Neneleau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Neneleau |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Rhus
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| Species: |
sandwicensis
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| Synonyms | |
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Rhus chinensis var. sandwicensis (A.Gray) Deg. & Greenwell |
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Rhus sandwicensis, also known as neneleau, neleau or Hawaiian sumac, is a special plant found only in Hawaii. It is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the cashew family. This small tree can grow about 4.5 to 7.5 meters (15 to 25 feet) tall. Its trunk can be 10 to 30 centimeters (4 to 12 inches) wide. You can find neneleau in different kinds of Hawaiian forests, from dry to wet, usually between 180 and 610 meters (600 to 2,000 feet) above sea level. It grows on all the main islands of Hawaii.
Contents
What is Neneleau?
Neneleau is a unique tree because it is endemic to Hawaii. This means it naturally grows nowhere else in the world! It's part of the Rhus genus, which includes many types of sumac plants.
How Hawaiians Used Neneleau
Native Hawaiians, the first people of Hawaii, found many uses for the neneleau tree.
Traditional Uses of Neneleau Wood
The wood from neneleau was strong and useful. Hawaiians used it to make special tools and containers.
- Laʻau lomi lomi: These were massage sticks. They were used for lomi lomi, a traditional Hawaiian massage.
- ʻUmeke: These were calabashes, which are bowls or containers. They were often made from wood and used for holding food or other items.
Neneleau in Hawaiian Culture
Neneleau is not just a plant; it also has a special place in Hawaiian culture.
Mentioned in the Kumulipo
The tree is mentioned in the Kumulipo. This is a very important Hawaiian creation chant. It tells the story of how the world and all living things came to be. Being in the Kumulipo shows how important neneleau was to the ancient Hawaiians.
