Scientific Name: Tephrosia purpurea
Also Known As: Hawaiian Fish Poisoning Plant
Polynesian Introduction: All of the main islands
Description: Small shrubs 3-4 ft. tall with small compound leaves, tiny purplish white pea flowers (about an inch wide) that emerge above the stem lined up on a stalk, eventually turning in to small pea-like seed pods. These plants are short-lived though lasting only about 1-2 years. They do set many seeds which normally germinate before the original plant dies so instead of the original one you planted, now you’ll have four or five.
Distribution: This plant is found all over the world from Africa, Asia, Australia and even other parts of the Pacific. In Hawai’i it’s a Polynesian introduction that is found on all the main islands in extremely dry locations like lava fields, rocky slopes, dry ridges as well as coastal areas.
Cultural Uses: Like the title says, ‘Auhuhu is used to intoxicate fish in closed bodies of water (like tidal pools) to make them easier to catch. The plant contains a chemical which drugs certain cold blooded animals like fish. By pounding various parts of the ‘auhuhu and placing it in the holes of the reef, or within enclosed water bodies, the fish would become drugged which made scooping them up or spearing them much easier.
Landscape Use: Because of where this plant is found naturally, it would be a perfect plant for those interested in xeriscaping, its short stature and cute flowers are a bonus. It does best in full sun and watering is minimal once the plant is established. Few pests are known to bother this plant making it that much better. Like I said earlier, this plant does reproduce fairly quick so don’t be surprised to find several plants around your original plant, but don’t pull them out, utilize your cultural practice and go fishing! Just make sure to only catch what you would eat and save the rest for stocking the future so everyone can eat.
Other information: Other Hawaiian names for this plant are: Ahuhu, ‘Auhola, and Hola. Also, the word ‘Auhuhu pa’ina which translates as “a time so dry that even the ‘auhuhu plant became brittle” is another word for the collective summer months otherwise known as Makali’i.
Auhuhu
