Charpentiera obovata

Description:

Ppala or Broadleaf papalaAmaranthaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian IslandsOahu (Cultivated)The wood is very light when dried and will burn like paper. The Hawaiian name ppala originated from a practice on Kauai. Formerly on the north coast of Kauai, early Hawaiians most often used the flammable ppala wood as firebrand. During times when the strong winds swept out to the sea, they would throw burning pieces from cliffs which floated along on the winds. When the fire would reach the center of the wood sparks shot out like fiery rockets in what must have been an impressive display. This sport was called ahi.Growing from a bed of Iliee (Plumbago zeylanica).NPH00003nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Charpentiera_obovata