Family: Lindsaeaceae
Palaʻā is a indigenous fern that is native to Hawaii, along with Polynesia and countries in Asia. This fern grows in clumps that can reach several feet in diameter, and up to 5 feet tall. The fronds of this fern are lace-like, smooth, ovate, a glossy light green color, and can grow to approximately 30 cm long. The stalks are a burnt-orange color which are subdivided three times.
Habitat & Uses
Palaʻā is a indigenous fern that is native to Hawaii, Madagascar, China, the Himalayas, India, Sri Lanka, the Malay Peninsula, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Polynesia. Palaʻā is common in many different climates, such as mesic and wet forests, grasslands, shrub lands, and along the sides of streams. It can grow from about 130 to, upwards of, 4300 feet in altitude, and is therefore one of the most common and widespread native ferns in Hawaii.
Old and dried Palaʻā fronds were used by Ancient Hawaiians to create a brownish-red dye used for kapa cloth, this dye is called kīheʻaheʻa palaʻā. Palaʻā was also used to make lei haku, or as a base for other types of lei as the material was comfortable for the wearer. There are also many moʻolelo that include palaʻā, specially as a Hula skirt. In the story of Pele & Hiʻiaka, Hiʻiaka, the youngest sister of pele, wears a hula skirt made of palaʻā. This skirt manifests as the guardian Pāʻūopalaʻā, who is her loyal companion and helps to protect Hiʻiaka on her journey to Kauaʻi.
Plant Uses:
- Cultural significance
- Lei flower
- Ornamental
- Groundcover
- Dyes
Plant Dangers:
- No dangers
