Scientific Name: Jaquemontia ovalifolia subsp. sandwicense
Also Known As: “The skirt of Hiiaka”
Endemic subspecies: All HI
Description: Prostrate strand plants with small, alternating leaves that are light to dark green in color. Delicate flowers about 1 inch in diameter emerge from the leaf axis and range in color from lavender to white. They often look like vines crawling on the ground, but can become quite thick in some areas. In dry regions, the stems may be covered with fuzzy soft hair that helps them adapt to the harsh conditions.
Distribution: This endemic subspecies is commonly found throughout the Hawaiian Islands on rocky coastal sites co-existing with other native strand flora like ‘ilima papa, nehe, hinahina and ‘alena.
Cultural Uses: Leaves of Pa’u o Hi’iaka were commonly used as a cathartic as well as to treat babies with thrush. The vine like runners were braided and used as a make shift lashing when other fibers were not available.
Landscape Use and Care: This is a great plant to use as a groundcover for places that are extremely dry and hot. Plant them about one foot apart to fill in nice and full. Soak the ground every other day initially, then slowly wean off. Depending on how large the planting area is, hundreds, if not thousands of flowers appear when in the plant is in bloom, which is normally constant after it becomes more established and watering is lessened.
Additional Info: Pa’u o Hi’iaka means skirt of Hi’iaka who is the younger of Pele, the fire goddess. The plant gets this name from a story that has Hi’iaka waiting on the beach for Pele who is out surfing. During this time Hi’iaka falls asleep and when Pele returns she finds that her younger sister has this vine draped over her to protect her from the sun.
Pau o Hiiaka