Hibiscus clayi

Description:

Kokio ula or Clay's hibiscusMalvaceae (Mallow family)Endemic to the Hawaiian IslandsIUCN: Critically EndangeredOahu (Cultivated)This is not the common red hibiscus that one sees growing everywhere in the city and along streets of Honolulu and Waikk. That one is the Chinese red hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). www.flickr.com/photos/x3wolfgang/5792953302/in/photolist-...No, Clay's hibiscus or kokio ula is much rarer, but can be found growing in a few private yards, gardens and parks if one knows where to look.With so many flowers nearly always available, kokio ula makes a beautiful lei.Front view of flowerwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5113322360/in/photostream/Habitwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5113322360/in/photostream/Early Hawaiians grew both the native red and white hibiscuses near their houses for their flowers.The beautiful flowers were fashioned into striking lei, but lasting only a day.Hawaiians also pounded kokio with other plants, juice was strained, and taken to purify blood. The leaves were chewed and swallowed as a laxative or mothers would chew buds and given to infants and children as a laxative. Mother would also chew the buds and give to children or children would eat the seeds to strengthen a weak child.The wood was used by early Hawaiians to make a fine charcoal. EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow.Regarding the specific epithet:In 1928, Albert W. Duvel discovered several small hibiscus trees on Kauai that were damaged by cattle. He brought them into cultivation, which proved to be a new species. Isa and Otto Degener named these plants Hibiscus clayi, after the late Horace F. Clay, a horticulturalist and instructor of botany at Leeward Community College (Leeward CC) on Oahu. A small garden with Hibiscus clayi and a small sign in his honor is on the Leeward CC campus in the front near the Biological Science Building.NPH00009nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Hibiscus_clayi