Family: Amaranthaceae

A ‘goosefoot family member,’ the leaves are three-lobed, like a goosefoot. Velvety hair gives them a silvery appearance, blue/green in color. The fleshy leaves range in size depending on water availability. Drier areas will have smaller leaves, and wetter areas will have larger leaves. They are weakly scented when crushed. However, the plant won’t emit a fish odor unless deliberately bruised. Brushing up against the plant isn’t enough to produce a smell, therefore cultivating this plant won’t stink up the garden. ʻĀweoweo produces seeds and flowers most of the year. While the flowers are small and insignificant, the ever-present seeds add an interesting texture to the landscape. Like the ʻāweoweo fish, the red-streaked stems add a subtle flash of color. The height varies as well, ranging from 3 feet to over 10 feet!

Habitat & Uses

ʻĀweoweo is a hardy shrub endemic to all the main Hawaiian Islands, except possibly Kahoʻolawe. It grows in various climates, from the ocean to high elevations, especially on Mauna Kea. However, these elevations are usually on the leeward sides. ʻĀweoweo wood was used by early Hawaiians to fashion makau manō (shark hooks), which they would finish with tips made of bones. The leaves and shoots could be eaten during famine times when steamed in an ʻimu (earthen oven).  ʻĀweoweo was also used medicinally to treat children with ʻea (thrush) and pāʻaoʻao (latent childhood disease) by combining with niu, kukui, līpoa (a brown seaweed, Dictyopteris spp.), wawaeʻiole (clubmoss), ʻalaʻula (a green seaweed, Codium edule), ʻilima, and/or marine shells. ʻĀweoweo would also be burned with other bitter plants like ʻākia to send prayers. 

Landscaping & Cultivation

Water until established and during prolonged drought. After that, ʻāweoweo is maintenance-free! Pests should not be an issue. Irrigation, pruning, and fertilizing is unnecessary. While it produces seeds yearlong, many of them are infertile. Sow many if propagating by seed. Vegetative cuttings are perhaps an easier way to reproduce.

Name Origins

The ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi ʻāweoweo is not only the name of this plant, but also the name of the red Hawaiian bigeye species, a variety of sugar cane, and a seaweed. The name ʻāweoweo inextricably links this shrub on land to the fish in the ocean. You can visually see this connection in the deep red streaking on the older stems of the ʻāweoweo shrub. The word weoweo means red, like fresh meat just killed, directly referring to this streaking. Another name for ʻāweoweo is ʻāheahea, which can mean warm like water standing in the sun or to wilt as a plant. This name may refer to the areas where ʻāweoweo typically likes to grow.

Plant Uses:

• Container plant
• Cultural significance
• Edible
• Erosion control
• Hedge
• Medicinal
• Ornamental

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers