Family: Malvaceae

Sida fallax, also known as ʻilima, is a shrub indigenous to Hawaiʻi.  It has a 4-8 foot spread and can take on different forms. Some named forms include ʻilima kū kahakai – the sprawling beach form, ʻilima kū kala – the very tall form on plains,  and ʻilima makanaʻā – a Kaʻū type with smaller flowers found on old lava flows. Leaf shape varies (ovate, round, to heart-shaped), but all leaves have toothed margins. The leaves also range from being fuzzy (coastal variety) to glabrous (mountain variety) and leaf color varies by location. The iconic ʻilima flowers range in color from bright yellow to orange to reddish, and sometimes even green.

Habitat & Uses

ʻIlima is a highly adaptable plant that can grow almost anywhere from sea level to 6500 feet. You can find ʻilima growing in rocky/sandy coasts, raised limestone reefs, arid lava fields, and dry-mesic forests. ʻIlima is the official flower of Oʻahu, but you can find it on all Hawaiian Islands and even Papahānaumokuākea or the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

ʻIlima was such a prominent lei plant that the different blossom colors had distinctive names like ʻilima ōkea (light yellow), ʻilima lei (deep gold), and ʻilima ʻulaʻula (bronze red). Receiving an ʻilima lei is of the highest prestige as a single lei requires hundreds of delicate flowers that do not last very long once plucked. They bloom year-round and are edible. Early Hawaiian uses of ʻilima include in home construction, cooking to prevent burning of food within the imu (earthen oven), and in traditional medicine to treat constipation, womb issues, weakness, and asthma.

Landscaping & Cultivation

Landscaping will depend on what type of ʻilima you select. ʻIlima papa is a great groundcover option for coastal areas and grows well with pāʻūohiʻiaka (Jacquemontia ovalifolia). While the taller forms behave better as a screening or accent plant. This species can handle fertilizers and does best in full sun. This shrub can be planted in a variety of soils – sand, cinder, organics, and coral.

To propagate, Sida fallax grows easiest from seed. For better success, cleaned seeds can be soaked for 24 hours or scarified. ʻIlima do not do well near automated sprinklers as they are high risk for fungal rot and black sooty mold. If leaves begin to turn yellow or splotchy, apply fertilizer with micronutrients. Prune conservatively to encourage new growth. Excess watering can produce lush foliage, but fewer flowers. Please keep an eye out for infestations of ants, scales, aphids, mealy bugs, red spider mites, and slugs.

Name Origins

ʻIlima refers to the plant and the areas in which ʻilima grows. The name can be broken down into ʻi which can be an abbreviation for ʻili or area and lima which can mean hand, sleeve, finger, or the number five. This could be referring to the 5-petaled flower or 5-lobed seed capsules. ʻIlima is also a very handy plant to have around the house. The genus name Sida comes from a Greek name for water lily (Nymphaea alba) and pomegranate (Punica granatum). Fallax means fallacis, deceitful, or false.

Plant Uses:

• Container plant
• Cultural significance
• Edible
• Erosion control
• Hedge
• Lei flower
• Medicinal
• Ornamental
• Privacy / screening
• Specimen

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers