Pukiawe - Indegenous

(styphelia tameiameiae)

DESCRIPTION :

        Pukiawe is a prickly gray barked shrub. It has short narrow leaves that is stiff and pointed.the top of the leaf is dark green and the bottom is light green, silverry.the fruit could be white pink or red and are round and firm.

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY :

        Occurs on all of the main Hawaiian islands except niihau and kahoolawe.it may be found in moist and wet forests,bogs and alpine shrubland.

CULTURAL USES :

        Hawaiians once strung the pukiawe fruit into lei. Kahuna used pukiawe smoke in a ceremony so that the alii could mix with the commoners.