O'ahu false ohelo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids O'ahu false ohelo |
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| ʻĀkia; Oʻahu false ohelo | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Wikstroemia
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| Species: |
oahuensis
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| Varieties | |
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| Synonyms | |
Wikstroemia oahuensis, also called the O'ahu false ohelo or 'Ākia, is a special flowering shrub. It belongs to the mezereon family, called Thymelaeaceae. This plant is endemic to Hawaiʻi, which means it grows naturally only there.
Contents
What is the ʻĀkia Plant Like?
In the wild, the ʻākia plant can grow up to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall. When people grow it in their gardens, it usually reaches about 3 feet (0.91 m) tall. It can spread out to 10 feet (3.0 m) wide.
Leaves and Branches
The young branches of the ʻākia are gray, yellow, or reddish-brown. Its leaves grow in pairs, with two leaves directly across from each other on the branch. They often overlap. The top of the leaves is dark green or grayish, and the bottom is a lighter green. The leaves are usually oval or round and less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. This plant can look quite different from one place to another. Its leaves can be large and long or small and round. If you try to bend the stems, they won't snap. Instead, their outer layer will peel off.
Flowers and Fruit
The ʻākia plant flowers at different times throughout the year. However, it produces fewer flowers when it already has mature fruit. Its flowers are shaped like tubes and are yellow to yellow-green. They are usually less than 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) long. Some flowers have both male and female parts (these are called bisexual), while others are either male or female (these are called unisexual).
Where Does ʻĀkia Grow?
There are 12 different types of Wikstroemia plants that grow only in the Hawaiian Islands. Wikstroemia oahuensis is a common plant found in many different places. You can find it on the islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Maui. It likes to grow on ridges and in rocky areas. It also grows in different types of forests, like hala (Pandanus tectorius) forests, mesic forests (which are moderately wet), and wet forests. You can also find it in bogs, which are wet, spongy areas. It grows at elevations from 100–1,400 metres (330–4,590 ft) above sea level.
How is ʻĀkia Used?
The ʻākia plant has been used by people in Hawaiʻi for different purposes for a long time.
Traditional Uses
Native Hawaiians used this plant to help them catch fish. They would use parts of the plant to make the fish dizzy or stunned, making them easier to gather.
Medicinal Uses
In traditional Hawaiian medicine, ʻākia was used as a laxative (to help with digestion). It was also used to help treat asthma, a condition that makes it hard to breathe. Scientists are also studying if it might have properties that could help fight certain diseases.
Other Uses
Today, ʻākia is used in Hawaiʻi as a beautiful plant in gardens and landscapes. Its seeds and flowers are also used to make lovely lei, which are traditional Hawaiian garlands.
