Plant – Pōhuehue

Pōhuehue

Description: Small shrub with vines that harbor medium sized heart shaped shiny green leaves and purple-white flowers.

ʻōlelo mua (Introduction):

Inoa(Name):

  • Scientific – Ipomoea pes-caprae
  • Hawaiian – Pōhuehue
  • English – Beach Morning Glory

ʻOhana: Part of Convolvulaceae family

Kūlana olakino(Status): Indigenous

Lāʻau lapaʻau(Medicinal Use):

  • The vine was mashed and commonly used for sprains, bounded to injured limbs by a kapa bandage.
  • The pounded roots of the vine used as cathartic (used in childbirth).

Ways it was Used:

  • The stems were used for cordage 
  • Leaves used as shade for fish traps.
  • The vines are slapped on the ocean surface to “stir up the sea” and also used to drive fish into the nets.

Kino lau(Many Forms taken by Supernatural body): None