Palapalai
Microlepia strigosa
Medium sized ferns that grow to be about 2-3+ ft. tall. Fronds are very soft and are usually light to medium green in color. Individual blades and midrib are usually very hairy as described by its Latin species name, striga which means short bristle like hairs. The degree of hairiness ranges from light to very heavy and are acknowledged as separate varieties.
ʻElua a ʻekolu kapuaʻi nā oho o ka palapalai. He oho ʻōmaʻomaʻo palupalu nō ia. Uhi ʻia ke kumu o ka palai i nā heu, a ʻo ia ka mea e ʻike ai nā palapalai o kēia pae ʻāina.
Palapalai is an indigenous fern meaning that it is native to Hawaiʻi but also other places. Here it is found on all the main islands in usually mesic forests but occasionally in dry or even wet forests as well, from near sea level all the way up to about 5000 ft. elevation.
Ulu ka palapalai ma kēia pae ʻāina, a ulu nō hoʻi ma kekahi mau ʻāina ʻē aʻe ma waho o Hawaiʻi. Ma ʻaneʻi, ulu ka palapalai mai kahi o kahakai a hiki i ka wao nahele. ʻO ka mea maʻamau naʻe, ulu ma ka wao akua, ka wao maʻukele, a ma ka wao ʻeiwa.
Palapalai is a very important plant in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi culture, primarily for Hula. It is one of the plants Kapu (sacred) to Laka, the goddess of hula, it is also used to adorn the Hula altar and dancer as well and is highly sought after for making lei. Many songs and chants also refer to palapalai for its beauty and cultural importance.
Hoʻohana nui ʻia ka palapalai e nā kānaka hula. Kapu ka palapalai iā Laka, ʻo kekahi akua hula. Wili ʻia nā palapalai i lei, a he mea ia e wehi ai nā kuahu.
For years palapalai has been sold in stores and used in landscapes here in Hawaiʻi and throughout the world. Although, chances are these are not the ones native to Hawaiʻi, they most likely came from Asia where they are also native. Even the ferns that are normally sold here as “palapalai” are propagated either in the mainland or sometimes Mexico then shipped to nurseries in Hawaiʻi. So, once you get the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi variety, you can plant them in any semi-shaded area like under the eve of your house, at the base of a larger tree, or even kept in a bright room with daily misting. Daily watering is ok once planted in the ground and routine application of compost, mulch or fertilizer will keep it looking full and green. Keep it in a more protected area since they can be prone to wind damage.
ʻO ka palapalai i kūʻai maʻamau ʻia ma nā hale kūʻai, he palapalai haole nō paha ia no ʻĀkiaa Mekiko paha. No laila, e aho paha e kanu i ka palapalai no kēia pae ʻāina. E kanu i ka palapalai i ka malu o nā lāʻau ʻē aʻe. Hiki ke hāinu i nā lā a pau. He mea nui naʻe ka hānai ʻana i ka lepo momona no ka ulu mau ʻana o ka palapalai. Pilikia nō hoʻi ka palapalai i ka pā nui ʻana o ka makani.
This fern is also known as palai, and there are many other ferns, both native and non-native that have palai in part of their name. Palapalai is also the name on the island of Ni’ihau for another native fern more commonly known as ‘okupukupu (Nephrolepis exaltata).
Kapa ʻia hoʻi ka palapalai, he palai. Ma Niʻihau naʻe, he inoa ka palapalai o kekahi ʻano palai ʻē aʻe, ʻo ia nō ka ʻōkupukupu (Nephrolepis exaltata).