Family: Lycopodiaceae

Palhinhaea cernua, or wāwaeʻiole, is a perennial evergreen plant. It has tiny, pale to bright green needle-like leaves (2-5mm long by 0.3mm wide) that densely cover the aerial stems. Wāwaeʻiole is herbaceous and tends to “creep”. As a fern ally, it is not a flowering plant.  The name “wāwaeʻiole” means “rat’s foot,” referring to the appearance of the branching shoot tips. 

Habitat & Uses 

Wāwaeʻiole is native to areas throughout the tropics and sub-topics, including Hawai‘i, where it is typically found at higher elevations. It prefers to grow in wet areas. In Hawai‘i, the spores of wāwaeʻiole have been used for talcum powder. The plant material was boiled to make a bath for rheumatic patients. 

Plant Uses:

• Cultural significance
• Lei flower
• Medicinal
• Ornamental
• Groundcover

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers