Plant – Hao

Hao

Description: Shrub or tree that can reach heights of 10-30 feet tall. Produces flowers that are greenish-white in color. Plant has a coarse texture and light or medium green leaves.

ʻōlelo mua (Introduction):

Inoa(Name):

  • Scientific – Rauvolfia sandwicensis
  • Hawaiian – Hao
  • English – Sea Purslane

ʻOhana: Part of Apocynaceae family

Kūlana olakino(Status): Endemic

Lāʻau lapaʻau(Medicinal Use):

  • The bark was scraped and mixed with its flowers in water. The water was consumed and aid in curing childhood disease and thrush.

Ways it was Used:

  • The wood of hao is very hard. In religious terms, the smoke and the roots from hao was known to be poisonous.

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

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