Hydrangea arguta

Description:

[syn. Broussaisia arguta]KanawaoHydrangeaceae (Hydrangea family)Endemic genus to the Hawaiian Islands (All the main islands except Niihau and Kahoolawe)Kaala, OahuThese are pistillate (female) flowers. Dark red to maroon or purplish fruits will soon develop. The fruits are plentiful and mildly sweet or bland.Male (staminate) flowerswww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/9108743429/in/photolist-...The fruits and flowers were eaten by early Hawaiians. EtymologyTha generic name Broussaisia was named in behalf of Franois-Joseph-Victor Broussais (1772-1838), a celebrated French physician and psycologist.The specific epithet arguta means "sharp or sharp-tooted," likely referring to the sharp edges of the kanawao leaves.