Plant – Ilima

ʻIlima Papa

Description: Small shrub with small green leaves that have semi pointed edges and yellow flowers(about 6 inches to 1 foot tall).

ʻōlelo mua (Introduction):

Inoa(Name):

  • Scientific – Sida fallax
  • Hawaiian – ‘Ilima

ʻOhana: Part of Malvaceae family

Kūlana olakino(Status): Indigenious

Kanu – (To Plant)Propagation:

  • Can be easily grown from seeds or cuttings. Responds well to fertilizer, especially foliar types.

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

Lāʻau lapaʻau(Medicinal Use):

  • ‘Ilima have many different names, each with there own medicinal purpose. This plant can remedy injuries from falling, illnesses, shortness of breath, no perspiration and dry skin.

Ways it was Used:

  • The flowers of this plant were used in lei’s specifically for ali’i.
  • The stems were used in house frames and lashed together to encircle taro planting  mounds in swamplands.
  • The vines were used for basket making and floor coverings under sleeping mats.

Fun Fact: It could take about 1000 of these blossoms to make one strand of a lei and the color symbolizes ʻOahu.

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