Hawaiian Name(s): kohekohe, pīpīwai

Scientific Name: Eleocharis (2 species)

Vernacular Name: none

Family: Cyperaceae

Status: indigenous

Authority: E. calva. Torr., E. obtusa (Willd.) Schult.

Description: Annuals or perennials, 3-60 cm tall.

Habitat These two species are common in marshy areas, along bogs, ponds, and streams; E. calva found between 0–250 m and E. obtusa from 390–1900 m (Wagner et al. 1990:1402–1403).

Medicines: Kohekohe is a secondary ingredient in numerous treatment of kohepopo and associated problems. For example, it is used in conjunction with ‘alaea clay, noni (Morinda citrifolia), niu (coconut, Cocos nucifera), ‘ala‘alawainui pehu (Peperomia spp.), lehua (Metrosideros spp.), ‘ōhi‘a ‘ai (Syzygium malaccense), kukui (Aleurites moluccana), and kō ‘aina kea (sugar cane, Saccharum officinarum) (Chun 1994:40). It is also a secondary ingredient in the preparation of medicine for nae, hoki‘i (tuberculosis), and hopoli, used with ‘ōkahakaha (fern), ‘uhaloa (Waltheria indica), noni, and kō kea (white sugarcane) (Chun 1994:69). Secondary ingredient in treatment of women who have had numerous children and red/bumpy skin on the face; it is combined with hala (Pandanus tectorius), pohepohe (Hydrocotyle verticillata), ‘ala‘alawainui pehu, ‘ihi makole (Oxalis corniculata), naio (Myoporum sandwicense), niu, kukui, noni, and kō kea (white sugarcane) or kō honua‘ula (red sugarcane) (Chun 194:73–74). Kohekohe is also a secondary component of medicine to treat kohepopo along with ilioha (Conyza),‘ala‘alawainui pehu, ‘ōhi‘a ‘ai, leko (Nasturtium microphyllum), ‘aka‘akai ‘oliana (?), noni, and kō kea (Chun 1994:114–115). Secondary ingredient in the treatment of paia and kumulena (associated with kohepopo), along with ‘iwa (Asplenium horridum), ‘uwi‘uwi (ilioha, Conyza spp.), ‘ala‘alawainui pehu, ‘ōhi‘a ‘ai, noni, and kō honua‘ula (Chun 1994:123). For illnesses, such as ke‘a, kahaea, papaku, nae‘oiku, wai‘opua, hopilo, and ni‘au (classified as kohepopo), kohekohe is a secondary ingedient with kukui, ‘ōhi‘a ‘ai, koa (Acacia koa), ‘ala‘alawainui pehu, ko‘oko‘olau (Bidens spp.), noni, ‘uhaloa (Waltheria indica), pōpolo (Solanum americanum), and kō kea (Chun 1994:171). For hoki‘i and ni‘au (forms of kohepopo), kohekohe is used as a secondary ingredient with mai‘a (banana, Musa spp.), ‘uhaloa, puakala (Argemone glauca), ‘ōhi‘a ‘ai, kukui, pōpolo, and kō kea (Chun 1994:206).

Non Medicinal Uses: Stems of this plant can be plaited with makaloa for designs in mats.

Specific gravity of wood: unknown

Famous Locations:

Mele:

`Ōlelo Noeau:

Dye Color and Parts:

Kino lau:

Location on Bishop Museum Kalihi Campus:

Propagation Information: Native Plants Hawaii.

Seed: Seed length approximately 1.5 mm. Photograph: H.Lennstrom. Species: E. obtusa.
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