Elaeocarpus bifidus
| Elaeocarpus bifidus | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
| |
| Kalia on Kalauao trail, Oʻahu | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Oxalidales |
| Family: | Elaeocarpaceae |
| Genus: | Elaeocarpus |
| Species: | E. bifidus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Elaeocarpus bifidus | |
Elaeocarpus bifidus, known in Hawaiian as kalia,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Elaeocarpaceae that is endemic to the islands of Kauaʻi and Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi[3]
The kalia is a medium-sized evergreen tree, and has fruits that resemble olives. Formerly the bark was used to make rope, and the branches were used in the construction of thatched roofs.[3]
Description
[edit]The texture of the leaves is similar to paper, and they are alternate. They are elongated at about 4–10 cm (1.6–3.9 in) long.[4] The bottom of the leaf is covered in fine hairs. Blades are ovate to lancelote. They are 7.5–15 cm (3.0–5.9 in) long and 4–10 cm (1.6–3.9 in) wide. It has wavy-toothed edges. The tree bears bell-shaped flower clusters that are 3–8 cm (1.2–3.1 in) long and have a pale, greenish-yellow shade.[5]
Habitat and distribution
[edit]Elaeocarpus bifidus is commonly found in wet forests at altitudes from 90 to 1,220 m (300 to 4,000 ft).[5] It is native to the islands of Kaua’i and O’ahu.[4][6]
Human use
[edit]This species can be used to make rope with the fiber from the bark. Slender branches can be useful for thatching roofs, and rafters can be constructed from larger branches.[7] In ancient Hawaiian usage, black and blue dye was made from this species.[6]
.jpg)
References
[edit]- ^ "Plants Profile". Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- ^ "Native Plants Hawaiʻi". Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Common Forest Trees of Hawaii (Native and Introduced)" (PDF). Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Flora of the Hawaiian Islands - Species Page/ Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution". naturalhistory2.si.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ a b "Elaeocarpus bifidus". hawaii.wildflowersearch.org. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ a b "Plants of Hawaii - Kalia". www.oahunativeplants.com. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ "Elaeocarpus bifidus - Useful Tropical Plants". tropical.theferns.info. Retrieved 2025-05-15.