Hawaiian Name(s): olomea, pua‘a olomea, waimea (Maui)

Scientific Name: Perrottetia sandwicensis

Vernacular Name: none

Family: Celastraceae

Status: endemic

Authority: A.Gray

Description: Shrub to small tree 2-8 m tall.

Habitat Common understory tree in wet forest, 300–1250 m. All main islands except Ni‘ihau & Kaho‘olawe (Wagner et al. 1990:530–351).

Medicines:

Non Medicinal Uses: Wood used in conjunction with hau (Hibiscus tiliaceus) to start fires, it was the 'au lima, held in hands & rubbed against the 'aunaki (Abbott 1992:93; Krauss 1993:17; Malo 1951:21).

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 1.2 mm. Photograph: B.Kennedy.
Click for image