Cyanea angustifolia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cyanea angustifolia
Scientific classification
Genus:	Cyanea
Species:	angustifolia
Synonyms
Lobelia angustifolia Cham. Delissea angustifolia (Cham.) C.Presl Delissea honolulensis Wawra

Cyanea angustifolia is a special plant that grows only in Hawaii. It belongs to a group of plants called Cyanea. Long ago, early Hawaiians used the leaves of this plant as food, especially when other foods were hard to find.

Discovering Cyanea angustifolia

Cyanea angustifolia is a unique plant found only on the Hawaiian Islands. This means it is endemic to Hawaii, growing naturally nowhere else in the world. It is known by the Hawaiian name Hāhā.

Where Does it Grow?

This plant is found in the forests of Hawaii. It prefers damp, shady areas, often growing on the sides of mountains or in valleys. The specific places where it grows help it get the right amount of water and sunlight.

Cyanea angustifolia, known as Hāhā in Hawaii. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Photographed on the Waiʻanae-Kai Trail, Waiʻanae Mountains, Oʻahu.

How Hawaiians Used This Plant

For early Hawaiians, Cyanea angustifolia was more than just a plant. It was a source of food during difficult times. When other food was scarce, people would gather the leaves of this plant. They also used the leaves of another similar plant called ʻakuʻaku (Cyanea platyphylla).

Cooking the Leaves

The leaves were prepared in a special way. They were wrapped in ti (kī) leaves, which are also from a Hawaiian plant. Then, these bundles were cooked in an ʻimu. An ʻimu is an underground oven. It uses hot rocks to cook food slowly. This method made the leaves edible and helped feed families when food was hard to find.