Ilima: Sida fallax

Official Flower of Oahu

This bright yellow flower has special significance to the people of the Hawaiian Islands. It is the official flower of the Island of O’ahu. It was the flower of choice for leis by Hawaiian Royalty, yet these flower necklaces took nearly 500 flowers and didn’t last into the next day. ‘Ilima is also a native plant to the islands. Its known as indigenous because it is also native to many of the islands in the Pacific.

General Description

‘Ilima grows has a few different growth forms. It can grow as a small shrub from 1-5 ft tall. Near the seashore it grows fairly flat on the ground spreading out along rocky substrate. Inland, in the dry forestes it grows more upright and sturdy. The flowers are ½ to 1 inch wide, yellow orange and parted. Like others in the Malvaceae family, the male stamen are aranged around a tube in the middle of the flower. Leaves are light green, with serrated edges (margins). Some leaves have tiny soft hairs but other plants do not. It is found from sea level up to about 6,000 feet.

Habitat

The beautiful ‘Illima flowers are particularly common on the drier sides of the islands and along the seashore. They can be found from sea level to about 6,000 feet. Unlike many of Hawaii’s native flora, ‘ilima grows well in somewhat disturbed areas.

Medicinal Uses

Flowers of ‘ilima were used as a source of medicine by native Hawaiians to cure general debility, womb disorders, and asthma. Juices from the flower were squeezed out to make a gentle baby laxative called kamakamaika’i.