Hawaiian name: ‘Iliahialo‘e Botanical name: Santalum ellipticum Family: Santalaceae (Sandalwood Family) Status: Endemic Where found: Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Hawai‘i, O‘ahu & Kaua‘i Water/Light: Dry, with full sun exposure Elevation range: 0 to 3,100 feet Height: Up to 30 feet, with a 10+ foot spread Notes: ‘Iliahialo‘e is a coastal variety of Hawaiian sandalwood. It blooms all year, forming reddish to dark purple fruits. The older and bigger the tree, the more valuable it becomes; as sandalwood’s intoxicating fragrance increases with age. In old Hawai‘i, the fragrant heartwood and bark of ‘iliahialo‘e were often mixed with coconut oil and used to scent and waterproof newly pounded kapa. Medicinally, the leaves were used as a shampoo to treat dandruff and head lice. Also, the leaves, new leaves (liko) and flowers of ‘iliahialo‘e were used to make beautiful lei. Be sure to plant ‘iliahialo‘e with a host plant as it is hemiparasitic. ‘Iliahialo‘e latches on and derives some nutrients from their host plant, but are not totally dependent on them. ‘Iliahialo‘e is drought, wind, salt and heat tolerant. *Photo courtesy of Jupiter Nielsen
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 17:48:10 +0000
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