`Ie`ie

(Freycinetia arborea)

Discription:

A woody climber that spreads out over the forest floor and wraps itself up around the trunks of the taller trees.  `Ie`ie stems are very rough in diameter and sprout tiny aerial roots that attached the plant to the host tree. During the flowering phase, three bright orange spikes develop out of the center of the leaf clusters.

Distribution and ecology:

It occurs on all of the main Hawaiian islands except Kaho`olawe and Ni`ihau in primarily moist to wet forest. Often, `ie`ie is found on exposed ridges and slopes from 300-1,500m (1,000-4,900ft).

Cultural Use:

In the early Polynesians used the spiked flower clusters as a famine food. Hawaiians used the roots as binding for outrigger canoes, fish trap baskets, and sandals.