1. Species

Cheirodendron trigynum

Read More
  • Leaf of 'olapa (Cheirodendron trigynum) in Waikamoi Preserve (East Maui) (August 2009)

Copyright (c) 2009 by Philip A. Thomas (imagesbypt@philipt.com)

    Leaf of 'olapa (Cheirodendron trigynum) in Waikamoi Preserve (East Maui) (August 2009) Copyright (c) 2009 by Philip A. Thomas (imagesbypt@philipt.com)

  • 20090829_002878

    20090829_002878

  • 20100722_018762

    20100722_018762

  • 20090829_002878

    20090829_002878

  • 'Olapa (Cheirodendron trigynum [Araliaceae]) is a native shrub/tree in the Waikamoi Preserve.  "[T]he fluttering motion of its leaves when moved by the slightest of breezes is the inspiration for a type of hula" (info from NPN).

More information about 'olapa is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

(image by Forest & Kim Starr)

Information from TNCH's Waikamoi Preserve Plant Identification Cards:

Description: 'Olapa is a tree that ranges in height from 5-15 m (16-50 ft). The bark is gray and smoothish but sometimes rough or scaly. Its compound leaves, palmately arranged on long, slender, and flattened petioles (stalks), have 3-5 leaflets, which are shiny green on the upper surface; dull light green below. Edges sometimes have fine, curved teeth. When the bark and leaves are crushed, they emit an aromatic carrot-like smell. The greenish or purplish flowers are arranged in forked clusters. The small fleshy fruit turn purplish to black at maturity. At a distance these trees can be distinguished by its leaves fluttering in the breeze.

Distribution and Ecology: 'Olapa occurs an all of the Hawaiian Islands except Kaho'olawe in moist to wet forest, where it is a common canopy tree, along with 'ohi'a and koa. The fruits were eaten by native birds, some of which are rare or extinct. 'Olapa is a host plant for native Drosophila, or picture-wing, flies.

The bark of 'olapa, taken along with other plants, was used as a preventive medicine for asthma by the early Hawaiians. The fruit was used as a blue dye for kapa, or bark cloth. The wood is a good fuel as it burns when green. The wood was also used for catching birds for their feathers; birds landed on 'olapa sticks smeared with sticky material. 'Olapa is a term used in hula to describe dancers who acquire the grace of the 'olapa leaves blown by the slightest wind.

    'Olapa (Cheirodendron trigynum [Araliaceae]) is a native shrub/tree in the Waikamoi Preserve. "[T]he fluttering motion of its leaves when moved by the slightest of breezes is the inspiration for a type of hula" (info from NPN). More information about 'olapa is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR). (image by Forest & Kim Starr) Information from TNCH's Waikamoi Preserve Plant Identification Cards: Description: 'Olapa is a tree that ranges in height from 5-15 m (16-50 ft). The bark is gray and smoothish but sometimes rough or scaly. Its compound leaves, palmately arranged on long, slender, and flattened petioles (stalks), have 3-5 leaflets, which are shiny green on the upper surface; dull light green below. Edges sometimes have fine, curved teeth. When the bark and leaves are crushed, they emit an aromatic carrot-like smell. The greenish or purplish flowers are arranged in forked clusters. The small fleshy fruit turn purplish to black at maturity. At a distance these trees can be distinguished by its leaves fluttering in the breeze. Distribution and Ecology: 'Olapa occurs an all of the Hawaiian Islands except Kaho'olawe in moist to wet forest, where it is a common canopy tree, along with 'ohi'a and koa. The fruits were eaten by native birds, some of which are rare or extinct. 'Olapa is a host plant for native Drosophila, or picture-wing, flies. The bark of 'olapa, taken along with other plants, was used as a preventive medicine for asthma by the early Hawaiians. The fruit was used as a blue dye for kapa, or bark cloth. The wood is a good fuel as it burns when green. The wood was also used for catching birds for their feathers; birds landed on 'olapa sticks smeared with sticky material. 'Olapa is a term used in hula to describe dancers who acquire the grace of the 'olapa leaves blown by the slightest wind.

  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2021 SmugMug, Inc.
    Leaf of 'olapa (Cheirodendron trigynum) in Waikamoi Preserve (East Maui) (August 2009)

Copyright (c) 2009 by Philip A. Thomas (imagesbypt@philipt.com)
    20090829_002878.jpg
    20100722_018762.jpg