Koʻoloa ʻUla
Description: Spreading shrub that grows from 6 to 10 feet tall and about as wide. The branches are covered with dense hairs and appear velvety. The heart-shaped, silvery leaves have toothed edges and vary in length from 1 to 4 inches. The leaves have 1 to 2 inch long stems that allow them to flutter in the wind.
The single flowers are maroon to pink with a yellow center and yellow staminal column; they hang down like bells from the leaf axils. On cultivated plants, flowering occurs throughout the year except during the hottest months. (Koob 2000; Wagner 1990) Extremely rare, it is on the federal endangered species list. Hard to find due to development, weeds, introduced animals, and disease.
ʻōlelo mua (Introduction):
Inoa(Name):
- Scientific – Abutilon menziesii Malvaceae
- Hawaiian – Ko’oloa ‘ula
ʻOhana: Part of Malvaceae family
Kūlana olakino(Status): Endangered and Endemic
Kino lau(Many Forms taken by Supernatural body):
Lāʻau lapaʻau(Medicinal Use):
Ways it was Used:
Kanu – (To Plant)Propagation:
- Can be grown from cuttings, air layers, or seeds.
Mū – Pests:
- Insects that chew and suck may attack. Can be planted by streetlight lights to repel rose beetles.