Wilkesia gymnoxiphium

Description:

IliauAsteraceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Kauai only)Oahu (Cultivated) in an urban setting with telephone wires.Iliau or Kauai greensword (Wilkesia gymnoxiphium) is related to the famous silverswords and greenswords found at high elevations on Maui and Hawaii Island, both belong to the very large Asteraceae or Sunflower family of some 20,000 species worldwide! The genus Wilkesia is an endemic Hawaiian genus with only two incredible species.Otto Degener, Botanist, in "Flora Hawaiiensis" says that "Kauai Wilkesia ...is said to have been used medicinally by the ancient Hawaiians." Kaluna M. Kaaiakamanu in "Native Hawaiian Medicine--Volume III" confirms that iliau was used as medicine, but does not explain its application.Leaveswww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/12685296413/in/datetaken...Stalkwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/12685012233/in/datetaken...EtymologyThe generic epithet Wilkesia is named in honor of Captain Charles Wilkes (1798-1877), a commander of the United States Exploring Expedition.The specific epithet gymnoxiphium is derived from the Greek gymno, naked or exposed, and xiphos, sword, in reference to the elongated sword-shaped leaves of this remarkable plant.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Wilkesia_gymnoxiphium