The "ohia lehua" flower, one of Hawaii's most recognizable trees, is native to the Hawaiian Islands and has a long history there. The stunning blooms, which come in a range of hues from red to yellow and even white, have served as inspiration for numerous local accessory and garment designers. We've gathered some information on this tropical tree that you should be aware of.

It's a Swiss Army knife with flowers

Ohia Lehua Flower

Ohiʻa trees were utilized by the ancient Hawaiians for a variety of things and are mentioned in mele (songs), oli (chants), and mo'olelo (tales). Its wood was utilized to make statues and constructions, as well as kapa cloth beaters and boards for poi pounding. Its blossoms were utilized medicinally, such as to lessen labor discomfort.

The native Hawaiian birds' menagerie was fed by the nectar of its flowers, including the now-extinct mamo (black Hawaiian honeycreeper) and 'apapane (Hawaiian honeycreeper), whose bright feathers were frequently utilized for hula decorations.

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Ohia Lehua Flower born of legend

Ohia Lehua Tree

Many Hawaiian mo'olelo mention the 'ohia lehua' flower; one of the more important mythology describes its genesis. The well-known Hawaiian legend claims that ōhiʻa, a handsome guy, once lived. He grabbed Pele's attention, the Hawaiian goddess of fire since he was so attractive. Sadly for Pele, ōhiʻa had his sights set on Lehua, who also had a thing for ōhiʻa.

Ohia was changed into an unsightly, gnarled tree by Pele in a moment of fury, and despite Lehua's efforts to persuade Pele to change him back, she refused. Lehua then appealed to the other gods for help. As a compromise, they decided to change Lehua into a lovely flower to ornament the ōhiʻa tree, ensuring the couple's eternal union. Some claim that when you remove a flower from an ohia tree, the two lovers start to cry, and the sky begins to fall with their tears.

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Ohia Lehua Flower comes in a variety of hues

Ohia Lehua Flower

Ohiʻa lehua flowers can also bloom in salmon, garnet, yellow, and, on extremely rare instances, white, though crimson red is the color they most frequently do. All five of the ōhiʻa lehua species are native to Hawai'i and come in a variety of sizes and shapes.

These flowers grow where lava flows

Ohia Lehua Tree

Ohiʻa lehua flowers may appear fragile and delicate, yet the plant itself is exceedingly hardy and can thrive in harsh, arid situations. Hia trees typically are among the first plants to inhabit these dry, obsidian lava rock settings, and nowhere is that more obvious than in regions that have just been buried by lava flows.

The tree's superior ability to extend its root system deeply into lava rock cracks and its capacity to seal its stomata, or breathing pores, which help to keep potentially harmful volcanic gases from being blown their way, are also major contributors to this. Ohiʻa, the main species of Hawaiian mountaintop rainforests, contribute to the beginning and growth of the forest in this way. They can reach heights of up to 100 feet and can live for approximately 1,000 years.

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Rapid Ohiʻa Death (ROD) is a genuine problem

Ohia Lehua Flower

On the island of Hawaii, more than a million "ōhiʻa" have contracted and perished from the fungi Ceratocystis huliohia and Ceratocystis lukuohia. Rapid Ohi'a Death is the name given to the illness brought on by these fungi; trees in Maui, Hawai'i Island, Kaua'i, and Oahu have also become infected. Given that there is now no treatment, it is one of the main concerns in ōhiʻa lehua flower. All we can do for now is adhere to these five recommendations to stop ROD from spreading.

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Do you know Ohiʻa Lehua Day?

Ohiʻa Lehua Day is celebrated on April 25 every year. Let's rejoice and have fun!

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