Wikstroemia oahuensis
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| ʻākia; Oahu False Ohelo | ||||||||||||||
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| Wikstromeia oahuensis |
Wikstroemia oahuensis (ʻākia, sometimes referred to in nursery trade as "Oahu false ohelo") is a shrub, native to Hawaiʻi, that can grow up to 5 feet tall.
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[edit] Description
In cultivation, it generally grows about 3 feet tall and can get up to 10 feet in diameter. The young branches are gray, yellow, or reddish brown. The leaves grow with two leaves opposite each other on the branch, overlapping, and are dark green or grayish on the upper surface and lighter green underneath. They are oval to round and usually under 1 inch long. This species is highly variable, with the leaves ranging from large and long to small and round. The stems do not snap but peel when bent. It flowers irregularly throughout the year, but produces fewer flowers when the plant has mature fruit. The tubular yellow to yellow-green flowers may be perfect (bisexual) or unisexual (either male or female), and less than 1/2 inch long. The dwarf bog form from Kauaʻi is sometimes recognized as a separate species, W. palustris.
[edit] Distribution
There are 12 Wikstroemia species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Wikstroemia oahuensis is a relatively common plant in a wide variety of habitats - including hala forest, ridges and rocky areas, moist to wet forest, and even bogs - up to 1,400 meters (4600 feet) on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Maui.
[edit] Medicinal Uses
Hawaiian medicinal uses are as a laxative and for treatment of asthma. Possible anti-tumor activity.
[edit] Danger
In Hawaiʻi this species was used to stupefy fish. Also, it has been used in combination with other species to poison criminals.
[edit] Indigenous Practices
ʻĀkia is used in Hawaii as landscape specimen and for making beautiful lei from flowers or from seeds.
