Family: Ericaceae

ʻŌhelo ʻai is a native evergreen shrub. ʻŌhelo ʻai literally translates to “edible ʻōhelo,” which refers to the tasty berries this plant produces. These berries can be a variety of colors including red, reddish purple, bluish purple, dull black, yellow, orangish yellow, yellowish green, or pink. The leaves of ʻōhelo ʻai are small and spirally arranged, and new leaves are red when they emerge. The flowers of ʻōhelo ʻai are small, bell-shaped, and can be red, yellow, greenish yellow or yellow with red stripes.

Habitat & Uses

ʻŌhelo ʻai thrives in high elevation areas from about 650 ft up to 5,000 ft. It is typically one of the first plants to grow on new lava flows and does well in cinder soil. It is tolerant of wind.

In addition to being eaten, ʻōhelo ʻai is used in medicine and lei-making (new leaves, berries, and flowers ). In traditional Hawaiian medicine (laʻau lapaʻau), the leaf buds, leaves, and fruit of ʻōhelo ʻai are combined with other plant materials to treat stomach pains.

Plant Uses:

• Container plant
• Cultural significance
• Edible
• Lei flower
• Medicinal
• Ornamental

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers