Canavalia hawaiiensis

Description:

wikiwiki or puakauhiFabaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Lnai, Maui and Hawaii Island)Oahu (Cultivated)Flowers used for lei making. Early Hawaiians made roughly constructed fish nets and traps from stems and scoop nets probably made from wikiwiki vines for small rock paoo (blennies) and opae (freshwater shrimps).Another wikiwiki (Canavalia galeata) was specifically mentioned for medicinal purposes. An infusion of leaves, shoots and bark mixed with other plants as a bath for itch, ringworm and skin disorders.EtymologyThe generic name Canavalia comes from the Indian kanavali, a common name for Canavalia maritima.The specific name hawaiiensis refers to the island of Hawaii, one of the islands where this species is found.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Canavalia_hawaiiensis