Clermontia hawaiiensis

Description:

Hawaiian names: h kpau, h, h waiCampanulaceae (Bellflower family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii Island only)Oahu (Cultivated)The endemic genus Clermontia are "candelabra-like" branching, woody shrubs or small trees. While nearly all the species are found as terrestrials, over half of the species also grow as epiphytes, that is, they grow on other plants, with one species always found as such. As epiphytes, they are often found on mossy-trunks or branches of larger trees such as koa, hia, and lapa (Cheirodendron trigynum). These plants produce two or more flowers on a typical inflorescence and pollinated by honeycreepers (e.g. iiwi, akialoa) seeking nectar. Orange berries are produced after flowering.Early Hawaiians used h wai (Clermontia spp.) as a minor food source. The leaves were boiled before eating and the berries were eaten fresh and said to have a sweet taste.Additionally, a sticky latex mix was used in plali, or bird lime, to snare small forest birds for feathers for cloaks, capes, helmets, lei, and khili. In fact, the Hawaiian name h kpau or "gum ha," unique to only this species (Clermontia hawaiiensis), refers to the viscous latex of the plant. The flowers of h were used to lure the victims in kia manu (bird-catching by gumming). How sadly ironic that the very plants that the honeycreepers seek as a food source would also be used to lure them to be ensnared.nativeplants.hawaii.edu