.The specific Latin pulcherrima, most handsome or most beautiful, is superlative of pulcher, handsome or beautiful.