Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, June 20, 2022

'Ilie'e if the featured plant for June in The Kaʻū Calendar column Native Plants of Ka'u. Learn about its uses fore dye and for healing. See artist Joan Yoshika's rendition and author Jodie Rosam's column below. Photo by J.B. Friday

NATIONALLY, THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER BEGAN ON JUNE 20 and ends on Sept. 22. In Hawai'i there are two seasons, summer, which is called Kau in the Hawaiian language, from May through October, and winter, which is called Ho'oilo in the Hawaiian language, from November through April. It is wildfire season and hurricane season and summer vacation for students, with the return to the fall session in Ka'u's public schools in August.

'ILIE'E IS FEATURED IN JUNE'S Lāʻau Letters: Native Plants of Kaʻū. The monthly column by Jodie Rosam with art by Joan Yoshioka features native plants and their moʻolelo (stories), uses, preferred habitats, and opportunities to adopt them for stewardship. It seeks to encourage making new plant friends 
and to reunite with others:
    'Ilieʻe, Plumbago zeylanica, Description: Did you know Hawaiʻi has a native Plumbago? Meet ʻilieʻe! ʻIlieʻe is a member of the Plumbaginaceae family, and is the only Plumbago species native to Hawaiʻi. It grows as a low sprawling herbaceous shrub and has five-petaled white flowers that emerge at the stem tips and bloom year round. Once pollinated, slightly sticky fruits develop, which can then be easily spread across the landscape by humans and animals. Because Hawaiʻi had no native land mammals, it was likely spread by large, flightless birds in the past.
    Uses: ʻIlieʻe sap can be used to create dyes for kākau (traditional Hawaiian tattooing). In fact, a

synonym for ʻilieʻe is hileʻe, which means to stain dark brown. Medicinally, the bark, leaves, and roots can be pounded into a poultice and used to alleviate swelling and help with sprains, and the leaves and stems can be ground into a paste to help heal sores.
    Habitat:ʻIlieʻe is indigenous to Hawaiʻi, meaning that it is found elsewhere in the world, and is present on all of the main Hawaiian Islands. The shiny leaves are adapted to survive in the sunny conditions of lowland dry forests from near the coast to about 2,500 feet elevation. It can be seen crawling along barren (older) lava flows or as an understory in disturbed forests dominated by ekoa (Leucaena leucocephala). ʻIlieʻe can be spotted all throughout the dry forests of Kaʻū. Chances are you have seen it along the roadside or on a hike, so next time you notice an ʻilieʻe, please stop and introduce yourself!
    Growing and Purchasing:ʻIlieʻe is a gorgeous addition to the home landscape, and is a great alternative to the Cape Plumbago (why not plant a native instead?). They will grow in just about any soil type you offer them, and can be utilized to control erosion on steep slopes, to add some greenery in open and dry areas, or to beautify garden beds or planters. ʻIlieʻe can handle full sun or shade, just resist the desire to overwater, and remember that while plants in the shade may be prolific, they will bloom slightly less than if planted in full sun. Feel free to prune and shape them as you wish, and enjoy your new low-maintenance friend.
    About the artist: Joan Yoshioka says she is a conservationist at heart and has dedicated her life to preserving the native plants and animals of Hawaiʻi through her work with federal, state, and private organizations over the past 30+ years. She describes herself as an outdoor-lovin’ optimist, biologist/botanist, and habitual creator of art-stuff. She says the key to our most fundamental and truest part of ourselves is found in nature and she constantly draws on it for inspiration.
    About the author: Jodie Rosam says she has a deep love for native plants and a passion for exploration, with over 15 years of experience in working in the restoration of Hawaiʻi’s forests. As a mother and an educator, she says the next generation has the power to lead the world to a sustainable future, and is committed to teaching her children (and others) from a place-based perspective.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

INTERESTED IN A GRANT TO PLANT NATIVE TREES, REMOVE INVASIVES? With the intention to help with climate resiliency, approximately $4.5 million is available from a grant from the Regional Conservation Partnership Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  The application deadline is Aug. 5.