‘Ohai Ali‘i (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
Common Name: Pride of Barbados
Introduced Post-Contact: Native to tropical America.
The vibrant verigated blossoms of the 'Ohai Ali'i
‘Ohai Ali‘i is an ornamental shrub that usually grows to about 8 feet (2.4 m) but may reach heights of 20 feet (6 m). Also called dwarf Poinciana. The vibrant yellow and red flowers, it is said, reminded the ancient Hawaiians of their colorful ‘ahu ‘ula (royal capes and cloaks) and mahiole (feather-crested helmets), hence its Hawaiian name, which means, “royal ‘ohai.” The flower is best recognized for it's feathery like apparence when used in lei's.
The elongated stamen create the feathery quality of the Ohai Ali'i Lei
He hi‘i alo ua milimili ‘ia i ke alo, ua ha‘awe ‘ia ma ke kua,
ua lei ‘ia ma ka ‘ā‘ī.
A beloved one, fondled in the arms, carried on the back,
whose arms have gone about the neck as a lei.
Said of a beloved child.
(Pukui: 575-67)
'Ahu 'Ula - The feathered cape of the ali'i
Pua Po'alima - Friday's Flower is a serial post featuring some of Hawai'i's revered and celebrated blossoms that have inspired artists, lovers, and poets in times past and today.
Previous posts:
>Pua Po'alima - Fridays Flower - The Endangered White Hibiscus!
Comments(10)