Hawaiian Name(s): ūpuhe, hūpue (U. glabra), hona (U. glabra)

Scientific Name: Urera (2 species)

Vernacular Name: none

Family: Urticaceae

Status: endemic

Authority: U. glabra (Hook. & Arn.) Wedd., U. kaalae Wawra

Description: Shrubs or small trees, 2-8 m tall.

Habitat U. glabra found in mesic to wet forest and diverse mesic forest on slopes and bottoms of gulches 150–1700 m (Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, Maui, Lāni‘i, Hawai‘i), U. kaalaeis rare in mesic forests in gulches and slope 300–760 m (O‘ahu) (Wagner et al. 1990:1312–1314).

Medicines: For the treatment of lepo pa‘a (constipation), the flowers, leaf bud, and tap root of hapue (Urera glabra) and maaloa (Neraudia spp.) are mixed with ‘akoko leaves and leaf buds (Chamaesyce spp.), and kō kea (white sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum).These are pounded into a liquid and then strained with ‘ahu‘awa (Cyperus javanicus), and mixed with pia (Tacca leontopetaloides) and stirred. The liquid medicine is drunk and followed by broiled lu‘au and ‘uala (sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas) (Chun 1994:80).

Non Medicinal Uses: Fibers of the inner bark used for cordage to make fishnets and occasionally for tapa cloth (Funk 1979; Malo 1951:22; Rock 1913:121; Summers 1990:66).

Specific gravity of wood: unknown

Famous Locations:

Mele:

`Ōlelo Noeau:

Dye Color and Parts:

Kino lau:

Location on Bishop Museum Kalihi Campus:

Propagation Information:

Seed: Seed length approximately 0.8 mm. Photograph: B.Kennedy. Species: U. glabra.
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