Wilkesia gymnoxiphium

Description:

IliauAsteraceae (Sunflower family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Kauai only)Oahu (Cultivated)Pictured is a young plant growing with other native Hawaiian plants in a landscape setting.Iliau or Kauai greensword (Wilkesia gymnoxiphium) is related to the famous silverswords and greenswords found at high elevations on Maui and Hawaii Island, both belong to the very large Asteraceae or Sunflower family of some 20,000 species worldwide! Wilkesia is an endemic Hawaiian genus with only two incredible species.Otto Degener, Botanist, in "Flora Hawaiiensis" notes that "Kauai Wilkesia ...is said to have been used medicinally by the ancient Hawaiians." Kaluna M. Kaaiakamanu in "Native Hawaiian Medicine--Volume III" confirms that iliau was used as medicine, but does not explain its application.EtymologyThe generic epithet Wilkesia is named in honor of Captain Charles Wilkes (1798-1877), a commander of the United States Exploring Expedition.The specific epithet gymnoxiphium is derived from the Greek gymno, naked or exposed, and xiphos, sword, in reference to the elongated sword-shaped leaves of this remarkable plant.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Wilkesia_gymnoxiphium